Page 43 of Amaris Rejected

I picked up Tracy Vincent's file that we had received, along with our file on Luna Quinn,Jeni, and Sheila, which we had sent to all Alphas earlier.

Beta Dale and I join Enforcers Hill and Fillion at the table to discuss the upcoming conference call as the large screen on the wall comes to life. Most Kingdom Alphas join the session one after another, their images flickering onscreen. Alpha Rich Simpkins, Alpha Blake Collins, Alpha Jenson Black, Alpha Noble Wright, Alpha Rowan Reems, Alpha Rex Stone, and Alpha Jon Mills appear alongside their respective teams, while the remaining Alphas are busy or excluded. The lead enforcers are also present, and a cacophony of boisterous voices greeting one another echoes throughout the room.

"Gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this information-gathering call," Alpha Jenson begins as everyone settles down. "We’re here to investigate criminal activity related to mate bond tampering, and we appreciate everyone's willingness to attend. As always, please be aware that our meetings are being video recorded.

“While we understand that most shifters enjoy gossiping, these individuals have inflicted irreparable harm on multiple parties, so everything we discuss today will remain confidential due to ongoing litigation."

“As we go around the room, each person will introduce themselves, pledge confidentiality under penalty of law, and either agree to these terms or express their unwillingness to comply. Those who don’t agree will be invited to leave,” Alpha Jenson states.

When it’s our turn, we each introduce ourselves, agree to confidentiality, and consent to be recorded.

After everyone agrees, Alpha Jenson nods. "Let the record show that all in attendance agree to these terms.”

"As per our custom," he continues, "I will turn the meeting over to Lead Enforcer Orson to conduct this investigation. Enforcer Orson?"

"Thank you, Alpha," Enforcer Orson begins, flipping through the file on his holo-screen. "To save time, we sent our complete investigative file to each of your lead enforcers for review before this meeting, and I hope everyone has had time to review it.” The sounds of shuffling erupt as everyone opens their own interactive displays.

“To summarize our accusations, Tracy Vincent druggedand used magic on Alpha Jenson with the intent to interfere with his mate bond and replace our Luna. She’s also accused of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, claiming it was consensual and asserting that the pup she carries belongs to our Alpha. Additional charges may arise, and more individuals could be implicated once the investigation is concluded."

Gasps erupt from those unaware of the crime against Alpha Jenson, while others nod in acknowledgment.

"Unfortunately,” Enforcer Orson continues, “our Luna disappeared during the brief investigation into Ms. Vincent's claims. We don't believe foul play is involved, but Ms. Vincent's offenses are more serious since she effectively intervened, severing the Alpha and Luna's mate bond." More gasps echo at his words.

"We discovered this grimoire among Ms. Vincent’s belongings while searching her room." He holds up a tattered grimoire.

Alpha Blake interrupts. "Enforcer Orson, if I may?"

Enforcer Orson nods, motioning for him to continue.

“My team and I are currently in a motel conference room in Stone Mountain. We were sent to pick up Tracy Vincent from Little Silver Creek Pack and two prisoners from Still Waters Pack, who have also been charged with tampering with mate bonds. I assume that’s why we’re gathered here, to explore any connections and prevent further crimes. This is an attack on our families as well as our packs.”

“I agree,” I respond. “My family has been torn apart by the meddling of Jeni Quinn, one of the prisoners Alpha Blake escorted to the capital. My pup was born fatherless, and her twin brother died at birth due to Jeni’s interference and lies.” I watch, without regret, as my dad flinches onscreen at that bitter truth. “It’s time for people to face the consequences of their actions. Everyone may feel attraction to others who aren’t their mate at some point, but we aren’t mere animals—we don’t have to give in to those urges. We can focus on what we do have and build on it.

“I want to be that old couple someday, holding hands with the lifelong partner of my youth, not trading her in for a younger version in my 40s or 50s. I need forever—walking into the sunset, hand in hand, with our pups and grandpups gathered around us. I don’t want just fleeting carnal longings that burn out quickly from lust; I want passion and desire that fan the flames of my devotion for my mate—that tender, soul-sustaining, living, breathing love.

“Sex isn’t love, and lust isn’t either," I point out. “It’s an impulsive, selfish, physical act that is meaningless unless you use it to enhance your love and relationship with your partner.

“And while I’ve stayed physically faithful to my mate, my wolf side is more devoted, always loyal, resisting the foolish choices my human nature considers honorable.

“In other words, I made a terrible choice to leave my partner after our wedding night because Jeni Quinn tricked me into believing we had been intimate beforehand and then feigned a pregnancy with a child that didn't exist, all to drive a wedge between Amaris and me. And she almost succeeded, for a moment." The room fills with astonished murmurs.

At this point, I’m mentally exhausted and want to crawl under a rock in shame, but I need to tell my truth, so I continue.

“In my misplaced honor, I felt an obligation to Jeni and my unborn pup she supposedly carried, so I ch--chose Jeni.” I choked on the words, feeling bile rise in my throat.I had chosen Jeni over her, that’s what Amaris had said.

“Fortunately, Rue fought me every step of the way and never allowed me to marry Jeni, even threatening to kill her if I went near her.”

“Thank you, Rue,”I gratefully acknowledged, relieved that he had saved me from making one of the biggest mistakes of my life, second only to leaving my mate.

“I later found out I had left my mate pregnant with twins, and the stress of the pregnancy coupled with developing her career and the responsibilities of being a single mother, prevented my son from thriving in her womb. He died soon after birth.”

The room becomes eerily silent during my diatribe, but Enforcer Hill breaks the long, awkward pause by steering the conversation back on track.

"Enforcer Orson, I want to add something," Enforcer Hill from the Still Waters Pack speaks up.

Enforcer Orson inclines his head, "Please proceed."

Enforcer Hill continues, "Unfortunately, the situation with the Quinns goes beyond that. Have you noticed that Alpha Quinn is missing? Luna Quinn has been charged and arrested for tampering with mate bonds, as well as for using magic and drugs while committing crimes, including kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, and unlawful imprisonment. Like the other cases, this one is pending the outcome of the investigation so additional charges may follow, and others could be involved. This spans over 20 years, though some incidents are also recent."

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