26

I paced the room, trying to figure out how to get the document from him. My only way is probably breaking into his house. I could ask him to show me it, but I wasn't sure on how that would turn out.

I pursed my lips, I don't have to necessarily have to break into his house. I could easily befriend Amelia and walk in as a friend. If he does ask, I can just tell him it's part of the plan.

I sighed, I really hope this will work. Amelia seems to not hate me anymore, so becoming her friend shouldn't be hard. Plus, I do actually want to be her friend. Considering she's going to be my sister-in-law. I'll have to explain this all to her first, I don't want her thinking I'm using her. Even though I am, in a way.

I threw my hair into a bun before walking back outside. I noticed Eduardus was helping with training while Amelia was watching from the porch. Perfect.

I gulped and sat beside her, she gave me a soft smile before focusing on the training again.

I bit my lip, how do I explain this without sounding like a bitch? I sighed and watched the training for a bit.

"Thank you, for helping me realize I love Eduardus." She suddenly spoke.

I smiled, "You're welcome, I didn't want you two losing each other. It felt horrible when I almost lost Alaricas without apologizing to him."

"I don't know what I would have done if I continued hurting him. Goddess, if he died...I wouldn't be able to live with myself. It would have been all my fault."

I nodded in understanding, I chewed on my lip for a second.

"I need your help." I spoke.

"I'm warning you, my dad is weirdly smart. He's very observent, you have to act natural." She instructed.

I nodded and took a deep breath, "I can do that."

We walked into her house, it was quiet and peaceful. I studied it as we walked through the halls. It was bright, it felt like home, even though the "man of the house" wasn't as...pleasant.

"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" Amelia called.

"My dad came home early." She mumbled.

We stepped into the kitchen to see a woman cooking. She was pale and very thin, Amelia gave her a sad look.

"Mom, where's dad?" She asked.

The woman looked up, she smiled at me.

"He went to the store a few minutes ago. We needed milk." She answered.

"Then eat something, he won't know." Amelia urged.

"Li, I can't. You know that and if he finds out you're helping me, then you'll get hurt too."

I frowned, "He abuses you?"

They both looked at me with defeated expression, except, there was relief in Amelia's eyes. She did this on purpose, she wants me to know.

"Eat. He can't do anything to me and if he beats you, come to the packhouse. Alaricas will protect you two." I ordered.

Her mother bowed her head and smiled, "Thank you, Luna."

An hour later, Amelia's mother had some food. She was acting somewhat better, but she was still weak. Amelia and I searched her father's office, but found nothing.

Amelia had asked me about the incident and I explained it to her. I never meant to do it, his aunt attacked me and I was newly shifted. I had little to no control over my wolf. I never meant to kill her.

Now, two years later, I still feel extremely guilty. Knowing she was like the mother Alaricas never had, I felt even worse.

"Dinner is done!" Her mother called.

We both left his office and scurried down the stairs. I almost froze when I saw her father sitting at the table. A newspaper in hid hands and a document, under his arm.

Once they heard us, he placed his paper down and gave me a smug look. I kept on a blank look as I took my plate.

There was a tense silence that washed over us. Halfway through, her brother burst through the door. He glanced at me, furrowing his eyebrows. He smiled at us and disappeared upstairs.

"I'm guessing he'll eat later." Amelia's mother mumbled as she made another plate.

Her father rolled his eyes, "Of course he will, idiot. No need to state the obvious."

I was stunned by his cruel tone, how can he speak to his mate like that? Amelia sighed and took another bite of steak.

I shook my head as her father snapped his gaze to me. People like him disgust me.

After dinner, Amelia's father ran upstairs and went into his office. Amelia and I helped her mother clean up dinner. I talked with them the whole time, we were careful to avoid anything that would piss her father off.

A few minutes passed before he walked downstairs, that smug look still on his face. I gritted my teeth, I want to slap that smirk off his ugly face.

Amelia chuckled at me and shook her head, I rolled my eyes. Once we were done, I looked at her father. He was focused on the tv, he didn't show any sign of noticing me. I quickly excused myself, claiming I needed to use the bathroom.

I quietly ran up the stairs and into his office. I closed the door before turning to face his desk. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of the document.

I picked it up, my heart was pounding against my chest now. I opened it and began reading, as I read through it, fear tightened around my heart.

This is a copy of the file on her death. She was put in as a rogue, her full name was there, cause of death and her crime.

Attacking the alpha's daughter.

I ran my hand through my hair and dropped it. How did he get his hands on this? I gulped and grabbed it, I turned around to leave, but came face to face with her father.

He chuckled at me in a dark way, I watched him with wide eyes. He was replaced by Alaricas' angry form. I couldn't move, my fear paralyzed me. I wanted to scream, to cry, but couldn't.

Alaricas is going to kill me for snooping in his office.

Get a grip, Jo! This isn't actually Alaricas, it's Amelia's father!

I continued telling myself this, but my PTSD didn't go away. It had a firm grip on me, it slowly strangled me.

"Big mistake." Was all I heard before my world went black.

"Jolene, get the fuck up now."

I furrowed my eyebrows and opened my eyes. I winced at the pain on my cheek, but ignored it once I saw a furious Alaricas.

I looked around and noticed I was in a cell. The place wreaked of blood, vomit, and rogue. Panic consumed me, but so did hurt. I looked back at Alaricas.

His eyes were dark with anger and hatred. I looked down, I knew this was going to happen. I forced the tears back though, that'll only anger him more. Just like it did seven months ago.

"You killed her!" He snarled as he grabbed me by the throat.

I didn't struggle, I deserved this. I killed his aunt. I'm a murderer. I looked behind him to see a grinning man. That man so happened to be Amelia's father.

I looked away and focused on Alaricas, who seemed to be angrier. I need to explain myself at least.

"L-let me explain." I gasped.

He growled, but dropped me. I landed on the cold ground, wincing at the impact.

"Sh-she attacked me, I-I was only trying to protect myself." I said.

He scoffed at me, "You could have done that without killing her."

"I didn't mean to." I whispered.

"Bullshit!" He snarled.

I bit back a scream as he pulled me up my hair. He glared at me with so much hatred, it broke my heart. Is this how easy it is to lose someone's love?

He threw me into the wall, causing me to smack my head against it. I grabbed my head and immediately hissed in pain. I looked at my hand, frowning at the crimson liquid covering it.

Alaricas watched me with cold eyes, there wasn't an ounce of concern in them. I felt my tears roll down my cheeks, but I no longer cared.

"I can't believe I'm mated to a murderer." He growled.

I swallowed, a tinge of anger flared within my chest.

"You're a murderer too." I bit out.

He narrowed his eyes, "You can stay in here for however long I see fit. I don't ever want to see your face."

I clenched my jaw and willed myself not to cry. Before he was able to walk out, I stopped him. He turned around and glared at me.

"I, Jolene Flare, reject you, Alaricas Cain as my mate and alpha." I stated, trying so hard to keep the pain out of my voice.

He didn't show any emotion, "Why?"

"I'm freeing you...from me." I choked out.

He grunted in reply, "Good. I regret ever loving you."

Those words sliced through my heart, but I didn't care. I deserved this though, all of this. I curled up in the corner, dizzy from the blood flowing from my head wound.

"That won't heal for a while. Have fun rotting down here." Amelia's father smirked.

"Oh, and since you're going to die. I gave Alaricas a different document. One that says you murdered an innocent rogue, but didn't recieve punishment. It was a last minute decision." He mind-linked me before leaving.

Once I heard him leave, I burst into tears. I cuddled closer against the wall as the sound of thunder echoed from outside.