When We Were Mates (Demetra and Emris) novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Emris.

“Emris!?”

Mom’s throat practically gives out when she sees me walk in. Granted, my Beta did exactly what I asked, which is why a few elders are present too. Divorce in a small pack is a disaster, but I’ve worked hard to make the Black Covenant what it is right now…powerful enough that nothing changes whether it has a Luna or not. The pack doesn’t run on Elena’s presence. It runs on my name and my decisions.

Elena’s parents are also present. I recognize her father with that glass of whiskey permanently attached to his hand, and her mother who keeps shooting me nervous looks. They came ready to fight for their daughter’s place but I’ve never cared about anything they’ve said.

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Elena sits in the middle of them, face puffy and swollen from crying. Mascara streaks down her cheeks like she’s been swimming in it. Her lips are trembling every few seconds. When everything else has failed, her tears are supposed to save her.

Supposed to make me feel guilty, make me second–guess.

I look at the housekeeper behind me and nod. She takes a very sleepy Milo upstairs….kid played all day and passed out cold. Amira was knocked out too when Demetra and I came back to check on them earlier. I almost smile thinking about our interaction today.

“This just came in from the Werewolf High Court.” Silver hands me the documents. “The judge heard you were Emris of the Black Covenant Pack and processed it quick.”

I take the papers.

“This is wrong!” Felix, Elena’s father, yells across the room.

Elena lets her crying get louder to play into her father’s fury. The fallen mascara works overtime as she sobs into her hands.

“Emris, divorcing your Luna?” Mom growls. “Why? For what? Have you thought about what your son will do when he wakes up tomorrow and can’t find his mother?”

“His mom can visit him anytime she wants.” I try to move past my mother to sign the documents.

She stamps her foot right in front of me.

“You cannot just divorce her!”

“That’s not what it says in the pack constitution.” I remind everyone.

“You’re divorcing her because she lied on your name?” Mom’s voice pitches higher. “You’re her husband! That’s not a big issue. You cannot consider it treason when she’s your wife!”

Teddy folds her arms in the corner like she’s counting on me not to fold. And she’s right to trust me.

Elena has been a fucking mess of a Luna from day one. What kind of Luna uses the Luna Chapel meeting to gossip about a kid? To try and kick a kindergartner out of school when there are so many real problems

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Chapter 65

in the pack she’s overlooked for years?

76. 76.

First year, I thought she was just learning. Thought Mom would teach her since she was the past Luna. But no matter how much Mom tried, Elena would rather travel to Italy. Actually, let me be specific…she spent five months there away from her kid. No reason other than shopping.

I had to beg her to call Milo so he’d remember she existed.

She took my private jets out for “other duties” while real problems stacked up in the pack.

Like when thousands of houses in the pack caught fire two years ago. Where was she? At a fourteen–day spa retreat. Mom begged her to come back, save face, show presence. She said she’d think about it.

Or when children got snatched by rogues in our own territory. Parents were terrified, crying, demanding answers. A Luna was supposed to be there, talking to them. Where was Elena? Shopping in Milan and making an insta post hat saying “so sorry, thinking of you ya’ll.”

There are a million things she’s done wrong. But she did do one thing right: Milo. So I let it slide for years.

“How many times has she attended a pack meeting since she became Luna?” I look at Jerome, one of the elders who’s not afraid to tell the truth.

Jerome adjusts his glasses and clears his throat.

“Counting on one hand, Alpha. And I’d have fingers left over.”

I nod. Turn back to the room.

“That’s your Luna, everyone. Five years. Can’t even fill one hand with her appearances.”

Elena’s mom gasps.

“That’s because I was breastfeeding Milo at the time!”

“Oh please, Elena.” Teddy rolls her eyes. “You had ten nannies. One who bathed Milo, one who fed him, one who put him to sleep, one who played with him, one who prepared your food, one who gave you massages. Should I go on?” She steps forward. “Come on now, you didn’t breastfeed Milo for five years, did you?”

“But… but Emris.” Elena’s voice switches to pleading. “I’m willing to do attend the meetings and everything else now. Give me a chance. Please.”

I open the document that contains the divorce papers, both our names already signed by the judge. Just needs both parties to sign, then submit. I take the cap off the pen with my teeth and scribble “Emris Covenant” across the line.

Elena gasps like she thought her tears would make me think twice.

For years now, she’s been thinking her tears made me back off, made me let her get away with things. But really? It’s been Milo.

“Emris, no… no, no.” She shakes her head wildly. “I won’t sign it!”

I glance at the gammas standing against the walls. They come to attention and start approaching.

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Chapter 65

“Don’t you fucking touch her!” Regan hisses, stepping in front of me.

“I know you and her are besties, but really?” I tilt my head. “This is between us.

“Divorcing her for these mere reasons-

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“Mere reasons?” I cut him off. “Mom hasn’t retired from being Luna despite the fact that I bonded a female to become Luna. Why do you think that is?” I look at the elders. “This is the point where I need you all to mention the shit she’s done as Luna before I start cutting tongues.”

They start.

“Alpha, the pack funds. Elena gave her father access to the pack treasury. We’ve been tracking withdrawals for five years now. Felix here has been steadily taking money. Nothing huge at once, but small amounts add up. We’re looking at embezzlement, misappropriation of pack resources. Direct violation of Article 7, Section 3 of the pack constitution…misuse of Luna privileges for personal and familial gain.”

Another elder speaks up. “The Luna Chapel funds. We allocated money for community programs, women’s initiatives, children’s activities. Elena never accounted for a single dollar. When asked, she provided fake receipts. That’s fraud, Alpha. Article 9, Section 2.

A third elder named Gertrude, clears her throat. “And the bullying. Three pack members left because of her. Not because they wanted to, but because she made their lives hell. One family with a weak pup…she told them publicly their kid didn’t belong here.”

“Property damage during her ‘events.” Another elder adds. “The east wing renovations had to be redone twice because of her parties. That came out of pack funds. Unauthorized expenses. Article 5, Section 1.”

I let it all sink in. The room is dead silent except for Elena’s shaky breathing.

“Now tell me.” I viciously look at her father. “How many years can one get in prison for such theft that she and her father have been committing?”

Felix starts shaking stiffly, his fingers twitch faster than should be possible.

“The amount is significant, Alpha. We’re looking at ten to fifteen years minimum.

I nod slowly. “And the prison here? Tell them about it.”

“It’s called Ironhold Penitentiary. It’s got maximum security. Greater wolves run that place….wolves who’ve been inside for decades, who eat weaklings like Felix for breakfast. It’s a death sentence.”

I turn to Felix. “The Wolf Enforcement Force will be here in ten minutes if your daughter does not sign the document. Your house, your properties, all of it will be confiscated. I didn’t intervene before because

you were Milo’s grandfather. I’ve been sweet.” My voice dies. “I want to be bitter now. If she doesn’t sign in the time I’ve given, you will you be in prison, Felix, but Elena will join you.”

I hold the papers out to her myself.

Her hand quivers violently but her mom pushes her hand to grab the pen.

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