Hunter's Secret

Titus’ POV

I have been avoiding Lillian since our fight. I also am trying to avoid Ash and Raine. Honestly, I just don’t want to see anyone right now. I don’t have the energy to deal with any of them at the moment. I have to prepare to head to the main part of the kingdom since I finally received a letter from them, requesting my presence in front of the High Council. It has been almost a year since I sent out the first request for help but now is better than never, I guess.

My pack still doesn’t have a Beta but it’s fine. I do tell Lillian and Ash where I am going though. I will only be gone for five days so they should be able to manage everything for five days.

It only takes me two days to arrive to the High Council’s meeting hall. I am dressed in my best suit and have tried my best to make myself presentable. I know I don’t have the best clothes and I know for sure that I look tired, but I am here. I am relieved that I am finally going to get some help. I need it. My pack needs it. I check in with the front desk lady, who gives me a look of disapproval before handing me my number, 13. I ask her if she knows when I will be seen but she just shoos me away to the seating area. I take a seat and start feeling nervous.

‘Take a breath. It looks like we are going to be here for a while so just breathe.’

‘Thanks Ryker.’

‘Anytime. I am stuck here too.’

I laugh to myself and start watching the clock.

*Tick, tock. Tick, tock*

Two hours have passed and only three people have been called in. I pull at the collar of my suit.

*Tick, tock. Tick, tock*

I get up, stretch, and get a glass of water from the pitcher by the desk.

*Tick, tock. Tick, tock*

I sigh, my leg bouncing up and down.

*Tick, tock. Tick, tock*

I wish Lillian was here. Even though we don’t always get along, I still love her.

*Tick, tock. Tick, tock*

“THIRTEEN” a shrill voice called. I quickly raised my number and stood up. I smooth out my suit and prepare to enter the meeting room. I take a deep breath and push the door open.

The nerves I felt before were nothing compared to the nerves I feel right now. There are six Alphas and their respective Lunas, sitting in the back of the room. There are two guards posted by the door I just came in from. And they are all staring at me. All of their auras combine, and I immediately want to leave. Ryker helps me move to the podium and I somehow find the courage to breathe.

“Titus Black, Alpha of Red Rock?” The Alpha sitting in the middle asks, his loud voice bouncing around the practically empty room. I recognize him as the main advisor to the King. I nod my head in response.

He continues, “I am glad you got our letter. We need to talk to you about your pack. Can we do that?”

I gulp and respond, “Yes. I am glad you are willing to help me and my pack. We are running on low on resources.”

“Oh, we will definitely be helping you.” He smiles, but it does not bring me any comfort. The smile does not move across his face and even though his eyes are cold, it feels like they are burning holes in my soul.

He continues, “My advisors and I received information about your pack that is quite interesting. Is it true that you accepted a witch into your pack?”

Everything in my body is telling me that I need to leave but my feet stay cemented to the floor. I can feel the sweat running down the back of my neck. Mustering up all the courage I have, I respond. “Yes, sir. The witch you speak of asked for my help with housing.” I made the conscious choice to not give them any additional information about Ash.

“Thank you for confirming that Alpha Titus. That gives us all peace for our unanimous decision,” He dramatically pauses before continuing, “You have admitted to breaking Section H, 7.402. The consequence of breaking such a law means that you are immediately and perpetually dismissed as an Alpha. Your pack will have two weeks to relocate, or we will relocate you.”

All the air leaves my lungs and I fall to my knees in pain. My heart feels like it has been ripped out of my chest and stomped on. Ryker howls in pain in my head and I can’t breathe. My whole body is on fire and there is pain everywhere. The guards roughly picked me up and effectively threw me out of the meeting hall and the building.

I lay crumpled in the grass for what I can only assume is a few hours. I hurt everywhere. Ryker is crying and howling. I have never felt pain like this before. I grip my side and try to force some air into my lungs. I somehow managed to get myself up and stumble over to the side of the building. Another wave of pain crashes into me and I fall back down. I cry out before darkness overtakes me.

I wake up sometime during the night and feel the pain again. It is a little more bearable, but it feels like being stabbed repeatedly. I make myself get up and start trying to head home. I lost count of how many times I passed out. And I honestly have no idea how or when I returned home.

When I finally make it to the front door, I open it and as soon as I make it inside, I can feel myself starting to pass out again. Another wave of pain sears my entire body and the last thing I see before darkness is a pair of familiar black boots.

“Titus! Titus! You need to wake up now!”

I hear someone calling my name and eventually feel someone shaking my shoulder. I groan as my eyes adjust to the light. I look up to see very concerned purple eyes looking back at me.

“What the heck happened to you? You look awful!” Ash half-yells, worry lacing her voice.

I manage to pull myself into a sitting position and lean against the wall. I don’t answer her. I just focus on my breathing. When I feel steady enough, I stand up, still using the wall as a support.

“I. Need. Lillian,” I breathlessly whisper. I focus solely on walking to the bedroom. I can hear Ash talking to me, but I don’t hear what she is saying. I just need Lillian. I slowly make my way to the bedroom, and open the door, only to find a Lillian-less room. My heart starts racing as I realize that she is not here. I try to mind-link her, but it won’t go through. Panic is rising in my chest and my eyes land on a note, sitting on the bed. I grabbed it, ripping open the envelope.

~~~~~~~~~~

Titus,

I have rejected you as my mate. I am sure you realize that by now. You are a terrible mate and I hope the pain you feel is unbearable. You deserve this. I hate you. Don’t come looking for me. I don’t care about you anymore.

P.S. I hope Ash was worth it.

~~~~~~~~~~

My heart is shattered. Not just broken; shattered. She’s gone. I drop to my knees, shifting, as Ryker lets out a long sorrowful howl. He is fully in control, and I let him be. His ears flicker to the door at the sound of a small gentle knock. I know it is Ash, but I also know Ryker is angry, so I really hope she does not try to come in the room. He lets out a menacing deep growl and she thankfully understands its meaning.

They say that the rejection of your mate is extremely painful, but I didn’t know it would hurt like this. She marked me. I marked her. I loved her. I still love her. I have never loved anyone as much as I love her. I know I won’t ever love anyone else like I love her.

Ryker lets out another sorrowful howl. He whimpers in pain as he paces around the room. He won’t talk to me; his heart is broken too. He gently climbs onto the bed before shutting himself into the back of my mind. I shift back and grab at the sheets with my fists, trying to feel some comfort of her. I want to smell her. I want to hold her. I just want her.

My heart breaks again as I realize she washed the bedding before leaving so even her scent is gone now. Exhausted, I curl up in the sheets trying to remember what holding her felt like. I have nothing left now. I don’t fight back the tears that are freely falling down my face. I let the darkness consume me once again as I fall into a restless sleep.