Trigger Warning: this chapter contains physical abuse and assault.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN 2 YEARS AGO?" My mother yelled in Richard's face. I've never really heard my mother yell that often so this was kind if a shocker.
Richard sighed and hung his head low.
"I've known since you first introduced me to he-"
He didn't have time to finish his sentence since my mom slapped him in the face.
"Don't hit him!" I yelled before I could stop myself. What was that? Oh, must be the pull.
My mother turned to face me with a hard glare and teary eyes. "How long have you known Danica? Hmm? How longhave YOU been lying to me?"
"If what your asking is if I knew since we met then no. He didn't tell me either. I found out on my birthday. Mom, Iwanted to tell you but I just couldn't."
"You couldn't? YOU COULDN'T? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?" She screamed in my face and I pushed her back.
"Shut up! Just shut up! You don't know what it's like to see your mate do romantic shit with someone else rightin your face? I didn't tell you because I tried to keep you happy! I tried to prevent you from going back to howyou after daddy died-"
When I mentioned my dad, she cringed.
"-I wanted to prevent you from those suicidal nights and those nights of crying! Who was there for you? Who helped you survive mom? Me!! It was all me! Richard made you happy and I wanted you to start that waybecause I know you l-loved him. So yeah, I didn't tell you and I'm sorry but I did it for you and it just didn't work outthe way I planned."
I took a deep breath after my long rant and wiped the tears away from my face.
My mom stared at me for a minute then sat down with her head on her knees, bawling. My heart broke a little. Thisis exactly what I didn't want to happen.
"Roseanna...-"
"Don't Richard" she exclaimed, "just don't."
"Danica, please." He pleaded to me as he looked me in the eyes. "I didn't want to hurt either one of you."
I shook my head in disbelief. He was guilty as hell and still trying to play the victim act.
"Richard maybe you didn't really want to hurt anyone" I admitted, "But you are not stupid. You knew this was boundto happen and you did nothing to prevent it and I will never forgive you for that." I finished, calmly.
His expression held one of hurt and anguish and it broke my heart. I mean, he is my mate. I still care about himdespite how distant I am and how much I avoid him. It just disgusted me how slimey he was being so why would I letmyself get close to that?
I heard sniffles near us and I turned my head to see my mother standing and heading for the door.
"Mom, where are you going?" I asked, slightly worried she might do something stupid like she tried too do manytimes after Dad died.
"Just going for a run .. Danica, make sure you come home. Richard, come get your clothes
because you are not staying at my house." She said then swiftly left, letting the doors bang behind her.
"Heh.. I guess this is the end." He said humorlessly.
"Not yet." I said and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. Once I do this, I can't take it back. That'll beit. I'll be done.
"You don't mean... "
I nodded and picked up a knife from the table Aiden and I were suppose to have dinner on. This is how a rejectionprocess goes down; you cut each other's palm, to mix the blood together then say the words of rejection whichforces your wolves to separate from one another. In a way, it's kind of like the joining a pack ceremony butdifferent words.
"Let's get this over with."
Richard hung his head low and for a minute, I almost wanted to kiss his pain away.
Almost.
Hesitantly, he took the knife and looked at it for a moment. "Can I do one thingbefore we end this?"
"What Richard?" I asked, annoyed.
He sighed then shrugged. "I guess you can't hate me more than you already do."
I furrowed my brows, confused at what he saying but it all became clear to me when Richard's lips were suddenlyagainst mine and saying I felt lost would be an understatement.
Kissing your true mate is nothing like I ever thought it would be. The tingles that coursed through my body and onmy lips were mind melting.
Richard's finger was under my chin, tilting my head more upwards to allow him better access due to our heightdifference.
Just as my arms were about automatically about to wrap around his neck, I snapped out of my daze and pushed himoff of me.
What the hell is wrong with me? God, I just let him take my first kiss. I felt disgusted with myself and weak.
"Asshole." I muttered an the sound of the door quietly closing alerted my attention.
Looking over, I didn't see anyone so I assumed it was the wind but the wind can't move a door that heavy thateasily.
I saw Aiden's head passing by in front of the window and I gasped.
Fuck, he saw.
Richard on the other hand was smirking his ass off and I got pissed.
"You smelled him coming didn't you?" I asked and he shrugged with a smile on his face.
Since Richard was an older male, some of his senses were more enhanced like his sight, hearing and as youcan see, smell.
"You are such an asshole!" I yelled then grabbed the knife out of his hand. I drew the sharp blade across my palm,wincing a little then handed it back to him.
"Do it. I'm done with you."
He looked shocked for a moment then shook his head. "You don't want to do this Dani."
I shook my head,"Yeah I do actually and It's Danica Monroe. You're going to need to say that when you accept myrejection." I said with a smirk and I could see the last bit of hope he had die away.
Richard had stared at the knife in his hand and threw it on the ground. "No. I won't do it."
"Stop being a fucking child Richard." I rolled my eyes.
"You need me! I need you! Don't you see what happens to mates when they separate? You yourself saw whathappened to your mother when her mate died!"
I cringed. "My father died, that's different."
"It's not different because we're about to do the same thing. Severe something so precious and golden. Die to oneanother.."
I bit my bottom lip. Why does he have to make his so difficult? He can have whoever he wants after we do this.
"I'm sorry.". He said and I raised a brow.
"For what?"
Richard sighed and fisted his hands. "This."
In the blink of an eye on Richard appeared to me as a blur, a result of him using his wolf speed. What the hell is he-
In that moment, I felt a piercing pain in my neck, causing me to scream out in pain. I flailed my arms wildly, hitting Richard multiple times against the chest.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?"
"I stopped you from making a bad decision." He said.
I rubbed my neck furiously as it burned like it was set on fire. I let out a ear piercing scream mixed with a growl asmy wolf side fought with my human half,almost like I was at war within my own body.
My vision blurred and I fell to my knees. I looked up to see Richard, but he was gone. I tried to call for help, butmy voice wouldn't go above a whisper and my body welcomed the darkness that took over me.