Prologue
Author’s POV
Aria and Orion had been married for two years now yet she feels like they’re not. If not with their marriage certificate, she may think that this was just a bluff.
Indeed, it was her stupid idea to tie the knot with the man who never shows his affection toward her, but what else she can do, it was Cupid who targeted her heart and lead her to him.
Besides, with the marriage, they never had sex.
That word is like a joke to her. They’re married but have no sex life.
She stared at the empty bed and felt a pang of loneliness. She wanted to support him and make him proud, but she felt so alone and helpless in his mansion. She had no friends, no family, no one to talk to. The only person who cared for her was Milly, her wolf.
She hoped that one day he would come back and stay with her, that he would hold her in his arms and tell her that he loved her, that he would make her feel like his wife and not his prisoner.
But that day seemed so far away.
Especially when she had to face his family.
His mother and sister were the bane of her existence. They hated her with a passion, and they made sure she knew it. They treated her like dirt, like a slave, like an intruder. They insulted her, humiliated her, abused her. They made her do all the chores, all the work, all the things they didn't want to do. They made her life a living hell.
And they did it when Orion was not around.
They were smart enough not to show their true colors when he was home. They acted like sweet angels, like loving relatives, like caring family. They pretended to be nice to Aria and to welcome her into their pack.
But Aria knew better.
She knew they were lying, scheming, plotting. But Aria was not going to give up.
Till one day, she was brought into realization that all her suffering comes from her husband, Orion.
Chapter 1: Divorced
Aria’s POV
Yesterday, I was soaked in the rain, which made me catch a cold and fever, all thanks to my sister-in-law Portia and mother-in-law Celine who wanted me to clear out the outdoor pipes. That’s why I only stayed at home now, trying to have a good sleep on my soft, comfy bed.
I was about to close my eyes again when I heard my phone beep for the third time. Frowning, I reached for it, and my forehead creased when I read a message from an unknown number, stating:
“There’s no such thing as a real Mrs. Miller. For the past two years, you have brazenly held that position. However, did you get full attention from Orion? So, if I were you, I’d go out and get a rope and hang myself. Remember this; you’re nothing more but a slut!”
Slut?
Am I a slut?
I gave up my family and pack for two years because of this marriage, and now, someone will call me that word. The shock and anger lingered inside me that I wanted to rip off the person’s head who just sent the message.
That kind of word is below the belt—especially since I knew I was not like that. My grip on the phone tightened, and suddenly I heard a beeping sound.
A snapshot of my husband sleeping blissfully, with his lovely facial characteristics making me swoon, appeared when I opened the message. And it was Fiona, the bitch who was resting on his shoulder. Even though their eyes were close together, I was able to spot a disturbing difference.
This Fiona is getting on my nerves.
‘Do you want me to kill her?’ Milly asked, but I didn’t respond.
It’s been a year since this Fiona Cruz met my husband. And because they’re business partners, Orion is letting her linger around him, not minding that the woman is already seducing him!
Damn that, Orion! Is he numb or dumb?
I was about to put down my phone when it rang. I frowned when I read the name of the caller. When I answered it, Celine’s voice roared on the line.
“Aria! Have you lost track of the date? Hurry up and cook for me. The servants took their day off today!” she exclaimed, which made me smirk, and then hung up the phone silently.
People around me that are connected to my husband were treating me like a slave.
When it comes to Orion, I have always been careful.
Orion’s mother and even his sister treat me like their slave for two years. They were odd and finicky to me. They let me cook, wash, and clean for them. And all of this, I didn’t dare to tell Orion to avoid trouble.
I’d grown accustomed to it by this point. I am willing to put up with the ridicule of others for the sake of Orion.
And Orion thinking that everything was fine around me, seemed to have forgotten about me, his wife, except that I needed to work with his instructions.
I took a deep breath and heaved a deep sigh. At this moment, I’m tired that I seem unable to hold on.
I could laugh off those cruel and mean-spirited comments from others, but that photo of Orion and Fiona absolutely shattered my self-esteem.
Feelings of embarrassment and loneliness washed over me. Is it possible that two years of marriage was just a joke?
I frowned when an idea came to my mind. The relationship between me and Orion—this joked relationship should end.
I made up my mind and didn’t hesitate to send these words to him: “Let’s divorce.” Then tapped the send button.
When I saw that it was delivered, I felt confident in that decision, despite the fact that I was in a daze. And after a few seconds, my phone rang, and the word ‘husband’ flashed on the screen.
I can picture his face right now—seemingly confused and angry.
“Aria…” my eyes widened when I felt that coldness in his voice, “What’s the matter?” he asked. Which makes me smirk. His voice became different all of a sudden, and it became warmer. “What’s wrong—”
“Orion, let’s meet at the Supreme Court,” I cut in and hung up the phone.
An overwhelming stream of my tears accompanied my frantic banter.
I waited for a couple of minutes before I decided to get up and change my clothes. I can’t waste time—I don’t want to prolong this anymore. I had enough.
Despite my condition, I managed to get out of the house and took a cab toward the NY Supreme Court.
Damn, I didn’t know I could catch a fever and cold.
‘That’s the consequence of hiding for too long, Aria. I told you, we must—’
“Milly. I know. You don’t have to tell me. I am making the biggest decision right now. So, please, be silent for a while.”
‘And it took you years to realize—’
“Milly…”
Orion called twice while I was on my way, but I didn’t bother to answer it. After that, he never dared to contact me again until I reached the building in NY, SC.
I was sitting in the waiting area with a pale face, patiently waiting for him. And after an hour, he came with a frigid expression, looking down at me with cold eyes.
I saw how he clenched his jaw as he approached me. “What is your problem, Aria? What exactly is the problem? Why do you need to think of this all of a sudden?” Madness lingers in his voice, but I never dared to leave his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes for a while, meaning he was trying to calm himself.
When he locked his gaze on mine again, I couldn’t help but to gasped, and my lips parted in surprise. I don’t want the coldness in his eyes. I don’t like his blank stares… but I need to handle it to get what I want.
“Look, I know you—”
“Let’s divorce,” I interrupted, lifting my head since I was sitting while he was standing before me.
I don’t want to say anything to him. All I wanted was for us to get a divorce. “It’s easy for us to get the divorce paper since we don’t have kids. We can only get it for an hour—”
“Don’t make things that you will regret later,” he uttered, wearing his deep chilly voice.
I saw a flicker in his eyes. His brown eyes turned into a golden one. Indeed, he’s mad.
I scoffed as I stared at him. Orion is still the same, and he got perfect features—a Greek god-like face and well-defined, which fascinated me in the beginning. But the truth that he never dared to consider me as his wife broke me into pieces.
I don’t want to make him furious at me, but things will be different now.
Two years were enough to be his humble other half.
“If I will regret something the most,” I smiled wistfully. I thought of this many times, and I wanted to get straight to the point, “That was marrying you two years ago,” I uttered and stood up when I heard my name.
“Let’s go. It’s our turn now,” I added and started to walk to the office of the judge that would grant our divorce certificate.
“Are you sure this is what you wanted?” Orion asked suddenly while he equaled my pace.
I glanced at him and nodded. I am already here, and there’s no turning back.
The pain is too much that I need to choose myself over him.
I wanted to burst into laughter and cry out loud.
Orion agreed with the divorce. It’s not that I wanted him to stop me. That he will try to say something that might change my mind, but I heard nothing. So, there was no reason for me to stop this anymore. I just found out my worth for him. I am nothing but a servant. A slave. A dog that obeys her master.
And here I am, holding the pen as I scribbled my signature above my printed name. Soon, after I finished signing, I let go of the pen since my hand started to tremble. When I looked up at Orion, his forehead creased as his gaze went to my hand. I hide it then at my back.
Orion picked up the pen and swiftly signed above his name.
The judge then pressed the seal and signed it. And there, I can see the signed golden paper—our divorce certificate.
We quickly got one since it’s an uncontested divorce. We don’t have to go to the hearing since we both agree, and we still don’t have any kids.
When we got our divorce certificate, I exited the room. I walked straight and didn’t bother to look back. Suddenly, a force grabbed me by the arm, making me stop. I cursed inside my head before I turned to face him.
“You have to think once again. Mom needs you. Her heart is fragile. I thought everything—"
I scoffed, which cut off the hum of his words. “Orion, I won’t waste another time for your family. I don’t care even if she dies,” I uttered, which made his grip on my arm tighten. It seems he wants to squeeze it until my arm runs out of blood. I wiggled, and he did let go of my arm.
I saw how anger came across Orion’s eyes and how he clenched his jaw. I saw the flicker once again. I knew he was trying to control himself. “My mother is sick, and you dared to curse her like that? She treated you like her daughter. She loves you.”
I let out a sarcastic laugh. For the last time, Orion has not forgotten my worth—their slave!
“Don’t forget that the condition of our marriage two years ago was for you to look for my mother at any time,” he asserted.
Hearing Orion’s words and being slapped by the truth, I was in excruciating pain, as if someone had pierced my heart with a sharp knife.
Yes! I married him because I agreed to look after Celine Miller.
Tears started to overflow in my eyes, blurring my vision. I met his customary coldness under his sword brows with my glistening eyes. My haughty and callous laughter expanded my smile, and tears suddenly dripped down my cheeks.
In hindsight, I should have clearly known that I am nothing more than just a lowly stray. Like they always call me. Strays are those werewolves who got kicked out from their pack, in short, packless.
“Just leave, Orion. We’re already divorced.”
Orion clenched his fist as he glared at me but didn’t say a word and left.
I slumped weakly on a chair in the corridor. I felt as if the entire world had abandoned me at that moment.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I dialed someone’s number, my voice choking with tiredness as I tried to express my rage at what had just happened.
“Aries,” I uttered, my breath was too heavy, but I manage to get up.
Silence filled in for a while, and I wiped my tears away. “I wanted to go home,” I uttered as I started to walk away. I don’t care if people are looking in my direction, watching how I look miserable.
Aries groaned softly, and his voice was conniving, “Where are you? I’ll pick you up.”
I told him everything and put down the phone as I walked outside the building.
