Page 18 of Amaris Rejected

"Are you saying you want the chance you never gave me?" I snark; I'm done with that conversation before it even starts.

Sighing, he drops his head. "I did that. It's true. I left and never gaveusa chance, but I had my reasons at the time. So yes, I’m asking for something I never gave you—a chance." He pleads, moving around the table to kneel in front of me. "I’m so, so sorry. I want the opportunity to explain what happened and make this right. What can I do?" Like Zoe's, his chocolate-brown eyes glisten with unshed tears.

I’m shocked that a grown man, an Alpha as big as Devon, would beg me. Even on his knees, we're eye to eye. Flustered, I look away. "Listen, Devon," I say gently, and the anguish in his expression softens. "What can I do to help you understand that you can’t change what happened? You can’t go back in time and undo it. So, can we go over this agreement and sign it?"

"No." he cries as he drops his forehead on my legs. "I’m on my knees." His voice is muffled. "It was the biggest mistake of my life. I looked for you but couldn’t find you. I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!"

"No, Devon," I grit my teeth. "Saying sorry helps when you’ve made a mistake, but when you make a choice, it doesn't. In either case, you betray trust. For future reference, never betray trust. While forgiveness is possible, though not easy, forgetting and trusting again is inconceivable in this instance. Trust once lost is... lost. You didn'tjustmake a mistake; you made achoice that can't be undone and has adversely affected us all."

He grips my chair legs, looking crestfallen. "You’re right, but there has to be hope."

Then, as if struck by an epiphany, he hesitantly smiles. "Yes." Nodding, still on his knees before me, he adds, "Rue and I would like you to do him a favor. He says his human’s an idiot," he laughs through the tears streaming down his face, "but he didn't want to leave you despite the circumstances. So, could you take some time off and join us at the Still Waters Pack? Bring our pup so we can get to know each other better, and she can meet her grandparents. We're only asking for two weeks."

I soften a little towards the poor wolf caught in the mess his human created. "Rue, I know you didn't..."

Devon speaks, but I know it's Rue because his voice is more growly, and his eyes are golden. "The only thing we want right now is to get to know you and our pup," he says woefully.

I lower my head as Devon, now voicing his feelings, implores, "And you can get to know us. No strings attached. Just let me try to win you over. We’ll go out on dates both as a family and as a couple."

"No couple dates," I interject firmly.

"Yes, a couple of dates," he insists, hope shining in his eyes. "Just for two weeks. If you still want the divorce at the end of that period, I’ll agree to sign it. No questions asked."

"And no funny business," I stipulate.

"No funny business," he lies, fingers crossed behind his back as he leans forward and quickly ghosts his lips over mine.

I pull back, irritated by his nerve, but then I catch sight of the little red handprint on the back of his nice white henley, left by Zoe's sauce-covered hand.Seeing it makes me laugh, my anger dissolving as he heads for the door.

“Called it,” I giggle to myself.

Chapter 15 - Luna Charlie

Amaris-Present Day

I take a week to wrap up all my appointments and clear my schedule for the next two weeks. I'm not sure if I can last that long, but I’ll try if he signs the divorce papers without a fight. It’s also a good opportunity to get to know Devon's pack and his parents. That will help me determine whether Zoe will be safe when he has her for visits as she gets older.

I can't dismiss the dream I had. I need to find the she-wolf from whom Zoe needs protection. Zoe is my top priority, and as her mother, all threats must be assessed and neutralized. Everyone knows not to mess with a bear cub, and they wouldn't dare mess with this mama wolf's pup.

I stock the store shelves with enough remedies to last while I’m gone, packing a box of my most popular ones to take with me. While I’m there, I hope to work at the clinic. With my gift for healing, there will always be those I can help, so my time won’t be idle. Plus, it will pass the time.

I’m making my rounds at the hospital on Friday before we leave. Dr. Frances asked me to check in on one of her new patients. I grab my holographic medical chart stand and push it into the room.

"Hey, I’m Amaris, one of the healers here." I extend my hand to the patient. "Dr. Frances asked me to check on you today."

"Amaris?" Charlie asks, gripping my hand. "What are you doing here? I thought you lived in the Still Waters Pack with your mate. We brought you to that Meet-and-Greet three years ago."

"Luna Charlie?" I gasp. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story, Amaris," she sighs. "I need you to do me a favor. Don't let anyone know I’m the Luna of a pack or where I’m from. Okay?"

"Okay." I flip through the holographic screens, looking at her chart. "What brings you to the hospital?"

"That's part of the long story, but I... I rejected Jenson and cut my mate mark out a couple of days ago. Then I woke up here."

I gasp.

Charlie lies back on the bed, exhaustion written all over her face. "It nearly killed me. I haven't spoken to the Alpha here yet. I understand he’s been busy. I plan to seek asylum anonymously here.

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