Page 31 of Amaris Rejected

"I love to play games. Did Devon ever tell you how much I love to play games? Well, he probably doesn't know. I play him so well. UNTIL YOU CAME ALONG!" she shouts. "It's okay, though. Devon and I will enjoy our games for many years to come. When you are dead."

"Didn’t Devon tell you?" I choke out. "I officially rejected him. I don't want him, you can have him." My chest rises and falls rapidly, trying to catch my breath. "He’s all yours."

"I know he’s all mine, silly wolf. I don’t need you to give him to me," she states blithely. "However, we mustcutall ties, and that mate bond has to go." Her voice rises in a playful tone as she emphasizes the word cut. "With you gone, Rue will finally accept me. Devon already has, you know."

"You don't have to get rid of me," I implore. "It’s obvious he cares for you, not me. He always defends you. He left me for you.”

"He did, didn't he?" She seems almost placated. "But Rue stands in the way, and the easiest solution is to take you out of the equation.”

"No! No, you don't," I plead. "We can work this out. There’s no reason for me to die. Many wolves live long, happy lives with chosen mates."

Losing interest in what I have to say, she waves her hand and sings, "Let’s play a game. Do you know why my blade is already stained?" She holds the blade up, blood dripping from it, and chuckles.

A chilling wave of horror washes over me, and I retch as I feel myself shatter.She's already killed someone."Zoe!" I scream, lunging for the door. A blinding pain shoots through me as the blade impales my back, and I crumple to the floor.

Taking advantage of my weakened state, she leaps on top of me. We tumble, and the blade is shoved sideways, mercifully pulling out of my shredded muscle. The pain hits me like a semi, leaving me momentarily incapacitated. I’m not dying like this. With a burst of adrenaline, I drive my foot into her nose. Her head whips back, throwing her off me. I grab the knife and attempt to get up; the knife gripped firmly in my hand.

Leaping on top of me and pinning me to the floor, she grabs my wrists. Goddess, she’s strong. As we struggle, she seizes my fingers, pulling them back to force me to release the weapon. But she doesn't stop there. Once the knife falls from my limp hand, she continues pushing past my normal reach, and my fingers begin to snap, one after another. One slips free unbroken, but the nail is ripped off in the process.

"Oh goddess!"I wail in pain, realizing I may not make it out of this alive.

"I told you I love games, Amaris." She gloats, continuing her tortuous assault. The scent of copper blooms in the air as blood pours from my wounds, my fingers mangled. "But don't worry, Zoe is okay," she seethes.

She holds me down securely on the floor, slicing the blade diagonally across my face, barely missing my left eye. "And when you are gone, I’ll be a good mother to her," she promises, turning on the fake doe-eyed look before bursting into laughter.

Another female taunts from the shadows. "Just like your mother. Always getting in the way." Luna Quinn steps forward. "Jeni can take care of you, just like I took care of your mother. That blade tasted her blood, and yours should’ve been on it already. You weren’t supposed to survive the night of your birth. We’ll remedy that now." Her laughter joins her daughter’s.

All I hear is that laughter as Jeni plunges the knife into my heart.

Chapter 23 – Another Warning

Amaris

My eyes snap open; I’m covered in a sheen of cold sweat. I leap up in bed, clutching my chest, the phantom sting of the knife Jeni plunged into my heart, still lingering. I look around the room, searching for any sign of her or her deranged mother. If not for the rapid pounding of my heart, I'd question whether I'm even alive.

Am I still alive?

Stumbling to the bathroom, I cautiously look into the mirror, unsure of what fresh hell awaits me. Shockingly, I find no blood or wounds. I raise my hands; unbelievably, they are unmutilated. Rubbing my chest, I see no knife protruding. The late-day sun shines through the window, falling upon my unmarred face and washing away the last vestiges of terror. Taking a deep breath, I turn on the faucet and splash cool water on my face. Drying off with a hand towel, I sink to the floor, weak and shivering.My goddess, that was a nightmare.Is it a warning? Or is it a key to my past?

Does Luna Quinn know more about me than she’s letting on? Did she do something to my biological mother? Is my life in danger?

So many questions that need answers.

Chapter 24 - Of Roots & Branches

Amaris

Shaking off the last vestiges of horror, I take a shower, get dressed, and join Luna Wright and Zoe in the suite's living room. "You look better today, Amaris," comments Luna Wright. "Have your wounds healed?"

I touch the front of my blouse to feel the remaining marks on my chest. "Yes. I’m all healed except for some angry red lines that I hope will completely fade over time." I sit on the couch beside Luna Wright.

I’m grateful to her and the nanny for looking after Zoe while I was incapacitated. They stayed in the suite with her, as every time I woke up, they were right by her side. They even brought me food trays.

"Good," she said, patting my knee. "The authorities came this morning and took Jeni and Sheila to stand trial before the elders. I thought that information might help ease your mind. Devon had a guard stationed outside the room the entire time."

"I'm glad to hear that. I was worried she might get away with what she did," I say. "I still am if Devon doesn't press charges."

"I don't think that's going to happen. Devon won't let her get away with anything," she reassures me. "He's devastated by her betrayal and your rejection." I feel overly sensitive about Luna Wright mentioning Jeni's betrayal before my rejection, as if it were somehow more devastating. That’s childish, I know, but Devon has conditioned me to feel like I come after everyone else.

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