CHAPTER 2 The betrayal.
1097 Words
IRENE'S POV
Leaving the pack felt like stepping out of a cage and into an unknown wilderness. The feeling of betrayal and the impending reality of single motherhood pressed heavily on my shoulders.
I found my way to a small café, a place not under Matthew’s pack’s jurisdiction. It was a cozy refuge with warm lighting and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Here, I hoped to find some solace.
As I walked in, I saw my friends, Carter and Emma, sitting at a corner table. They had always been my pillars of strength, and I needed them now more than ever. Before getting here, I had put a call through to them. They looked up, concern etched on their faces, as I approached.
"Irene," Emma said softly, standing up to embrace me. Her warmth was a balm to my aching heart.
Carter stood as well, his tall frame radiating a quiet strength.
"Sit down, Irene," he urged, pulling out a chair for me. "Tell us what happened."
I took a deep breath, my voice trembling as I recounted the events.
"Matthew betrayed me," I began, feeling a fresh wave of pain wash over me. "I found him with Thea. They were..." I couldn't finish the sentence, the memory too raw. "And then he told me she’s pregnant. He said I was unfit to be his Luna because I was barren. He expelled me from the pack and broke our bond, all on the spot."
Carter and Emma exchanged worried looks, understanding the seriousness of my situation. They remained silent, letting me continue at my own pace.
"But there's more," I said, my voice breaking. "I found out today that I’m pregnant."
The shock on their faces mirrored the tumult in my heart. Carter reached out, gently holding my hand.
"Irene, this is... a lot to take in," he said carefully. "What do you plan to do with the child?"
I sniffled, wiping away the tears that had started to fall again.
"I intend to keep the baby," I replied firmly. "This child is innocent. I can't abandon it because of Matthew's betrayal."
Emma's eyes were filled with worry.
"Are you ready to be a mother under these circumstances?" she asked gently. "It won’t be easy, especially with everything you’ve been through."
I wiped my tears and took a deep breath.
"I know it won’t be easy, but this baby is my light in the darkness. I can't let Matthew’s actions dictate my future or this child’s life. I have to be strong, for both of us. Moreover, you both know how long I waited before I can finally get this gift."
Seeing the resolve in my eyes, Carter and Emma nodded. They knew I had made up my mind, and they respected my decision. I really appreciate them for that.
"We're here for you, Irene," Carter said, his voice steady. "Whatever you need, we’ll support you."
Emma nodded in agreement. "You’re not alone in this. We’ll help you through it."
Their support gave me a small measure of comfort amidst the storm.
"Thank you," I whispered, grateful for their presence. "I don’t know what I’d do without you both."
We sat there for hours, talking about the future and what steps I needed to take. They helped me outline a plan—finding a new place to live, looking into prenatal care, and reconnecting with my art career. Each task seemed monumental, but with Carter and Emma by my side, it felt manageable. Finding a place won't be difficult since Mathew gladly paid the divorce rights.
After a while, Carter and Emma exchanged a look, a silent agreement passing between them.
"Irene," Carter began, his voice low and serious. "What do you plan doing about Mathew?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I don’t think Matthew should be let off so easily." He uttered.
Emma nodded in agreement. "He’s hurt you deeply, and he’s gone too far. He needs to face consequences for his actions."
I listened, my anger simmering just below the surface. In some sense, they were right.
"Of course, you guys are right. I planned on taking my revenge the moment I stepped out of that pack. What do you suggest?" I asked.
Carter leaned forward, his eyes intense.
"Matthew has always been ruthless in his business dealings. You know his secrets, Irene. He’s likely left some valuable information on your personal computer."
Emma’s eyes widened. "Are you suggesting we use his own secrets against him?"
Carter nodded. "Exactly. Irene, you could approach Leon, the Alpha of another pack. He’s Matthew’s arch-enemy. If these secrets reached him, Matthew’s status and power would be severely threatened."
I mulled over Carter’s suggestion. The idea of using Matthew’s own weapons against him was tempting. Everyone in the supernatural world knew that Mathew's bedrock of authority were his businesses. Anyone would kill for that, definitely.
"But an alliance with Leon... it’s dangerous," I murmured, more to myself than to them. "He’s not someone to be trifled with."
Emma placed a comforting hand on mine. "We know it’s risky, but Matthew needs to understand the pain he’s caused. This isn’t just about revenge; it’s about justice."
I looked at Carter, willing to listen fully to his suggestions.
"What exactly do you have in mind?" I asked.
Carter leaned back, thinking carefully.
"First, we need to access your computer. We’ll go through Matthew’s files and see if there’s anything we can use. Once we have that, we’ll approach Leon discreetly. We’ll need to make sure he understands the value of what we’re offering."
I nodded slowly, the plan taking shape in my mind.
"And what if Leon decides to use this information against us?"
Carter smiled reassuringly. "We’ll be careful. We won’t give him everything at once. Just enough to make him see the potential benefit."
Emma chimed in, her voice filled with resolve. "Matthew’s treated you horribly, Irene. He deserves to know what it feels like to be betrayed. You have me completely on this."
I took a deep breath, as the decision settled on my shoulders.
"Alright," I said finally. "Let’s do it. Let’s make him pay."
We spent the next few hours planning meticulously. Carter would handle the technical side, accessing Matthew’s files and analyzing the information. Emma and I would focus on the approach, ensuring that we had a compelling offer for Leon.
As the night wore on, we grew more confident in our plan. We had it all planned out.
"We’ll need to be cautious," Carter reminded us. "We can’t afford any mistakes."
- Writer
