Chapter 5

Amelia's POV

"I'm not very hungry. I think I’ll just go out to help with the last details if that’s okay?" I said, making him chuckle as he nodded his head.

"As you wish, darling. Just make sure you eat something before the ceremony tonight, will you?"

I nodded and took my leave.

"I don’t know about this, Amie. Something doesn’t add up. Ernesto says the perimeter has been moved. Why? Who could be doing this?"

"I don’t know. I can’t do much about it right now, but as soon as I’m Alpha, I’ll have to look into it. I’ll have to have a talk with Nicholas too. Even if I don’t want to, I’ll have no choice but to work with him," I said as I made my way out of the house.

"The question is, is he willing to work with you and not backstab you like he’s always done?" my wolf Zoey said in my head, making me grunt.

"I guess we’ll just have to wait and see," I said, making Zoey growl.

She hated Nicholas, but for some odd reason, she liked him too. It was hard to understand my own wolf at times.

I reflected on some of Dad's words of advice. I had to be very careful from now on. My top priority had to be the pack's safety.

"Don’t worry, when the time comes to talk to Aaron, you won’t have to do it. I will be there to take care of him. And once you’ve settled in, Nicholas will be by your side to deal with him."

"Dad, I think I’ll be able to manage it. I don’t need Nicholas to deal with every obstacle for me. You’re leaving me as Alpha for a reason. People need to know I can be a respectable leader too," I said, making him chuckle.

"I know you will, sweetheart. I just can’t help wanting to protect you," he said, glancing at the clock.

I was almost at the reception when I felt a yank on my arm, making me stumble. I gasped as I saw Nicholas, his hand tightly around my arm. My body filled with a spark-like sensation, invading my entire being.

Holy shit... is this what they say about the mating spark? It feels... amazing!

"Amelia, we need to talk."

"I don’t want to talk to you."

He looked embarrassed, realizing there were so many people around. Everyone was staring at us, making his face flush with embarrassment.

"Amelia, I know you’re aware. You and I are mates," he said, making Zoey whimper. She growled and shook off the feeling of our mating bond.

I could feel it too. The strong pull was real, and it was unfair. I was troubled inside. I hated him, yet I couldn’t help but feel a sudden, new attraction to him.

I’m aware he’s good-looking. Hell, he’s a fucking god. So many women have bent to his bed, waiting to be ravished by him. And many have succeeded. But why did it have to be me? I’ve saved myself, waiting to meet a nice guy. I don’t want to be with him, yet I can’t help but want him to take me and make me his right now. It’s stupid... so... so stupid!

"Does it matter? It hasn’t stopped you from fucking every skirt that comes in front of you, has it?" I said, making his eyes darken with anger. He gave a guttural growl.

"Nicolas... There you are, baby," I heard the same girl from last night say as she walked toward us. She was very pretty, if I had to be honest. She was the same height as I was, but she looked taller because she wore designer heels. She had a flowy dress that hugged her curves perfectly, and her hair was left down in straight layers.

She had rosy cheeks and perfect makeup. She looked almost like she stepped out of a magazine cover. Her blue eyes looked at him with such love and attention.

She gripped his cheek and kissed his lips, making my wolf growl. "Cindy, this is my pathetic, intruding stepsister. You met her last night, remember?" he said, making her look at me with her face flushed.

"Oh, that’s right. That was so awkward, right?"

"Very. But I guess this will be easier for the both of us," he said, leaning close to my face, then taking a step back, lifting his head high and standing tall.

"I, Nicholas Venegas, reject you, Amelia Garcia, my pathetic, weak, and useless stepsister, as my fated mate. " he declared in a loud voice, gritting his teeth. Arrogance dripped from every word as his hand rested possessively around that same girl's waist, making my heart shatter.

I felt a pain rise in my chest, making it hard to breathe. It was as if I was on fire inside, and everything was being ripped apart within me. My wolf whimpered in pain, making me bend over. I gripped my chest, and all I could hear were people gasping in shock.

"Did he just... reject her?"

"Oh, shit. That’s so embarrassing!"

"And this is our next Alpha? What a joke!" I heard someone say, making Nicholas smirk as that Cindy girl rested her hands on his shoulder, and he held her tightly in his arm.

"Breathe, Amelia. You don’t fucking need him! We don’t need him!" my wolf said as I felt her take the pain from the rejection away.

I swallowed hard and stood up. "Get it together, for fuck’s sake!"

"I... Amelia Garcia!" My voice trembled, heavy with both hatred and restraint as I stared at him through tears.

"Alpha of the Full Moon Pack... I reject you, Nicholas Venegas, as my mate. I reject you as my next Beta. I want nothing to do with you, and from now on, we go our separate ways," I declared, my voice steady despite the storm inside me, my fists clenched until my nails dug into my palms.

I could feel my nails dig into the skin of my palms.

I smirked the second I saw his body fill with pain as the mating bond broke. I turned, feeling pleased as I saw him swarming in pain. I turned on my heel, swallowing my pride, and gave a warning look to those who were around me, whispering. They took a step back, nervously, as they saw me angry.

I took off running. The last thing I wanted was for them to see me in pain, crying.