Page 20 of Amaris Rejected

"Night, night, baby," Devon whispers.

“If you don’t mind, I thought we could sit and talk for a few minutes before I show you the basement level.” Devon leads us to his office, which is also on the third floor. It’s empty since it’s getting late. I sit in an armchair while Devon takes the companion chair beside the door. He reaches over to take my hand when the door swings open abruptly.

"Devon, you're back," the she-wolf from my dream says as she stands at the door. I’d recognize her anywhere. She’s the one I was warned to keep Zoe away from. As I stare at her, a vague memory surfaces of her clinging to Devon’s arm the day he left us at the meet-and-greet.

She glares at me with anger and shock warring in her expression. "Devon," she accuses, "who is this she-wolf?"

He jerks his hand from mine and turns to her, his voice placating. "Jeni, what are you doing here?"

She looks up at him with her big, baby-blue eyes glistening and whimpers, "I came to welcome you home." I almost laugh aloud. This female knows how to play him like a piano. "I'm sorry, am I interrupting?" She blinks, and a tear rolls down her cheek.

“Oh, forgoddess’s sake,” Lyra huffs. “Drama, much?”

"Aw, Jeni, honey, don't cry," he groans, rubbing his eyes as she flashes me a sly grin.

He reaches for her, but an angry growl escapes his chest, causing him to jump back. "I-I... you really shouldn’t be here." He steps outside with her and closes the door behind him. As his office is soundproof, I can't hear what's being said, and honestly, it doesn't matter. This is his problem. My only concern is how it all affects Zoe. Otherwise, I couldn’t care less.

I still feel the pull of the mate bond, but Amra, the herbal medication I developed, numbs the pain, and eases the suffering. It allows Lyra and me to see Devon for who he really is, not through any rose-colored glasses or lingering traces of the bond. Sure, the goddess paired as soulmates and perfect for each other, but he obviously has deep feelings for this other female, and she can have him. I just hope the goddess has something better in store for me.

After a few minutes, Devon walks back into the room. "Sorry,” he says guiltily. "Are you ready for that conversation?"

“Probably a little more ready than I had been after watching that little show,” I state.

He looks at me quizzically. “What are you talking about, ‘show’?” He air quotes.

“If it’s not apparent to you, it’s not my place to interfere.”

“Please enlighten me,” his voice becomes defensive.

“Hmmm,” Lyra observes. “Very protective of the little rat.”

“Please, Devon, she played you like last night’s lottery numbers,” I spit. “Are you really saying you bought her act?”

“That’s not an act,” his brows bunch as his anger spikes. “Jeni and I are the best of friends, and we are honest with each other to a fault. I don’t appreciate your implying that she’s deceitful.”

“If she’s so honest and pure, why does your wolf have a problem with her?”

“I don’t want to hear anything more about your attempts to disparage Jeni,” Devon orders, his Alpha aura washing over me. Pain shoots through my body at the betrayal, and I stagger as dizziness overwhelms me. I bend over, clutching my stomach, which twists in agony, stealing my breath.

The three most painful experiences for a wolf-shifter are Cheating Mate Syndrome, Rejected Mate Syndrome, and an unjust Alpha Order, especially one issued by their mate. These are particularly damaging because they don’t merely wound the human self; they hurt the guileless wolf's heart, exposing it to the brutality of the betrayal. These represent the cruelest forms of treachery that fracture both sides of the shifter and break the very foundation of their soul.

While Devon’s actions devastate me, I’m used to his dismissiveness. He’s shown his true colors before. But I don’t manipulate or control to get what I want like Devon and Jeni do. Being a doormat is out of the question. I’m a strong, independent she-wolf who doesn’t need Alpha Devon Wright. He’s bitten off more than he can chew, and it’s a lesson he’ll quickly learn. Does he really think he can win me back by metaphorically slapping me like this?

I straighten my spine and rise to my full height from the chair, seething as I look up at him.

“Fine!” I grit out. “But you need to know, you’ve just made the biggest mistake of your life.” Tears choke my throat, but I push through them. I’ll never let this clueless idiot know the depth of pain he’s caused me.

I pull on the mask of indifference I’ve worn for three years and keep my voice steady. “The female you just—just spoke to privately in the foyer, in front of your mate, the one you—you just issued an unjust Alpha order protecting, ensuring that I can’t tell you anything about the interaction that secretly passed between us… is also the one the goddess warned me about,” I snarl.

“What are you talking about?” he yells.

“Keep her away from Zoe,” I snarl. “If she does anything to my pup, I’ll—d—destroy her, and you won’t be able to stop—stop me!” I force the words out as memories of the vision flash through my mind of how Jeni tried to hurt my baby. I struggle to tell Devon, but the words won’t come, no matter how hard I try.

"Jeni? You’ve completely lost it,” Devon snaps. “She's harmless and wouldn't harm Zoe!” He scoffs, anger clear in his voice. “She’s been my best friend since we were pups." He waves dismissively, brushing off my concerns as he rolls his eyes.

"I mean it, Devon. I’m ready to go home with Zoe now unless you promise thatJeniwon't be allowed near her—EVER!" I demand as if his promises actually have any real value.

He raises his hands placatingly, just as he did with Jeni earlier, while I tremble angrily. "Fine! Fine! I promise," he sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

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