21. Refusal

"What do you want, Alpha Mateo?" I ask in a cold voice, looking into his eyes.

"Amaya..."

I chuckle, interrupting him, then put on a severe face. The bond was broken, but the pain was still there. All I know is that I should act like a true Queen and Alpha, meaning no one could see me weak or hurt by my emotions.

"I'm Alpha Amaya to you!"

His eyes held pain and surprise. He didn't see this coming.

"I want to say I'm sorry and that I will do anything to get you back! I was stupid, indeed, but we are Mates; we are made for each other. Please, forgive me! I will take back my rejection."

My eyes widened, and my heart started beating frantically, hearing his statement.

"Don't you dare do it, Mateo!" I said a bit too loud, making a few heads turn our way.

"I'm sorry, Mate, but I need to. I need you. So this is the only way." he said, coming closer.

"I Mateo Marino, take back..."

#slap#

I couldn't stop myself, and I slapped him again. Everyone was now looking at us. My father and Leon were already next to me, ready to kill Mateo.

"I said no, Alpha Mateo! No!"

"How dare you slap me? I'm an Alpha, older than you! You are just a spoiled little brat. He said. His face was red from anger, and I'm sure he would have killed me if only he could.

I straightened my back a little and took a step towards him. I didn't fear him, and he should see it.

" You should have thanked me that I didn't kill you, Mateo!" I said with clenched teeth.

I noticed his hand trembling before he clenched his fist and took another step forward towards me.

"You will regret this, Queen Amaya! I promise you! You and all of your..."

Before he could finish, I threw all the water in the vases around us to his face.

"You should not threaten me, Alpha! And do not ever think about threatening my family or friends! Take him! I will deal with him tomorrow! I had enough of this for today!" I shout.

Few guards came and grabbed his arms, pulling him out from the Ballroom.

Cheers and applause filled the air, and I remembered where I was.

I panicked for a second, realising that everyone had seen me controlling the water, but no one seemed to care.

They look... proud?

"Amaya! Amaya?" I hear Leon's worried voice.

I look to my right to see him next to my father and Anna.

The room went back to silence.

I didn't understand what was happening till I felt my bones start to crack. I was shifting.

'Ivy, what are you doing?'

'Is not me, Amaya! This is you. Maybe the Full Moon is affecting you.'

My nails elongate, and black hair was growing on my arms. It was painful but not as much as the first time.

I see everyone stepping back with their eyes and mouths wide open.

When they started shifting, I knew that I was in complete wolf form, and my wolf was making them do that.

I let Ivy take control, and she let out the loudest howl I ever heard. The other wolves howled as well, and we all took off towards the forest.

Leon and my father were at each of my sides while Anna was behind me. We ran for a few hours without a break, and I could see how happy everyone was.

We decided to rest near a river before we returned home. I sit on the cold forest floor and look around me. Freedom; this is what I feel. I feel free and happy. But I can't stop thinking about Oren now that the bond with Mateo is broken.

I wonder if I could have forgotten him if Mateo accepted me as his Mate.

I shake the thoughts away and howl, looking at the big shiny ball in the sky.

My pack does the same before I tell them through the mind link that we should head back.

Ivy jumps over some tree trunks and runs after some hares, but like last time she didn't kill them.

'I can see that you enjoy this, Amaya!' Leon said through the mind link.

'I do, indeed. This is who I am, after all. And I'm glad I have you, Anna and my father. I couldn't do this without you guys.' I said for all of the three to hear.

A strange feeling overcame me, and it took me a moment before realising it was Leon. I could feel everyone's emotions now.

'Leon? What is wrong?' I ask when I see him looking around frantically.

He seems to have lost control of his wolf, and I wasn't sure what to do.

'Leon! Get yourself together!' I said but to no avail.

'Everyone stops! Someone's coming!' I said in a firm voice through the mind link when a scent of burning wood and jasmine hits my nose. It was a weird combination.

As in feeling our presence, the one that I knew now, it was a rogue, changed his direction.

Leon went crazy next to me and started growling at me.

'Leon, stop that! I don't want to hurt you!' I said. But that didn't stop him.

'Bruno!' I yell at his wolf, letting out all my power.

All of them let their heads down in submission and whimpered in fear.

'Leon, what is wrong with you?'

'I'm sorry, Amaya! But I feel her; I feel my Mate. I think she was the rogue that you felt earlier.'

'Oh, I see. Then what are you waiting for? Get her!' I said with a chuckle.

His wolf was jumping around, but I could feel Leon's worries.

'What is wrong now?'

'She is a rogue, Amaya! If I chose her as a Mate, I would need to leave the pack.' he said with a sad voice.

'Why? You can always bring her here. Of course, if she will prove she is a good person first.'