FATED QUEEN: MARKED BY DESIRE

Chapter 3 – Betrayal and Rejection

Andrea

I went back to my room and closed the door behind me. My hands were shaking as I leaned against it, my chest rising fast.

Why the hell didn’t you confront them? Lexy’s voice exploded inside my head through our mind link. Andrea, we heard everything. I felt your pain.

I slid down until I was sitting on the floor. “What would that change?” I whispered. “So he can lie again? So he can act innocent?”

You should have faced them, Lexy growled. You should have let him see you heard everything.

“I don’t have the strength,” I said honestly. “I’m weak, Lexy. My body hurts. My heart hurts more.”

You’re not weak, she snapped.

I closed my eyes. “Maybe. But this is the last time they will ever hurt me.”

There was a pause, then her voice softened. What are you planning?

I swallowed. “I will pretend to have a miscarriage.”

Andrea… Her voice shook. Are you sure?

“Yes,” I said firmly. “I will blame Dwayne. I will say to the pack it’s because he cheated with Sasha. Because he broke my heart and stressed me until I lost our pup. I will reject and divorce him too. I will stop put bond. I will never accept a man who can plan to kill his own child. His own blood. For another woman.”

He doesn’t deserve to be a father, Lexy snarled.

“Yes,” I agreed, my hand pressing lightly on my stomach. “And he doesn’t deserve me. I never wanted to be Queen or Luna. Sasha can take that title. They both deserved each other but if they think they will have a happy life after me, they are wrong. I will ruin their reputation. The pack will know the truth.”

And after that? Lexy asked quietly.

“I will leave the pack,” I said. “I will disappear and start a new life far away from them.”

This will be dangerous, Lexy warned.

I opened my eyes, staring at the door. “Staying here will kill me. And I refuse to die for them.”

I held my phone with both hands, breathing slow before the call connected.

“Mira,” I said softly. “It’s me.”

“Andy? Are you okay?” she asked right away.

“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a calm tone. “I need a favor.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Of course. Tell me.”

“I want you to help me arrange a surprise thanksgiving lunch,” I said. “Tomorrow.”

There was a short pause. “That’s sudden. Who’s invited?”

“All pack members,” I replied. “Especially the elders. Every important member.”

Mira let out a low whistle. “That’s big. What’s the reason?”

I swallowed. “A big announcement. All of you should be there to hear it.”

Her voice turned excited. “Say no more. I’ll handle it. Location?”

“Our mansion,” I said. “Please keep it quiet.”

“You can count on me,” she promised.

After ending the call, I didn’t waste time. I dialed another number.

“Mom,” I said when Lucy answered. “Dad’s there too, right?”

“Yes, sweetheart. What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I said quickly. “I need both of you here tomorrow for lunch.”

Jerry’s voice came in. “Is everything okay, Andrea?”

“Yes,” I said. “Please come. I need you.”

“We’ll be there,” Lucy said gently.

My last call made my heart race.

“Alpha Troy,” I said respectfully. “Queen Isabel.”

“Andrea,” Queen Isabel replied warmly. “What do you need, child?”

“I want to invite you both for lunch tomorrow,” I said. “Please… don’t tell Dwayne.”

There was a pause. “Alright,” Alpha Troy said. “We’ll come.”

I ended the call and lay back on the bed, pulling the blanket over me, pretending to sleep.

The door opened not long after. The mattress dipped.

Dwayne’s arm wrapped around my waist.

Then I smelled it.

Sasha’s perfume.

Sweet. Sharp. Disgusting.

I stayed still, my eyes closed.

“This is the last night,” I whispered in my heart. “The last time you hurt me. The last time you cheat on me.”

Tomorrow, everything would burn.

I didn’t sleep at all.

Dwayne was still breathing deep beside me. I slowly reached for his phone. My hands shook.

I tried the pin.

Sasha’s birthday.

The screen unlocked.

My chest hurt. I opened his messages and typed with care.

Dwayne: Come for lunch. I miss you so much.

Her reply came fast.

Sasha: I miss you too. Make sure you double her pills. I want to see when that disgusting baby is gone. f**k me later hard again.

My vision blurred, but I stayed calm.

I deleted everything, locked the phone, and put it back. I closed my eyes just as Dwayne stirred.

“Morning, are you hungry?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“I’ll ask the maid,” he said, kissing my forehead.

I took a long bath, then wore a simple white dress. Inside my underwear, I hid the small bag of fake blood. My heart beat fast.

At breakfast, Dwayne placed six pills in my palm.

“For the baby,” he said, smiling.

I pretended to swallow.

He hugged me. “Rest. I’ll be in my study.”

Soon, voices filled the mansion.

Many voices.

Dwayne looked out the window. “What’s going on?”

He rushed outside.

I was already standing in the center of the hall. Pack members filled the room. The elders. My parents. Alpha Troy. Queen Isabel.

Then Sasha walked in.

She froze.

I lifted my shaking hands. “I need to speak.”

The room went silent.

“I want all of you to know that Dwayne and Sasha lied to me,” I cried, pointing at them. “They cheated on me. They still sleep together behind my back.”

Gasps echoed.

“That’s a lie!” Dwayne shouted.

“But that is not the worst, for one week,” I said, sobbing, “he made me take pills. He said it was for my baby. But it was to kill it. Yes, I am pregnant, two months exactly. But Dwayne wants to abort it.”

I pressed my legs together.

The fake blood spilled.

Screams filled the hall.

I looked straight at him. “You should be happy now. The baby is gone.”

Tears burned my eyes.

The room exploded in chaos.

“I reject you, Dwayne Thomson, as my mate,” I said loudly. “And I divorce you.”