Chapter 33 Betrayal Is a Bitch
1419words
After we had bared our throats to Alpha Jaxon, I noticed my parents mingling with some other wolves—wolves I had never seen before. I was happy they were getting to know the wolves from our new pack. I knew that if Alpha Jaxon could provide anything to his pack, it was peace and safety. Both were very important for strong wolf packs. I stayed back with Leah and Bailey and chatted with them. They kept darting their eyes toward every wolf that walked by—hoping they would pick up the scent of their mates. My eyes darted in a similar fashion; however, I was looking for Alpha Jaxon. I had no intention of interrupting him, but I just wanted to see him and check him out again for the 80th time today.
A loud bell chimed, and my parents looked over at us, letting us know it was time to head into the auditorium and take our seats for the reception. I had to admit I was actually having fun at the coronation; it wasn't my style, but everything was so regal and a change of pace from normal life.
We walked into the beautifully decorated auditorium, adorned exclusively in black and red—the official Midnight Moon colors. The room was massive. I was sure it could fit another couple of packs at least.
"The Taylor family," my father proudly announced to the usher.
"Taylor... Taylor... Taylor..." he repeated as he dragged his finger down the list in front of him. "Oh, Taylor! Your family is seated in the Omega section. Please follow me."
"The Omega section?" I repeated, feeling shock take over my body. It was clear that Mom and Leah were equally as shocked by the looks on their faces.
I felt the walls close in on me, making it difficult to breathe as I asked the usher, "Can you double-check that? Surely there must be a mistake. We should be seated among the enforcers, sir." The usher gave me a sympathetic frown as he looked down at his paper. "I'm sorry, but it says the Taylor family is indeed seated in the Omega section." I felt my father swallow his pride as fury flowed through him. We promptly followed the usher to our table.
My mother took her seat beside my father, and Leah sat beside her. I pulled out my chair to sit down beside my father, and he looked up at me with pain scorching his eyes. "I told you not to expect much. Old habits die hard, sweetheart." I planted a kiss on my father's head and closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. "I know, Daddy. I'm going to go outside for some air." He gave me a knowing nod as if he shared the pain pounding within my heart.
I pushed my chair in, picked up the champagne glass in front of me, and placed it to my lips. Against my better judgment, I looked straight at Alpha Jaxon with such hatred as he had Beverly cuddled up close to him, whispering something in his ear, and tossed the bubbling liquid to the back of my throat. I mouthed out, "Fuck off," knowing that speaking to an Alpha in such a manner could result in dismissal from the pack. I didn't have a single care left. All I could feel were the shards of glass piercing through me from his betrayal.
I placed the champagne glass down on the table and rushed out the back door, tempted to shift into my wolf form. She was howling out in anger, "Is that what the Alpha thinks of us?" she whimpered.
I pushed through the heavy wooden door without noticing Sophia as I shoved past her. "Whoa, what's got you all wound up, firecracker?" she said as she grabbed my arm to calm me down.
"I'm in no fucking mood, Sophia," I said through gritted teeth. "You know I really believed you. I was starting to think he was different. I wanted to give him, give the mate bond a chance. You only defended him because he's your brother."
"Walk with me, Adeline. What happened? If this is about Beverly, he told her last night he wasn't going to go through with the mating," she said, pulling my arm toward the forest in hopes of finding some privacy. I let out a growl as we exited the auditorium, making our way into the wooded area while I held my hand to my head, trying to release the pressure within.
We stopped close to an old oak tree, and I took a deep whiff of the earth that surrounded us. What usually could calm me now had no effect. "I don't give a fuck about him or Beverly. I hope they live happily ever after, actually," I yelled out, hoping the entire pack could hear me, knowing very well that they were all settled inside the auditorium.
I knew I had formed a relationship with Sophia, but I didn't realize my words would cut her as deep as they did. She looked at me with eyes filled with sadness. "A-are you going to reject Jaxon?" she stuttered.
Before I could respond, I saw her eyes widen, and familiar large arms grabbed me from behind, shoving my back against the large oak tree. I felt a thud run across my chest as my back hit the rough bark. "What the fuck was all that about, Adeline? Did you really tell me, your Alpha for that matter, to fuck off?" Familiar honey-colored eyes blared into mine, slowly darkening into black with rage.
I wanted to be angry. I wanted to land a blow right across his perfectly sculpted face, but having him so close to me right now actually brought me a wave of calmness. I stared right back at him, not letting his dominance shake me, knowing I was aggravating him further. Without breaking our gaze, he spoke in a quiet yet demanding tone, "Sophia, leave. Now."
"Jax, I'm not leaving Adeline. I don't know what you and that cunt did to her, but I won't leave her side. You can rip my throat out if you have to, but I'm not fucking leaving her," she said with a trembling voice. I wasn't sure if it was my anger towards her brother or the fear of speaking back to the Alpha that had her trembling.
Alpha Jaxon was still firmly holding my gaze. I was shaking, trying to match his as it pierced through me. "Sophia, I need to speak to my mate alone." I shuttered as the word "mate" slipped from his lips. "I can't calm her down with you here. As your Alpha, I am ordering you to leave. Now."
I could hear her huff and puff for a moment and then finally start to walk back toward the reception in the auditorium. "I swear, Jax, if you hurt her, I'll rip your throat out the same way the rogue killed Dad." Her words sent a shiver down his spine, and by this point his eyes were solid black. I was surprised Sophia had gone that low. She was definitely an Alpha female with balls made of steel.
Once she was out of hearing range, he placed his large hand on my face and lifted my jaw. "Adeline, what's wrong? If you don't tell me what I did to upset you, I can't fix it. We aren't mated yet. I can't hear your thoughts," his voice came out much softer this time as he pleaded with me.
I closed my eyes, wishing to be anywhere but here. Struggling to breathe the air around me, all I could smell was Alpha Jaxon's scent. When I didn't respond, he sighed and said, "Does this have to do with Beverly? Adeline, she's been spoken to and understands we won't be proceeding with the mating. Her position beside me today was for sheer appearance. We can't appear weak with so many Alphas here today."
I laughed and rolled my eyes. "Beverly? You think I'm jealous over your mate?" As if in disbelief, I scoffed at him. "I don't give a fuck about you and Beverly. The Moon Goddess made a terrible mistake when she fated us together. I'm never going to be Luna material, and the last thing I ever wanted was a lying piece of shit mate."
Feeling the effect I was having on him as I saw his heart breaking, I said, "I—Adeline Taylor of Midnight Moon Pack—reject..."
