Betrayed By My Fated Mate

6 Aftermath

Seraphina POV

I reach the hotel after running for an hour. I head inside and smile when a little old woman with soft brown eyes waves from behind a large desk. "Hello, can I help you," she asks. I fight the urge to sob because I wish the answer was no. "I need a room for the night." "Of course," she says and passes me a key. "Don't mind the ramblings of an old woman, but I hope whatever you are going through gets better," she says. I nod not trusting myself to speak. I take the elevator to the second floor and step into room 202.

I head right for the bathroom. Harmony was quiet the entire way to the human town. I know she is hurting as much as I am. I hate that I'm causing her pain by ripping her away from her mate, but I don't know how to move forward with Caspian. I think about Brooke calling Abby a wh*re. How many people knew about Abby and Caspian? Why did she give herself to him? Does she love him? How long was it happening? Did he have feelings for her when he accepted me? Is that why he said it would have been easier if she was his mate?

Maybe he didn't want a warrior for a mate. He wanted her softness. She is petite, and I'm taller but curvy despite how I work out. I've never been the warm and fuzzy type. "Stop it, Fina. Right now we need to rest. No good can come of you comparing us to Abby. Whatever that a**hat saw in her was on him. We are perfect just the way we are. You are gorgeous and strong. Any man would be thrilled to be our mate," she says. I start to peel off the clothes I had to throw on when we finally arrived at the edge of the human city.

I don't respond to Harmony because I'm not sure what to say. I step under the hot spray and wish I could forget about the conversation between Marcus and Caspian. Tears mix with the water that beats down on me. I'm not sure how long I stand under the water, but when it goes cool I step out and dry. A wave of exhaustion washes over me. I throw on my favorite pajamas and crawl into the huge bed.

I pull the covers over my head and will myself to sleep. I'm not sure how much time passes before sleep finally takes me under, but my dreams are plagued by thoughts of Abby in Caspian's arms. My best friend and my mate being intimate and my brother enjoying my misery. What did I ever do to deserve this? When my eyes flutter open, the sun is shining bright through the windows. I have no idea what time it is, but the knock on my door startles me.

It has to be someone from the hotel. I look at my phone and see it's 9am. Maybe it's a reminder of checkout time. The knock comes again, and I stalk to the door. Looking through the peephole, I sob. I open the door, and I'm engulfed in my dad's strong arms. I feel like that little girl who got hurt, and my dad is the only person that can make it better. "Oh my sweet girl. I'm so sorry," my mom says, rubbing her hand on my back.

When I finally get myself under control, he sets me on my feet and mom pulls me in for a hug. "What are you two doing here?" "I told the Alpha I needed a few days off. You won't be doing this alone. We will accompany you to the Diamond Moon Pack. I haven't seen Walter in a long time. I spoke to him last night, and he is excited about our visit. His Alpha has already approved for you to stay there for as long as you like," he says.

"I broke my ties with the Shadow pack." My dad's eyes soften and he cups my cheeks. "You can always return to the pack. It is your home," he says. "Dad, I can't," I start to say, and he cuts me off. "When you are ready and not a minute before. I know you are hurt, but you are going to have to face them Fina. You deserve to stand in front of your mate, best friend, and brother to get the answers that are running rampant in your brain. Take your time and work through your pain, but don't you dare hide from the people that hurt you. You are stronger than the three of them combined," he says.

I nod, not really sure what to say. I know he's right, but I can't imagine a time when I can do that and not feel like my heart is being torn in two. "You are so strong, Fina. I am not saying you have to forgive them for lying to you or keeping secrets, but don't let their actions change who you are. You have always been my brave sweet girl," my mother says. "Now, let's order some breakfast before we get on the road. The pack is about two hours away," my father says.

Caspian POV

As soon as I left my father's office last night, both Marcus and Abby tried to talk to me. I know I was an a**hole because I am as much to blame for her leaving me, but I hate them both right now. Marcus more than Abby but I can't be around them. Banging on my bedroom door has me sitting up. I slide out of bed and make my way to the door. When I open it, my father is standing looking like the alpha he is. "Get your a** dressed. You will be training night and day for the way you have f**ked up."

"I expect you on the field in fifteen minutes. You will train with every group, including the beginners. You will break for your meals, but you won't be given a second to think about touching another female," he says. I can't stop the growl that escapes me. "The only woman I want is my mate." "To bad you didn't think about that before you let your d**k make your decisions," he says and turns without another word.

Titus has been quiet since last night too. I throw on basketball shorts and a tank top before heading down to the kitchen. I grab a piece of fruit and a muffin before I make my way through the pack house. As soon as I step outside, I spot Abby. F**k I don't want to deal with her. "Caspian," she calls out and starts moving toward me. "Still being a wh*re Abby even after he found his mate. I'm glad you aren't my best friend," Brooke calls out. I growl in her direction and she bares her neck.

"Don't let me hear you speak to another pack member with such disrespect again. Seraphina is my mate. Abby is not a wh*re. You would do well to remember it." "Yes, Alpha," Brooke says and scurries away with her friend. "She is right. I am a wh*re. I should have waited for my mate like Fina and always said we would. I had my reasons, Caspian, but had I known you were her mate I never would have done what we did. She is never going to forgive me," she says, tears again streaming down her cheeks.

I have no words of comfort to offer her because I feel the same way. My mate is gone, and she might never come back. "I have to go, Abby." "I'm sorry, Caspian," she says. "You don't owe me an apology, Abby. We both made our choices. Even though I'm angry and directing it at you, it's my fault. I just can't be around you. I'm sorry too." I turn making my way down the path that leads to the training field.

When I arrive Marcus is standing toward the back. As soon as he sees me, he makes his way toward me. F**k my life. "Caspian, can we talk now," he asks. "No, we are no longer friends, Marcus. You hurt me and my mate because you are a selfish pr*ck. I don't have anything to say to you. Stay the f**k away from me." I move to the front of the warriors and pray that I get matched up with Marcus to spar so I can beat his a**.

I smile for the first time twenty minutes later when Henry pairs us up. We start to circle each other and I notice that Marcus isn't holding his position. I lunge at him, and he makes no move to dodge. I land three punches before I back off. "If you aren't going to fight, then get the f**k out of the ring," I growl at him. "I deserve the beating for the way I hurt my sister. I'll take as many punches as you want to give. I hate myself right now," he says.

I search his eyes for any sign of deceit, but he truly looks remorseful. I can't bring myself to feel bad for him. "Why," is all I say before I land the next punch. He falls back onto his a**. "She has always been Fina the great. My parents love her more. Hell your parents love her more. I saw how your mother was staring at you in the office. If Fina had been there she would have done whatever Fina wanted to punish you," he says.

"I thought if she left I could finally be Beta and my dad would finally be proud of me. He always acts like the sun shines out her a**. It's not her fault, but I was jealous, and I let it get the better of me. I love her. I know you don't think I do, but she is my sister and I do," he says. "Well, you have a funny way of showing it. Do you know why your dad thinks she is great because she works hard every day? Your dad is right. You need to grow the f**k up. She isn't the reason your dad isn't proud of you, it's you."

"You think that just because you were born of Beta blood that you are owed respect and that isn't true. If I ever get the chance to win your sister back, and you disrespect her, I'll banish your a** no questions asked." "I won't, I promise. My heart hurts so bad knowing I'm part of the reason she is gone Caspian. I hate myself. I'm sorry for my part in it," he says. "I can't forgive you right now, Marcus. Maybe someday, but right now I don't have it in me."