Her Choice

Chapter 4

Robert POV

Laying next to my sweets in her bed watching her sleep makes me wish this could be us everyday. I feel Cora stir and cuddle closer into my chest. I wrap my arm around her kissing the top of her head. I will always protect her. No matter what happens. My love for her will never change. I never met my mate and I never will. I found out over a year ago that she was killed in an attack on her pack from the southern packs. Her name was Mara and she was older then me. She came to visit her cousin Jessica in our pack and knew we were mates. She never said anything to me. She told Jessica she wanted to wait until I turned eighteen so I could feel the mate bond. She as killed before I even knew about her. Jessica her cousin told me years later. Telling me she didn’t know how to tell me that my mate I had never met or felt died. It pushed me to be a man hoe. Knowing I will never have my true mate to feel that bond. It was hard to digest. Cora was my only comfort through that time. I still haven’t told Cora about my mate. Maybe tomorrow morning I will tell her.

I know she will need me during this time. It is never easy to lose a mate even to rejection. I will help to mend these broken pieces if she allows me too. I take a deep breath filling my lungs with Cora’s scent. As I start to drift to sleep with my sweets in my arms. I just want to cherish this moment. As I finally fall asleep.

Ares POV

Cora rejected me. Carter my wolf has totally blocked me out and is refusing to swift. My temper is short since last night. I didn’t except Cora’s rejection yet. Not that I could after Carter took over and then that piece of s**t Robert came. I still wasn’t going to except it. I just need time to sort through these feelings. I have my pup coming and Gina has given me so much. I couldn’t just leave her pregnant with my pup in her belly. Gina may not be my mate but I still built something with her. I do have feelings for her and just can’t ignore the last year with her. Yet here comes Cora the most beautiful women I have ever seen. From the way she walked into the bar last night her aura was different from other she wolves. She has strength radiating from her. Her confidence, sureness and straight forward attitude took me by surprise. I know I need to talk with Gina about the situation. I owe them the truth. Yes it is a mess but I need to setup and take control of this s**t show I have created.

I walk to Gina’s and my room. My face from last night healed not showing a scratch on me. I had left the bar last night and texted Gina I had some things I needed to attend to. Gina is submissive and never questions me. I also texted the boys to make sure she got back to the pack house safely. I tried to go for a run in my wolf form but Carter wasn’t having it. I finally took a walk to the cliffs. My place to think. I sat there asking the moon goddess for guidance hoping for a sign. I finally walked to the pack house. Now that I am in front of Gina’s and my door I take a deep breath and gently open it. I walk in to see Gina is still asleep. She is not yet showing her pregnancy as we just found out last week. I walk to the closet and pick up some clothes and head to the bathroom. I need to shower. Once I was ready I mind linked my beta Vince to meet me in my office.

“Hey Boss, What’s up?” Vince says well walking into my office.

Vince is my beta and best friend. We grew up together. Vince lost his mate years ago and I know once I tell him about Cora he is going to give me the biggest lecture.

“So I have something to tell you. Please keep this to yourself until I sort things through. I don’t need Dylan and the boys on my case at the moment.” I reply.

“Ya of course bro. You know I got you.” Vince replies with a serious tone.

“So I found my true mate last night.” I blurt out.

“WHAT THE f**k! Who is it? Do they know about Gina? About the baby? What are you going to do?” Vince starts asking twenty one questions which I knew was coming.

“Well that’s the thing it is Dylan’s sister Cora. Obviously she now knows of Gina. I am not sure if she knows about the baby tho.” I say well rubbing a hand over my tried face.

“Holy s**t!! I told you Ares to wait for your mate. You could f**k around just be careful about it; but you never listen. You know Dylan is going to kill you when he finds out. Like straight up challenge you Ares.” Vince voice repeating what I already know in my mind.

“I know man. I really f****d up! Like big time. To make matters worse Cora rejected me last night.” My voice breaks telling Vince the truth.

“Do you blame her Ares? Cora is a catch man! I have only known her for two day’s and I feel drawn to her. The other male wolves…..” Before Vince could finish Carter lets out a load growl from the back of my throat. Hearing about his mate sending him into anger.

Vince puts his hands up before saying “Look Carter I know she is your mate. I am just letting Ares know what a stupid f**k he is.”

Carter seems to calm down at Vinces statement.

“Look Ares you need to come clean to everyone. You need to tell Gina that you found your mate. Hell Gina’s mate is still out there too! What if she finds hers. I told you this would end bad. You need to make things right for Cora. Even if she doesn’t forgive you it is the right thing to do. Plus Dylan is going to cut off your balls when he finds out you pretty much broke his sisters heart.” Vince giving me a sympathetic look.

“I know man. I really do want to make things right. I will talk with Gina tonight about Cora.” Taking a deep breath I lean my head forward into my hands.

“Good you need to make things right. I am here for you bro but Dylan is also my friend and I will not pick sides. I can only say I don’t know how Eric and Justin will react. They were never really fond of Gina. We all thought you were just lonely and needed so female company. We never knew you were going to make her your luna and take her as a chosen mate.” Vince replies well walking to the door.

Vince turns around and opens the door before leaving he says “Get you s**t together Ares.” And walks out. Leaving me to fight the demons in my head and sort my s**t out.

Cora POV

I woke up to arms around me. For a second I thought they were my mates Ares. Then I remember I rejected him last night. I look up to see Robert is still fast asleep. I gently move his arm to slip out of bed. Walking to my bathroom I notice I was wearing my pajama’s. I take it he changed me. Not that I minded. Robert has seen me naked before. We are werewolves and nudity is a normal thing. Taking off my pajamas I jump into the shower to wash off my makeup that is smeared across my face. Great I am sure Robert saw the train wreck I was last night. I am never one to show much emotions. Specially after Jason’s death and tend to block out my feelings.

I jump into the shower washing away the sadness, disappointment, and shock of what happened last night. Today is a new day and I will not waste it. I learned once Jason died that life is to short. With the Alpha war I need to move on and live in the moments I have. I will not let this hold me back. I am going to train harder then ever and maybe one day find love. Until then I am letting go of Alpha Ares and moving on. I just need him to expect my rejection. I don’t want to be connected to him. I want my wolf and me to heal. To find the happiness we deserve. Plus I don’t want to feel him being intimate with his chosen mate.

I was rinsing the shampoo out of my hair when I feel a strong arm around my waste. I turn around to see Robert in all his naked glory before me. His strong blue eyes meeting mine.

“Can I join you?” He whispers into my ear.

My heart is beating so fast in my chest. This is wrong Ares has not excepted my rejection and this would hurt Carter. I may hate Ares but Carter doesn’t deserve the pain. I place my hands on Robert chest. I can feel his heart also beating fast. I placed a kiss to his cheek and replied.

“Yes you can but no funny business.” Giving him a stern look.

“What if I can’t help myself?” As Robert hands dip lower to my hips grasping them firmly.

“I am not ready Robert. Even tho I rejected my mate my heart is still his. I don’t want to hurt you. I need time to heal and for Star to heal. Please give me some time.” As I run my hands up his chest.

“Okay Cora. I can do that. I just want to make this clear. I care for you Cora and not just as a friend. I have something else I want to tell you but later.” Robert gives me a short smile looking a bit sad.

We finished showering. Robert grabbing his clothes from yesterday he slips them back on.

“I am going to head back to my room and get some clean clothes. Want to meet up for lunch since we missed breakfast?” Robert asks.

“Ya I will meet you there.” Giving him a smile.

“Alright see you there.” Robert shooting me a wink.

I grab my phone to see four miss calls. Two were from Miranda and the other two were from my brother. Great this is going to make this so much worse. Should I even tell them about Ares. Huh this is so confusing. I know once Dylan finds out he is going to lose his s**t. This can make a mess of everything. I don’t even know what I am going to say to anyone. It is already heart breaking to see my mate with another woman. Even tho the bond is broken it will take time for me to understand these feelings. I mean he told me he loved her. He chose her over his real mate. Knowing this made me second guess myself. No….No i can’t think this way. I am strong I know my worth if he can’t feel it through the mate bond then so be it. I will not be someone’s second choice or wait until he decides he wasn’t to be with me. I deserve better. Hell this Gina girl can have him. But I will be damned if I will let me see me sad over him. Nope I am going to prove to myself that everyone that I am worth fighting for. That starts today.

So I decided to call Miranda back since she is probable worried since I left early last night.

“Cora! What the hell why haven’t you answered your phone? If it wasn’t for Robert telling your brother he was with you Dylan would have torn the place apart. We were worried.” Her voice having a worried tone.

“I am sorry Miranda. I wasn’t feeling well last night. I was tried and passed out.” I reply hoping she won’t plus about last night. “Anyways enough about me. Tell me what happened with you and my brother? And please keep it PG-13” I chuckle to Miranda.

“He is prefect Cora. Like dreamy full blown romantic movie type vibes! I am just so happy. We haven’t mated yet but Dylan wants to me it special.” Miranda love sick voice echo’s through the phone.

“Well I am happy for you two. So are you going to meet Robert and me for lunch? Or will you be with my love struck brother?” Giving my sarcastic voice.

“Well that’s why I called. Dylan was wondering if you wanted to meet us at this pizza place in town. He wants to see you and plus I need my best friend.” Miranda replies.

“Well first who is going?” I say hoping to avoid Ares at all cost until I am ready to confront him. I still need him to expect the rejection.

“Well it is Justin, Eric, Becca, Taylor, Robert and you. That’s if Robert and you want to come?” Ya you know what that sounds fun I replied. I will let Robert know.

Once I got off the phone with Miranda I text Robert letting him know we are doing lunch with the gang. Robert asked if his friend Alex could come too. I told him I am sure it was fine but I would text Miranda to let her know anyways. After making all this plans I finally start getting ready. I put on a pair of dark blue skinny jeans with a tan crop top. I put my platinum blonde hair into a messy bun and put on my makeup. I grab my white Nike Air Forces and head out the door. I was meeting Robert and Alex in the parking lot. Once I got there I saw Becca and Taylor standing next to Robert and Alex.