My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

15 What Happens Next

Lily POV

I swear I feel like my brain is going to explode. I expected to leave for the Elven Kingdom right after I spoke to my father, but that idea was quickly vetoed. After talking to Mindy, I understood why, but it didn't make Ariel or I feel any better about waiting a week to leave. Goddess only knows what is happening to our mate while we are here learning elven history. Flashback

"What do you mean? I told you what the goddess showed me. The longer we wait the more pain and suffering my mate is enduring. What if we don't make it to him in time" I say my voice rising with each word. Ariel is pacing in my head. How can she expect me to sit here and listen to her talk about the elf tribes?

"I understand how you are feeling, Lily, but rushing off unprepared will not save your mate. Entering the Elven Kingdom requires magic which you now possess, but it also requires knowledge. If a random wolf showed up in your pack claiming to belong, you wouldn't just welcome them with open arms. You need to be able to answer questions to not raise suspicion" Mindy says.

"We also need to discuss who will be accompanying you" she says. I look at her like she has ten heads. "We both know Liam will be accompanying me. He is my protector." "I understand

that, but to put your parents' minds at ease, another warrior will be joining you," she says. I open my mouth to protest that the goddess only said Liam, but she cuts me off. "The goddess came to me yesterday. She insists a warrior also accompany you on this journey," she says.

"Is it my decision which one or is this also being decided for me?"Mindy shakes her head but offers me a reassuring smile. "It is your decision. Pick someone that you feel that you can trust and that will take orders well. You don't need some meathead who thinks he is in charge"

she says. I can't help the laugh that bubbles up my throat.

"I choose Grant. He has always respected me as a fighter. I believe he could follow my orders

unlike some of the other male warriors." "Good, now we have a lot of information to cover so you are ready. I'll have Reese get Grant and Liam. They need to be here for this too. You all need to be able to blend in with the elves you encounter," she says.

Flashback Ends

We leave tomorrow, and the journey will take another three days. Needless to say, I wish we were already there. I'm supposed to have breakfast with my family before we say our

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*B Paint

15 What Happens Next

goodbyes. A knock on my bedroom door interrupts my thoughts. When I open it I'm shocked.

to see Colton. We haven't spoken since the rejection. I won't lie and say that seeing the dark. circles under his eyes and his look of defeat doesn't affect me because it does.

A part of me will always love Colton, but I don't think I could ever get past what he did. "Hey, I was hoping I could talk to you for a minute. I know I'm the last person you want to see, but I was hoping you would give me a chance to say a couple of things," he says. I push open my door and he takes a seat at the chair sitting near my vanity. "I'm not even going to say I'm sorry because you're right, they are just useless words" he says.

"I want you to know if I could take back what I did, I would, but I can't. I let my own insecurities lead me to stupid choices, and I'm not even talking just about what you walked in on. I mean not protecting you from vile people. Not choosing you when it mattered most. Not being the friend that you deserved. I will forever live with the regret of my actions. I want you to be happy Lily. You are going to be an amazing Alpha and any man will be lucky to call you his" he says.

His words have my chest tightening. "I'm going to be leaving the pack for a while, but I needed to see you first. Make sure you understand how amazing and perfect you are. Despite what I did, I will always love you, Lily. I, Colton Kramer, accept your rejection." Tears are streaming down both our cheeks as the last tether of our bond snaps. I thought I would feel relief when he accepted the rejection, but all I feel is empty.

He stands and starts toward the door. "Colton, you don't need to leave the pack. What about your parents and my parents? What about Samantha? You can't just leave. This is your home. We are your family." He offers me a sad smile. "Yes you are and nothing will ever change that. This won't be forever, but this is the best way for me to make things right," he says. Without thinking, I rush toward him, wrapping my arms around his middle. Goddess, I hate that f**king prophecy. He presses a kiss on the top of my head before he turns leaving my room. As soon as he's gone, I collapse on the bed and sob. I cry for my own pain and for Colton's. I could see the regret and pain in his eyes with every word he spoke. I pray he finds happiness.

When I finally manage to get myself under control, I go to find my mom. I'm sure she is going to be upset about Colton leaving. My grandmother will be heartbroken. Maybe she can talk him into staying. I know she doesn't talk about it much, but losing her son, no matter the reason, was devastating.

I don't want her to lose Colton because of me. Even if he just went to stay with Sam until we

have both had time to heal. Besides I have no idea how long I'll be gone. It doesn't make sense

for him to leave now.

2/4 

+ Point

15 What Happens Next

I find my mom in the kitchen baking with Gia. She offers me a warm smile when she sees me, but it doesn't reach her eyes. I realize at that moment he has already talked to her. "Mom" I say, my voice cracking. She drops her spoon and comes around the counter pulling me into her arms. I don't understand why I'm so upset after what he did, but I am. That's a lie. I understand that despite what he did, I still care about him. I don't want to see him hurt or alone.

"It's going to be alright Lily bear. As much as I begged him not to go, his mind is made up. We need to trust him. Trust that he knows leaving is what he needs to do. He promised to check in and come back when he feels the time is right" she says. "What about nana? She is going to be upset."

She pulls back and looks into my eyes. "Nana and Charlie support his decision. They had a long talk and believe me, as much as they want him to stay, they support his need to make his

own path," she says.

"The goddess will watch over him on his journey, Lily. We need to focus on ours now. Let's go for a run and clear our heads," Ariel says. "I'm going to go for a run mom." "I think that's a good idea. Make sure you're back in time for dinner and a movie. We want to spend time as a family tonight before you leave tomorrow," she says. She brushes the hair back off my shoulder. "I'm going to miss you while you're gone. I'm so proud of the woman you have become," she says. "That's because I have an amazing mother and father." She smiles and presses one last kiss

to my forehead before I head out of the pack house. Once I'm in the pack yard I link Liam. "You think you are so special, but you're not. Even your mate didn't want you. I guess we both know

you aren't special at all, don't we, pack princess," Camille says from behind me.

I turn around and almost burst out laughing when I see how disheveled she looks. She must

have left the cells and sought me out. "You really are a pathetic b**ch and a slow learner. I

guess you learned nothing after that throat punch the other day." Her hand immediately goes to her throat. "I think it's time to show this b**ch just how special we are" Ariel says. "Are you sure?" "Yep, I'm sick of her constant vitriol. Soon enough, everyone will know we are the Red

Wolf."  

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. "What the hell are you smiling about" she shrieks. I take a step closer and Ariel pushes forward. My eyes flip from my natural color to Ariel's emerald green. She staggers back, almost falling on her a**. "What the f**k was that" she asks, and I wonder if she meant to ask the question out loud.

"That would be my very special wolf.""You're a liar. You aren't old enough to have a wolf" she says. This time when Ariel pushes forward, I don't stop her. When we shift, our body towering 3/4 

+8 Points 

15 What Happens Next

over a screaming Camille. Liam comes to stand next to us and runs his hand down Ariel's side. Liam is as close to me as any of my blood. He is my protector and I trust him completely. We take a step back and shift.

Liam hands me a long t-shirt that covers all my private areas. My eyes meet Camille's and I stop the laugh that wants to escape me. She looks like she just saw a ghost. She is babbling, and I can't make out one coherent word. "Let that be the last time you ever speak to me or

next time I'll let my wolf show you just how special we are."I turn making my way toward the trees. "I'll bet that felt good" Liam says. "Good isn't even the word. Seeing her almost piss herself was the highlight of my day.""

When we reach the clearing we both strip and shift. We take off and the feeling of the wind whipping past us seems to settle the turmoil I feel over Colton leaving. As we weave in and out of the trees, I say a silent prayer to the goddess to protect Colton and bring him back to the pack safely. My mind returns to the man that is meant to be my forever. I'm coming for you mate.