Chapter 7.

STACY.

Minutes later, the car hums along the road that led to the mansion, and I sit in silence, my mind swirling in chaos.

Nicole’s pregnant for Jason...

The words echo over and over in my head, like a cruel mantra I can’t escape.

I can't fathom Jason and Nicole are going to have a baby, a sibling for my son—our son. I blink rapidly, trying to hold back the fresh wave of tears threatening to spill over.

I'm in total shock and I can't understand why all this was happening to me because there were times in the few months we have been divorced when Jason would let his guard down and give me some slight hope to fight for our love... But now all that hope was thrown out of the window.

Nicole is pregnant! I sigh heavily.

Did I offend the goddess to receive such a cruel punishment? I mull deeply while I feel like a stranger in my own body.

“What did I do wrong as a wife?” I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper. “Where did it all go wrong?”

Hannah glances over at me, concern etched on her face. “What did you say?” She asks and I repeat the same question.

“What did I do wrong to deserve all this?”

Hannah sighs softly, “ Oh Stacy, please don't beat yourself up. You did nothing wrong,” she responds but I shake my head.

“But why am I going through all this like I'm cursed?”

Hannah uses one of her hand to gently rub my arm while she takes her eyes off the road for a second,” Oh babes, don't say that… You are not cursed, besides why do you stay? You don’t have to keep living like this. You could leave—start over somewhere new. You don’t owe Jason anything.”

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head once again. “Leave? Hannah, if I so much as try to leave with our son, Jason will hunt me down. He told me himself he would kill me if I took his heir away. I’d never get far enough before he finds us.”

“What?! That’s not fair,” Hannah exclaims sharply, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “He’s moved on. He’s with Nicole now, and they’re going to have another pup together. He has no right to keep you here like this, trapped in this pack that doesn’t even respect you anymore.” she says in one frustrated breathe.

Hannah’s words sting, but she’s right. I’ve felt it every day since the divorce—the whispers behind my back, the cold stares, the way the pack members look at me like I’m a disgrace, and a failure.

Tears spill over, and I don’t bother wiping them away. “I’ve disappointed everyone, Hannah. My parents… myself… Jason. I couldn’t even keep our marriage together. And now, he’s starting the family we were supposed to have—with her.”

Hannah sighs, her voice softening. “Stacy, you didn’t fail. Jason’s the one who abandoned you, not the other way around.”

I don't respond. The tears keep coming, and my chest tightens painfully as we pull up to the mansion which is heavily guarded by pack warriors.

Hannah stops the car in the driveway and turns to me, her eyes filled with sympathy. “listen, don't get yourself worked up too much. You have a son that needs you more than anything… And remember, you’re stronger than you think.”

I nod weakly, forcing a smile. “Thanks for everything, Hannah. I will take my leave now. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Stacy. Call me if you need anything at any time.”

I nod and then step out of the car into what was once my home. My body is still trembling from crying.

The house feels cold and empty, I know all servants have knocked off for the night. I head straight for my son’s room, finding him fast asleep in his crib. His tiny chest rises and falls with each breath, and for a moment, the sight of him brings me peace.

But then the memory of Nicole’s pregnancy news slams into me again, and the pain returns, sharper than before.

Jason threw everything away—our marriage, our family—just like that. Like it didn’t mean anything to him. And now, he’s starting a new life with her, already expecting a child before they’ve even exchanged vows.

Pure raw rage simmers beneath the surface of my heart, mixing with the sadness. I stand there in the darkness, watching my son sleep, wondering how Jason could so easily replace me.

How he could do this to our family.

A sob threaten to escape my lips, but I hold myself back as I didn't want to wake Liam up.

I quickly rush out of the house and head straight to my prison in the back. I get into bed as my body still feels weak from the poison in me.

Oh goddess, what should I do?

The night is long as I spend most of it tossing and turning without finding any sleep... I think of my next move from all this chaos....

Morning comes too slowly. I haven’t slept, and I can’t stomach the thought of eating any of the food that’s been brought to me by the servants. Hannah’s warning about the wolfsbane in my system lingers in my mind, so I decide to make myself breakfast in the main house.

The guest house I live in doesn’t have a kitchen, and I need something to eat and—anything—to distract me from the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

I grab my robe and step into the main house which I notice that no servants have reported for work yet. I make my way to the kitchen, focused on the task at hand.

Grab breakfast as quickly as possible and return to the cottage to have it in peace.

But suddenly I hear the front door open with a gash of wind which carry the most intoxicating alluring scent.

Jason walks in without a shirt, drenched in sweat from his usual morning patrol. The sweat droplets trickle down his chiseled chest, outlining every muscle and disappearing into the waist band of his shorts which clung to his crotch. I can't help myself but lick my lips and swallow.

For a split second, I find myself admiring him, remembering the man that seduced me with just his mare touch—the man I thought would be mine forever.

Fuck Stacy, he divorced you remember!

The illusion shatters as quickly as it forms, and I turn back to the stove, focusing on the food in front of me.

“Morning,” Jason says, his voice casual, as if everything between us is normal.

I scoff under my breath, refusing to look at him. “Morning,” I mutter coldly, keeping my focus on the sizzling pan.

Jason steps closer, and I feel his presence beside me, his warmth radiating in the small space between us. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his voice softer this time, almost concerned.

I freeze, my grip tightening on the spatula. How am I feeling?

Is he serious?

I want to scream at him, to unleash the fury and pain that’s been festering inside me for months. But I bite my tongue, trying to hold it together.

“I’m fine,” I say through clenched teeth without looking at him.

Suddenly without warning, Jason reaches out, his fingers brushing against mine. My heart skip a beat but I compose myself.

“Stacy, what’s wrong? What happened to you yesterday?”

What happened to me? Is he fucking serious right now?

I pull my hand away, my anger finally boiling over from his hot and cold mood swings. “What’s wrong?” I snap, spinning to face him. “What’s wrong, Jason? Really? After everything you’ve done, you have the nerve to ask me that?”

He looks taken aback, his brows furrowing. “I didn’t mean—”

“You didn’t mean what?” I cut him off, my voice rising. “You divorced me, Jason. You threw away our marriage, our family. And now, Nicole’s pregnant, and you expect me to just… what? Be okay with all of it?”

“How did you know about Nicole?” His jaw tightens and I roll my eyes disrespectfully.

“How I know doesn't matter right now!” I snap back, forgetting his Alpha.

Jason doesn't respond and for a moment, we just stare at each other, and in his eyes, I see a flicker of something I haven’t seen in months. Regret? Guilt? I don’t know, but it’s there, buried beneath the cold indifference he’s shown me for so long.

For a split second, I see the man who once loved me, the man who promised me the world. And it breaks me all over again. I sigh to calm myself down.

“Jason…” My voice trembles as I struggle to find the words. “Why? Why did you do this to us? To me?” I reach out to touch his face.

He hesitates, his gaze flickering away from mine. “I told you, Stacy. I never loved you.”

But his words sound hollow now, like he’s trying to convince himself as much as me. I swallow hard, my heart aching. I stare into his eyes, searching for the truth.

“You did,” I whisper. “Once, you did. I know you did.”

He doesn’t answer, and the silence between us feels suffocating. For a moment, I wonder if he’ll say something, if he’ll admit that he made a mistake.

“Jay, please, you can talk to me about anything, I promise not to be angry,” I try to reassure him so that he could open up to me and explain why he did all this.

But just as he’s about to say something to me, Nicole suddenly appears in the doorway, her eyes narrowing as she spots Jason standing too close to me. I hesitantly let go of his face and roll my eyes.

Great timing bitch! I sigh with irritation and shift my attention to the stove once again.

“What’s going on?” she asks sharply, her gaze flicking to his hand, which is still hovering near mine. “Why are you touching her?”

Jason stiffens, pulling his hand back quickly. “It’s nothing, Nicole.” he responds and I sneer.

So indecisive! Something isn't adding up with Jason's behavior.

Nicole doesn’t look convinced, her arms crossing over her chest as she glares at me. “It doesn’t look like nothing.”

The tension in the room is thick, and I want Nicole to say something bad to ignite me so that I could woop her ass in front of her so called man. I have been holding myself back for too long.

Jason steps away from me, his loyalty to her clear. My heart shatters all over again, but I don't show it.

“I was just asking her what caused her to be faint yesterday,” he mutters to Nicole who keeps her glare on me.

My heart squeeze with anger and regret of letting myself show emotions to a man who keeps on rejecting me like a piece of used tissue. A lump firms in my throat and I'm mad at myself.

“Forget her and let’s go upstairs to freshen up.” Jason tags his bitch out of the kitchen. And just like that, they walks out, leaving me standing there, my heart in pieces at my feet.

Once again, I feel stupid for having hopes of restoring my failed marriage.