Abandoned by My Mate, Saved by The Alpha King.

Iris’s POV

Anxiety and dread gripped my heart as I prayed to the moon goddess that my ears were just deceiving me—that five years of devotion and commitment hadn't all been for nothing.

My mate, Alpha Jake Smith's birthday was coming up tomorrow. I had been working tirelessly to make sure everything was in order for the birthday. I needed to get his opinion on some of the options for the designs, so I went to his office where I knew he would be.

“Iris is really busting her ass for your party, Alpha Jake.” I heard Beta Philip's voice say as I lifted my hand to the door handle.

“I almost feel bad for her.” Philip added with a small chuckle.

I froze, as confusion and unease settled in my chest. Why would Beta Phillip say that? My heart raced as I stood there to hear more.

“She’s so desperate to please you. It's honestly pathetic,” Gamma Luke chirped in with a sneer in his voice.

Jake snorted. “Well, what do you expect when she’s so broken and needy?” He responded casually.

“What will happen when Zara gets back? Because I know she won’t miss your birthday party.” Luke asked.

My blood ran cold. Zara? But Zara was just an old friend of Jake. Right?

“What will happen?” Jake asked with a snort. “Zara is the one I want by my side as my mate, and Luna—not Iris.”

The room erupted in laughter at his words.

“You’re ruthless.” Philip chuckled.

“What? It’s true. Her family issues have really messed her up. Nobody wants that type of luggage.” Jake defended.

“I wonder what the moon goddess was thinking to give her to me as a fated mate. But on the brighter side, she is a good way to keep myself satisfied till Zara gets back.” He added, and they all laughed.

I covered my mouth to stifle the sob that almost escaped. Pain and betrayal settled in my chest.

Five years. Five years of loyalty, love and sacrifice. But everything had just been a big lie, and it seemed like everyone else knew, except me.

Tears streamed down my eyes as I turned away from the door and left, abandoning the remaining of the preparations.

~

When I got home, I released the tears that I had been holding on to all the way home. I wept as I remembered all the promises and vows that Jake had made to me over the last five years. How had I never seen it? He had always looked so genuine and sincere.

I glanced at the pregnancy report lying on the table beside me with tears blurring my vision. I had wanted to surprise him with the news of my pregnancy for his birthday tomorrow, thinking it would be the best birthday present.

I flung the pregnancy report across the room with a cry of anguish as I thought of how stupid I had been all these while. I glared at my stomach with bitterness. There was no use bringing the child into this world – a world of deceit and betrayal. No one deserved this kind of life.

However, as I thought of removing the small life growing in me, I got overwhelmed with sadness. I couldn’t get rid of this baby. This child belonged to me, and was the only thing I was sure of in my life.

I cried myself to sleep that night as I kept replaying everything that happened over and over in my head.

The next morning, a gentle kiss on my forehead woke me. I blinked sleepily, and I found myself face to face with Jake's soft smile.

“Hey you,” he murmured softly. I smiled warmly at him.

“Hey,” I replied with a croaky voice.

The events of yesterday felt like a distant dream at first, before it slammed into me, and the smile on my face faded instantly.

Jake noticed it immediately, and he furrowed his eyebrows in concern.

“Are you alright?” He asked, rubbing his thumb across my chin.

I gave him a forced smile as I nodded, turning my head away from his hand.

“Iris, are you sure?” He asked, his furrow deepening.

I nodded, “Just tired.” I replied, trying to keep the pain out of my voice.

“Oh, I noticed you left early yesterday without finishing the preparations for my birthday. You must have been tired.” He replied, with concern shining in his eyes.

Jake looked so concerned and worried for me. It was so hard to imagine that he was the same person who had said those cruel things in his office yesterday.

‘Oh Jake, you’ve really been so good at fooling me all these years’. I thought to myself as he turned to walk away. ‘But no more’.

Iris’s POV

“Iris, I don't know if I have said this before, but I really appreciate you. You've really been working a lot for my birthday celebration, so thank you very much.” He thanked me with a soft smile on his face, as though he wasn't the same person who had mocked me yesterday.

He leaned to kiss me, but I turned at the last moment, making him kiss my cheek instead. I noticed a flicker of annoyance cross his face, but he quickly brushed it off. How had I been blind to these little signs for this long?

“Alright, I'll see you later. I have some little preparations to take care of.” He announced, patting my head gently. “I’ll come pick you up by 4.” He promised.

~

After preparing, I waited for Jake, but he didn’t show up. By 5pm, he sent me a message.

~Can’t make it. Party has already started. Come by yourself~

I scoffed in bitterness as I stared at the phone with tears welling up in my eyes. It was just another broken promise—nothing new.

With the help of a pack member, I was finally able to make it to the pack’s grand hall where the party was taking place. As I arrived, I immediately found Jake. He stood chatting and laughing with Phillip and Luke, but he wasn’t alone. A tall blonde stood beside Jake, clinging to his side, while his arm was around her waist, holding tightly. They looked like the perfect couple.

Pain stabbed my chest as I watched how he gazed into her eyes with so much affection and love, like she was the only person in the room.

I approached them reluctantly, bracing myself. Immediately Jake noticed me approaching, his expression hardened, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his face.

“Hey Luna,” Philip and Luke murmured. I could see the mockery clear in their eyes as they excused themselves.

“Hey,” I replied to them, then I turned to Jake, but he completely ignored me, giving his full attention to the blonde.

For a long time, they chatted, and even flirted, while I stood there awkwardly like the unwanted stranger. They didn’t even care that I was right there. It was getting too painful to bear, so I decided to leave them.

However, the moment I turned to leave, the tall blonde turned her attention to me.

“Hey, you’re Iris, right?” She started, causing me to pause.

I nodded, “Yes, I am.”

She gave me a smile. “Hello, Iris. I am Zara.” The tall blonde introduced herself, confirming my suspicions. This was the Zara that they had been talking about the day before.

“Nice to meet you, Zara.” I greeted with a forced smile on my face.

“First, let me apologize for delaying Jake from coming to pick you this evening. My flight was delayed, and he had to wait at the airport to pick me. It was all my fault that he couldn’t come pick you.” Zara apologized with a soft smile on her face.

Zara wasn’t fooling me with the fake smiles. I could see the delight and glee in her eyes as she spoke.

“It’s fi—” I started, but Jake interrupted me.

“What are you apologizing for, silly? It’s not your fault that the flight got delayed.” Jake scolded her lightly, poking her nose affectionately.

Zara giggled, leaning into him. “Come on, Jake. I’m trying to be nice.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched the two of them. I had promised myself that I wouldn’t cry in their presence, but it was just so hard to watch as Jake poured all his attention and affection on her, completely ignoring me.

“Excuse me,” I mumbled, rushing off to the bathroom so that nobody would see me cry.

Iris's POV

Immediately I entered the bathroom, I locked the door behind me, leaning against it as the tears ran down my face. The ache in my heart increased, and I clutched my chest as I sobbed in pain.

All those years of promises and vows had all turned out to be fake, a big lie. Zara was really the person he wanted.

I don’t know how long I stayed there sobbing, but finally when it felt like I had no more tears to shed, I stood in front of the mirror and stared miserably at my red eyes, and disheveled hair. I looked like a mess—nothing like the gorgeous Zara.

I washed my face, rearranged my hair and my face, and stepped out of the bathroom with a sigh. I braced myself to continue watching Jake and Zara all over each other.

“So Iris, are you done crying?” A familiar voice asked mockingly from beside me, and I froze.

I turned, and there she was, leaning against the wall with a mocking smirk on her face. Zara was obviously showing her true face here.

“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied, trying to walk away.

Zara laughed a loud mocking laugh that sent a shiver down my spine. “I’m just trying to check up on you, make sure you are alright. It’s not easy to see one’s mate all over another woman.”

Pain surged through me at her words, but she wasn’t done.

“Let me tell you something, Iris. As long as it concerns me, he will always prioritize it.”

I clenched my jaw at her words, but I decided to leave to avoid a confrontation.

“I’m really surprised,” she started, and I paused at her words, wondering where she was getting at.

“With your pitiful background, it’s quite funny to think you belong by the alpha’s side. You should know your place.” She taunted with a cruel smirk on her face.

My heart broke all over as I realized how deep Jake's betrayal had been. He had told her the personal details of my life—the things that I had told only him, in moments of vulnerability.

I bit my lips as I struggled to keep the tears in. I was not going to cry here. She took a step closer to me with a sneer on her face.

“Jake is mine. Has always been. I don't care that he's your mate or whatever, but it's me he wants, so you better back off.” She snarled.

I clenched my jaw as a fresh wave of pain surged through me as Jake's conversation in his office flashed through my mind. Zara had nothing to worry about. I thought bitterly to myself.

Zara snorted to herself in amusement. “Why am I even bothering? Jake has always made it clear to me how much he wants me.” Her eyes shone with glee. “Especially when we make love.” She added with a cruel smirk on her face.

I inhaled sharply at her words.

“Oh yes, don't be surprised, because it's very true. Do you remember that alphas’ conference that he went to a few months back?” She asked, tilting her head with delight in her eyes.

I remembered it vividly, as it was the first time Jake had been away for two weeks since we had gotten together. I had missed him terribly and had kept calling him, just to hear his voice to soothe the ache in my chest. I also remembered how distracted and distant he had been whenever I called him.

“Yes, Iris,” Zara said, smirking. “There was no conference. Jake spent those days with me, in my arms, in my bed. You were probably home, waiting like a good little Luna while your mate was in my bed.”

I clenched my fists as I struggled to maintain my composure. I refused to break down here.

“As if that wasn't enough, this afternoon, after he picked me from the airport, we spent hours together, just like old times. Jake couldn’t keep his hands off me. He kept telling me how much he missed me, how you have never satisfied him.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I whispered, my voice shook.

“Because you need to hear the truth,” Zara said with a wide grin. “Jake doesn't want you. He never did. You’re just... convenient.”

Her words were so hurtful. How had I been so blind? There were so many signs, but I had chosen to ignore them, because of my blind trust in him.

Zara laughed mockingly at the look on my face. “I think I'm done here. Let me leave before my Jake gets worried, and starts looking for me.”

Iris's POV

Several moments later, after Zara left, I stood in that hallway, trying to gather together the remnants of my composure.

How did it come to this? How had I been so blind, so trusting? Probably because he had been my fated mate, so I had nothing to suspect him of.

I had sacrificed everything for Jake—my time, my trust, my love. And what had he given me in return? Lies, betrayal, and humiliation.

I walked out of the bathroom feeling miserable. I felt like I was living in a nightmare that refused to end.

As I stepped out, I immediately noticed that Jake's arm was wrapped around Zara. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion when I saw that he was consoling her, her eyes were red, like someone who had been crying.

The moment Jake lifted his head and saw me, his expression darkened. I was confused, but I ignored it as I went to tell him to tell him that I was going home.

“Jake, I—”

Before I could even react, his fist slammed into my face. Pain exploded through my cheek as I fell to the ground, clearly not expecting it.

Instinctively, one of my hands rushed to protect my stomach, while the other clutched my cheek as I stared up at Jake in shock. My ears rang as I tried to process what had just happened. Jake, my fated mate, had just hit me.

I could hear the gasps of the nearby pack members as they watched in shock.

“Jake!” I cried out as I gave him a look of disbelief.

However, his eyes were filled with rage as he stepped toward me. Zara stood behind him, and when I caught her eyes, she smirked mischievously before she quickly changed her facial expression to an expression of pure innocence.

“How could you?” Jake growled venomously. “How could you do this, Iris?!” He bellowed.

Tears had already welled up in my eyes from the pain of his fist.

“What did I do?” I cried softly.

“How dare you lay your hands on Zara?” He snapped in anger, his eyes blazing with anger.

“What?” I whispered, my voice trembling as I wondered what he was talking about.

I glanced between Jason and Zara in total confusion with tears streaming down my face. Jake had never hit me before, so I was shocked.

“She told me everything,” Jake cut me off with an accusing tone. “You cornered her in the hallway, said horrible things, and hit her! She’s been nothing but kind to you, Iris, and this is how you treat her?”

My heart shattered at his words. He believed her. Without question, without even asking for my side of the story, he believed Zara’s lies.

“I didn’t touch her,” I said softly, willing him to believe me. “I swear, Jake, I would never—”

“Enough!” he roared with spittle flying out of his mouth, “You’ve humiliated me enough, Iris. You shouldn’t have come here.” He spat disdainfully.

Even though I tried to stop it, I couldn’t help but sob out in pain. The betrayal, the humiliation—it was just too much.

Zara stepped forward, and placed a gentle hand on Jake’s arm as if she was trying to calm him, but her eyes shone with glee and delight. “Jake, please,” she said softly, her voice shaking. “I don’t want to cause trouble between the two of you, just let it go.”

Her voice was filled with concern, but clearly she was enjoying every second of this.

Jake shook his head with cold eyes, clenching his jaw tightly. “No. She’s crossed the line. There’s nothing to explain. Go home!”

I felt the eyes of the entire room on me, and I felt so humiliated. However, the humiliation didn’t hurt as much as the betrayal. I stared at Jake, my mate, the man I had trusted and loved for five years, who had just turned on me.

Iris’s POV

I stood up slowly, still clutching my face as the throbbing pain from where he had hit me increased. I avoided his eyes as I turned away and began walking home.

A fresh wave of tears flowed down my cheeks as I kept replaying what had just happened in the party. Jake had turned into a total stranger as he glared at me with those cold unfamiliar eyes.

Could I really bear all these? Obviously, Zara was going to be here for a very long time. Could I be able to live with the constant heartbreak, betrayal and humiliation?

No. I couldn’t live with it. However, I had no choice. I had nowhere else to go, and Jake knew that. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. I was an orphan, and I had no friends, so I really had no family or friends to rely on.

A sharp sound pierced through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. It was the horn of a car.

“Luna,” a pack member, Adam greeted, stepping out of the car with a small smile. “Please let me give you a ride back. I’m taking that same route.”

From the look of pity in his eyes, he knew what had happened to me at the party. Embarrassment washed through me at that thought, and I tried to decline his request. However, he insisted till I finally relented and got into the car. Fortunately, Adam understood that I wanted to be left to my thoughts, so he kept silent throughout the drive.

I still couldn’t wrap my head around everything that had happened since yesterday and until now. My world had been turned upside down in a few hours, and everything I knew turned out to be a lie.

I was so lost in thought that I barely paid attention to my environment.

The sound of tires screeching, pulled me out of thoughts, and before I could react the car swerved violently to the side.

My heart leapt into my throat as the vehicle skidded across the road, going totally out of control. Adam cursed under his breath, gripping the wheel of the car tightly as he tried to control it.

I barely had time to brace myself before the car flipped twice. My body was thrown violently from side to side, and pain shot through my body as the car finally slammed to the ground and skidded to a stop. I watched as the car that had hit us sped away with a huge dent on it.

My world went black for a few minutes. The last thought on my mind before I lost consciousness was that the car looked so familiar.

~

When I came back to consciousness, I was disoriented for a moment. My eyes kept ringing, my eyes were blurred, and my chest hurt. I glanced around to see that I was suspended upside down by the seat belt.

A sharp pain pierced through my stomach, and I cried out, holding my stomach protectively. Oh please, please, moon goddess. Let my baby be okay. I pleaded within myself.

I hesitantly glanced at my stomach and horror gripped me. My breath caught in my throat as I saw the dark crimson blood staining my clothes. My heart raced as I stared at the piece of metal that had impaled me. Dread surged through my veins as I realized that the metal had pierced through my abdomen, right where my baby was growing.

I couldn’t breathe, frozen in shock as the reality of what had happened sank in. My hand shook as I reached down, trying to pull the metal out. However, the shock wore off, and the pain shot through me intensely, making me cry out in agony.

Iris’s POV

My vision swam as I fought to stay awake. I needed help immediately. Right now. I glanced at Adam to see that he was unconscious, and I felt hopeless. However, I couldn’t give up, for the sake of the child growing in me. I gritted my teeth, panting heavily as I struggled to pick my purse that was lying on the floor. I took out my phone from the purse, groaning heavily as I struggled to stay awake.

My hands were slick with blood, and they shook as I dialled Jake’s number, panting heavily as I tried to fight the feeling of unconsciousness that I was creeping in, even with the intense pain that I felt. It rang several times, but he didn’t pick the calls. Despair settled in my heart as I kept calling, but he didn’t pick.

Finally, when I was about losing hope, he picked the call.

“What is it?!” Jake snapped in annoyance.

At this point, I didn’t care about his attitude towards me. I just needed his help urgently.

I gasped for air as I tried to speak. “JJJake. PPlease hhhelp.” I stammered out, feeling unconsciousness creeping in.

He scoffed in disdain. “Is this your way of trying to get attention, Iris?”

In the background, I could hear Zara’s voice.

“Hey Jake, what do you want to eat?” I heard her ask. They were no longer at the party, they were at Zara's place.

My heart clenched in pain, but I ignored everything. “JJake–”

He interrupted before I could say anything, his voice impatient and annoyed. “Look Iris, whatever it is, we will talk about it tomorrow.” He said dismissively. “I won’t be back tonight.” He said.

I sobbed out in frustration as I tried to explain to him, but he growled in irritation.

“After the stunt you pulled at the party, you should be happy that I decided to pick this call. Stop being an attentionseeking bitch! Even if you die outside, it has nothing to do with me!”

Then he hung up. My heart fell in hopelessness as I realized that I was alone in all these. The phone slipped from the hand, and fell to the floor as darkness closed in on me.

Just before everything faded completely, I felt the warmth of strong arms wrapping around me, as they lifting me away from the car

Then I heard a voice. It was soft, soothing, and comforting.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” the man’s voice murmured in assurance, and I felt like everything was going to be okay.

I struggled to open my eyes, using all the strength I had left. The only thing I managed to see were his eyes. They were deep, piercing green eyes that shone with genuine concern. I felt so peaceful in his arms as I finally slipped fully into unconsciousness.

~

~

The moment I regained consciousness, the first thing I noticed were the white walls. My body felt heavy, my head kept ringing, and a dull ache throbbed in my abdomen.

My eyes squinted as they tried to get used to the bright environment around me. It took a moment to recognize where I was. My eyebrows furrowed as I realized that I was in a hospital. My mind raced as I began piecing together what I remembered – the car crash, the blood, the impalement, the pain.

Panic began to rise in my chest, and instinctively, my hand moved to my stomach. There was no way for me to know yet, but there was nagging thought in my head. That injury at my abdomen had looked so severe.

The door opened softly, and a healer stepped in, her face was calm but I could see the sorrow in her eyes. She approached the bed slowly. A chill ran down my spine at the look on her face. My voice shook as I asked her the scary question. “My baby... is my baby okay?”

Iris's POV

Her expression softened, and the sorrow in her eyes deepened. She shook her head slowly.

“I’m so sorry, Luna. There was too much damage. We did everything we could, but... the child was long gone before you were brought here.....” She revealed with a grave expression on her face.

I didn’t hear the rest. Her words echoed in my mind – my baby was gone. The little life that I had been carrying had been ripped away from me before it could even be given a chance to grow.

Tears streamed down my face, and I released a deep, gutwrenching sob. My hands clutched the blanket, and I shook my head over and over in disbelief.

“No! No, please tell me it’s not true!” I pleaded hysterically as I sobbed in pain of what I had lost.

The healer shook her head with pity on her face, and my heart broke. It really was true, I had lost my child. My sobs echoed in the room as sorrow consumed me.

I sobbed even harder as I remembered how I had called Jake, and he had brushed me off coldly because he was with Zara.

I had begged Jake for help, and he had chosen to ignore me, and mock me. Now, I had lost the one thing in my life that was worth living for, and he wasn’t even here to know or care.

The healer excused me as I sobbed my eyes out.

I cried until there were no more tears left, and my body was completely exhausted, I could barely keep my eyes open.

Someone knocked softly at the door, and a healer walked in. He approached me with a gentle smile.

“Good morning, Luna,” he greeted softly. “How are you feeling?”

I groggily opened my eyes and gave him a weak nod. I didn't have the strength to speak. As he checked my vitals to make sure everything was in order, he nodded in satisfaction.

“You’re very lucky,” he said as he wrote down some things on his clipboard. “The injuries were so severe. It’s a miracle you survived.”

At his words, I furrowed my eyebrows as a faint memory flashed through my mind. I frowned in confusion as I tried to remember something that was important.

“Someone…” I murmured weakly, “Someone carried me... I remember hearing a voice. Someone brought me here. Who was it?”

The healer paused with a thoughtful expression.

“Ah, yes,” he said after a moment. “A man brought you in. He didn’t say much, just that he found you and wanted us to do all we can to make sure you were safe.”

My heart skipped a beat, and sat up with a groan. “Did he... did he say his name? Is he here?” I asked.

The healer shook his head. “No, Luna. He didn't say his name, and he isn't here. But he was so concerned about you. He stayed until we assured him that you were stable. After he was sure you were alright, he left without saying a word.”

“Was he a pack member?” I asked.

The healer shook his head again. “He wasn't a pack member. He probably came for the alpha's birthday yesterday.”

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Who was he? Why had he saved me? Did he know me? Why didn't he stay till I woke up?

These questions flashed through my mind, but for now, I was just grateful to be alive.

However, those green eyes flashed through my mind. I could remember the look in those eyes, how concerned they were.

My phone pinged with a message, and it was from an unknown number. I curiously opened the message to see that it was pictures—pictures of Jake and Zara, naked, and on our bed—our marital bed.

A wave of nausea coursed through me, and my heart clenched in pain. Our marital bed—the place where we had shared our love and intimacy, where he had promised to love me forever, where he had sworn to never leave me.

Tears blurred my eyes as I stared at the pictures, and my hand shook.

I didn't need to guess who had sent me these pictures. Zara was trying to make a statement—to show me that Jake was hers.

Iris's POV

I had spent almost two days in the pack clinic, but Jake never called or texted me. But it didn't hurt, I was fine with it—because I was done.

I was done with Jake, his lies, his betrayal, and his deceit. I was done with waiting for someone who saw me as nothing important.

After I was finally discharged, I first made my way to the lawyer’s office to pick up divorce papers. My hand shook slightly as I signed the documents because it meant that I was free. Now, I just needed to get Jake to sign.

Then I withdrew all my savings, and bought a plane ticket to Italy. It was far enough that Jake would not be able to trace me there easily.

When I finally got home, I made my way to the door. However, something caught my eyes. I stepped back and I studied the car. Immediately I saw the huge dent on it, my heart dropped. This was the car that had slammed into us, the car that had caused my accident, causing me to lose my unborn child.

Now I knew why it looked so familiar—this was Jake's car.

Bitterness settled in my chest. Jake had killed my baby. What happened two days ago was all Jake's fault.

I tried opening the door to the house, but it was locked. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. That was odd.

I decided to check the back entrance of the house, and it was open. I walked into the house, wondering why the front door was locked.

An odd sound reached my ears, and I followed it curiously. However, as I got closer I immediately knew what those sounds were.

It was the sound of moaning and heavy breathing. My heart pounded in my chest as I followed the noise. I knew what I was about to see, but part of me hoped and prayed that I was wrong.

I reached the bedroom door, which was slightly ajar, and quietly pushed it open. The scene before me confirmed my worst fears. Jake and Zara were having sex on our bed, completely oblivious to my presence.

My stomach twisted with disgust. This was probably the reason that Jake hadn't even cared that I wasn't around.

I stood there for a moment long as I stared at the man that I had once loved, and I had believed that he loved me too. I had trusted him with my heart and soul, and he destroyed them in the most painful way possible.

I didn’t bother letting them know that I was there. Instead, I quietly turned around and walked away. There was no need for a confrontation.

I walked out of the house, and went back to the front door of the house and began knocking. I knocked for so many minutes before the door swung open.

It was Jake, and he looked annoyed that he had been interrupted. When he saw me, he scowled in annoyance.

“Where have you been?!” He barked as though he was just realizing that I hadn't been around.

I shrugged, walking past him. “I was at the hospital,” I replied coldly as I entered the house.

He turned to me with an unreadable expression on his face.

“Why? What happened?” He asked.

I plopped down on a couch in the living room. “I had an accident.”

His eyes widened slightly, but before he could say anything, a voice interrupted.

“Hey Jake, I'm starving.” Zara grumbled from behind me.

Jake turned to me immediately.

“Go make us something to eat,” he said dismissively, waving a hand towards the kitchen.

Iris's POV

I didn’t protest. I didn’t react. I simply nodded as I stood up and walked towards the kitchen with a blank look on my face. Jake watched me, surprised at my lack of response.

As I moved around the kitchen, preparing a meal for the two of them, my mind raced with several thoughts. This was the last thing I would ever do for Jake. It was my silent goodbye to him.

When the meal was ready, I placed the plates on the dining table and walked out of the kitchen without saying anything. Jake watched me closely, looking so. confused by my behavior, but I didn’t acknowledge him.

“Iris,” he called after me, with a soft tone, and I paused at the doorway, but I didn’t turn around.

“Thank you,” he said, but I didn't say anything. Instead, I just nodded in reply.

“I love you,” he said softly.

I scoffed internally at his fake words.

“Enjoy your meal,” I said flatly before walking out of the room, leaving him and Zara behind.

~

An hour later, Jake came to meet me in the guestroom. I had refused to enter the master bedroom, where he and Zara had defiled.

“Hey,” he greeted softly. I gave him a flat stare.

“Hey,” I replied coolly.

He sat on the bed beside me. “Happy Anniversary to us.” He said with a small smile.

I frowned slightly. “What?”

His smile faded, and he gave me a confused look. “Today is our five year anniversary, didn't you remember?” He asked in surprise.

I shrugged. “I didn't.” I replied simply.

He furrowed his eyebrows in surprise. I had always been the one to remember our anniversaries for years, so it was surprising that I hadn't remembered.

He watched me carefully for a moment, before he released a sigh. “Well, I had arranged a party this evening to celebrate our anniversary.” He said.

“A party?” I said indifferently. “That sounds... nice.”

Jake frowned at my response, and my lack of enthusiasm. "I thought you would be happier," he muttered to himself.

I just gave him a small, awkward shrug. I didn't bother to fake any excitement. “I’m sure it’ll be fun.” I said coolly.

An uncomfortable silence fell between us. Jake rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Well... I’ll leave you to rest for now, you look tired.” he said, standing up.

As he turned to leave, I spoke up, stopping him. “Jake, wait.”

He paused and looked back at me. “Yeah?”

I reached into my bag and pulled out the stack of papers. “There are some... hospital papers I need you to sign. Nothing major, just for my discharge," I lied easily, keeping my face blank.

Jake nodded, and walked back to take the papers from me. He didn’t even glance at them closer. He grabbed a pen from the bedside table and began signing.

When he was done, and left the room, I smirked in delight. Jake had just signed our divorce papers. Perfect.

~

When the time for the party reached, I wasn't surprised when Jake was nowhere to be found.

My phone pinged with a message from him.

~I won't be able to pick you up. Come meet us there.~

My phone pinged again, and this time it was a message from Zara. It was a picture of Jake and Zara together—they were kissing.

I snorted. This was probably the reason Jake said he wouldn't be able to come pick me up.

It was exactly the same as the last time, but this time I wasn't going.

The doorbell rang, and I picked up the divorce papers to give to the delivery boy. I gave him the address where the party was held, and told him to give Alpha Jake.

I packed my bags as I made my way out of the house, and out of Jake's life permanently. As I got to the airport, another message from Zara dropped on my phone. This time, I didn't open it. I simply blocked her number, and also blocked Jake's number. It was time for a new beginning.