004.

Cassie.

Days turned into weeks, and the bullying I endured escalated to new heights, far worse than I could’ve ever imagined.

Every corner of the pack estate felt foreign, and each encounter with a pack member was a fresh reminder of my failure to keep Axel’s attention.

Whispers trailed behind me like shadows, relentless and cold. The pack members looked at me with contempt, as if I were nothing more than a stain on their proud alpha’s life.

“Look at her,” one she-wolf sneered as I passed by one day, “The discarded wife, all alone.”

“She should be grateful Alpha hasn’t thrown her out yet,” another chimed in, laughing, “But we all know it’s just a matter of time until that happens.”

In the midst of it all, Axel’s demand the night before made it difficult for me to sleep.

“Make sure to let Selena get close to Cam; he needs to get used to her,” he’d said without so much as looking up from the document on the table before him.

I had agreed, believing that perhaps Selena was genuinely nice and just trying to connect with my son. But that belief was shattered the second Selena entered my room with a smirk.

“I haven’t had the time to sit and talk with you,” she said as she strolled leisurely into the room.

I smiled but said nothing.

“I never would’ve guessed Axel was married. He never spoke about you,” she said, and she moved forward, taking Cam in her arms. The sight should have been comforting, but the atmosphere had already turned sour.

Selena’s demeanor shifted as she looked at me with a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with a hidden agenda.

“You know,” She began, her voice laced with venom, “if I were to get pregnant, my child would be the one to become Alpha, not little Cam because he’s not born of the Alpha’s mate.”

My blood boiled at her words.

“I’d prefer it if you don’t speak of my child that way,” I told her with clenched fists, “If it were up to me, I’d take Cam and leave this pack forever, and I wouldn’t look back.”

Selena’s smirk widened, unfazed by my anger.

“That would be the best decision you could ever make because your little boy looks nothing like Axel. But Axel swears his blood runs through Cam’s veins.”

I rose to my feet instantly as Selena set Cam down. Our faces were inches apart, the air thick with tension.

“What are you trying to insinuate?” I asked her, but she scoffed

“So you have some fighting spirit in you? Good. Use it to find a new home for your son,” Selena said with a smirk.

I could feel my heart racing, ready to fight for my son, but before I could respond, Selena’s expression shifted. She glanced toward the door, eyes wide with panic.

“Axel!” she cried, staggering backward as if I had shoved her, the act all too dramatic.

I turned to see Axel standing in the doorway, his expression a mix of confusion and anger as he took in the scene.

“What the hell is going on?” he demanded.

“Nothing!” Selena shook her head, her voice dripping with fake innocence, “Cassie doesn’t want me to be a part of Cam’s life, and that’s fine. I get it.”

My throat tightened.

“What are you saying?” I protested, but the anger in Axel’s eyes silenced me.

“So you pushed her?” he asked, but before I could say a word, Axel continued.

“I actually regret marrying you,” he said coldly, stepping forward as if to confront me directly, “You’re nothing but a burden. You can’t even handle this, making a fuss over nothing to the point you get physical?”

“Axel, I—”

“I’ve had enough of you, and you’ll be confined in a separate room to think of your behavior today.”

Behind Axel, Selena placed her hands over her mouth as she struggled to stifle her laughter.

“You’ll stay there until you learn how to act properly," Hw yelled and dragged me out of my room to the next room down the hall.

The door slammed shut behind him, locking me inside and my heart sank. I felt the walls closing in around me, both physically and emotionally. What had my life become?

Time dragged on as I paced the small room, anxiety gnawing at me. I could hear the distant sounds of the pack preparing for the night, and Axel had not released me yet. My mind was on my child, who was probably hungry, and sleepy, knowing very well that with Axel obsessing over his mate, he wouldn’t have the time to check on him.

I began banging on the door, begging for whoever was behind the door to open up for me to get my son, but I knew no one would come to my rescue.

After an hour, a muffled cry broke through my spiraling mind—Cam.

I rushed to the door again, pressing my ear against it, desperate to hear my son’s voice.

“Cam?” I whispered, my heart aching with longing. His cries intensified, and I knew I had to do something. I beat my fists against the door again, panic clawing at my throat, “Let me out! Please!”

Finally, I heard the sound of the lock clicking, and the door swung open. Axel stood there, his expression unreadable.

“You’re not learning your lesson, Cassie,” he said, his voice low and warning.

“Please! Cam needs me!” I pleaded, my eyes wide with desperation.

With a heavy sigh, Axel stepped aside, “Fine. Go and keep him quiet.”

I rushed back to my room and scooped Cam into my arms, cradling him close.

“Shh, it’s okay, my love,” I cooed, bouncing him gently, “I’m here. Mummy’s got you.”

Cam’s cries slowly subsided as he recognized my voice, but the relief was short-lived when Axel exited the room and Selena came in with a smug look on her face. It was as though Cam could tell she came in, and he started fussing again.

“Do you think this will go on?” She asked, her voice and eyes full of venom, “Do you think you can get Axel to do whatever you want if you simply use your son?” she asked again.

“Look, just leave me alone. I have nothing to do with you. Just leave me and my son alone,” I cried out to her as I gently bounced Cam in my arms. Selena laughed.

“I gave you a piece of advice earlier. Take your son and leave this pack, or I’ll make your life more miserable than it already is.”