Struggle for Love

Chapter 9 Betrayal

"I feel it. It's strong. I don't understand why you can't feel it too." He looked up at me with eyes filled with pain and hurt.

"Maybe it's because I've been gone so long. Maybe that side of me has laid dormant for eight years and that's why I just don't feel it." I rambled. I didn't want to hurt him but I didn't want to be held back by him either. He was reaching for my hand once more when Momma Beth and Sadie came barrelling in the door.

"Good morning Wolfie girl! How'd you sleep?" Momma Beth beamed at me. Her smile faded a little when she noticed the tension between Zachariah and myself. I tried to brush it away by taking a deep breath and smiling at her.

"I slept fine, Momma Beth. I was just talking to Zach-"

"I was just leaving. You ladies have a great rest of your day." Zachariah cut in before turning and leaving out the front door.

After he had disappeared Sadie turned on me. "River, what did you do to him? That boy looked like he lost his best friend. You didn't reject him did you?" She scolded.

"No ma'am." I mumbled.

"Leave her alone Sadie. Come on Wolfie girl. Help Momma Beth put these groceries up in the kitchen." I followed behind her and helped put the dry goods away. It was quiet except for the gentle humming of Momma Beth. I felt like she knew something was wrong but she wasn't going to push but at the same time, she expected an answer as to why Zachariah left the way he did. I sighed. "Momma Beth, I don't want a mate." I whispered. She didn't say anything she just kept putting things away.

"I have my residency coming up and then I need to find a job. I just know having a mate will take that from me. Male werewolves just want a she-wolf who will stay home and spit out pups. I don't want that. I want more. I want a career. I want to help people. I don't want to be a baby making factory." When I was finished she turned to me.

"Wolfie girl, did you tell him what you was feelin'?" She leaned on the counter.

"No, ma'am." I whispered.

"Did you ask him what he wanted?" She asked.

"No, ma'am."

"Then how do you know he don't want the same as you? How you know he won't support you?" I didn't. I didn't give him a chance. He was so excited and I just crushed him without thinking twice about it.

"I don't know, Momma Beth." I whispered, feeling guilty.

"Well... then go find out." She said and turned around and started washing the blackberries she got from the store. I took a deep breath and went into the living room.

"Momma?" Sadie looked up from the book she was reading, pretending she wasn't listening to me and Momma Beth talk in the kitchen.

"Yes, baby?"

"What pack is Zachariah from?" I asked. She smiled at me.

"The Blueridge Mountain pack. They're about twenty minutes from here. Want me to drive you?" She smiled knowingly.

"Yes, ma'am." I whispered. She grabbed her keys from the ring by the door. We stepped outside and got into Momma Beth's little powder blue Toyota Prius. We drive in silence down highway 515 for about ten miles before turning off onto a windy little road. Before long we turned off onto a gravelly driveway that led deep into the woods. I noticed the flashes of brown, gray, red, and black that ran along side the car. I looked closer and saw they were wolves and my heart rate sped up.

I had always heard of pack houses but I had never actually seen one, or if I did, I didn't remember it. When we pulled up to the massive log building my mouth hung open slightly.

The pack house looked like an over sized, rustic log cabin with four stories. What looked to be the master bedroom sat on the top floor with a balcony looking out over the property. I was getting out of the car when I noticed a crowd of angry, large men blocking the entrance to the house.

"Ms.Sadie, why did you bring a rogue onto our territory?" A tall, large, bald,bearded man asked.

"Well since you asked so nicely, Ron, I'm bringing your Alpha his mate." Sadie said, sweetly. Ron's eyes widened as he looked me over from head to toe. Ron looked to be lost for a second before focusing back on Sadie.

"Alpha Thompson said he'll be out in a minute. Go ahead and sit down out hear on the porch." Ron and the crowd scattered leaving me and Sadie to make our way to the small table and chairs alone. I felt my stomach clench as I sat down but I wrote it off as nerves. Fifteen minutes later, a winded looking Zachariah, came out of the house followed by what appeared to be a pink cheeked, giggling omega. I felt my heart crack at the sight. He swatted her ass before turning to Sadie and I. I glanced over at Sadie, who's expression was murderous.

Zachariah's face paled as realization hit him. I didn't speak a word. I stood from the table and walked up to him. I sniffed and the rage began to build inside my gut. Before I could think, my hand crashed against him face leaving sparks behind where his skin had touched. I walked to the car.

"Momma unlock the door." I heard a beep. I got in and fastened my seat belt. As soon as my door closed I heard Sadie let in on him, but I didn't care.

"How dare you, Zachariah Thompson! She came all the way here to talk to you and you make us wait while you f**k someone else?" I had never heard Sadie swear.

"River doesn't want me! What does it matter what I do?" He shouted.

"She was scared you miserable fool! She literally just got back from being at school to find she has a mate. How do you think that feels? She came to tell you that. You just broke that poor girls heart! I thought mates were supposed to mean something!" Sadie roared at him.

"She does mean something! I thought she didn't want me!" By this time we had started gathering attention. I sighed heavily. I unfastened my seat belt and stepped out of the car.

"Momma, can we just go please?" I could feel the warmth flowing down my face but I didn't care.

"River, I'm sorry. Can we just-" Zachariah started.

"No. You don't get to talk to her! You had your chance. You know what! Mwen hex ou ak gonore ak krab!" Sadie shouted. Zachariah stared at her, dumbfounded. Suddenly, he started rubbing his groin.

"Hmph! Come on, River. You're too good for this jackass anyway." Sadie walked around to the driver's side of the car and got in. I took one last look at Zachariah, before I got in the car and we headed back home.