Chapter 4 – Determined

Ame POV

I can hear their whispers; the voices of the maids carry further along the hallways than they might like to consider.

Word has spread of my impending luna rejection ceremony, they also say that Calian will make

Dessa his new luna on the same day.

I haven’t seen a soul today, yet I do not need the gossip confirmed, I just know this is how it must be.

I no longer care what he wants to do with her, or me. All I know is I cannot be a luna to a traitor like him.

I personally submitted the request to the werewolf council, giving them my two days’ notice.

Being a Luna is more than being the mate of the alpha, a luna has their own direct communication with the council, set expectations to follow.

It breaks my heart to know that I must leave this place. The pack that has always been my home, where my parents fell in love…where I was born.

But I cannot remain here, I refuse to watch their happy ever after.

The rejection will take place the day after tomorrow, however, my bags are already packed and placed by the bedroom door.

I needed to get out of this place, away from them.

Reaching down into the cot, I gently pick up the small wolf teddy before holding it up to my chest, cradling it like a baby.

I couldn’t leave my baby’s teddy; everything is replaceable now except for this.

A single tear rolls down my face as I breathe in the new scent of the soft toy, continuing to hold it to me.

“Ame?” His tone hits me, my back straightening, I hadn’t even realised he had entered our marital bedroom. His voice is hollow, void of emotions as he closes the bedroom door behind him.

“I’m not receiving visitors right now.” I respond, keeping my voice controlled as my back remains on him.

I finally turn when he doesn’t leave, to observe him scanning the length of the adjoining nursery, he was only just seeing it now for the first time.

His eyes fall on the cot behind me, his jaw tensing and his hands clenching into small fists down by his sides.

Even after all that they have done to me I want to go to him, I want to support him…the mate bond trying to bring us back together.

The mate bond that wasn’t even real…it was arranged.

“For seven months, the communication failed. We were all so worried, every pack member…all communication just stopped. I spent days reassuring them that you weren’t dead, that even though my wolf was sleeping, that I could feel you through the mate bond. Tell me, did the radios go down or did the guilt begin to eat away at you?” As I lower the teddy in my embrace, my chin rises just as his eyes flicker upwards to hold mine.

He holds my cold stare, a long sigh escaping from him which was the answer I needed. He cut off communication not because of danger or lack of signal…but because he was with her.

“Let me explain.”

“No.” I slowly move towards the door, gently placing the wolf teddy down on the top of my bags, the rejection ceremony couldn’t come sooner.

I open my bedroom door wide, wanting him to leave but instead his eyes stare at the packed bags at my feet…his nostrils starting to flare.

“What are those?” There is a bite to his words, a rising anger preparing to boil over.

“I’m leaving after the rejection ceremony.” I straighten my back; he can’t keep me here…not now the council know of my resignation.

“Absolutely not…”

“Calian, with me out of the way, you can get what you always needed. Your fated mate and fated child.” I move past him, heading back to the cot but he takes a step closer to me, pulling me back by my elbow.

My back coming in contact with his hard chest.

“A rejection just after losing our child could be fatal to your wolf. I won’t let you do this; I won’t let you leave. I refuse it.”

“I can’t stay, why can’t you see that.” I stupidly take a deep breath in, inhaling his scent that wants to calm me, that wants me to rethink everything…to change my mind.

“I won’t reject you, Ame!” His stern words are the wake up call I needed.

“After everything you have done to me, what she has done to me you will do this, you will do this for me.” I spin on the spot, yanking my elbow from his grip and jabbing a finger into his chest.

He wasn’t listening, causing anger to rise from the pit of my stomach. He was being unreasonable.

“What she has done to you; you were the one who pushed her off the stage!” He growls out at me, pushing my finger from his chest and holding onto it tightly.

“What? She told you that?” Red hot molten anger begins to boil over; how dare she lie…how dare she make such a claim.

“I know what happened Ame, I have an eyewitness account.” His voice rises above mine, trying to shut me down.

“No, that’s not what happened, why won’t you believe me. How could you believe her word over mine…you’ve known her five seconds and me for years…Calian…how can you be so cruel.” My fingers erratically reach for something, the injustice of this all becoming too much.

“Enough Ame.” He brushes off my fingers that had gripped onto his upper arms, my nails cutting skin.

I hadn’t even realised, the fiery fury inside of me taking control. He places his arms around me, boxing me into his chest but he was suffocating me, I didn’t want him to touch me…not when he believed her over me.

“You acted out of jealousy, now I must also pay the price.” He snarls out, coldness within his eyes.

“Jealousy….Get OUT!” I scream out.

“No…”

I finally break away from his hold, rushing out of the bedroom door and heading out of the alpha house to her pack house.

I want her to tell me to my face, I want her to deny she was the one that pushed me.