Chapter 2 " Armeria , James said . He said it in a low , wistful voice . " James , " I answered . I hardly noticed how everyone around us cleared the space , giving us a clear view of each other . It was important to give a newly mated pair space as the protectiveness was at an all time high until they had claimed each other . I faintly heard my father and the Alpha laughing as they congratulated each her , I saw a shadow pass over James ' face and I knew him well enough that my heart and stomach sank . " Amie , " James said , using the nickname the pock use . His voice was sad and I tried to brace for what I knew was coming . He took a few steps towards me , but I couldn't move , I couldn't look away from his eyes . They told me what he was going to say before he let The words fly . " I'm sorry , Amie , but I can't . You know I can't , " he said I know it was coming , but still , each word felt like a physical punch . The pack had gone deadly silent , everyone was listening and for a moment , I wished James ' words had been physical punches . Then I would have a chance to pass out , or die . Anything but stand in the middle of the pack being rejected by the one person who should love me above all others . " I will become Alpha ce day , I need a strong Luna , " James continued , as if he didn't know he was tearing my heart from my body . " Amie , squ don't have wolf , oven If you get one , we all know it will be weak . I love you , you know I do . But my duty is to the pack , and this pack deserves a strong Luna , " he finished . There was only silence for a long while . I tried to find my words . My first instinct was to plead , to tell James I could be anything he wanted me to be . I could change . But the part of me that made my mother sigh in despair and complain about how stubborn her daughter was , held me back . " Son , " the Alpha gently said . " You don't need to do this now . " " It would be cruel to give her hope . I won't do that to her , " James said . You need to think this thr through , son . This is not the place or the time . " There was a warning in the Alpha's voice . " I won't change my mind , " James insisted . I felt my father and mother walk up to flank me . My mother put her arm around my waist . " James , think about what you are doing , you are mates . The gods have decided you complete each other , " my father said . " I'm sorry , " was all James said . " You won't be able to join the games . " My father's voice was cold and a murmur in the pack followed his words . The games were how the packs determined influence and the amount of votes they would get at the yearly pack summit . The games were held every tenth year , and each pack sent the five most promising pack members and a support staff to enter . It was not just physical challenges they would face . Everything was tested , from strength to endurance to intelligence and cunning . My pack always ended up in the top ton , the last fifty years we had been in the top five . To be one of the five pack members sent to the games , you had to be over eighteen and in full physical and mental health . What my father had pointed out was that the break of a mate bond was considered to be a mental wound . The council would demand at least three months to heal from it before they deemed someone to be in full health . The games were in a month's time . James looked like he reconsidered his decision , and my hope flared . I knew how much he and my brother had been looking forward to entering the games . We had all trained hard , even me , and the Alpha would be announcing the selected representatives any day . " So be it , I will sit this year's games out and join the next ones , " he then said , the determination clear on his face . The last ember of hope was extinguished in my chest . I vaguely heard Luna Joy saying something , but I had stopped listening . My hands had been clenched by my sides until now . But I reached for my mother and took a hold of her arm " I can't be here anymore , I mindlinked her . I heard the soft whimper that came from her as she pulled me into a hug , placing herself between me and James and leading me away . The pack gave way as we walked towards our house . I was numb from the pain that radiated in me . I saw the looks the other pack members were giving me , but I tried not to register them . It was bad enough to be pitied for not having a wolf . Now they would pity me for being rejected by the future Alpha as well . Some of them reached out and gently ran their hands over my arms as we passed . was a sign of comfort and support , But it didn't help . I remembered the promise uncle Jonas had given only hours before . That he and his friends would beat any male that thought me weak . I guess that didn't apply when the male was your best friend's son and the future Alpha . I felt the bitterness of my own thoughts and it was what made the first broken sob escape me . To my relief , my mother and I were almost at our home and we had long since left the pack behind us . My mother tightened her hold one and made soft coping sounds that reminded me of my childhood , when I used to fall and bruise my knees . 1/3 Chapter 2 " Let's sit on the couch for a while , " my mother suggested . I just shook my head . I wanted to crawl into my bed and never get out of it again . " Okay , sweetie , " she agreed without me having to say will . She just look me upstairs , helped me out of my clothes and into my sleep shiit before fucking he tasto bed . I curled into a ball , my knees tight to my chest and my arms hugging them . My back was to my mother as she sat down on the bed and stroked my halt and gently hummed the old lullables she used to sing for me and Elder . My tears finally came and once the first one rolled down my cheek , the rest followed . I was quietly crying while my body trembled from the power of the tow emotions rolling through me . 1ard the door open and close downstairs and I felt the scent of my father , I may not have a woll , but my smell , eyesight and hearing was still better than a human's But nowhere near a werewolf's , My father walked into my room and sat down next to my mother on my bed . No one spoke , but I felt his heavy hand on my leg . I don't know how long we stayed like that . It could have been hours , minutes . Somewhere along the way , I stopped crying and my body settled down . The pain still remained , no less than before . My mind started to move again even though I suspected my parents thought I was asleep . I noticed the absence of my brother . It hurt almost as much as my mate's rejection . He had chosen fames over me . I had a hard time believing it . It was true he was best friends with the future Alpha , But he and I had always been close , at least I had thought so . There was a knock on the front door and my father left . Being raised werewolf meant learning not to eavesdrop on conversations despite being able to . But I felt like I had a right to listen in now , it most likely was something regarding me anyway . " How is she doing ? " It was the Alpha , it seemed my father had taken him into his study , as far away as they could go from my bedroom " How do you think she is doing ? " I was shocked by the anger and disrespect in my father's voice . I had never heard him talk to anyone like that , especially not his best friend and Alpha . " She has spoken , not after what James did to her . " " I'm sorry , Ron . " The Alpha sounded honest . " His mind is made up ? " my father asked , " It is " What will you do ? " " " What do you mean , Ron ? " the Alpha asked . " Do you expect my daughter to live in the same pack as the male that ripped her heart out and stomped on it in front of the entire pack ? You know as well as I do what our rules are if someone breaks the mate bond without a good reason . " My fathers voice was low , full of tension . " Ron ! You can't think I would ever make James , my only son , go live in another pack . Banish him from the pack he was born to lead ? " " Why not ? No one is above the law . The law is in place to protect the innocent victim . Amie is the victim here , " my father insisted . " What james did , he didn't handle it correctly . But Ran , he had a good reason to do what he did . " I almost drew in a sharp breath , but caught myself in time . I didn't want my mother knowing I was listening to the conversation . " What the fuck are you saying ? " my father spit out . " She will have a weak wolf , if she gets a wolf at all . James had a good reason to reject her , " the Alpha said . " That is my baby girl you are talking about , " my father growled . " You know I love her like a daughter , but we can't hide from the truth . " " The truth being that her wolf will come when it's ready , and she is perfect just the way she is . Because that is what you have been telling her for the past two years , Mark , " my father told his friend . " Precisely . That doesn't mean she is suitable to be Luna . You know the kind of responsibilities ti didn't hear my father's reply as there was a knock on my bedrooms door . that come with that position . " I