Chapter 3

VALENTINA An anguished howl echoed, piercing the air in the room. The searing pain tore through the quiet atmosphere as I stared at the disgusting man in disdain—it was his howl of a broken bond. He had let go of his son. Kneeling on the ground, his eyes shot up at me in anger and disbelief. “Wha-at the fuck is wrong with you?” He emitted a guttural growl. His bloodshot eyes glared at me. My fists clenched, my nails digging into my soft flesh. With a tight, throbbing heart, I felt the twist of the shattered bond within me. The bond I swore to cherish for a lifetime, I broke today. The pain was intense, but it could not be compared to the anguish of betrayal. I swallowed the burning ache in my soul. My lips twitched at his suffering. "Karma," I murmured. "I rejected you, Atlas Darwin This is where your manipulation ends.” Atlas stood up; since my wolf spirit dissipated, the weakness of rejection didn't linger long. "But why would you do that? Who gave you the right to reject me?" His tone sharpened. His jet-black eyes dilated further, radiating extreme annoyance. No wonder his pride was hurt. He clearly desired the result, but his male arrogance flared because I was the one initiating the rejection. "What are you so annoyed about? I have just earned you your freedom, Atlas. Congratulations.” I stated with a slight touch of a satisfying smirk on my face. Although it could not satiate my traumatized soul, it still felt satisfying to crush his ego. “I will leave,” I muttered with a composed demeanour, looking deep into his eyes. “So, accept my rejection,” I demanded. Atlas raised a brow at me, sending me a look of taunt as if he had heard the most ridiculous jokes of his life. A cold chuckle escaped his lips as he stepped toward me. "And where would you go?" he asked sarcastically. "It's none of your business," I refused to answer his question. I was definitely not going to inform him of my plans. “I just want to leave.” After I left my father's shelter, I vowed never to use his name to gain anything. Meeting Atlas, I felt as though I had found a precious gem who would protect me, and I would never have to look back. So, I never utter anything about my past, living in the delusion of being accepted and loved as I am. Clearly, I was mistaken, and that cost me everything I cherished. Perhaps it was my karma… "Valentina, calm down," Atlas said, seeming unexpectedly composed. Slowly, he started walking toward me. "Is it about adoption? If so, why don't you take some time to adjust?" He suggested softly, getting closer. “We will see the council and make the announcement once you're ready.” Raising his hand, he touched my cheek. I, however, did not allow him and yanked his hand away. "Don't touch me!" I snarled at him, my patience and kindness melting away. His eyes glowed furiously. "Stop throwing tantrums like a child," he commanded, his raised tone immediately causing the servants and his Beta to lower their heads in submission. I didn't, though. I kept my eyes fixed on him. I have alpha blood that never learned to submit without my will. By his expression, he didn't like my strong stance. He is a man who wants women at his feet. He believes only a son can inherit, and daughters should bear heirs for the alpha and follow their husbands. It astonished me to think I willingly accepted his nonsensical thoughts in my life and let him control me… "Val, love, calm down," He used his gentle facade once more. "I understand you're going through a rough patch, baby, but you're not alone in this. I'm here with you. We're in this together. I promise you, everything will be alright soon.” "Think carefully, this little one is going to solve all our problems, and we will have our happily ever after," he muttered softly, as though he were coaxing a little child. “Really?” I arched a brow, as the corner of my lips rose slightly in taunt. “I wonder how you'll conclude our story—by eliminating my existence from this world, or perhaps declaring me crazy before the pack?” Atlas froze; for a split second, I witnessed his surprised expression before he again suppressed it. “Right now you're talking like a crazy woman, Valentina. No one's against you, you just need to calm down and think before you speak.” He said there was a hint of warning in his words. I couldn't help but smile. "No wonder," I whispered, realizing how right I was to feel that he planned to eliminate me soon. "I am calm, Atlas. In fact, I've never been calmer in my life. I do not want you anymore," I stated word by word and walked toward the slightly ajar door. I technically don't need him to accept the rejection. He already broke it by killing my wolf spirit; therefore, there would be no more pull of the mate bond. Therefore, I'd just leave this hell. His expression became severe. He clenched his fists, appearing on the verge of losing his composure… As I was so ready to leave the room, a figure unexpectedly appeared with a worried face, blocking my way. It was Sienna. “Guys, what's going on here?” She asked softly, glancing at me and Atlas. Two years ago, when I met Sienna, she seemed sweet, gentle, and innocent. Since she was the adopted daughter of the Red Moon Pack, I considered Atlas and her relationship sacred, and I never minded their closeness. Seeing her face, the flare of anger only ignited further within me. And, to make matters worse for the two of them, the little guy in Jayden's arms threw his hands in the air toward Sienna and cried out, "Mama.” Everyone froze, especially the two serpents, making me laugh out loud. Sorry, I couldn't hold it back anymore!!! "Val, it's not what you're thinking; he's just close with Sienna." Atlas attempted a failed explanation, making my lips curve into a sardonic smirk. "And here I thought he was a warrior's son, recently orphaned. How did he become close enough to Sienna to call her 'Mama'?" I inquired, throwing a knowing smirk at the selfish man. “Valentina, I-I was close to that warrior's family, so he knew me well!” Sienna blurted out, and I burst into laughter. My gaze curiously fixed on Atlas; his face had turned dark. "Once he is just an orphan, and next, he is the son of a warrior. Interesting. Why don't you two just sit together and do your homework before spitting out your lies?” "Valentina, listen to me. You're not—" Atlas tried to convince me again, but I dismissed him with a wave of my hand. “Oh please, the boy who's your exact copy, calling Sienna his mother—I might be a fool, but not enough to fail to see the clear truth,” I said. I feel nothing but ridiculously annoyed. “And must I tell you Atlas, I had witnessed you and your 《sister's》 deeds last night, so sacred and pure.” I sneered as my taunting words fell, stiffening them both. “I am done with your betrayals, Atlas, I just want to leave this fucking place and get rid of you and your fake empathy.” My tone sharpened as I stated those words icily. “Alright, fine, I accept that we had an affair and Arlen is our son,” Sienna spoke as if she was frustrated with everything. “But look at him,” she pointed at Atlas. “Even after you lose your wolf, your beauty, he is still willing to accept you as his Luna, and you're being nothing but a selfish brat.” Just as fake and poisonous as Sienna is, she suddenly acted magnanimously and tried to convince me. Well, nothing much, just another manipulative bitch. “Besides, where would you go, leaving the pack? You're just a wolfless, weak, and disfigured omega, how would you survive out there? So it's better to go down on your knees and beg him to accept you and shelter you.” She advised me arrogantly which only made me smirk in utter disgust. I wonder how they would react once they hear my true identity. The people I loved and trusted used me, hurt me in ways that I never expected, and now trying to announce how great they are. Well, what could be more expected from these traitors? “Shelter?” I chuckled; the sarcasm rang on the walls. “How? By orchestrating my demise? Or, by launching a rogue attack on me and hurting me? or better, killing my wolf?” I snarled, the rage in my voice heating the atmosphere. Their eyes widened in disbelief which made me chuckle coldly at their stupid faces. "Your game ends here," I murmured, feeling drained. I just wanted to leave this place, I have had enough of their betrayals. I couldn't fight them staying here, I just wanted to return to my father and stay with him forever. However— “What are you but a scarred, wolfless omega, Valentina?” Atlas's words halted my steps, making my eyes snap in his direction. In just a few seconds, his demeanour changed. His usually kind and gentle eyes had turned dark and evil. It didn't surprise me, though; I had already gotten a taste of his cruelty. He simply dropped the act, no longer faking it since his deeds were revealed. “You think once you step out of the pack, you'll survive? What do you have? You only had your beauty, now it's gone. You're now worse than an omega.” He sneered at me. Tilting his head, he tsked. “You only have two options: either walk out and get ripped apart by the rogues and other creatures, or kiss my feet, and maybe I'll give you shelter in some corner of my territory. Accept my son, put on an act before the pack and the council, and live a good life.” His words resonate deeply within me, burning my heart with a fury that inflamed my veins. Anger overtook me and before anyone expected, I rushed to him, raised my hand, and landed a hard slap on his fucking sorry face. “I’ll see you very soon, Atlas Darwin. Just wait and watch.” I gritted my teeth and then I turned and walked out—my head high, my heart in pieces, and my wounded soul howling in grief…