Page 33 of Amaris Rejected

Alpha Blake-Present Day

This has been one busy month. I haven't even had time to fulfill all my responsibilities at home, but I’m thankful to have such an excellent Beta to assist me. I sent him to speak with the she-wolf currently admitted to the hospital, the one seeking anonymous asylum in my pack.

Meanwhile, a team of Enforcers and I have received an assignment from the Alpha Commander to pick up a couple of criminals from neighboring packs and transport them to Stone Mountain City. There’s a crime spree targeting mate bonds, as the criminals are accused of tampering with them. I shake my head; it’s going to be a long day.

We’ll head north to the Still Waters Pack to pick up Jeni Quinn and Sheila Morris from Alpha Devon. Apparently, they damaged his mate bond with Amaris by interfering and using wolfsbane poison. I am personally acquainted with this situation; I have been counseling them. I hope they can overcome this, but much of it is his fault. Amaris is a highly intelligent and confident shifter, so I don't hold out much hope.

Next, I head west to Little Silver Creek Pack to pick up Tracy Vincent. This situation is quite serious. Ms. Vincent has been poisoning Alpha Jenson since the Alpha Conference three months ago. Fortunately, I didn't attend that one. Alpha Jenson issued an APB for his Luna; she fled her pack because of this. I don't understand what it is about these Alphas and their Lunas. If I could find my Luna, I would be the happiest of Alphas.

We arrive at Still Waters Pack around 7:00 a.m. since we started early. Alpha Devon greets us with his lead enforcer, Tevin Hill.

"Come on inside and have breakfast with us," he invites. "They’re feeding the prisoners and getting them ready for transport."

We enter the dining room, where breakfast is served buffet-style on the bar. I fill a plate and join Alpha Devon.

"How's it going between you and Amaris?" I inquire.

Devon drops his fork and leans back, pinching his nose and squinting. "She officially rejected me and is pressuring me to sign the divorce papers."

My fork stops halfway between the plate and my mouth. "What prompted such drastic action on her part?"

“She feels like I’ve been siding with Jeni instead of her,” he sighs.

“Have you been siding with Jeni?”

He shakes his head. “I didn’t think so. I’ve been trying to help reach a cease-fire between them. My fondest childhood memories include Jeni, and I didn’t want to lose her as a friend.”

“What do you want your future memories to include? Amaris, your pup, or Jeni?” I prod, leaning in. “What’s your non-negotiable? Who can you live without?”

He blinks, looking startled. “I’ve never thought about it like that.”

“Maybe it’s time you did. You have a choice to make.”

“I never meant for Amaris to be a second choice, and Jeni’s betrayal has left me reeling. I don't know how to fix this."

He fills me in on everything that’s happened between him and Amaris since she’s been here, including Jeni's machinations, which are a lot! A lot!

"I may not be an expert when it comes to advice about females, Devon, but I think you can trust everything Amaris says. Since I've known her, she's always been straightforward and never played games. When she speaks, you need to listen because it’s relevant. If she says Jeni’s non-negotiable, you must choose your friendship with Jeni or your mate and child. Why do you need to think about that? I would choose Amaris without hesitation—hands down."

"It's not that simple anymore," he laments. "Jeni has shown her true colors, and her betrayal cuts deep. In hindsight, I vividly see my mistakes. Amaris rightfully believes I should’ve chosen her before all of this came to light. It’s too late now to prove to Amaris that she always came first."

"I hate that for you, Devon, I really do. I didn't have much faith that you all could come back from that. I advise being a good co-parent and focusing on being a worthy father. The best you can hope for in this situation is that Amaris finds a mate who is good to your pup, and she probably will because she’s an exceptional female. I wish you the best of luck." I sympathize, patting him enthusiastically on the back."

He bows his head and subtly wipes his eyes. "Well, let's get these criminals off my land." He escorts us to the basement.

Ahead, I can see the prisoner cells. They resemble my operation, as they are modern, enclosed, and soundproof. Each room has a camera and microphone so we can observe the prisoners and ensure their safety.

Enforcer Hill, currently overseeing the prisoners, unlocks and opens a cell. Out steps a nervous she-wolf who looks at Devon warily. "Devon," she begins, gazing up at him with an exaggerated, wide-eyed innocence, tears forming in her eyes. "I—I..."

"Don't start this again, Jeni," he interrupts. "I don't want to hear any more lies." He issues an Alpha order, and she instantly goes silent. "Your deceit has cost me my family." He motions for Enforcer Hill to open the next cell, freeing the remaining prisoners, Sheila Morris.

As the prisoners stand before Alpha Devon, his voice echoes against the concrete walls, "I, Alpha Devon Wright, banish you, Jeni Quinn, and Sheila Morris, from my pack lands and order you never to return."

“Furthermore, I forbid you, Jeni Quinn and Sheila Morris, to speak to Amaris Richland Wright, my progeny, or any other family members or to approach them in any way,” he warns. "I don't know what will happen when you stand trial at Stone Mountain before Alpha Commander Beck Kason. Regardless, never return here." He nods to Enforcer Hill, who leads them away while Jeni begins to sob in earnest.

Enforcer Hill and I help them into the back of the SUV I’m driving, accompanied by two of my enforcers, Syndie and Lois. A second SUV follows behind, carrying the rest of the enforcers in my team: Travis, Lola, Fern, and Ray. The female enforcers are split between the two vehicles, ensuring the prisoners’ comfort and safety during transport.

After we load up, I shake hands with Enforcer Hill. Alpha Devon doesn’t follow us out. We head west.

---