Page 7 of Bonded Beyond Lies

Someone pounding on the door at the bottom of the rickety stairs up to the attic has me flinching in my blanket cocoon before I stumble to my feet, shedding the layers quickly and scurrying down the stairs. When I swing the door open, I see regret and pain flash in my mother’s eyes, and it makes me wonder why it’s there. Then I notice that my father is standing next to her, and my eyes drop to the floor.

I’ve already experienced enough pain. I don’t need anymore.

Last night I thought I was going to die from the pain, and it only proved there is still a small tendril of the bond connecting me to Todd. He was with a she-wolf last night. As if I needed a reminder that I don’t matter to him. That I’m his mate and he threw me away.

The pain of the rejection took me to my knees, but the pain last night felt like being burned alive from the inside out. No one ever talks about the pain when someone betrays a mate bond because it doesn’t happen. Except to me, apparently.

Even though we aren’t marked, the bond has been recognized between us, even though it was rejected. That means our souls are connected. I was hopeful I wouldn’t feel it if Todd chose to take a she-wolf to his bed because of the rejection. That hope was stupid.

It still feels like my organs are bruised. The pain, the fire, the pressure—it lasted for a long time. Probably not as long as it felt like it did, but even when he was done, and I could tell the moment his dick was no longer buried inside someone who isn’t his mate, the pain continued to reverberate through me. It stole my breath; it stole the vestiges of any love that the bond planted inside my heart. It washed away those happy memories from childhood, the ones I was trying to cling to.

Before everything changed and Todd became my biggest bully and tormentor, I was one of the few people who could get through to him and calm him down when he was angry. I always justified his actions as part of his Alpha nature, not wanting to see him as the cruel male he is. I see it differently now, but that’s a product of what he’s put me through.

Now I see him as the cruel and sinister wolf he is. He delights in my pain. Hell, I’m sure he knew how much pain I was in last night and was enjoying it. It probably made him giddy.

My father clears his throat and I cower in front of him, loathing how I got lost in my head instead of focusing on the other threat right in front of me. Never forget the threat you’re facing.

“I can feel the guilt and the shame coming from them,” my wolf whispers to me.

I shake off my wolf’s words because I don’t understand them. I know they’re ashamed of me, they’ve made that clear over the last eight years. I don’t care where their guilt comes from. Not anymore.

“Beta,” I whisper, my voice barely making it past my dry throat.

My mother shoves a bottle of water into my hands, and I start to drink from it, a fleeting thought about hoping it’s not poisoned passing through my mind. If it is, then…it is. I can’t fight the rushing torment of my life anymore.

“The Alpha wants to see you in his office,” my father bites out.

I nod woodenly and move through the house when they make way for me. I barely register them following behind me, lost in wondering what the Alpha could want from me and the deep desire to not see Todd in the packhouse.

Luck is not on my side, which is not surprising, because when I knock on the Alpha’s door, I can already smell Todd on the other side along with Luna Lori. I keep my eyes downcast when I step into the lavishly decorated office after being given permission to enter. I try and keep the shock at my parents following me inside to myself.

The pup in me wants to believe they care. Hell, even my wolf is taking solace in them being here. I’m not naïve enough to believe their presence has anything to do with caring for me. Not anymore. I learned that lesson a long time ago.

“Serenity, thank you for coming,” Alpha Thomas’ voice is neutral, but I can hear the hint of frustration there. “Please have a seat,” there’s just enough of an Alpha command there to have me moving quickly and sitting in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

Luna Lori is perched on her mate’s lap and Todd is glaring at me from the other chair next to me. I ignore him. My parents take a seat on the couch in the room, leaving me in the middle of whatever is going on.

“It’s our understanding that you are our son’s mate,” Alpha Thomas says it as more of a statement than a question.

I don’t look him in the eyes and try to keep my voice level, “Yes.”

I can feel the gaze of everyone in the room on me. I wasn’t much to look at before two days ago when I was rejected, at least that’s what I’ve been told for so long, but I have no doubt that I look worse now. When I glance up at Luna Lori, there’s a gleam of satisfied victory in her eyes. It makes me want to cower away from her, but I hold firm, my wolf giving me some of her strength.

“An Alpha and Luna should never take joy in the pain of someone in their pack,” my wolf spits in disgust.

“They have never raised a hand to me or said anything derogatory to me, but they haven’t stopped anyone who does,” I admit softly, hoping it doesn’t send her into a rage.

“We are very disappointed to find out that our son has rejected you, Serenity,” Luna Lori’s voice is soft and sweet.

Too sweet.

My eyes snap up to meet hers and there’s a sincerity there which doesn’t make any sense. She is truly upset about Todd rejecting me. What the fuck is going on here?

“We have always taught Todd the importance of having your true mate at your side,” she explains, her voice filled with chastisement directed at her son.

“There is no way I could mateher,” Todd sneers the last word like a curse.

My mind is reeling at the disappointment rolling off the Alpha and Luna. Todd’s annoyance is nothing new, but the way they’re looking at their son with censure is something I haven’t seen in years. Not since before everything changed.

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