Page 70 of Rejected Pretend Mate

I was nervous as we sat at the table. I didn't like the building we were in, but Weslie was holding my hand, which helped ease some of my nerves. The building felt cramped, and the lighting was too bright.

I glanced at Ayden, sitting in the chair next to us. He looked comfortable and confident, which was just one more reason he was Alpha. He wasn't scared of this place or of what was coming.

He explained the steps in detail and even apologized for any issues that might arise during the meeting. That comforted me until now.

"You okay, April?" Ayden glanced at me, softening his eyes. "You look a little sick."

I nodded. I wasn't, but I wasn't going to say that. My stomach twisted, but I knew we needed to do this. I had thought long and hard about what to do when leaving the hospital. I was scared and terrified of everything. I was scared that he would never stop and even more scared of what Weslie would do.

I knew my brother had killed Brad, and I didn't want that for Weslie. I knew people killed for the people they loved, but I didn't want that. I didn't want Weslie to have blood on his hands. It would follow him around for the rest of his life.

So, we were going a more mature route. I had asked Ayden if he would get in touch with my old pack and arrange a meeting. A meeting where we would discuss my rights and the problem with Ivan. And that Ivan needed to be there. Someone needed to get it through his head that I was no longer his.

I twisted the ring on my finger, staring at the door across from us.

"Deep breaths," Ayden said, his fingers tapping on the table. "Or you're going to pass out."

I took a deep breath in and leaned back in my chair. I offered him a soft smile. "I'm guessing you've done this before," I asked, tightening my hold on Weslie's hand.

Ayden smirked and nodded his head. "Many times. After a while, you get used to it."

I looked back at the door and swallowed. "Does it usually go well?"

Ayden shrugged. "It will, but there may be yelling and other information that will come to light. So, like I told you before, try to remain calm."

I scowled. "Other information? What does that mean? What information would they bring?"

"Yeah," Weslie nodded, wondering the same thing. "I don't know what that means. Is their divorce not finalized or something?"

Ayden shook his head. "No. Your divorce is final. I checked. But I'm just saying things could come up. Words will be said." Ayden looked at me. "Ivan will likely bring up embarrassing things to get you to agree to what he wants. So, just be prepared."

I frowned. "So you really have done this before."

He nodded. "Yeah, I've really done this before." Ayden rolled his shoulders. "This is not the first time I've had pushback when a new citizen moved here. I've had ex-husbands tell me how much of a whore their wives are, how they have vandalized their homes, or that they would kill themselves because theycouldn't live without them. I've seen everything you can think of."

I heard the doorknob turn, and my heart raced as the door was pulled open. I watched Tristan, our old alpha, Zavior, his beta, and Ivan enter the room. They were all dressed smartly and looked the part.

As they entered, the room suddenly felt crowded. They took seats across the table. Ivan sat directly across from me, looking smug.

"Glad you guys could join us," Ayden said, speaking clearly as he leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. His entire demeanor shifted, and the sweet guy who was just speaking to me was gone. "And glad you brought Ivan."

"Why are we here?" Tristan asked, tilting his head. "I have other important things than to listen to someone complain."

I felt embarrassed, and Ayden tilted his head at Tristan. "Well, I take my citizen complaints seriously."

Tristan's jaw clenched, and I felt Weslie tighten his hold on my hand.

"We are here to discuss two things. First, we want to talk about April's official move from your pack to this one, as well as her rights and release of your pack since it appears you guys don't want to let her move."

Tristan looked at me for a split second before he looked at Weslie. He looked Weslie over for a moment before his eyes snapped to Ayden. "She is legally Ivan's wife."

"They are divorced," Ayden said, opening the folder we had filled with paperwork and evidence. We had made sure we had everything we needed.

"And she is legally married to Weslie now." He slid our marriage license across the table, including my divorce papers. "They have been married for some time now. She's got a job, and they just purchased a house. So, she is pretty settled into our pack now. There is no argument about that."

"This is bullshit!" Ivan growled, slamming his hands onto the table. "She's my wife!"

"She's not," Weslie snapped back at him. "She's mine. And don't think I won't punch you for leaving her in a burning building."

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