Page 5 of Banished Mates
But... but now he was going on mating dates. My stomach churned and I lifted my legs to my chest as I turned onto my side. I didn’t want to be around for that. No fucking way. Someone would take him from me.
My heart pounded against my rib cage. Each thud racking through my body in painful strikes.
Everything was changing because Camden’s father was stepping down as Alpha tomorrow.
Camden would be busy with pack disputes, dates, and who knew what else. There would be no room for me.
My lower lip trembled as I sucked in a shaky breath.
Living elsewhere was always an option, but I didn’t want to be away from Camden and Hector. Taking that step would be long and strenuous. I’d have to petition the Alpha, and he wasn’t the fondest of me, which should work in my favor, but... it wouldn’t be Torrin after tomorrow. It would be Camden. Would Camden release me? It could be my opportunity to discover if I was truly a bother to him...
The strain behind my eyes worsened and I stifled a yawn as I weighed all my options.
My income wasn’t enough for me to survive off of, so that meant having roommates, and that was a different can of worms.
Pale sunlight filtered through the blinds and I squeezed my fisted hands to my closed eyes.
I’d agonized for an entire night. No wonder they felt like sawdust.
I snatched my cell phone from the nightstand.
Crap. I had to be at work in a few hours. I needed to shower and get ready to head out.
I placed my arms over my face with a groan, but it sounded more like a vibrating hum coming from my throat.
As I was about to force myself up, the door creaked open and then clicked shut before the corner of my bed dipped. A familiar floral scent wafted to my nose.
I propped up on my elbows and my mass of wavy hair tickled my arms. I set my widened eyes on Britt, the pack’s Luna and Camden’s mother.
As I blinked at her, I struggled to understand why she was here.
She’d always been pleasant to me. Kind and welcoming, unlike her harder mate—the Alpha. Embarrassment flooded me at the state of my bedroom. The bra hanging over my desk. I scooted upright on the bed and combed my fingers through my hair.
Britt pressed her lips together before exhaling, as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.
A heaviness settled on my stomach. I had such a bad feeling about what was about to exit her mouth.
“Alpha ordered Camden to claim Meridith.”
My entire world shifted on its axis. That was why he was talking to her when he’d never angled his attention toward women. How long had he known he would mate Meridith?
My fingers dug into the mattress, bunching my blankets, as I hung my legs off the bed so I could sit beside Britt.
“He’s about to be Alpha and there’s already unease because of his loyalty to you.” She cleared her throat, and I fixed my gaze on her profile. “As you know, Alphas need to put their packs at the forefront. The priority should always be the well-being of the whole. Torrin believes Camden will prove his loyalty by taking a mate that will lead appropriately.”
My sight blurred and my lips parted. This was coming. Isawit coming a mile away, but it stung like hell. The bed creaked as she turned to look at me, but her features were hazy.
“I’m sorry, Willow.” Her voice was low and urgent. “I hate to ask this of you, but can you convince Camden that it’s in his best interest? He’s refusing.”
In such a short amount of time, I’d never experienced the array of emotions that worked through me. Pain and betrayal that he’d gone on a date. Agony at the thought of him mated. Glee at the fact he’d refused.
“If he feels like you’ll be okay without him... that’s what’s holding him back. After your accident, his guilt...”
The words were a slap to the face and I recoiled. It only drove in my earlier thoughts. I was a burden.
The tears rushed forward. I ground my teeth, valiantly trying to hold back my waterworks.
Camden’s mom had taken me under her wing when I arrived. It was heartbreaking hearing these words from her. Like a fucking betrayal, and each syllable uttered was a slash across my heart. I thought she was on my side. I thought she loved me and accepted me for Camden. It was as if I were bleeding out before her, yet she stared at me beseechingly as if what she requested was nothing.
