VI

My sleep wasn’t restful, but under the circumstances, how could it have been? I made choices in my life that would put me in a better position than I was born into. I was born of Beta blood and set to take over the better position at my pack. I moved myself to have the opportunity to become more possible. 

It isn’t so much that I’m looking for an upgrade. I’m perfectly happy with the position I was born into. I really can’t turn down the opportunity that presented itself. Destini is an amazing shewolf, and taking this step with her is a no-brainer. While we weren’t destined to lead her pack, it’s more likely than not because her brother is so young. 

Now here I am, wondering what my future looks like. Destini met her fate mate and ran off with him without so much as an explanation. My heart hurt watching her walk out the door. I had expected her to return promptly once she told him that she wasn’t interested; once she rejected him. That didn’t happen, and I spent the night alone. 

If that wasn’t enough, my thoughts were plagued with images of her. I caught myself imagining her face and wondering if she was okay. I don’t understand those thoughts, though. She shouldn’t cross my mind at all. I let out a sigh, hating that my once solid future is now in tatters. 

I turn my body, my head pounding. It’s hard to get drunk as a wolf, but I think I might have managed to succeed in that endeavor. Once I realized that she wasn’t coming back, I became undone.

I crack an eye open only to be met by sunlight. I move my mouth, only to realize that my mouth is extremely dry. I struggle, but eventually sit up, leaning against the headboard. My eyes finally open and I’m startled to be looking straight at Destini. 

She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, looking right at me. I have no idea how long she’s been sitting there. I’m somewhat concerned because I would have thought she would crawl into bed with me. “You’re awake.”

“How long have you been sitting there?” She looks away from me, and we sit in silence. 

“We should talk.” I don’t like how soft her voice is. I don’t like how she’s still not looking at me. I don’t like this entire situation. 

“Don’t you think we should have talked before you disappeared last night?” Her intake of breath reverberated throughout the room. I probably shouldn’t have been that harsh, but what can I say? I’m hurting right now, and I don’t want to pretend that I’m not. 

“I met my fated mate last night.” There’s a retort on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it. I don’t want to make this harder than it needs to be, though I don’t see how this could get any harder. “He… he’s an Omega, a warrior.” I perk up at her words. There’s no need to worry at this point. If he’s just a warrior, there’s no way that she’s interested in bonding with him. 

I sit up taller and move over slightly to get closer to her. She’s still not looking at me, but that’s okay. I figure she feels bad about how quickly she ran out on me. I may hold it over her head for a bit, but ultimately I will forgive her. 

Destini moves her head, finally looking at me. Her hair moves and I catch the outline of something on her neck. I lean forward so I can get a better look. My heart stops, and my lungs seize up. “Are you… are you marked?” Destini finally looks me in the eye with a sheepish expression on her face. 

“We talked, and we accepted each other. It all happened so fast, but it felt right.” I explode out of the bed, on my feet in seconds. I start to pace back and forth. Anger flows through my body. I can’t believe what I’m hearing and seeing right now. It doesn’t make any sense. 

“You marked him?! You marked a warrior… and Omega?!” 

“Kemarion, he’s my fated mate.”

“HE’S NOTHING!” My chest is heaving with how hard I’m breathing. I’m fucking pissed! There’s no way that she should have picked him over me. I’m the future Beta for fucking sakes. “HE’S AN OMEGA, BARELY A WARRIOR! I’M THE FUTURE FUCKING BETA! HOW COULD YOU CHOOSE HIM OVER ME?!” Destini stands on her feet and shuffles away from me. 

“I get that you’re upset, but you don’t have to be ugly about it. He’s my fated mate regardless of his status or rank. The Moon Goddess paired us together. He’s actually everything I’ve ever wanted in a mate.” Everything she’s ever… what actual hell am I living in right now?!

“FUCK THE MOON GODDESS! SHE DOESN’T GET TO HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY OVER OUR LIVES! WE CAN MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS! SHE DOESN’T KNOW US SO HOW THE FUCK CAN SHE MAKE THIS CHOICE FOR US?!”

“Regardless of how you feel about things, I made my decision. I’ve accepted my fated mate. I’m sorry that you’re hurt, but this was my choice, and I stand by it.” She walks over to the door. “I hope we can stay friends.” She walks out and closes the door behind her. 

The anger in my body is overwhelming. I have no idea what to do right now. I want to throw things. I want to fight people. I’m not on home territory, so that wouldn’t be wise. 

I walk to the sliding glass door and rip it open. I’m on the second floor of the packhouse. I stand on the railing and jump down, shifting as I fall. I land on my paws and tear forward, running into the woods. I don’t know how I’m going to move forward, but I have to figure something out. My entire future has been changed, and I was given no warning.