Iris's Pov
“Mother, I… I just caught Mia in bed with my mate!” I managed to breathe out through the haze of anger clinging to every inch of my veins, which was making it difficult for me to see straight.
But rather than a look of anger which I expected on my parents’ faces, they had a normal expression on, and then my mother let out a sigh.
What was happening?
I had just revealed to them that my older sister was a snake and a shameless one at that, and they weren’t saying anything.
“Are you gonna say anything?!” I demanded, feeling extremely impatient.
They glanced at each other after that and I frowned.
“Iris, it's time you know something which you ought to have known about for a long time now.” My mother finally spoke with a pitiful expression on her face.
My frown instantly deepened and my heartbeat slowed down.
Where the hell was this conversation going? I had just told them that I caught my sister and mate in bed, and her first response was this?
“What do you mean? I just said I caught Mia in bed with Pierce. Why aren't you blowing up with anger or something!” I questioned as I felt anger and irritation growing in me.
I threw a glance at my father who looked calm behind my mother.
“Father, what's going on?”
“Iris, calm down so your mother can explain things to you.” he urged, and I began to massage my head in exasperation.
“Iris, we have known about your elder sister's secret relationship with Pierce. She also recently just took in for him, and… and we've been looking for a way to break this news to you.” My mother revealed calmly.
My eyelids blinked as my eyes drifted from my mother to my father with an expression of disbelief.
“You can't be serious.”
Their silence was all the answer I needed.
“I don't understand. What do you mean?” I questioned again, with confusion filling my head up.
I couldn't quite get it. It almost felt like she had just spoken another language to me.
“Iris, I do not want you to be upset. I know how very upsetting this can be, but this is how things have turned out so far.” My mother continued as she placed her hand on mine softly.
“No! Don't give me that bullshit!” I screamed out in anger and frustration, tugging my hand from her hold.
I raked my hair with my fingers, trying to get things straight in my head. So, both my parents knew about this for a long time and I've been the only one kept in the dark?
My breath hitched and tears stung my eyes but I instantly blinked it away. It felt like my world was crumbling down, and all the light and colors in it had been zapped by darkness. The pain that hit my heart was unbearable.
Mother, father, Mia and Pierce, my mate of three years, had just betrayed me.
“Iris.” My father called me softly.
“Don't call my name!” I whispered in restrained anger.
As I turned sideways, I saw Mia and Pierce approaching the sitting room where I was gathered with my parents, and I felt a surge of anger in my chest at once. I clenched my jaw while so much anger was boiling inside of me.
“Iris, I know you're upset, but this is the truth. Just accept it. And to make things easier for you to accept, I've come to officially reject you, and also ask that you willingly step down from your spot on the throne.” Pierce said in a calm tone as he held Mia’s hands lovingly.
I blinked at him, unable to believe my ears. My eyes darted to their joined hands.
Those used to be my hands in his. How could they do this to me?
I felt rage building up in me as I glared at them and his words resounded in my ears. To reject me? Step down from my spot on the throne? This was all happening too fast for me to comprehend.
If my eyes could shoot lasers right now, Mia and Pierce would have long been dead as a lot of holes would have been bored in them.
I cleared my throat and squared my chin defiantly.
“I will not come down from my throne until I get a proper explanation.” I demanded with clenched fists and furrowed eyebrows.
“Alright, Iris. The thing is you are not what this pack needs, you aren't fit to be a Luna. You also haven't taken in since 3 years now that you got mated to your mate, and that leaves the throne in a vulnerable position.” My mother explained with an apologetic look that annoyed me even more.
I couldn't believe this was actually happening. They had just slashed my heart into two with this horrible news, and none of them was sympathizing with me or even trying to console me.
They only stuck to Mia’s side, telling me what was good and what wasn't when I was clearly the wronged person in this situation.
“Mother, father, how could you be okay with all this? I am also your child and I've just been betrayed; I've been hurt. How can you not be taking my side and berate my elder sister for being this shameless about taking my mate.” I voiced out after a few moments
Even as I was speaking, my heart was being broken bits by bits.
“I'm only being logical here, Iris. As the beta family of the royal family for centuries, the throne's interest is always in my heart and comes first. I can't let emotions rule over my logical thinking. I believe your elder sister is more fit to be Luna. After all, she is older and more experienced. Why are you feeling so betrayed like we just stole your rights from you? This should be easy for you to do.” My mother spoke while staring into my eyes.
This wasn't fair. Those words were more like poisonous darts killing me slowly.
Then I turned to Pierce with pain spiraling inside of me, and managed to bring myself to speak even with the whirlwind of anger and emotions raging in me.
“Why did you betray me? Did you ever love me?” I asked, preparing my heart to hear whatever truth he had to say.
“In all honesty, you were only a substitute because my actual love has always been Mia, but as you know, she had been away from the pack for years, and when it was time for me to take a wife, I had to choose the one who reminded me the most of her.” He explained as he allowed her to lean against his shoulder.
If my heart wasn’t already broken, then that would have been the last straw.
“But since she returned 6 months ago, I felt drawn to her again and decided not to fight against the will of nature.” He continued as he held on to Mia right.
I couldn't handle this anymore and in an outburst of rage, I stormed out of my parent's home.
I went back to the palace with rage and pain taking turns to hit my insides, and as soon as I got to the bedroom I shared with Pierce– the one I caught him f*****g Mia in, I began to pack my things, feeling like the biggest fool ever.
There was nothing more painfully bitter and depressing than realizing that I’ve been nothing but a replacement for three years while I genuinely loved him wholeheartedly.
Hatred for my family, and Pierce who just rejected me filled my heart like a hot liquid substance filling up a bowl. My heart was shattered, but I tried not to break down because I was strong and because crying was pointless right now.
Now that I was no longer Luna of this pack, I wasn't so certain that I could survive remaining in this pack because everyone would be able to tell that I was dumped for my sister and that was just so humiliating and unbearable to even think about.
“No. I won't let that happen to me. I'll leave this pack tonight.” I muttered underneath my breath.
After all, I had nothing else to live for here.