Rejection, Refuge, Revere

Chapter 8

All I hear is the blood wooshing in my ears and the occasional voice calling my name. I feel light strokes on my face, not even flinching with the movement like normal.

After who knows how long I begin to focus on the hand stroking my face and then trace it back to Thad. His look of concern hurts me. He is supposed to be spending time getting to know his mate, not consoling his little sister.

" What happened, little bug?” He asks, the nickname he gave me as a little girl, pulls at my heart. Looking around I notice we are in a small alcove outside. His mate, Elise, and Charlie stand on either side of him, watching me closely.

"Hunter is, or was her mate. He rejected her earlier tonight.” Charlie tells them.

Elise gasps and Thad growls.

"I'm going to kill that motherf*c.”

"NO!” I yell, grasping at his hand. He glances at me but his anger is taking over. I glance at Elise helplessly. She seems to understand because she steps up to Thad and begins stroking his chest. He calms a little, but stares at me.

"I'm leaving the pack” I say and he reals his head back like I have slapped him. Charlie takes a deep breath.

"What do you mean Amo?” Charlie asks and I take a steady breath. I stand as I try to think of the best way to explain. Definitely Band-Aid way.

"Hunter is going to have the Alpha Banish me. I won't be coming back from the ball.”

Two growls erupt, their eyes glowing with their wolves making their presence known.

“Please.” I reach for them both. Grabbing onto their forearms as they turn. Most likely to march right back into the ball and get themselves killed for attacking our future Second.

“Stop. It is done, or will be soon. Just leave it. I. I will be okay.” I plead. They turn back and stare at me. The sadness in their eyes shows they know that I am lying. There is no way I will be okay, but at least now they are sad and not murderous, I guess.

“Where will you go? There is no way we can just let this happen. That a*shole has no right to do this.” Thad says through gritted teeth. Charlie is silent, just watching me with tears building in his eyes.

“I. I can speak to my Alpha to see if he will accept her. We regularly accept lone wolves.” Elise speaks up and I glance at her, hope filling me at the only option I seem to have.

“Do you know when you'll be declared lone?” She asks and I shake my head.

“He only said it would be before the weekend is over.” I cringe and she shakes her head.

“Thank you. For your help. I know you don't have to, but I appreciate it.” I say and she shakes her head even more, eyes filling with a strange determination.

“You're family now. I'll do anything I can to help you.” She says and I smile a little. Goddess it would have been good to have a woman around the pack to speak to and bond with.

“Come on, Amo. I’ll take you back to the hotel.” Charlie says, grabbing my elbow and leading me away.

Charlie and I make our way back to the hotel in silence. He walks me to my room and steps in with me. His eyes fixed on me with determination.

“I am going to come with you.” He says and before he even finishes I am shaking my head.

“You know they won't let you. We are in need of warriors, they won't let one go just because you want them to.” I say and he sighs, rubbing his chin.

He and I both know that you have to do something horrible to be thrown out of our pack if you are a warrior. We are low and attacks are always imminent. He steps up to me and pulls me in for a tight hug. I hold back the tears, I have cried enough for tonight.

“Hopefully Elise's Alpha will take pity on me and let me seek refuge there. I know that chances aren't the best. I mean who wants a wolfless woman” I begin to ramble but he cuts me off by squeezing me harder.

“You need to stop talking down on yourself. Anybody, any pack, would be lucky to have you. Look at the bright side. You'll be getting out of that hell hole.” He says and I nod. He isn't wrong, but I can't help but wonder if the hell hole of that pack would be better than the hell of being outside as a lone wolf.

He lets go and steps back.

“I'm going to get changed and I'm coming back here tonight. I won't leave you alone.” He says and I nod, grateful that I didn't have to ask.

Once he leaves, I go into the bathroom and look in the mirror. My makeup is smeared all over the place and my hair has fizzled all over. A tear falls and I brush it away.

I pull myself away from the mirror and undress, then step into the shower and turn it all the way up.

Leo. What are you thinking? I ask. She huffs and I feel the anger and sorrow rush through me.

I am heartbroken from losing our mate, but am also p*ssed that the goddess gave that piece of trash to us. He is scum and we will do better. She answers and I nod my head.

What do you think about being banished? I ask and she huffs.

I think it is bullsh*t and we should have torn his pretty face into chunks, to really have a reason for being banished. She says matter of factly. I snort, but the sadness and worry about the future weighs on me.

Soon enough I am changed into my flannel pajamas and falling into a restless sleep beside Charlie.

Goddess, please guide me.