Chapter 17

Beta Lucas and I said our goodbyes to Tommy and CeCe, I promised to visit and check in. Even with the promise of coming back neither of them looked pleased that I was leaving.

“Do you know much about them?” I asked when we are in the car again.

“They moved here a while back, they are good people and we come in regularly to give them our business. That’s about all I know. Oh! Except Tommy makes some mean ribs.” He licked his fingers loudly.

“I can confirm that. He made some for me the first night I was here, but the ribs are nothing compared to the pancakes.” I said with a giggle.

“You are crazy. Ribs beat pancakes every time. You’re a wolf remember, we eat meat.” Beta Lucas growled and tossed his head like he was biting into something.

“Where are we going now?” I asked. We had turned and we’re heading to town.

“Willow is going to meet us in town so you girls can do some shopping. Guess I’m on purse duty.” He flipped his wrist. “Girl, you look so good. I would make a great gay best friend.” He said with a smile.

“You will make some girl very happy someday.” I joked. “What about this thing with you and Willow? You love her and she clearly has feelings for you. What’s the big deal with the mate bond?” I asked.

“Of course, I do, I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for me. If your mate wasn’t such a piece of shit you would understand.” He sat there chewing his lip. “You mate completes you. Like human soulmates I guess, both halves of the same whole.”

“That’s why you say Alpha Colton is broken, because he is missing his other half.” I said sadly.

“Emily keeps him in line. It’s hard to be sad around her. She’s just like her mother, always strait forward and a free spirit. She will give Alpha Colton a heart attack one day.” He told me.

Pulling up to the shop something smelled good. Laila’s mouth watered at the familiar scent.

Willows jumped out of the car in front of us and grabbed my hand. “Are you ready?” She asked with a somber tone.

“To go shopping. Yes. I didn’t understand the worried tone in her voice.

“You didn’t tell her?” Willow swatted at Beta Lucas.

“Honestly, it didn’t come up.” He replied coyly.

Feeling my anxiety kick in, Laila pushed forward ready to take over. “Where are we?” I asked trying to catch my breath.

Willow took my hands. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” She said giving Beta Lucas a dirty look. “Blaine is here. Alpha Colton thought you might want closure. He wanted you to be able to stand and face him.”

“Why would I want to do that, the only time I’ve seen him, he rejected me.” The stars forming in the corners of my eyes, I felt Laila holding me up.

Willow squatted down getting her face directly in mine. “Breathe. Come on Amanda. Breathe with me. I know it feels like a punishment, but Alpha Colton wants you to see how strong you are. We are right here with you. I promise when he finds out what kind of money Alpha is spending on you, he will come out and see everything he doesn’t deserve in you.”

“I don’t want to. I can’t.” I tried running back to the car only to find Beta Lucas blocking my way.

“Don’t make me call him.” He said as if I was supposed to know what that meant.

“Go!” Alpha Colton’s voice boomed in my head, sending chills down my spine.

My vision cleared, like the snap of a rubber band I went from scared and anxious to mad. “No!” I shouted back.

Beta Lucas and Willow went wide eyed.

Much to my surprise I could hear Alpha Colton faintly laughing. “I want you to.” He said.

“No! He rejected me and you and your goon kidnapped me. I’m not going in there.” My words held a strength I didn’t know I had.

“Ouch.” Beta Lucas said holding his hands over his chest as if my words shot him through the heart.

Willow and I rolled our eyes at him.

“It’s important to me that you see him for what he is. That you don’t let his rejection ruin you and most importantly that you chose to walk away from him.”

Alpha Colton’s tone was unlike anything I had heard from him before, sweet and kind. I wasn’t sure how to feel about what he had said.

I was thinking of exactly how to answer him and hopefully get him to understand that Laila was the strong one and his rejection crushed her. I have no interest in seeing him again for any reason.

“Plus, Willow will be incredibly disappointed if she doesn’t get to spend ridiculous amounts of my money.” He laughed before disappearing from my mind.

The look on Willows face confirmed that she was excited.

“Can’t we shop somewhere else?” I pleaded.

Beta Lucas wrapped his arms around my collar bone from behind. Pulling me tightly to his chest. “You’ve basically been a wolf for a day, trust us. You need to do this.” He squeezed tightly before letting me go.

“You just yelled at Colton. This loser got nothing on you.” Laila boosted.

I took in a deep breath before looking at Willow who held out her hand happily.

“Being a werewolf is weird.” I told Laila before grabbing Willows hand. Beta Lucas acted like he was going to get in the car.

“Oh no! You are definitely not staying out here. If you assholes are going to make me, go in there then you’re coming with me.” I taunted.

“Are you kidding.” Beta Lucas paused. “Alpha Colton would skin me alive if I let you go anywhere near Blaine by yourself.”

Willow cleared her throat loudly. “Excuse me.” She said with a smirk.

“You know what I mean.” He teased.

Taking in a deep breath, I looked at each of them. “I hope you know I hate this.” I said before walking through the door.