Betrayal

Tamara's POV

“Tammy, I know you're upset but you need to eat something,” Mother said, trying to guide a spoonful of porridge past my lips.

It had been two days since my discharge, I hadn't eaten a single morsel of food and I was planning to keep it that way

“Upset?” I spat out, “is that all you have to say about the death of your unborn grandchild?”

Mother's face went pale, she placed the porridge aside and folded her hands on her lap, her signature move.

“It was unfortunate,” She had enough shame to admit that, “but maybe it's for the best, what good would it be to be pregnant for your sister's man?”

“Get out…” I said quietly, she shifted uncomfortably on her chair but didn't budge beyond that. “Tam, Tiana is your twin and Caden is practically the brother you never had. Can you say you won't regret it if you cut them off?”

My eyes blazed with rage.

“What more do you people want from me? What else am I required to give to that traitor before it will be enough. She already has my mate and she made me lose my baby…my pup…” I choked up, “What else?! Should I rip my heart out of my chest and give it to her…tell me, will that be enough?!” I knocked that blow of porridge spilling its contents.

Father stepped into my chambers, he must have sensed his mate was troubled.

Mother crumpled into his arms and he stroked her hair.

He raised his head to glare at me.

“Tamara we have been understanding enough, but do not forget that your mother is still my mate and I am the Beta of this pack, you will respect her whether you want to or not.”

I was breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling with the lump in my throat.

Father's Beta aura was strong…suffocating even.

Against it I couldn't retort, just melt into a puddle of tears.

He enveloped Mother in a side hug.

“we'll leave you to collect your thoughts, but I want you to think long and hard if you are ready to let go of everyone you've ever cared about just because of some childish love, “

As soon as both of them stepped out I was able to breathe easier.

Childish?!

I've lost everything kicked down to my lowest, and they were telling me I was being childish?!

Tiana and Caden carried on with the mating ceremony after I was rushed to the hospital. I watched the video afterwards as an act of pure masochism because each second tore a new hole in my heart.

I saw him as he held her looking down at her tenderly as if she was the most precious thing on Earth.

The same vows he should have said to me were given to her.

And when they kissed-i couldn't bear another second.

I ended the video then.

Mother already told me that they were making preparations to leave for their honeymoon.

“They insisted on waiting until you had recovered fully before going.” mother told me, as if I was supposed to throw my hands in the air in jubilation.

How very considerate of them, waiting till I was fully conscious to know that both of them were going on my dream honeymoon together.

A honeymoon that I had single-handedly planned myself because Caden was ‘too busy’.

“I can't do this,” I said to myself and my empty room, “I can't.”

I dragged myself off the bed, the floorboard was cold against the bottom of my feet.

Looking around I recalled that this had not always been my bedroom.

“Tiana is having a hard time adjusting, why don't you let her have your room?”

Back then  my response was an enthusiastic yes. What else was it going to be when a sister I had missed until it physically hurt somehow made it back home?

But it just wouldn't stop there.

She just kept taking.

As long as it was mine it had to be surrendered to her.

I threw my windows open, a cold wind caressed my face brushing past the tears that had begun to trickle down.

If I let it all go ... .if I let this wind carry me far far away from here to somewhere where I would not have to share anything with Tiana anymore…would I finally be happy?

A servant knocked on my door.

I walked over, opening the door just half an inch, “What?” I had no patience for anything or anyone.

“The young alpha wishes to see you. He is in the lounge.

I thought that maybe I could just dismiss the servant and return to the comfort of my grief.

But that morbid curiosity pushed me to get dressed, or maybe that was my way of explaining the residue of feelings I unfortunately still had towards him.

I arrived in the lounge dressed in black, Caden saw me and a brief look of acknowledgement met me as if I was no more than an acquaintance he had happened to come across.

Not the woman he once planned to spend the rest of his life with.

He didn't beat around the bush, just went straight to the point.

“Tamara, now that you have recovered, why don't you do both of us a favor and accept my rejection?”

I laughed, it was bitter and sore even to my own ears.

Mother had spoken glowingly of him and Tiana, said they couldn't bear to leave without checking on me. When in truth he just wanted to take care of this.

He saw the dirty look I was giving him and pulled out a checkbook lining up several zeros.

Caden ripped it out and held it up to me from the cozy cushioned chair he sat on.

“Here, this should be enough for you to start a new life somewhere else. Somewhere that isn't Crestwood.”

I swallowed and stared down at the check.

“Is this all i-we are worth? Aren't you going to ask me about our pup?”

His eyebrows furrowed together as if he was upset I dared bring it up.

“Your parents have already told me everything I need to know, now accept this rejection so we can both go our separate ways.”