Amelia pov
I gathered my belongings from Luca’s room, tears streaming down my face. My heart ached as I realized that I had devoted my life to Lucas, only to discover he had betrayed me with a pack worker in our own bed.
“I’m sorry, Amelia, but you’ve been acting strange lately. You can’t expect a man to understand your wild emotions,” he said, daring to ask foolish questions instead of showing any remorse. His face revealed no guilt. I lifted my eyes from my bag resting on the bed.
“I’m staying in the guest room, Lucas. You make me sick,” I retorted, taking deep breaths to steady myself. I couldn’t grasp the whirlwind of emotions inside me as he sat on the mattress, casually sipping his drink.
I stormed out, slamming the door behind me. The sound reverberated down the hallway, contrasting sharply with the numbness settling in my chest. Tears flowed as I stumbled toward the guest room, my vision clouded.
“How could you do this, Lucas?” I murmured, collapsing onto the bed. The weight of his betrayal felt unbearable. The joyful memories we shared now felt tainted and hollow.
In the guest room, I let out a heart-wrenching sob. My body trembled, and it felt as if my heart was breaking into countless fragments. I couldn’t understand how the man I loved could so easily throw away our relationship.
Time dragged on, but the pain remained. I heard the front door open and close, signaling Lucas’s exit. The ensuing silence was overwhelming.
Exhaustion eventually took hold, and I slipped into a restless sleep, but the pain of Lucas’s betrayal lingered like a shadow.
As I wrapped my arms around my pillow, an unpleasant odor invaded my senses. What is that smell? It’s like something is burning. I whispered, jolting upright, my heart racing as I rushed into the corridor, scanning for the source of the stench. My instincts screamed that something was burnt, but where?
“Damn it! The kitchen.” In an instant, I dashed toward the kitchen, covering my nose with my hand as the smell made me cough violently.
I stood paralyzed, my hand over my nose and mouth, as the acrid smoke stung my eyes. The kitchen was shrouded in thick smoke, and through the haze, I spotted her the pack worker who had ruined my relationship.
She was frantically waving a towel, attempting to clear the air, but her actions only intensified the flames. On the counter lay the charred remains of what appeared to be Lucas’s favorite shirt, alongside a smoldering pan.
My anger flared, eclipsing the fire. “What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice low and threatening.
She turned, startled, her eyes wide with fear. “I-I was just cooking dinner,” she stuttered.
“Cooking dinner?” I echoed, incredulous. “In my kitchen? With my man’s shirt burning on the counter?”
Her complexion drained of color as she stepped back. “I didn’t mean to… I was just trying to help.”
“Help?” I scoffed, bitterness flooding my voice. “You’ve done enough helping, don’t you think?”
I moved closer, my heart racing. The smoke and flames intensified my fury. “Leave,” I growled. “Get out of my house, my life, and Lucas’s life.”
She shrank back, trembling. “I-I’ll go,” she stammered.
I remained steadfast, arms crossed, as she hurriedly gathered her things and escaped. The door slammed behind her, leaving me surrounded by the acrid smoke and the stench of betrayal.
As I opened the windows to let in fresh air, my thoughts spiraled. Lucas had invited this intruder into our home, into our intimacy, and now she was trying to erase him from my existence.
I wouldn’t allow it.
I wouldn’t allow Lucas to forget either.
A fire ignited within me, and I resolved to fight back.
I charged through the house, flinging open every window to dispel the smoke and the memories that clung to it. The cool breeze carried echoes of laughter and tears shared with Lucas.
As the air cleared, my focus sharpened. I refused to let Lucas’s betrayal define my worth. I deserved more.
In the bathroom, I splashed water on my face, washing away tears and remnants of ash. My reflection revealed a woman filled with determination, her eyes burning with newfound strength.
It was time to reclaim my life.
I walked into the living room and picked up my phone to call a number I knew by heart.
“Amanda, it’s Amelia. I need your help,” I stated, my tone resolute.
“Amelia, what happened?” she replied, worry evident in her voice.
“Lucas cheated on me. I need you to help me move out and start over.”
Amanda gasped, then fell silent. “I’m on my way.”
A few hours later, she arrived with a moving truck and a fierce determination.
We quickly packed my things, leaving behind both memories and heartache.
As I pulled my bag along, Amanda followed closely. Suddenly, I heard Lucas’s voice.
“And where do you think you’re going?” he called out, his voice reverberating through the walls.
“She is leaving,” Amanda shot back, her tone serious.
“Shut up, I wasn’t asking you.”
I knew he wouldn’t let me go easily, but I had to try.
I paused, gripping the handle of my suitcase tightly. Lucas’s voice sent chills through me.
Amanda stepped in front of me, her eyes fierce. “She’s leaving, and you can’t stop her.”
Lucas’s eyes were fixed on mine, filled with desperation. “Amelia, please. We need to talk.”
I stood tall, my voice unwavering. “There’s nothing to discuss. You made your choice.”
His jaw tightened as he moved closer. “You’re just going to walk away?”
“I’m not walking away,” I replied, my voice rising. “I’m running. From you. From us. From the pain you’ve caused.”
Amanda’s hand on my shoulder gave me strength.
Lucas’s face contorted with a blend of anger and desperation. “You’ll regret this.”
I managed a smile, though it felt bitter. “I already regret loving you.”
Taking a deep breath, I turned and walked away, leaving Lucas and the wreckage of our relationship behind.
As we finished loading my things into the truck, Amanda wrapped her arms around me. “You’re strong, Amelia. You can handle this.”
I nodded, tears threatening to spill.
“Don’t let anyone leave the pack mansion,” Luca’s command to the security guards sent shockwaves through me.
I shook my head, tears flowing freely. “No, Lucas, let me go.”
“No, Lucas, please!” I pleaded, my voice breaking as I turned back to him. Tears cascaded down my cheeks, hot and unyielding.
Lucas’s expression hardened, his jaw clenched. “You’re not going anywhere, Amelia. You’re mine.”
A shiver ran through me. “I’m not yours,” I retorted, defiance igniting within me. “I belong to myself.”
The pack security guards moved in, creating a wall between me and my freedom. Their faces were stoic, but a flicker of sympathy shone in their eyes.
Amanda stepped forward, her tone resolute. “You can’t keep her here against her will, Lucas. That’s not how packs operate.”
Lucas’s gaze remained fixed on me. “She’s part of the pack, and she will follow the rules.”
I shook my head, desperation rising. “I refuse to stay. I won’t be your prisoner.”
With a surge of adrenaline, I pushed past the guards, Amanda beside me. We raced toward the gates, but they were locked tight, the iron bars cold and unyielding.
Trapped.
I turned to face Lucas. “You’ll never let me go, will you?”
His eyes glinted with possessiveness. “Never.”
Rage and fear battled inside me. I refused to be a captive. I would not be his prisoner.
With a fierce shout, I charged at Lucas, intent on breaking free.
But as we collided, I realized I might not come away unhurt.
I screamed as the guards escorted me into the mansion. Amanda, who had supported me earlier, was dismissed from the pack house.
“Lucas is such a jerk!” I growled, sinking into the couch, wrapping my arms around myself for comfort when the same woman Lucas had been with entered, holding a glass of wine.
“She was a pack worker, meant to serve me.” I chuckled darkly, eager to make her regret her presence.
The pack worker approached me with a hesitant smile, the glass of wine shaking in her grip. “Ma’am Amelia, I brought you some wine. I thought it might help ease your nerves.”
I fixed her with a cold, unforgiving stare. “Do you really think wine will solve this?”
Her eyes flicked to Lucas, who was watching us closely. “I just wanted to assist.”
“Are you out of your mind?” I spat, my voice dripping with disdain. “You’ve done enough already, haven’t you?”
The woman’s face went pale, but she set the wine on the coffee table, her hand lingering as if seeking my approval.
I seized the glass, my grip tightening around it. “You’re amusing.”
Before she could look up at me, I yanked her hair hard, ready to make her shed some unfinished tears.
I saw her eyes widen as I yanked her hair, her scalp protesting loudly. She lurched forward, reaching for my hands, but I wouldn’t let go.
“Please, let go!” she begged, her voice shaking.
I tightened my grip on her hair, my fingers weaving like a trap. “You should have thought about that before you slept with my mate.”
Her face twisted in agony, tears brimming in her eyes. “Ma’am Amelia, please…”
I pulled her closer, our faces nearly touching. “You will call me Luna,” I hissed, my breath brushing against her skin.
Lucas’s voice thundered from across the room. “Amelia, stop!”
I ignored him, my attention solely on the pack worker.
“You’ll regret this,” I whispered, my lips curling into a snarl.
Her eyes widened with fear as I tightened my hold, her knees giving way.
Suddenly, Lucas’s arms encircled me, pulling me back. “Amelia, that’s enough!”
I fought against his hold, but he was unyielding.
“Let her go,” he growled, his tone dark and threatening.
I released her hair, and she stumbled back, gasping for air.
Lucas’s eyes burned with fury, but I held his gaze, unyielding.
“You’ll pay for this,” I spat, my chest rising and falling rapidly.
I couldn’t understand why her sobs echoed in the room, and Lucas’s expression softened.
“Go now,” he said softly. “I’ll take care of this.”
She hurried out, leaving us in the charged atmosphere.
Would Lucas explode with anger, or would he attempt to talk it out with me?
“You nearly killed her.”
“I wish she had died,” I shot back, my glare piercing.
“I’m sorry, Amelia. I’ll make it right.”
“I doubt that,” I retorted, my tone laced with bitterness. “You can’t change what’s already happened.”
Lucas’s eyes were filled with a desperate plea for forgiveness, but I looked away, my heart steeled.
“You made a fool of me,” I murmured, tears stinging my eyes. “You discarded our love like it meant nothing.”
He wrapped his arms around me, trying to pull me close. “Amelia, I love you. I messed up.”
I pushed him away, my eyes blazing. “Love? That’s what you call it? You shattered my heart.”
Lucas’s expression twisted in pain. “Please, Amelia. Just forgive me.”
Forgiveness? Did he really think a mere apology could wipe away the hurt?
“You’ll never grasp the depth of your actions,” I hissed, my voice shaking. “You’ll never know what it’s like to be in my shoes.”
Tears welled in Lucas’s eyes, but I turned away, my determination unyielding.
“I want a divorce,” I declared, the words cutting through the tension.
Lucas’s face was drained of color. “Amelia, please. We can get through this.”
“I’m finished trying to fix your errors,” I said coldly. “I’m finished loving you.”
Silence enveloped the room, broken only by Lucas’s labored breaths.