Pulling into the driveway, I could smell his presence. Taking another breath, I got out and knocked on the door.
Sienna opened it. She looked surprised but still invited me in.
"Orion isn't here yet but he shouldn't be too long. Tea?" I accepted and sat on the sofa as she poured me a cup.
"I am sorry for how things are playing out. I really thought Orion would see sense."
"What is wrong with him?" I laughed slightly, taking another sip.
"His father has a tighter hold of him than he will ever admit. He's a prideful wolf and acts stupidly from time to time. I just assumed you'd be different." I gave her a look as her eyes held many secrets from their childhood together.
"He's marrying you, Sienna. He can't even look at me without feeling some sort of anger or guilt. He keeps saying he's protecting me but he's causing me to have to choose between things I love."
She stood and faced the window looking out over the surrounding forest in their secluded home.
"I met my mate when I turned 18. He was handsome, charming, kind, and had the craziest sense of humour. He made me laugh so much I was in stitches. He wasn't of any rank, like you, but I would have given anything to be with him. My parents accepted him and welcomed him into our home within days of the Mating ball." Her voice hitched as sadness grew in her throat.
"But I was arranged to be wed to Orion when I was a child. My parents tried to back out when I found my mate, telling Orion's father they would still hold the treaty as they had done when we were children, but it wasn't good enough. My mate was poisoned with a slow killer – wolfsbane. It filled his bloodstream and took over his head until he became rabid."
She turned and walked towards me, taking my hands. "I had to kill my mate. He died at my hand because of who he was. Orion is trying to protect you as I failed to do for my mate."
I pulled her forward and embraced her as she wept softly.
At possibly the worst moment, Orion walked in. He dropped his bags when we connected eyes as I held Sienna. I gave him a little smile and he slowly backed away.
I pulled Sienna off me slowly and let her wipe her face.
"I am sorry about your mate, but Orion has never been like that with me. I don't think I could love him in the way you loved your mate. I also don't think he's capable of loving me in that way. We just stifle each other in this suffocating kind of love. It's not healthy."
She nodded, taking my hand again. I looked down at the engagement ring on her finger.
"I hope you enjoy your wedding, Sienna." I spoke, standing up and walking into the kitchen where Orion had busied himself with putting away the shopping.
"One of you disciples came to see me today." I said getting his attention. He turned, catching my eye line, but I refused to let him suck me back in.
"And? What did he say?"
"They gave me a contract to stay away from you forever to 'protect the pack' as apparently, I am a threat. Either that or I have to leave the pack forever."
He thought for a moment before nodding his head, "Seems fair, considering."
"Considering what?"
"Well, the events of last night, when we screwed. That won't be repeated soon. And at least if you're in the pack, I'll know where you are."
I stormed up to him shoving him when he didn't even look at me.
"I have to watch my mate marry another woman tomorrow. You can't even fathom the pain I feel constantly. You are so ignorant. I can't-"
As if to shut me up, Orion leaned in to kiss him. I slapped him hard, watching as his face was twisted to the side.
"Stay away from me. We might still be mates, but I don't want you near me. I won't let you hurt me again."
I grabbed my keys before storming out of the house. He didn't even chase after me, but Sienna did.
"Esme! Esme!" She called as I got into the car. I winded down the window as she reached me, slightly out of breath.
"Here." It was a piece of paper with a number on it. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate, okay?" I nodded taking from her and shoving it into my pocket.
"Good luck for the rest of your life with that dickhead."
"Thanks, I'm going to need it."
I pulled out of the driveway and headed back to my house, hoping it would be a peaceful place to be. It really wasn't.
As I got close to the building, yelling vibrated out of every window and door. Bits and pieces of all kinds of clothing were thrown across the lawn. I was quick to run into the house to see mum in my room throwing my things out of the window whilst Seb was yelling at her.
"What are you doing?" I screeched as my laptop smacked against the pavement below.
Mum turned, anger sewn into her features and as swiftly as a vampire appeared in my face, slapping me hard. I gasped clutching my face as she stood over me.
"I can't believe I raised a slut." This sudden change in my mum's behaviour stunned me more than her words.
"What?" That was all that I could muster.
She grabbed a newspaper, shoving it in my face.
"You slept with Alpha Orion, two nights before his wedding! I thought I raised you better than that."
"Mum, this is completely stupid!" Seb spoke, coming to my side and looking at my face. Our eyes met and I could see he was just as upset as I was.
"Mum listen to me." I walked over to her and tried to grab her hands. She ignored me as she kept picking more clothes out of my drawers and throwing them out the window.
"Mum!" I yelled. "Orion is my mate."
The world came to a stop. I looked between Seb and mum as they began catching themselves up.
"Orion is her mate? Did you know?" Seb turned to Mei who was sitting silently on his bed. She hesitated before nodding.
As I turned to mum, she was crying.
"Why didn't you tell me?" The sight of her tears made me start to cry.
"I thought he would just reject me. I didn't think it would go this far." She embraced me swiftly as we cried together. Seb was quick to join as was Mei. We stood in my room in a group hug until I started to laugh.
We separated as their confused faces looked perplexed at mine.
"What's funny, E?" Mei spoke as she looked at everyone, trying to find the joke.
"Seb yelled at Orion about him, and he didn't have a clue." I laughed harder as Seb's face dropped.
Mei giggled slightly before Seb gave her a stern look, "It is a little funny, babe."
"He deserves a beating." The laughter stopped.