Chapter 3

Verena

"I…um…" The words catch in my throat like I''m choking on glass. My legs turn to jelly beneath me. I can''t wrap my head around it—he''s already getting cozy with her just hours after our divorce papers were signed. If he''s being this affectionate with her, it means he''s completely moved on. Though maybe he never needed to move on in the first place.

"Rena?" He says my name again, snapping me back to reality. I need to pull myself together. He''s not my husband anymore, and soon he''ll sever our mate bond completely. I shouldn''t be feeling anything at all.

"Did I interrupt something?" I ask, my eyes sliding over to Nixie, who''s staring at me with those big, innocent brown eyes. Anyone would buy the sweet act those eyes are selling, but I can see the venom lurking underneath.

Elijah''s eyes narrow, and he runs a hand over his mouth—his tell when he''s both curious and pissed off. "You did," he says curtly, and his words hit like a slap.

"I—"

"Rena, you need to remember that you have to ask the Alpha for permission before entering his room."

My mouth falls open, eyebrows shooting up. "What?"

"You heard me. I''m letting it slide this time because we haven''t officially rejected each other yet and you''re still my mate." His voice wraps around me like a cold chain. Just a few hours ago, everything was different. Where''s the man who used to wait for me in bed every night, who wouldn''t fall asleep until I was beside him? Who the hell is this guy?

"Wow, I had no idea this was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years," I fire back, crossing my arms. My eyes dart to the bed where he''d been sitting with Nixie practically glued to his lap.

His jaw tightens at my words. "We''re divorced now. Obviously we''re not sharing a room anymore." He tilts his head, watching for my reaction like I''m some kind of lab rat.

I let out a bitter laugh. "Sure. I mean, you wouldn''t want me barging in on your ''room'' while you''re having quality time with your mate." I put extra emphasis on the last word, shooting a look at Nixie.

"Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I''m warning you. I''ve been patient with you, but that patience is running out. Choose your words carefully." His voice drops to that low, commanding tone that reminds me exactly who''s calling the shots now.

His words feel like a knife twisting in my chest. Like I''m some kind of burden he''s been carrying around.

"Elijah, it''s okay," Nixie moves closer to him, sliding her hand over his shoulder like she owns him. "I get that she''s hurting, so I don''t mind."

A growl rips from my throat before I can stop it, my eyes locked on where her hand touches him. Elijah raises an eyebrow, and I realize what I''ve just done. He''s still my mate, and watching someone else put their hands on him feels like being burned alive, even if that someone is his original mate.

"I—I''m sorry if I upset you, Rena," Nixie looks at me with trembling lips. "But you have to understand that I love him and I can''t stay away from him." Tears start pooling in her eyes, and she begins to sob like I''ve just kicked a puppy.

"Nixie, don''t cry. This isn''t your fault," Elijah stands up and wraps his arm around her. Everything inside me screams at the sight, but I bite my tongue. I watch in silence as he comforts her when I''m the one falling apart. "Rena and I came to a mutual agreement, so this is our choice."

I want to scream. It was never my choice to lose him.

Elijah looks at me with that pointed stare. "You still haven''t told me why you''re here." His voice is gentle like always, but I can tell he doesn''t want me around. He thinks I''m going to mess things up between him and Nixie.

My jaw starts shaking. "It''s nothing. Sorry for interrupting whatever you two were doing." I bolt for the door as tears start streaming down my face. The paintings and furniture in the hallway suddenly look foreign as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this hell?

My head starts pounding, and I stop dead in my tracks. Everything''s spinning. Nausea crawls up from my stomach, and through my blurred vision, I see two figures at the other end of the hall. They look worried as they hurry toward me.

"Luna, are you okay?" I recognize the voice—it''s Dory. "You look really sick—"

I don''t catch the rest because everything tilts sideways, and I hit the floor. Shadows dance across my vision before everything goes black.

Beep. Beep.

My eyes flutter open to the sound of machines, and I find myself in a hospital bed. My head feels like someone''s taken a sledgehammer to it.

"She''s awake," I feel Dory''s warm hand on my back as I slowly sit up. She helps steady me.

"Thank God!" Drake blurts out from beside her. The twins work for me in the pack, and right now they look like they''ve been through hell.

I groan as the throbbing hits again. "I passed out."

"Yeah. We got you to the hospital as fast as we could. How are you feeling now?" Drake asks.

I nod. "Better."

The door opens and a woman in a white coat walks in, clipboard in hand. "Oh good, you''re awake," she says with a smile as she approaches. My eyes drop to the name tag on her coat.

Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynecologist.

"Is it some kind of infection?" I ask.

Her smile gets bigger. "No, Luna. I actually have wonderful news for you. I hope the Alpha throws us a celebration after this." She looks so excited that my frown deepens. I glance at Drake and Dory—Drake just shrugs while Dory shakes her head like she''s as lost as I am.

"I don''t understand," I say.

"Congratulations, Luna. You''re pregnant."