Page 47 of Amaris Rejected

Afterward, I prepare an assortment of cold cuts, cheese, fruit, salads, a fresh loaf of bread, and sides for our picnic. I leave the food and a large bottle of sparkling water in the fridge to chill before finding a basket and a blanket, which I set aside.

Patting my pocket, I check for the ring, the final touch. I’ll ask Amaris to be my mate again and promise her I won't let anything hurt her ever again—especially not me.

The next few hours are spent playing with Zoe in the driveway, teaching her how to ride her bike, helmet and pads included. We also play hide-and-seek, though she mostly hides in the most obvious spots while I walk around calling,"Where's Zoe? I can't find her!"

She giggles the whole time, making it even easier to locate her if I really need to.

Soon, it's time for our picnic. Amaris calls Zoe's nanny to watch her while we’re out. Meanwhile, I pack the basket. Once the nanny arrives, we set off on our walk. The house sits on just under a hundred acres, and about a mile in, there’s the lake where we’re headed. When we arrive, I spread the blanket and unpack our lunch. The next hour flies by, filled with laughter, as Amaris shares stories of Zoe's antics.

A comfortable breeze blows off the lake, whipping Amaris's beautiful hair around. An easy, amicable silence has descended upon us, and I realize now is my chance. Amaris sits with a contented smile on her face. I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box. "Amaris..." I begin.

"No, Devon!" She holds out her hand to stop me. "Don't. I have no idea what I've done to make you think I'd be open to a ring. If I've misled you in any way, I’m sorry."

I drop my hand, holding the box, onto the blanket and sigh. "I’m just so desperate to bring our family back together."

"Devon, we’re no longer on the same page. I don't feel that way anymore."

"I had hoped we’d have a nice weekend, and that you could see how good we’d be together."

"Devon, I know it would’ve been good. For a few short hours one night, I felt euphoria at having found my... I think I called it—forever. But it didn't last."

I drop my head with shame. "Tell me how you feel."

"Devon, please don't..."

I look at her and ask, "How do you feel?"

She blinks rapidly and takes a deep breath, exhaling it quickly.

"I’m feeling rather apathetic."

I wince at her words.

“It brings me great joy to see you and Zoe interacting. I’m so happy she has you and wish she could’ve had that from the start."

I rub my hands over my face.

"She's young, Devon. You have a whole lifetime ahead of you together. I’m young, too. Our mate bond wasn’t completed, and what was there has been severed," she says quietly. "I don't know what the goddess has in store for me, but it’s not us."

"Would it help if I got down on my knees and begged? Amaris, I’m so, so, so very sorry. I just want to devote myself to my family for the rest of my miserable life." I blink back tears as I reach for her. "I realize I dug this hole, but I didn’t do it alone. I’ve been manipulated, drugged, and magically enchanted by Jeni."

She appeared startled. "I didn’t know about all that."

"I don't want to make excuses, but Jeni's interference has been years in the making. I shouldn’t have been so easily swayed. I should have been a stronger person."

"Jeni never swayed me. I love my mate and pup with an unwavering devotion, giving them my entire soul,"Rue insists. "I fought for Amaris, for our life together."

"Rue says he wasn't swayed for a second. He promises his eternal love," I tell her.

"I will kill anyone who tries to get between us again," Rue vows.

"He says he fought for you and swears to kill anyone who tries to come between us again." It feels like Jeni may have signed her own death warrant. It’s strangely unsettling that someone who once meant so much is now dead to me.

"Oh, Rue!" she cries softly. "Lyra and I love you too." She throws herself at me, showering kisses across my face. "That's for Rue, and this is for you." She presses her lips to mine gently... hesitantly. I return the kiss softly but otherwise remain perfectly still. I don't want to ruin this delicious moment. I'm afraid one wrong move will make her run from me again.

Breaking the kiss, she sighs and presses her forehead against my chest. "I-I guess I'm just really scared," she admits. I remain motionless, holding her carefully in my arms. "I've lost so much and been hurt so deeply that I've built a steel wall around my heart, and very few people have gotten through." She looks up into my eyes. "You did, and you destroyed me. I don't like feeling vulnerable."

"I promise I’ll never hurt you again. I may not have all the answers, and I know I’ll always have Zoe. Still, I realize my future is bleak without you." I gently drag my mouth across her soft cheek, trailing kisses along her jawline. Raising my head, I brush my nose against hers before finally descending to her parted lips. Not wanting to scare her away, I pull back slowly and tuck her head against my chest. I take a moment to calm my ragged breaths, recognizing that promises are being made here. There’s hope and a future, and it feels like coming home.

---