Page 16 of Amaris Rejected

"No," I reply weakly.

"That's understandable. How about I have someone bring you a breakfast tray? You can stay here as long as you need. We have a wonderful therapist on staff; I can arrange for her to meet with you."

"Thanks, Blake. I don't think I can eat anything right now. I'm too nauseous. I don't want to talk to anyone except maybe Amaris. I don't think she wants to talk to me, though."

"Actually, she did mention that if you want to come over to her apartment for dinner tonight, you could officially meet Zoe and continue your discussion from today after Zoe goes to bed."

"I’d love to meet Zoe."

“My pup.”My wolf hums with fatherly pride.

"Can you tell me what time I should arrive?"

"She said about 6:00 p.m. since Zoe eats early and goes to bed."

"Please let her know I’ll be there. Also, if you don't mind, I'd like to use your gym, but I’ll probably keep to myself for most of the day. I need to gather my thoughts and soothe my wolf," I explain.

Alpha Blake nods. "Let me know if you need anything."

Chapter 13 – You Will Lament This Day

***Trigger Warning -Child Loss***

Devon-Present Day

After my workout at the gym, I feel rejuvenated. My blood is hot, coursing through my veins. I decide to return to my pup's grave while reflecting on the conversation I plan to have with Amaris tonight.

Upon reaching Zeke's grave, I fall to my knees. I dig my emerging claws into the soil and press my forehead to the grass he lies beneath. Bitter anguish fills my soul as sobs rack my body once again. I may never recover from this grief.How did Amaris survive it?

The truth is, I really don't have a good reason for leaving Amaris. Sure, Dad was in my head all night long, screaming at me. I had managed to block him out enough to share a wonderful experience with Amaris.My beautiful Amaris.But when Dad screamed in my mind that Jeni was pregnant, I just panicked.

Remembering the morning after my mating with Amaris...

In my frenzied flight from our room the following morning, I literally ran into Jeni just outside the door.

"Oomph!" Jumping back, I grabbed Jeni's arms to steady her. Her head turned slowly up to me, her sweet blue eyes filled with tears.

"Devon, I-I don't know what to do," she whispered, her lips trembling. "I-I don't want to be a single mom. I need you to be a father." She blinked, and tears coursed down her cheeks. With a shaking hand, she touched her flat stomach.

My eyes followed her hand as she softly caressed where my pup lay.

An overwhelming sense of protectiveness washed over me. I had to be an Alpha and accept my responsibilities. I loved Jeni deeply as my best friend, and I was about to become a father. With a quick nod and one last glance at the door I had just left through, I decided. I took Jeni's arm and walked away, not looking back once.

Rue was utterly shaken and silent. Waves of crippling despair swept over him, then through me. He slowly sank to the depths of my consciousness, losing all grip on reality.

Powerless.

Numb.

Desolate.

It wasn't until we were halfway home that Rue began to stir. I think that up until this point, he’d been in shock, as unsettled as I was. "Return to mate," he whispered, then shouted, "Something's not right! This is wrong!" He started desperately pacing in my mind.

Thankfully, Dad was driving. Jeni and I were in the car with Mom and Dad. I sat in the front passenger seat with an enforcer behind me. Rue was becoming increasingly aggressive. "RETURN TO MATE!" he shouted.

"We can't return to mate," I told him. "We have a responsibility to Jeni and our pup."

"No! Something's wrong!" He becomes increasingly agitated and unhinged. As I struggle to keep him calm, he pushes to take control. My hands morph into claws, and I can feel my fangs descending. "She must die!" he roars, foam frothing at his mouth. I watch in horror as we leap for Jeni, who is seated behind Dad.

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