Chapter 10
I needed to speak with Damian, I needed to speak with Damian. I kept repeating this to myself. Maybe I actually believed something good would happen. Could I really ask him to reject his mate for me? Would I be able to reject my mate for him? This was so messed up. I needed to see where his head was at. I knew what I sand to them, and I was not sure I completely agreed with what I said since I was completely pissed off and hurt, but I should hear him out. The look in his eyes was pure pain. If anything, I could get some comfort and start to accept this.
Walking to the pack house, I was not in the mood to speak with anyone. Trevor said there had been rumors going around about Damian finding his mate, and that it wasn’t me but he rejected her. People were not happy if you rejected your mate, it was very frowned upon. But it was me, right? I was an exception. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize I was at the front of the pack house. I was about to grab the handle but the door flew open! Quickly, I moved to the side and the person was so focused they didn’t even realize it was me. I was about to yell at them, but I realized it was Holly. She was pissed, stomping off and muttering under her breath. I didn’t quite understand what she said, but I heard “mate bond.” Frowning, I turned to go into the door, and I could smell Holly’s scent wrapped up in Damian’s. It was like another punch to the gut. Their scents could only be mixed if they mated. Which meant sex.
seeing red. Everything I was thinking about hearing him out was long gone. All I wanted to do was punch him. Throwing open the door, I saw Zach coming out of the game room. I knew he could see my emerald eyes glowing brightly, and he knew I was pissed. I could hear him running behind me as I stomped up the stairs. Throwing open Damian’s office door, I saw he was not expecting me, and also by the smell of sex and because I could see the mark on his neck. It was an all- new level of hurt and pissed off. He just had a deer–in–the–headlights look, and I had a pretty good feeling he wasn’t expecting me to find out this quickly.
How quickly he moved on. how quickly our time together meant nothing to him. I felt used and thrown away like trash. “I just wanted to let you know, Alpha, that I will be leaving in a weeks time. Once I make it to the bank and pack up my house, I am leaving you. I can clearly see I am not wanted or needed here. I officially reject my birthright position as your beta, Alpha Damian I finished strongly and left before he could say anything. I knew Zach had heard everything. He was upset in his own way. He had always had a crush on Holly and now Damian had taken her. Our group was splitting up. Unfortunately, Trevor would not leave Holly and his family behind, but I had a strong feeling Zach would follow me wherever I go.
I didn’t have anything planned, but since that just spewed out of my mouth, it sounded like I had some work to do. Most of that would be easy enough. I knew my parents had life insurance policies and they always saved money, and we didn’t live outside of our means, so I knew I didn’t have to worry about money for quite a while. Deciding what I would bring was another matter though. If I was really going to leave, I needed to pack lightly.
Walking into the house, all the lights were off. It just felt like a black hole of memories. Looking at the mantel and my childhood pictures, there was one of me at one year old, bolding up a balloon and with chocolate cake all over my face. Then I was six and my dad was pushing me on the swing with my dark hair flying wildly around my face. My yellow sneakers were muddy since it rained the day before. The last one was at my sixteenth birthday party. I was opening my gift from my parents. It was a ring. A solitary emerald jewel with a white gold band with a vine patterns embedded into it. I always felt a connection to it. Like I NEEDED to wear it. And so I did, I never took it off unless to shower.
“Um, Nina, I am sorry. I overheard you talking to Damian, and I just wanted to let you know I will not let you go by yourself. I will be coming with you to protect you, and honestly, I need a change of scenery, too, Zach said quietly. I could tell he was nervous, like I was going to tell him off now. Honestly, I was happy he was going to go with me. I didn’t want to go alone.
“Of course, you can come with me. Go pack whatever you need. We leave within a week,” I said, giving him a small smile. Walking up to him, I gave him a hug and told him goodnight, shutting the door behind him.
Well, it was too late to call the bank or do anything, and I was just too exhausted to actually work on this house, so maybe a nice bath would help. I opted to use my mom’s jet tub. I loved that thing. Opening my parents bedroom, I half expected them to yell at me to get out before I saw something I really didn’t need to see. Clutching my tank top, underwear, and shorts like they were my life, I squeezed into the bathroom. I looked like crop. Puffy eyes and cheeks, my nose was red from wiping it all day, and just like I had no life left in me. Getting the perfect temperature in the tub, I got undressed and slid in. These jets had always hit just right un the center of my lower back. I could feel Holly trying to mind–link me, but I was honestly not up for it. I built up a solid wall of bricks and enjoyed my bath.
Next thing I knew, I jerked awake; the water was freezing. I must have fallen asleep. Quickly draining the water and getting dressed, I made my way to my room. I was asleep before my head hit the pillows.
