Dear Mate, You're Mine！

Chapter 6 Tell the full story.

IRENE'S POV

"What's your relationship with Leon?" Matthew asked, his voice cold and demanding.

I straightened up, meeting his gaze with defiance and exhaustion. "That's none of your business, Matthew. Besides, I have no idea what you're talking about."

His eyes narrowed, suspicion and anger swirling within them. I could see it.

"It is my business when you’re conspiring with our enemy."

My heart pounded, but I forced myself to remain calm.

"Conspiring? You’re one to talk about betrayal and conspiracy. You have no right to question me. Not everyone follows your footsteps."

He took a step closer, his presence imposing. "You think you can plot behind my back and get away with it?"

I stood my ground, refusing to be intimidated. He betrayed me first and that was it. I would base my words on that point and make it sink in his head.

"I'm not the one who shattered our marriage. You did that when you chose to betray me with Thea."

His jaw tightened, the muscles in his face tensing with anger. For a moment, it looked like he might lash out, but he restrained himself.

"Whatever you’re planning, it won't work. You’re only going to make things worse for yourself."

I took a deep breath, drawing strength from the resolve I had found within myself.

"We’ll see about that, Matthew. We’ll see."

I felt a surge of panic within, but I had to maintain my composure. I couldn’t let Matthew see my fear. Who knows what he'll do? Or what he probably heard?

"Just so you know, your information is false," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. "Leon has always hated your pack. I wouldn’t meet with him unless I had a death wish."

Matthew’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "You’re smarter than I thought, Irene. But don’t think you can fool me."

I forced myself to stay calm, even as my heart raced. He stood there, rubbing his chin without saying a word. Isn't he supposed to leave?

"Is there anything else, Matthew? Or are you just here to throw baseless accusations?"

He crossed his arms and turned to face me. "Thea wants you to move out of the villa as soon as possible."

A wave of anger crashed over me. "Thea? She has no right to dictate where I live."

"She’s carrying my child," Matthew said coldly. "That gives her every right."

I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my emotions in check.

"I have given up everything for you, Matthew. My career, my independence, my happiness. And now you expect me to just walk away with nothing?"

He shrugged, his expression indifferent. "You’ll get your divorce settlement. Isn’t that enough?"

"No," I said angrily. "It’s not enough. I want the house. It should be the sole property of my divorce settlement instead."

Matthew’s eyes flashed with anger, but he didn’t argue.

"Fine. The house is yours. But there’s one condition."

I raised an eyebrow, wary of his intentions. "And what’s that?"

"Any future meetings with Maria will require prior approval from the pack. You know what that means, right?"

My blood boiled at his audacity. Did he suddenly go insane? That moment, I couldn't be more disappointed in him.

"You can’t control every aspect of my life, Matthew. My mother is not part of your pack politics."

He smirked, clearly enjoying the power he held over me.

"Those are my terms. Take it or leave it. You mustn't step your legs into my pack anymore."

I stared at him, my mind racing. I couldn’t let him control me any longer, but I needed the house. It was my only leverage. At least, for now.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "I’ll agree to your terms. But don’t think for a second that you’ve won."

Matthew’s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "We’ll see about that, Irene."

He turned to leave, but I couldn’t let him have the last word.

"You may think you’re in control now, but remember this: I will not be broken. I will not be silenced. And I will not let you win."

Matthew paused at the door, glancing back at me amusedly. "Go for it."

My inner pain deepened once again as I held back my tears. Never in my life did I imagine myself in my present predicament.

I picked up my carefully packed luggage, and headed to the hospital. I had to bid farewell to Maria, my mother and inform her that I had been expelled from the wolf pack and would be moving away in a few days. I had the house but it won't do me any good to stay there.

The hospital's sterile scent did little to calm my racing thoughts. As I walked through the halls, I tried to steel myself for the conversation ahead. Maria had always been a source of comfort, but this time, I knew my news would only bring her worry.

When I finally reached her room, Maria looked up with a concerned expression. She was sitting up in bed, her frail hands clutching the blanket. The sight of her vulnerability nearly broke me. Her illness have been dragging on for too long than it should.

"Irene, what's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Maria, I've been expelled from the pack. I'll be moving away in a few days."

Maria's face showed nothing but concern and worry. "Oh, Irene, what happened?"

I explained the situation without revealing the full extent of the betrayal. I couldn't bring myself to tell her that Thea was Matthew's lover. I was afraid Maria couldn't bear it, especially since she had always felt guilty about Thea after my stepfather passed away. Maria had always carried a heavy burden of guilt, feeling she had failed Thea and her brother, Luke —my stepbrother.

As I finished explaining, Maria's eyes filled with tears. She reached out and pulled me into a tight hug. In that moment, all my strength and pretense crumbled. I buried my face in her shoulder and let the tears flow freely. Maria held me gently, her touch comforting and full of love.

"It's going to be okay, Irene," she whispered, soothing my almost frayed nerves. "You'll get through this, I know you will."

After I had cried enough in Maria's arms, she pulled back slightly and reached into a small drawer beside her bed. She took out a delicate necklace with a wolf tooth pendant and placed it around my neck.

"What's this?" I exchanged glances between her and the necklace, rubbing my hand on the pendant.

"This was a keepsake your father gave me before he left," she said softly. "I want you to have it. It'll serve as a reminder that your father and I will always be with you, no matter what."

I looked down at the pendant, surprised. I had never heard Maria talk about my father before. The pendant felt warm in my hand, a tangible connection to a past I knew so little about. Perhaps, it was high time I asked for details about who my biological father was. Just as I was about to ask Maria about my father, someone appeared in the doorway.

"Why don't you tell mum the full story?" Luke mouthed, hands tucked in his pockets.