Nina finished strongly and left without giving me a chance to speak. I was getting ready to yell out to her and follow her but Zach stopped me. Gripping my arm and giving me the death glare, he shakes his head no and goes to follow Nina. Giving me one last look of contempt, he leaves the door. Fuck, I messed this up good.
Nina’s POV
I need to speak with Damian, I need to speak with Damian. I keep repeating this to myself. Maybe if I actually believe something good will happen. Could I really ask him to reject his mate for me? Would I be able to reject my mate for him? This is so messed up; I need to see where his head is at. I know what I said to them and I am not sure I completely agree 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 can 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 it wasn’t me, but he rejected her. People are not happy if you reject your mate, very frowned upon. But it is my right, I am an exception. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t realize I was at the front of the packhouse. 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 is 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 can only be mixed if they mated. Which means sex.
I am seeing red. Everything I was thinking about hearing from him was long gone. All I wanted to do was punch him. Throwing up the door, I saw Zach coming out of the game room. I know he can see my emerald eyes glowing brightly and knows I am pissed. I can 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, by the smell of sex, 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 had 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 has always had a crush on Holly and now he has taken my side. 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 went.
I didn’t have anything planned, but since that just spewed out of my mouth, it sounds like I have some work to do. Most of that will be easy enough. I know my parents had life insurance policies and they always saved 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 is another matter though. If I am really am going to leave, I need to pack lightly.
Walking into the house and all the lights are off. I just felt like a black hole of memories. Looking at the mantel and my childhood pictures. There is one of me at one year old, holding up a balloon with chocolate cake all over my face. Then I was 6 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 of my 16th 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 pattern 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 now. Honestly, I was happy he was going to go with me. I don’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 is too late to call the bank or do anything and I am just too exhausted to actually work on this house, so maybe a nice bath will 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. Clutching to my tank top, underwear and shorts like they are my life, I squeeze into the bathroom. I look like crap. Puffy eyes and cheeks, my nose is red from wiping it all day and just like I have no life left in me.
Getting the perfect temperature in the tub, I get undressed and slide in. These jets have always hit just right in the center of my lower back. I can feel Holly trying to mind-link me, but I am honestly not up for it. I build up a solid wall of bricks and enjoy my bath.
Next thing I know, I jerked awake; the water was freezing. I must have fallen asleep. Quickly draining the water and getting dressed, I make my way to my room. I am asleep before my head hits the pillows.
Quiet. That’s all I hear as I open my eyes. No clinking of the pans from mom cooking, no newspaper shuffling from dad reading and no smells of coffee and bacon greeting me. I suddenly never felt so alone as I do right now. I don’t have Damian to mind-link for comfort. I am sure as hell not reaching out to Holly. I just can’t cope. Suddenly, I heard the front door opening and swift steps coming to my door. Before I can even reach, Zach blows the bedroom door open with a shit-eating grin on his face!
“Did I startle you?” He asked smugly. He knew he did by the face. I had clutched the blankets up to my chin and my eyes were as wide as saucers.
“Ass” I snorted as I eyed the bag, he brought with him.
“I assumed you were going to need some breakfast to start your day and a friendly face. Hurry up buttercup, I will get breakfast set up for you in the kitchen. Don’t take an hour to get ready either. I did not go out of my way to feed you cold biscuits and gravy,” Zach said as he slipped out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him. I could hear him humming in the kitchen as I got up.
Showering quickly, I decided to let my hair air dry and put in into a side braid. Going through my closet, I decided comfort is what I need today to get through all the packing and calls I need to make. Grabbing an old grey t-shirt that had a faded wolf on it and matched it with black leggings. Deciding I didn’t need make-up to just pack today, I made my way to the kitchen.
I am not sure what I was expecting when I came into the kitchen, but seeing a full spread on the table was not it. He had orange juice in wine glasses, steaming biscuits and gravy with bacon on the side with 2 sausage links. He had two places set and was waiting impatiently tapping his fingers on the table.
“Wow, you sure know how to please a woman in the morning. Why the wine glasses though?” I asked, smiling at him.
“Well, I wasn’t sure what you were all going to pack and so I brought these from my house. It was one I know my mom won’t miss and she even made the food for us. I am supposed to tell you that my dad will be expecting your call and by no way is she happy we are going on this adventure but she will watch over the house for you.” He finished with his hands in the air making quotations, and mimicking his mom’s high, pitched voice. I forgot his dad is the pack account and all my parents’ finances go through him. His parents are good people and have always treated me as their daughter. They would keep my secrets, and when we got caught sneaking out when we were younger, they never told my parents. I am forever grateful for that.
“Okay, I think we have boxes in the garage if you can grab them when we are done eating and I will call him.” I took a bite of sausage. Even though it was hot and juicy, I just was not hungry. I ended up pushing the food around and making it look like I ate. I kept getting looks from Zach like he knew I was not eating, but didn’t say anything. I don’t think I need someone telling me to eat right now. That is the least of my problems.
“I’ll get this cleaned up and get the boxes. Why don’t you call my dad?” Zach suggested. Sounded more like an order. I just lifted my eyebrows at him. I have kicked his ass and have many times before, but I know he is trying to help without being extra pushy.
“Yes Sir” I responded sarcastically.
Raven has been quiet this morning. I know she is still there but she is feeling all the pain I am in too, so she is just relaxing in the back of my mind. Dialing Ben, Zach’s dad, I listened to it ring as I made my way out to the front porch and sat down on the top step. The paint was peeling and was a light grey showing the dark brown wood under it. Should I sell the house or will I ever want to return to it? Maybe do some renovations to it?
“NINA! Are you there?” Ben yelled,
“Oh crap, I am so sorry, I was spacing off thinking about what I am supposed to do with the house. I didn’t even hear you say hello!”
Chucking, he said “No worries, dear, your parents actually set up things to happen if they were to pass. I’ll just get right to it; all their money was to be put into one account with only your name on it. Only your mate will be allowed to have access, with your permission, of course. They each had life insurance policies, since they were both warriors…” his voice trailed off, I didn’t need him to say the rest, I understood what being a warrior meant. “Anyway, their policies were $250,000 each and plus their savings, your account is a little over $600,000. The house has been transferred to your name automatically upon their death.” With a little more softness to his tone and not so business like, he added, “I would suggest you leave the house as is for now. I understand you are going to do some traveling. Although I wish you would stay here and grow old, I understand why you need to do this. I would like the honor of watching over your house till you either decide to return or to sell it. I am worried you might regret the decision to sell a few years down the road. We can winterize the home and I will create a second account with enough to take care of the house for a year. If you are okay with that,” Ben finished.
My mouth was hanging open. I knew my parents had money and they chose to live an easy life, but I never imagined they had that much money or they had life insurance policies. If that wasn’t enough, I was brought to tears by Ben’s generous offer. This gave me an out with the house.
“I… That… I mean, yes, I am sorry, I am just so shocked by all of that information. Will I have a credit card to be able to access my account?” I asked, shaking my head. I can’t believe it. My parents looked out for me even in their grave.
“Of course. I have one ready for you here. You will need to come get it and sign the paperwork. The bill will be sent over email to you and we will download an app to your phone so you can pay it all online. It has an unlimited balance, so you will be good wherever you decide to go. I do ask that you watch over Zach for me. He will have his own card but I would appreciate help in making sure he is okay and…” He didn’t need to finish that sentence. I knew what and why he as asking.
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