Page 48 of Amaris Rejected

Chapter 33 - Death Warrant

Devon

The rest of the weekend was spent happily with my family. Amaris and I didn't have any more time alone because I didn't want to push her, and the opportunity never arose. Still, I believe we made significant progress. I left last night so I could have time to visit the prison this morning, confront my demons, and finally put them to rest. It's just another way of showing that Amaris is my top priority.

I get up this morning and leave the motel where I stayed last night. My bags and those of my enforcers are packed and loaded in the SUV. Right after this meeting, I’ll return to Amaris and Zoe.

My first stop is security in the basement, where the prisoner cells are located. I need to question Sheila and find closure with Jeni. Hill and Fillion are heading to the evidence room to copy some items we’ll need for this meeting in about an hour.

I enter the prison block. One of the Kingdom enforcers I know is on duty. "Hey, man," he greets me. "I'm glad you're here. Can you keep an eye on the prisoners while I step out to take a leak and grab a soda? My partner called out last night, and I haven't had a break yet."

"Sure, I can do that. Go ahead," I reply.

After he leaves, I look over the holding chambers. Each cell is spacious enough for one person and includes a bed with a toilet and sink combo. The door has a bulletproof window and a speaker system that allows conversation by flipping a switch on either side. Cameras are positioned in the main block where I am and installed in each cell, which doesn’t afford the prisoner much privacy.

When I see Jeni, she immediately notices me, and a smile lights up her face. Mine, however, twists with pure anger and contempt for everything she’s cost me. I turn on the audio system to speak. "Jeni, I’m just here for closure." Her eyes widen, and her expression falters. "I know you manipulated me, drugged me, and even used spells to interfere with my mate bond. I despise you for that."

She flinches.

"Devon," she taps the switch on her side to speak, her movements jerky and frantic. "No, Devon, I love you and know you feel the same way about me."

"You’re a sick person, Jeni. Your trickery made me turn my back on Amaris. I know it's on me too. I shouldn’t have prioritized you. I realize that now, and it tortures me.”

I choke out the words. "That treachery cost me my mate and my son. When I left her, she was actually pregnant, while yours was a lie. Because she was alone, the stress caused her to lose my pup. My son died."

I spit, rage engulfing me. "Were you even aware of that? Did you know what I lost?"

"No! No, no, no! Devon, I had no idea. How could I?"

"I don't know if I believe you. Everything you say is a lie that hurts others and destroys lives. You don't love me; you only care about getting what you want, without a thought for anyone else’s feelings. And, to set the record straight, I don’t love you, not even as a friend any longer."

"Yes, you do love me!” she screams, collapsing into tears. “You choseme—”she jabs her finger in her chest, “—stood byme—”jab, “—believedme—”jab, “—and pushed her aside for ME!” With each word, her finger punctuates her point, driving the message home. "That’s love, Devon!”

I run my fingers through my hair, bowing my head in shame. She’s right about how I treated Amaris. “My love for you was never romantic, Jeni. You were like a sister to me.”

“No, you’re lying,” she continues to cry. “You don’t leave someone you love for sisterly affection. No matter what you say, you never loved Amaris and showed it repeatedly.”

My gut clenches at the nausea that hits because I’ve finally come to an understanding of just how deeply my betrayal of Amaris runs. It’s just as bad as Jeni’s, but it stings more because Amaris is my mate, while there are no real ties to Jeni. She’s not my sister; she’s not family; she’s…nothing.

“You mean nothing to me, Jeni.” I turn away as she falls apart. “I left Amaris that day out of honor and obligation for an unborn pup that could never have existed because we didn’t have a physical relationship. It was all lies.”

“I love you, Devon, you’re everything to me.”

"Jeni!” I shout, cutting her off by slashing my hand through the air to stop her word vomit. My frustration peaks, and I take a deep breath, centering myself before continuing. “I've recently learned that you rejected your mate at that Meet-and-Greet where I met Amaris. Just before deceiving me with lies about being pregnant, you rejected Alpha Commander Beck Kason. Are you really that clueless? Your moon-blessed mate is the highest Alpha."

"I only ever wanted you, Devon," she wails, writhing on the floor like the snake I now know her to be.

"Lies, lies, lies, Jeni!” I growl, breathing heavily. “I never want to see you again after all this is over. I’ll never forgive you for what you and my foolishness have cost me."

"Tell her if she ever interferes with our relationship with Amaris again or harms her or our pup, she’ll pay for it with her life,"Rue growls.

"Rue wants me to tell you that you’re dead if you ever interfere in our life again or hurt Amaris or our pup. He’ll kill you, and I won't stop him."

“You don’t mean that!” Her sobs grow louder.

Anger courses through my veins like acid as I struggle to control Rue. Jeni is fortunate to be on the other side of that steel door right now.

Julian Reems, the lead security officer, enters, and I look up. "Are you alright, Alpha Devon?" he asks. "Where are my enforcers?"

---