Destined But Torn

Tristen Pov Leave and don't come back Ever! You hear me? Dont ever come back here again, Tristen! 5 YEARS LATER... Those were the last words she said to me before our lives went adrift. The pain was written all over her face. She was broke. I broke her. If I'm being honest, both of us will be broken forever. We will feel it until the day we die. Breaking a mate bond should never be considered. The pain at that moment shook me to my core. Still it lingers under my skin. A void in my soul that can't be replaced or filled. I feel it every day and it doesn't get easier. When I close my eyes, I can still see her eyes full of tears and disappointment. I've resigned myself to the fact, this is how it will be. I hate myself for what I've done to her. What I have done to us. I'm expected to accept a bond with a chosen mate, one of which I have no inclination to deal with. I cannot look at the woman without feeling excruciating pain in my chest. My proposed intended, jokes on me. How can my father expect another woman to fill the shoes of my true mate, when the strings of my heart and soul are tethered to another? My dreams are consumed by her and what our lives could have been. She was now promised to another, as am I. Our fathers are prominent Alphas and they despise each other. Days before our birthday she was adamant about us being mates, that we should run away together, throw caution to the wind, leave all of it behind. We were both constantly pressured by the burden of being next in line to our respective packs. Jaela was ready to give it all up for me, but weakness took over me . I rejected her, to appease dear old dad. His opinion means less and less to me as the years have passed. Werewolves are all raised to respect the sanctity of the mate bond, to honor Selene for bestowing the gift of true love to animals like us. My parents were mated for years. I grew up watching the love they shared with one another. What changed? Why am I the exception? Sighing, slamming my fists onto my desk. Documents and other supplies spilled into a heap on the floor. Two months until my mating ceremony, I'll be expected to mark Bree as my Luna and chosen mate. Only problem, Jaela. She never accepted. I'd have to look her in the eyes yet again, hoping she would accept it. One part of me hopes she doesn't, the other knows she has to. My wolf will never recognize Bree as my mate if we don't sever the bond completely. Seeing Jaela could cause so many things to go wrong. Will I have the strength to not pull her into my arms, kiss her, make her mine? Just one look at her now may crumble my very foundation. "Bro, what are you doing in here? And why does it look like a windstorm in here?" Skylar, my beta and best friend asked. I was so lost in my own head I never heard him come in. "You could have knocked. Ya know, announced your presence" Narrowing my eyes at him. He looked around the room, his brows raised in question. Grimacing, I shrugged. "T, I know when you're in your own head, you hide out in your office and sulk. Not to mention it looks like you had a fight with yourself here. So tell me what's going on with you?" He narrowed his eyes at me, crossing his arms across his chest. Skylar knew me better than anyone, and its annoying to say the least. "Just leave me be Sky", I warned him with my eyes. He smirked as if he already knew what was going on in my brain. He unfolded his arms and rested both his hands on top of my desk. His unwavering gaze made me uncomfortable. He didn't speak, or move, just stared. "NO! For the love of Selene, No! The wheels are turning in your head, the answer is no!" I yelled. "You've been Alpha for two years T, if you want Jaela go get her. Stop listening to those old dogs, you can do whatever you want. Did you think I didn't see the longing in your eyes? You're nothing but a shell of the person you used to be. Tristen, you walked around for years like your hollow! Hiding the pain, I'm your brother, your best friend. I know you" Pity blazed in his eyes. I could always count on Sky to give it to me straight. I'd be lying if I said everything was OK. If I'm being honest, I just learned to hide it better. I'm not okay, faking is the only thing that worked for me. His pity though, I could live without. We both know I'm responsible for all my pain. Rubbing my palms against my face, releasing the breath I've been holding. "T, go get Jaela, get rid of Bree", seriousness written all over his face. He pushed away from the desk, walked to the door and opened it before leaving. Sparing me one last glance, then closing the door behind him. Though he made it make sense, I cant renege now. I've given my word to the council and my father, regardless of my position now. What kind of man would I be if I declined now? Chuckling to myself, man? Well were-man. 'Were stupid if you asked me' my wolf sighed in a bored voice. 'Shut up Adriel! You know, you need to get with the plan and accept what's happening' 'I don't need to do anything, you made this decision for your father, and left me out of the conversation. If I was you I'd fix this mess now or else", he growled. 'Or else what?' I asked in curiosity. 'Or else you'll see, think about it. There has to be a reason they don't want us to be with our mate, pull your head out of your bum before its too late' Curling up in the back of my mind, he turned his back to me with a huff. Sighing, I faced the bay windows of my office, looking out at the pack warriors training in the yard. Some in human form, others as their wolves sparring. We have the second largest pack in the state, also one of the strongest. Shadow Moon has been around for years, passed down from my great grandfather's to me. Things needed a change at shadow moon. One of which, so every pack member was trained. Each member needed at least the fundamentals to protect themselves and our pack. If they wanted to reach a high status, it was open to them. We won't discriminate here anymore. Quite frankly, it was stupid to do so. My father, he was old-fashioned, stuck behind the old ways. Women would take care of the homes and when the children turned twelve they would experience their first shifts. Boys would start training and girls would be sent to learn the sanctity of mating. I couldnt stand it. Demolishing that outdated rule, I angered the council and my father. I could care less what they think. Women needed the opportunity to learn. Protect themselves as well as their loved ones. The possibilities for being a warrior should be available to both genders. That change alone has made a significant impact. Pack members are happy doing their jobs and loving every minute of it. Not only the males but the women have set new goals for themselves. The vote of the people is in my corner and with that, makes me a stronger Alpha.