CHAPTER THREE.

( Denver'S POV )

I stomped off in anger as I headed upstairs.

I was literally boiling at that moment and felt I could end the life of any being who would approach me.

'Do you think treating our mate in that manner is acceptable?' I heard Landon say.

I sighed. Landon was my inner wolf, and it seemed he always took Claude's side against mine.

"She cheated on us, Landon. Do you still think we can salvage the situation?" I retorted.

'But was there any need to act in that manner?' I heard Landon's voice in my mind.

"Act in what manner, Landon? What I did was the right thing to do. Don't you agree with me?" I ran my hands through my hair.

At that moment, I heard the sound of a loud thunderbolt, and I sighed again.

'The right thing to do? That's what you think, Denver. You hurt her, by the way, you acted.' Landon said calmly.

"And what business of mine is it? She isn't our mate in the first place. Is there any need to act in a kind manner to her?" I asked my persistent wolf.

'She is pregnant, Denver. Have you forgotten?' Landon continued.

"Not for us... She's pregnant with another person. A fucking human, for that matter!" I retorted in exasperation.

'But I insist-'

"There is nothing to insist on, Landon. Our mate fucking cheated on us. And you still think it's nice to defend her?" I was annoyed at his behavior.

Luckily, he went silent at my words. I sighed in relief and hurried over to my room.

.....

THE NEXT DAY.

( Denver'S POV )

I had decided to let Claude return to her pack, as there was no reason to keep him with me anymore.

She was no longer my mate after all, so of what use is it, keeping her with me?

The scent of fresh soil courtesy of the heavy rainfall the previous night crossed my nose.

Tottering behind me, was a timid Claude. It was a good thing that she was soon going off.

At least, I would no longer be seeing her.

The windscreen of my car had raindrops on it by the time I got to the bouldering tree under which I had parked the car, the previous day.

And that was despite the fact that the lush leaves hanging from the branches were expected to protect it.

I sighed as I opened the door to my car and got in. I waited for her to get in.

Turning on the ignition, I zoomed off.

My right hand was on the steering wheel, while my left hand ran through my messy black hair.

'You have to apologize to her.' Landon said after being quiet for a while.

"And why should I?" I retorted.

'Just do. And I want to race when we return to the pack's territory.' Landon's voice was calm.

"Alright, can you keep quiet and let me focus on driving, if you don't want to get us killed?" I implored.

'An Alpha and his wolf can't die easily.' Landon rebuffed.

"Oh really? I didn't know about that. Why don't I run into a speeding truck then?" I teased.

'You wouldn't dare to!' He yelled.

≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠=

The Crescent pack house.

( CLAUDE'S POV )

I leaned my hands on the wall, as I stood by the window side watching the raindrops, as it splattered on the window.

My parents weren't around, and Denver had already gone back to his pack.

The rain had thinned to a drizzle, but every now and then lightning flashed across the sky after the thunderclaps must have sounded.

I sniffed as I forced back the tears at the tip of my eyes. I wasn't going to shed tears anymore. I was feeling nothing in fact.

My mind was numb. My body felt sore, as Denver had his way with me, again this morning before we drove down here.

I heard footsteps behind me, but I didn't bother turning to check who it was.

"You are back?" A soft voice asked as the footsteps approached me.

I didn't respond, but I stopped reminiscing.

The owner of the voice stopped right beside me and placed her hands comfortingly on my shoulders.

"Victoria," I said simply, acknowledging her presence.

"Welcome back, Claude."She repeated as if I hadn't heard her the first time.

"I whirled around to face her directly.

"What do you think I should do?" I sobbed.

"Be calm, Claude. As I said, all these would pass soon enough." She consoled me.

I waited for her to continue, and when she didn't, I glared at her.

"Will it pass soon? Do you think I can actually believe that? It is hard to believe that my mate with whom I grew up with, would actually do something like this to me." My tone was monotonous.

"Sorry." She bent her head.

I turned towards her. "Sorry? You did nothing, Victoria ." I sighed.

"Let's head over to the sofa. You can't keep standing." She suggested.

"I can stand." I refused and stood adamantly in my position. Without looking at the mirror, I knew I looked like a mess, at that moment. But it wasn't my fault, was it?

"I insist, Claude." She dragged me gently over to the sofa in the middle of the living room.

We sat down, and I remained silent, waiting for her to speak.

"You see, Denver had been denying your pregnancy for some time now. You might have not noticed, but the pack members are now looking down on our Alpha, all because of you." Victoria began.

I gave no reaction.

"You have to abort the child... To protect your father's reputation, and yours even. Denver Is the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack. If he continues denying your pregnancy, then no one can challenge his words. What do you think would happen to the reputation of the pack then?" Victoria asked me calmly.

Her words hit me, like bolts of thunder, and I felt like all my last energy had been sapped dry.