heartbroken

Chapter 1

Irene POV

I fidgeted with my fingers, my anxiety palpable as I waited for the doctor's report. The pack hospital's antiseptic scent filled my nostrils, and the soft beeping of machines in the background seemed to echo my racing heart. I felt like I was on the cusp of a new chapter in my life, and the anticipation was almost too much to bear.

Finally, the doctor entered, a gentle smile on her face. "Irene, congratulations are in order," she announced, her voice warm. "You're pregnant!"

My heart soared as I grasped the news. Three years of longing, of disappointment, and of hope seemed to culminate in this moment. Tears of joy pricked at the corners of my eyes as I envisioned sharing this news with Matthew. I pictured his beaming smile, his proud embrace, and the rekindling of our strained marriage.

"This is...this is amazing!" I stuttered, my voice trembling with emotion. "I can't wait to tell Matthew. He'll be over the moon!" I felt like I was walking on air, my heart full of joy and my spirit lifted.

The doctor chuckled, her eyes shining with warmth. "I'm sure he will be. But for now, let's focus on your health and the baby's."

As the doctor handed me a sheet of written instructions, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. "Remember, Irene, plenty of rest, healthy eating, and minimal stress," she advised, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled back at me.

I nodded fervently, my heart still racing with excitement. I felt like I was floating on cloud nine, and nothing could bring me down. I took the instructions from her, my hands trembling slightly as I folded them and placed them in my bag.

"Thank you, Doctor," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for this amazing news."

The doctor patted my hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "You're going to be a wonderful mother, Irene. Just take care of yourself and that little one."

I beamed at her, and joy that I'd never felt before. As I waved goodbye and left the hospital, I felt like I was walking on air. The sun seemed brighter, the birds sang sweeter, and everything felt right with the world.

I couldn't wait to share this news with Matthew, to see the look of joy on his face.

*****************

As I opened the door, my heart raced with excitement, my mind still basking in the joy of the doctor's news. But the scene before me shattered my dreams like fragile glass. Matthew and Thea lay entwined on our bed, their bodies moving in a familiar rhythm. My eyes froze, my mind reeling in horror.

"No...no...this can't be!" I whispered, my voice trembling.

As I stood there, frozen in shock, tears slid down my face like silent screams. My voice was trapped, unable to escape the prison of my shattered heart. I forced out a whisper, "How...how could you?"

Matthew's eyes, once full of love and adoration, now gleamed with cold calculation. "You're not suitable to be my Luna, Irene. You're human, barren...unfit to lead our pack."

Thea's smug smile mocked me, her eyes sparkling with triumph. "You were always just a placeholder, Irene. A temporary solution until I could seduce Matthew and claim my rightful place as his mate."

Matthew's words cut deeper than any knife. "You're not worthy of me, Irene. You never were. And to make matters worse, Thea is already pregnant. The future of our pack is secured, and you're no longer needed."

His words felt like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of me. Thea, pregnant? The thought was a dagger twisting in my heart.

My anger surged, a burning fire that threatened to consume me. My hand rose, driven by a fierce instinct to slap the truth into Matthew's face. But he was too quick, his grip like a vice around my wrist.

Matthew's grip on my wrist tightened, his eyes flashing a warning. "You're no longer my mate, Irene. You're nothing but a weak, human shell of a mate."

I wrenched my arm free, my heart bleeding from the wounds of his betrayal. "I was your everything," I whispered, my voice cracking. "And this is how you repay me?"

With a sneer, he declared, "I, Matthew, the Alpha of the strongest pack, reject you as my mate. You are nothing but an unworthy human."

His words cut deep, a formal rejection that shattered our bond and severed our connection. I felt the pain like a thousand knives stabbing me simultaneously.

With a flick of his wrist, he released me, and I fell hard onto the ground. My knees screamed in agony, but I bit back a cry, refusing to give him the satisfaction.

"Get out," I hissed, my eyes blazing with anger and hurt. "Get out and take your mistress with you."

Matthew smirked, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "As you wish, Irene. But don't think you'll be leaving with anything. You'll be lucky if you get out with the clothes on your back."

I glared at him, my heart heavy with sorrow and anger. But I knew I had to keep a secret, one that could change everything. I couldn't let him know that I was pregnant, that his rejection would orphan a innocent child. I had to protect my unborn child from his cruelty.

"Break our bond, Matthew," I spat, my voice venomous. "I want nothing to do with you or your pack."

He snorted, his expression mocking. "Oh, I'd be delighted to. And don't worry, I'll make sure the divorce agreement is generous. You've been a...adequate manager, after all."

His sarcasm was like a slap in the face, but I kept my composure, my eyes never leaving his. "Just leave, Matthew. Leave with your new mate and never come back."

Thea remained silent, her eyes fixed on me with a calculating gaze. She knew she had to pretend innocence.

"Fine," Matthew spat, his face twisted in disgust. "We'll leave. But don't think this is the last you've seen of me, Irene. I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me."

With that, he turned and strode out of the room, Thea following closely behind. I watched them go, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

As night fell, I curled up in a ball, surrounded by the darkness that seemed to swallow me whole.

The day had begun with a glimmer of hope, but it was swiftly extinguished, leaving me with nothing but ashes and despair.

I wept, my body shaking with sobs, as I thought about everything I had sacrificed for Matthew and his pack. My artistic career, my passion, my identity - all gone, abandoned for a love that had turned out to be a lie.

"Why did I give up everything for you, Matthew?" I whispered into the darkness, my voice cracking with anguish. "You promised me forever, but it was all a lie. You used me, exploited me, and discarded me like trash."

I thought about the pack, how they had accepted me, welcomed me as one of their own. But it was all a farce, a ruse to keep me in line, to keep me subservient to Matthew's whims.

"I was so blind," I sobbed, my tears soaking the pillow. "I thought I was part of something bigger than myself, something special. But it was all a lie. I was just a pawn in your game, Matthew."

"I won't let you get away with this, Matthew," I hissed, my voice low and menacing. "I'll make you pay for what you've done. I'll seek revenge, and I'll make sure you regret the day you ever crossed me."

"I would make you wish but death but you wouldn't see ittt!!!!!"