Rejection, Refuge, Revere

Chapter 5

“Are you okay?” A small voice asks from beside me and I jump as high as my body allows.

“Goddess you scared me.” I say as I look to see a little girl and boy around 8 staring at me with wide eyes. They both share the same round nose, and high cheekbones, but while the girl has dirty blonde hair, the boy has a light brown. The boy’s eyes are bright blue and narrow, while the girls are dark green and wide.

“You’re crying.” The boy says and I nod and wipe my eyes.

“I was, but I’m not anymore. See?” I say pointing to my watery eyes.

“Are you okay?” The girl asks again and I smile sadly, nodding.

“Yes, honey, I’m okay. I just.. Was upset, that is all.” I say, not wanting to share details with these kids. They don’t need to know that the world sometimes sucks.

“I’m Mo. What are your names?” I ask and they look at each other then shrug.

“I’m Sophie and this is Jarrod.” Sophie says with a bright smile, turning my sad one into something a bit happier.

“Well, Sophie, Jarrod. What are you doing out here alone? I bet your parents are worried sick.” I say, moving from the ground and sitting on the bench to be able to show them that I’m serious, but not being threatening by standing. They look at each other, trying to figure out what to say when Jarrod sighs.

“We snuck out of the kid’s room to see the ball, but then we wanted to come outside.” He says and Sophie elbows him.

“Jarrod!” Sophie hisses and I laugh.

“That’s alright, my brother and I used to sneak out sometimes. But only for a moment before we got into trouble. How about I take you two back to the caregiver so you don’t get into too much trouble. Sound good?” I ask and they grumble their agreement.

“Do you have a nanny here?” They nod.

“Alright, well while we find her how about you tell me what your favorite thing about tonight has been so far?” I ask and their smiles warm my icy, shattered heart.

“I saw a woman with hair the size of an elephant with ribbons and jewels all around. Like a rainbow.” Sophie says and I snort. Charlie pointed that woman out in his first round.

“I saw her hair too. Did you like it?” I ask and she scrunches her nose.

“No. I liked the colors, but thought it was funny.” She says and I laugh.

“It was quite interesting.” I say, then turn to Jarrod.

“What about you?” I ask and he shrugs.

“Oh come on, there must have been something.” I prod and he gets a mischievous smile.

“I put Sophie’s gitter in our dad’s pocket.” He says and I laugh.

“Oh my goodness, you must be a prankster. Did you see his reaction when he found it?” I ask.

“YES! It was so funny!” He says through belly laughs.

“I bet it was. That sounds like a very good prank.” I say and he nods.

We finally found our way to the hall where I realized the stairs led to the children’s care room.

“We didn’t even get to dance. The whole reason I wanted to sneak out was to dance.” Sophie begins as I try to urge them upstairs.

“Well why didn't you dance?” I ask her and she huffs.

“Jarrod refused. He told me he would, then said no once we got into the room.” She says and I nod, turning to Jarrod, whose face has gone red.

“Why didn’t you want to dance?” I ask and he shrugs.

“Brothers don’t dance with sisters. It’s weird.” He says and I smile.

“On the contrary I dance with both of my brothers and we have fun. Matter of fact. I may go find one of them now to see if they will dance.” I smile at them.

“You dance with your brothers?” Jarrod asks sceptically.

“Of course. Who else would I be able to practice with? It’s quite fun. Next time, try it. Just don’t sneak out to do it. Okay?” I ask and they nod then head up the steps. I wait until I hear a shrill voice reprimanding them then go back to the ballroom.

Thank you goddess for the reminder that all is not lost in the world. That even when I am falling apart I am still able to help children.

Smiling to myself, I walk back into the ballroom, seeing Hunter right away in a dance with a beautiful woman. He has a smile on his face, but looks miserable. My heart hurts, seeing him, but I think of Sophie and Jarrod and it eases a little.

I walk against the wall, watching the people while avoiding their gazes to try to deter them from talking to me.

“There you are!” I hear Thad call from behind me. I stop turning around to see him striding up to me with a smile on his face. The biggest one I have ever seen on him. I laugh thinking that he looks a little crazy with it.

“Here I am.” I say moving my hands like I am revealing a prize in one of those game shows. He chuckles then grabs me and spins me around. I feel his excitement and happiness through our sibling bond.

It’s nothing like a full fledged mate bond, but there is still a small bond that siblings have where you can get a glimpse into their emotions, especially if they are overflowing like Thad’s are right now.

It reminds me to lock my wall before I can ruin his good mood.

He sets me down and stares at me with crazy hazel eyes.

“Pray tell. What has my oldest and grumpiest brother in such a good mood? Shall I guess? The food, maybe the drink? Oh no! I got it, the decor. It is quite lovely.” I say, putting on a terrible accent that makes him laugh and that's when I hear it. A giggle from behind him that makes my cheeks stretch wide.

“Only you, Amo.” He says, still chuckling, then moves to the side to reveal a beautiful red head with big light blue eyes.

“Amona, this is my mate. Elise. Elise, this is my baby sister, Amona.” He says and I squeal. Not caring about the stares I am drawing as I rush up to her and hug her tight. Goddess thank you. Thad deserves this. I pull back from the gentle hug she was giving me compared to my tight embrace.

“If he gives you any trouble, let me know. I’ll kick his a*s. Older brother or not.” I say and she laughs, but shakes her head.

“I think I’ll be able to handle it, but if I can’t I will come straight to you.” She says with a soft smile. Thad pulls her to his side and gazes down at her and she looks up at him. So loving already. My heart hurts at the thought that I can’t have that, but also thumps with joy for Thad.

“Well I was coming in here to ask you to dance, but it seems as though you have found your permanent partner. I’ll have to drag Charlie away from whatever person he is charming.” I joke and Thad laughs.

“Oh! I wouldn’t mind. You can dance with your brother. I didn’t. I couldn’t possibly..” Elise begins to ramble but I stop her.

“No. No. I was only joking. This is your night. To get to know one another. To solidify the bond. I won’t take that away from you.” I say, while patting her on the shoulder and chuckling a moment.

“You two make a lovely couple. Have fun!” I say waving them off as I make my way around the room. My heart begins to hurt again, but I shove it away. Maybe I should just go to bed, that would probably be the wise thing to do.

“Hey. You met Thad’s mate?” Charlie asks, saddling up next to me. I glance at him to find that he is studying me.

“I did. She seems very nice.” I answer and he nods, still eyeing me.

“What is the matter?” He asks and I plaster a smile on my face.

“Nothing. I am so happy for him. The only thing that would make this night better is if you found your mate.” I smile. His eyes widen, then narrow.

“Or yours.” He says and the heartbreak I feel, makes a lump form in my throat. He stares at me, eyes wide and filled with anger the more he studies me.

“Amona.” He growls and I flinch slightly.

“W. Would you dance with me?” I ask, voice shaky and vulnerable. He takes a deep breath, then holds out his hand.

I grab it and we make our way towards the dance floor, finding a secluded place in the corner and beginning a waltz.

“Tell me. What happened” Charlie says, squeezing my hand tight in barely controlled rage.

“You can’t change anything, Charlie. Just leave it be.” I answer.

“I can beat the sh*t out of them.” He says.

“No. No. Please don’t. Charlie. That would get nobody anywhere. What’s done is done, there is no going back. It will all be okay.” I say, in a soothing voice, while running my hand on his shoulder for reassurance. I feel him let a little of the tenseness release from him.

“Please tell me. I won’t do anything rash. I just. Need to know.” He says and I nod, seeing the pain in his eyes for me and I sigh.

“My mate rejected me, Charlie. But you already figured that out, didn’t you?” I whisper. He nods, then pulls me closer in a hug.

“Who was it, Amona?” He asks.

“Hunter.” I whisper again, the name making my heart hurt.

“Hunter?” He grits and his grip tightens. I only nod.

“I’m gonna kill..”

“No! No. You can’t, Charlie. Please. I understand why he did it, even if it hurts.” I say. But even before I am done speaking he is shaking his head.

“what do you mean you understand? I sure as sh*t don't, Amona. You are perfect the way you are.” He says, but now it’s my turn to shake my head.

“No. Charlie. I can’t shift, I’m wolfless. Rankless. How can a Beta rank, let alone our future Beta accept me? As much as I hate it, I understand it. The goddess will plan something different for me. Something better. I have to believe that. Please believe that for me.” I say and he nods as a tear streaks down his face.

“I will pray for your second chance, Amona. Just as hard as I pray for my chance. I love you and anybody would be lucky to have you. He is a jacka*s, Amona, and you deserved better anyway.” He says, squeezing me tight as we continue to sway.

“Thank you. Charlie. For being here and making me feel better. You are my rock. At least I have you and the children to make me laugh.” I say with a smile and he snorts.