Not Your Mate Anymore

Part 2-2 Betrayed Hearts

Remi had once shared a heart-wrenching story about her true mate. Growing up, I believed he had perished, but he was alive and held the position of alpha in the Crescent Red Moon Pack, our neighboring pack. Alpha Thomas was a reserved man known to us all. Remi first met him at a mating ball when they were both 17 years old. Alpha Thomas's father had organized the event, hoping his son would find a mate before passing on the alpha position.

Thomas introduced Remi to his father, who joyfully announced his intention to step down now that Thomas had become alpha and found a Luna. However, just as the welcoming ceremony for the new alpha took place, Thomas shattered Remi's heart by rejecting her. He confessed his love for Sheila, a she-wolf seer, and claimed he was saving himself for her, with no intention of mating with Remi. Crushed by the rejection, Remi returned home, seeking solace from her parents. It was during this time that she met my father, and together we formed a blissful family.Two months later, a devastating tragedy struck Alpha Thomas's family. His father, mother, four sisters, and Sheila all perished. It was believed that Sheila, a practitioner of dark magic, had attempted to kill Thomas's family but ultimately took her own life. Consumed by rage, Thomas banished all seers from his pack and ordered the execution of those involved in dark magic. Since then, he has remained mateless and without an heir, leading a respected yet solitary existence.

"You and Remi are right, but I can't seem to control my emotions. When you meet your mate, my dear little sister, you'll understand. It hurts to know that he chose her over me, the girl chosen by the moon goddess herself. It's painful to realize that he is saving himself for her, and the pack will call her Luna when that title rightfully belongs to me. I know it shouldn't hurt, but it does. He picked an omega over me, someone I considered a sister. It hurts, Josie. And I'm left wondering how all of this happened," I cried, my emotions overwhelming me."It's agonizing to think that they fell in love while he made promises to wait for me. It's heart-wrenching to know that she might carry his pups, a gift bestowed upon me by the moon. I'm hurting, Josie. I don't know how to make it stop," I sobbed, my words punctuated by tearful gasps.

Unbeknownst to me, Remi had entered the room, and my father gently carried me into the bathroom. I remained disconnected, unaware of Josie and Remi undressing me, bathing me, and providing care. Even as Remi washed my hair, untangling the knots with gentle strokes, I felt distant. It wasn't until they settled me in front of the mirror that awareness flooded back into my being. I looked at my sister and mother, and then, with trepidation, met my own reflection.The image staring back at me reflected the rejected mate—humiliated, devastated, and feeling utterly undeserving of an explanation from Percy. He had ghosted me, publicly announcing his relationship with Ralyn on social media. In an instant, Remi's interruption snapped me out of my self-pity. Holding up two outfits for me to choose from, she jolted me back to the present. I glanced at Josie, silently pleading for her guidance, but she shook her head gently.They wanted me to dress impeccably, pretending that I didn't care, that my mate was about to marry someone else.

With meticulous care, they applied makeup, dressed me in one of the chosen outfits, and even sprayed Carolina Herrera's Good Girl perfume, its intoxicating scent enveloping me. Josie skillfully styled my hair, and when I finally met my own eyes in the mirror, I struggled to recognize the person before me. Unbeknownst to the pack, my mother's secret fortune provided Josie and me with the means to acquire anything we desired."We'll only greet them and then leave. I'll explain that we're going to visit our grandfather for the day and will return in a few days' time," Josie explained, outlining our plan."Chris has already submitted your exit permits with the elders, and they understand the predicament. It's best for you to depart while your father investigates why Percy is behaving this way and how his father allowed the sacred laws to be disregarded," Remi added, pulling me into a comforting embrace.

Overwhelmed by emotions, I struggled to find the words to express my gratitude. Instead, I simply nodded at Remi and Josie, once again retreating into my thoughts. I knew I had to gather myself before their arrival, but I was still trapped in a vortex of self-pity, oblivious to the sound of the doorbell or my father's welcoming of the alpha and his son. I failed to register Josie's attempts to shake me out of my stupor. But amidst the haze, I was abruptly yanked back to reality by a captivating scent—a blend of vanilla and forest. Alarmed, my eyes widened as I looked up at Remi, finding my voice at last.

"Remi, he's here, and I don't trust myself. My wolf wants to sprint to Percy and mark him as ours. I'm engaged in an internal battle, and I fear that Athena will prevail," I exclaimed, my panic mounting.

Seeking solace in her motherly embrace, I allowed Remi to pull me closer, hoping it would calm me down. Yet, despite her best intentions, it failed to have the desired effect. I loved her; she was the one who raised me as a mother. But when only Percy's scent was meant to bring me solace, how could she compare?

Amidst the ongoing struggle with Athena, the voice of my biological mother echoed in my head, urging me to overcome my despair and gather my strength. Her words grew louder until the pain intensified, causing me to pull away from Remi, clutching my head in agony as I knelt down. The torment lasted a mere ten seconds, yet it felt like an eternity. Strangely, it granted me a peculiar form of respite.

I composed myself, ready to face the man who had captured my heart and locked it away. In that moment, I understood the importance of obeying my mother's command and confronting the situation head-on. I would save my tears for the privacy of my grandfather's house. But for now, I had to meet my mate, even though my mother's command caused Athena to forget about the bond.

I composed myself in preparation to meet the man who had stolen my heart and locked it away. In that moment, I realized I had to heed my mother's command and confront the situation. I could reserve my tears for when I reached my grandfather's house. At present, I had to face my mate. However, my mother's command caused Athena to forget about the bond. Athena was determined to leave Percy at the door and never look back.

I turned my gaze towards Remi and Josie, just as Cj entered the room behind them."Father has summoned all of us to come and greet the Alpha family," Cj announced, placing emphasis on the word "all" as he looked at me. I simply nodded my head, surprising them all, as I became the first to step out of my room and confront my mate.