JADE
Atlas threw the flowers to the floor with a panicked look when he realized what I was saying.
Of course, he wouldn't know anything about me. He had spent the better part of our time together hating me and the remaining time, doting on Annie.
“I had no idea. I didn't get them for you anyways.” He cleared his throat awkwardly and turned to his mother who was scowling. “Mum, I didn't get her that bracelet. It's hers.”
His mother rolled her eyes and threw the bracelet back on the floor, along with my other things that were scattered.
“Whatever. It was probably the other man she's screwing that got it for her.”
She walked out of the room after that, leaving my things all over the floor. I packed my things in silence, making up my mind to walk out of here a free woman.
With my bags packed, I went to the bed and picked up the envelope.
“Here, this is–” I started but he cut me off.
”Jade, just hold on for a moment.” Atlas said, refusing to take the papers from me. “What are you doing? A divorce? Where is all this coming from?”
I didn't want to speak to him, I had nothing to say to him.
For four years, I'd been trying to talk to him, trying to get him to see me as a human being but it all failed.
Now, when it came to divorce, he was suddenly in the mood to talk. Too bad. I’m no longer interested in hearing anything he has to say.
“Atlas, save it. I don't want to hear it. Just sign the damn divorce papers and let's get it over with.”
“Get it over with? Can you hear yourself? You're a Luna! You are the people's leader! How can you be so irresponsible and you want to walk away just like that! Forget it, I won't sign it.”
Now, he was going too far.
“Irresponsible? How dare you, how dare you, Atlas! You have no right to call me that because all I've ever done was follow you. But you never looked at me. So what more do you want? I'm giving you space to do what you've always wanted. The freedom you’ve always craved is finally here so take it and set me free too.”
He took the papers out of my hand and threw them to the floor. He tried to come closer but I stepped back.
“I can't sign those papers, Jade. I just can't. I'm sorry.”
I laughed at the way he was acting like he cared about me now.
“You will sign them, Atlas. If you're so damn worried about the Luna position being vacant, why don't you get ‘Air-headed Annie’ to fill it in?"
It was a name Andrew and I had given to her because of how obtuse she honestly was.
“Do you have to bring her up? She means nothing to me! She's only here because she's pregnant. Hell, that night meant nothing to me. You have to believe me.”
That's where he was wrong.
I didn't have to do anything. I didn't have to listen to him, I didn't have to believe him, I didn't have to stay.
However, I had to go.
“Maybe I should just reject you and get it over with.”
He turned pale and ran his hands through his hair.
“First divorce, now rejection? Why are you doing this? What has come over you?”
If I hadn't known better, I would have said that maybe, just maybe he was beginning to care but I knew it was a trap.
He just wanted me to stay so he and Annie and his mother could continue to suffocate me. But their plans won't work.
“Yes, I should reject you so you can accept Annie as your Luna. Isn't that what you said when we got married? That Annie should have been your Luna instead of some low life Omega with no clue about life.”
Those were the words he said to me on our wedding night and I'd be a fool if I ever forgot them. He remembered those words and he knew there was no way he could win this.
“Well, I'm not going to accept your rejection. I won't accept it, Jade.”
That was his problem. Not mine.
“I, Jade Banner, reject you-"
“Jade, stop!”
“Atlas Montgomery-"
“Jade, please!”
“...As my mate."
It was done. I couldn't take it back now even if I wanted to.
“Jade, you're killing me. You can't do this to us! It's not fair.”
It's not always fair to be on the other side of the road. I've endured everything and more since I married into this family. I thought he would eventually come to love me so I fulfilled every part of my role as a wife and Luna.
But he never looked at me. To him, I was just the girl his father forced him to marry.
Did he ever think for once that I didn't want this marriage too?
I was young and unwise and all of a sudden, I was being thrown into a marriage where I learnt that I was supposed to dote on my husband because only his feelings mattered.
I wasn't just a wife, I was a Luna. There was no one to put me through my duties or even explain to me what exactly I should do.
Since his mother hated me, I was on my own with little to no help except from Andrew and my grandmother.
When I needed Atlas, he was never there. And now, he has Annie and her baby.
My heart ached, it ached badly at what I'd just said. I could see the sadness in his eyes but they didn't matter to me. At least, that's what I tried to tell myself.
I'd never seen Atlas look so torn before. But for the first time, I saw a chip in his perfect armor all because of me.
I picked up my bag and turned around, leaving him standing there.
As soon as I walked out of this house, there was no turning back. Was I fine with that? I would become homeless, a rogue and without identity.
“You can't live without me, Jade! Just watch!” He shouted as I closed the door behind me.
Is that really what he thought about me?
A smile settled in my lips. Very well then, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
JADE I didn't know who to turn to after all of this. I had nowhere to go. No one to even call. There was no family that I know of anywhere. It had always been just me and my grandmother since my mum died. And when the alpha found us in the woods and brought us to his pack. It became our new home. They became our new family. Everyone that I know is tied to the pack. And I can't call Andrew. He lives in the pack and Atlas is still his alpha. He may want to help me but he can’t defy Atlas if he uses his alpha dominance on him. I came down from the cab. I’d checked the farthest motel from the house and told the driver. A breath escaped my dry lips as I stood with my lone suitcase outside the large building. “Jade?” I turned when I heard my name. My eyes squinted at the sight of the familiar face. I recognized Atlas’s uncle, Brandon, immediately. They didn't particularly share any physical similarities, even with Atlas’s father but I knew him well enough from the few times he has b
ATLAS Andrew’s nonchalant attitude was pissing me off and I was seconds away from smacking him. The voice in my head wasn’t helping by reminding me that everything that happened was my fault and of my own doing. I made Jade finally snap and leave. Divorce? I don’t know why I never thought she would actually be capable of asking for that. Well, I underestimated her and now she is gone. “What do you want me to tell you? I have no idea where she went because she didn’t tell me.” He shrugged his shoulders. Seeing how he was acting told me he knew where she was and she probably told him not to tell me. If he didn’t know she was alright. He wouldn’t even be sitting here opposite me right now. He’ll be looking for her. “You’re the only person she talks to. Do you want me to believe you have no idea where she is and that she didn’t tell you?” He gave me a blank look before nodding. “Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.” I balled my hands into tight fists, gritting my teeth to stop
JADE Brandon was right when he said no one would bother me when I’m here. Except for the delivery man that came to bring the groceries he had ordered for me, no one has knocked on the door. Not even him. He called me a few days ago through the home phone to say he was going out of town and it had been unexpected. He gave me his beta’s contact to call in case of emergencies. After assuring me that he wouldn’t tell anyone where I was. His exact words were; “Trust me, no one will know where you are unless you tell them yourself.” I had no one to call. My phone was even off. Knowing Atlas would probably blow it up with calls. Or I thought he would. He has never cared for my presence. He is probably relieved I’m gone. He can start the life he has always wanted with Annie. I don’t know why that still left a bitter taste in my mouth. I shook my head, getting rid of any more thoughts of him. It has been one week since my grandmother’s funeral and since I told him I wanted a divorce. I’
JADEAndrew looked confused. Like he couldn’t understand why I was laughing. I didn’t know what was so funny either but I couldn’t stop.Atlas misses me?Yeah, big chance.That was the best joke I have ever heard.“You don’t believe me?” He asked and I snorted in response.“I know he is your friend and alpha and all. But please, don’t try to defend him.”He sighed and his lips turned down. I felt bad for shutting him down the way I did. I would rather he doesn’t say things he believes I want to hear just because he wants me to go back.I’m never going back there. And I’m glad none of them know I’m here—“How did you find me?” I asked, even before the thought had finished forming in my head.“It is a small town.” He responded with a shrug.For some reason, I was sure Brandon didn’t tell him. But it was so weird that he knew exactly where to go.“Don’t.” I shook my head and he grumbled before leaning back in his chair.“Fine.” He huffed. “I looked for you. It wasn’t so hard to figure ou
ATLASAnnie had roped me into coming for her latest checkup. She kept complaining about… everything. And I’m getting sick of it.But I guess it came with being pregnant.‘Oh please, don’t act like she hasn’t always been a bitch.’ I recognised the voice of my wolf, Kian.He never truly was a fan of hers. He never liked the way I treated Jade either. She was his true mate and he wanted to get to know her wolf and have many pups. That obviously wasn’t going to happen seeing as he had to go through me to do that.And just the thought of touching her had always left me feeling a strange way.“Do you see that?” Annie squealed, squeezing my hands so tight. If I was a mere human, it would have dislocated.I pulled my hand away from her and nodded at the grainy image on the screen. I couldn't understand jack shit I was seeing but she seemed happy enough so I faked a smile.“Yeah, that’s lovely.”“I know.” She agreed, her eyes glowing with happiness at whatever she was seeing. “Can we know the
JADEI’ve been working at Harrison and Garrett for a week now. And I have to admit. I love office work. More than I thought I would.I’ve always been a field worker, being a warrior and all. But dressing up in corporate and coming into the office has been great.Thanks to Brandon and how close he was with the owner, I was able to get a position as an assistant. Even without going to college. I was super grateful for the opportunity.I have always been kind of an overachiever. So I always made sure to do everything I was supposed to on time. I didn’t want to give my boss any reason to complain. Though, he was a nice man in his fifties. He was the director for this branch.His meeting ran late today so I had to stay longer than usual. He was going on a trip with his secretary. and we needed to get everything else settled and make sure he doesn’t fall back on work.Instead of coming in earlier tomorrow. I just decided to stay and send out all the emails I was supposed to.His secretary,
JADEMr. Harrison, who insisted I just call him by his first name, Ford, actually sat with us until we closed. And though I thanked him when he offered me a ride, he stayed back while I waited for my uber. While we waited, we spoke about everything and nothing.I have never felt so comfortable in the company of a stranger the way I did with him. It was like I knew him from somewhere. But I’m sure I’ve never seen his face before. I’m good with faces. If I had met him, I wouldn’t have forgotten it.I got the notification that my uber had arrived so I got up and told him. We walked out of the building and I could see the car parked in the parking lot. Before we could get to it, I noticed a figure barreling towards us.At first, I was confused, thinking maybe James had forgotten something. But the moment he came close, my blood ran cold.And not just because Atlas looked livid. My first thought was, he has found me.I didn’t even want to think of how. Clearly, if he wanted to do something
JADEMy hands were still trembling even when I got back home. I couldn’t believe that just happened.I didn’t go home straight because I was sure Atlas was going to follow me. I would rather not have another altercation with him tonight.I didn’t know what to feel. How to feel.While one part of me, the one that has been pining for an ounce of his affection, was over the moon.In all the years I've done everything to get him to look at me like I was a human being and not just some part of the furniture. It has never worked. But his full attention was on me today. Heck, he even pleaded with me.The more stubborn side of me was not in the least impressed by his act.I took off my clothes and headed to the shower I’m mediately. That was the only way I would be able to clear my head.I came out with a towel wrapped around me and one in my hair. Just as I sat on the bed, a strong wave of fatigue washed over me and all I wanted to do was lay down and close my eyes.My mind was running with