Chapter 9

*****Erika's POV***** Two days later: As Jace drove me back to the Moonforest pack's borders, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions swirling inside me. My eyes were fixed on the passing scenery outside the car window, trying to distract myself from the heaviness in my heart. But Jace, being his usual self, couldn't resist making some cold yet funny remarks. "So, Erika, how about we play a game of 'Who Can Stay Silent the Longest'?" Jace said, and I had the urge to ask him to stop the car and let me get down. I rolled my eyes, choosing to ignore his comment. I knew he was just trying to lighten the mood, but I wasn't in the mood for games. I wanted to focus on the task at hand and the thoughts that were weighing me down. Jace, however, was persistent. He continued to make snarky remarks and sarcastic jokes, his words bouncing off me like water off a duck's back. It was his way of coping, I suppose, but it wasn't helping me at this moment. Despite my best efforts to hide my true feelings, Jace saw through my facade. He knew me better than anyone else, even when I tried to put on a brave face. He knew something was bothering me. "Erika, you can't hide from me," Jace said, his voice softening slightly. "I can tell that something's bothering you. You know you can talk to me, right?" I sighed and turned to look at him. "I'm fine" I responded, definitely not in the mood to have this conversation with him. "Come on, tell me" he urged and I growled. "Is it about your manwhore husband?" He asked again and I nodded slightly. Hiding things from him was near impossible. "You don't have to think about him, besides you're about to break things off and be free. Once the mate bond is dissolved, whatever feelings you have left for him, would disappear without a trace" he said. I didn't respond to that. I did hear from father earlier this morning that dissolving the mate bond would hurt alot, but I could endure because of my Alpha strength. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Soon we arrived at the Moonforest pack border and I stepped down from the car. "Call me if anything goes wrong" Jace instructed and I nodded. I sighed as my gaze lingered on the road ahead. The packhouse could be seen in a distance and if I didn't know better, I would think the appearance of the packhouse as it looked from afar, was really how it looked like in the inside and in close proximity. As I walked back to the Moonforest packhouse, the weight of my emotions seemed to grow heavier with each step. I reached the grand entrance and was granted entry, but something felt off. The maids, who usually greeted me with a respectful bow, seemed to be ignoring me entirely as they went about their cleaning duties. Confusion and a tinge of anger washed over me. It was as if I had become invisible to them, just another insignificant presence in the vast living room. I was still their Luna even though I left the pack. How dare they treat me like air? I ignored them and made my way up the stairs, determination fueled my steps. I knew exactly where to find Alex at this time of day - in his office. Without bothering to knock, I pushed the door open, expecting to find him alone. But what I saw shattered the last remnants of hope within me. There, on the sofa in his office, sat Alex, with Serenity by his side. Her head was resting on his thigh, a picture of comfort and intimacy. My heart sank, and my fists clenched involuntarily at the scene before me. The pain of our impending divorce and the betrayal I felt surged through my veins, threatening to consume me. How could he move on so quickly? We hadn't even finalized our separation, and yet he was already treating Serenity as if she were his Luna. A mix of anger, hurt, and disbelief washed over me. I stood frozen in the doorway, unable to tear my eyes away from the sight that tore at my heart. The room suddenly felt suffocating, the air heavy with unspoken words. At that moment, I realized that the life I had once known, the love I had believed in and the fact I thought that I could mend my marriage, was slipping away. The pain of seeing Alex with someone else, especially so soon, cut deep, leaving scars that would take time to heal. I felt that he just wanted me out of his life so fast. Alex's head soon snapped to the door and he saw me. He then smirked at me for no reason. "You finally couldn't endure the life outside this walls and now you're back?" He mocked and relaxed further into his sofa. Ignoring his taunts, I walked further into the office. Serenity, sensing the tension, quickly straightened up and lowered her head, trying to appear submissive in front of us. I couldn't help but give her a disdainful look, a silent reminder of the pain she had caused me. "She's such a bitch" Cindy suddenly groaned at the sight of her Turning my attention back to Alex, I mustered all the strength I had left. "I came here in regards to my text," I said, "To dissolve the mate bond and sign the divorce papers." Alex froze as my words registered in his head. He looked up at me and into my grey eyes. "You still want to put on an act_" I cut him shut before he could mutter any more nonsense. "I'm not putting on any act, Alpha Alex, just give me the papers and I'll sign. Then we'll go dissolve our mate bond afterwards" I said in a firm tone and glared at him. The fear I once had for him, disappeared. Alex chuckled and stood up to his full height. "Ok" He mouthed before stepping closer to his table and retrieving some papers. He threw the papers in my face, but I couldn't care less about it and just picked it up to sign. After signing my name elegantly on it, I handed him back the papers. "Now it's time to dissolve the mate bond"