Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 12 The Rejection
Brad growled lowly as he turned his head slowly and looked around nervously, noticing a fair few pair of narrowed eyes directed at him. He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders slightly, forcing himself to relax as he ran his hand through his hair.
The fury still smoldered in his eyes but at least his aggression was under control.
“Listen, about Ada…” He ground out but Lexi was having none of it and lifted her hand to silence him.
“I don’t give a f*uc*k about your excuses and I’m sure Ann doesn’t care to hear them either.” she hissed.
“Ann, please… just hear me out!” He pleaded as he twisted to the side to try and catch Ann’s eye.
‘I think we should listen to what he has to say.” Maeve interjected contemplatively.
‘Seriously? You want to hear him out?’ Ann retorted incredulously.
‘Yes. Then I can decide how much pain I want to put him through when I forcibly castrate both him and his cowardly wolf.’ she snarled, her fangs bared.
Ann sighed heavily and stood, placing a hand on Lexi’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, Lexi. Maeve wants to hear what he has to say.” Ann said calmly.
Lexi snorted in disgust and with a final depreciating sweep of her eyes over Brad, she moved to the side and sat down heavily in her chair, keeping her gaze fixated
on the couple before her.
Brad seemed to relax instantly, his shoulders sagging in relief as he stared intensely into Ann’s eyes.
‘Thank you, Maeve.” He said gratefully as he took a few steps forward and reached for her hands.
Ann took a step back and glared coldly at him. “Don’t touch me, Brad. Not with the same hands that were all over my sister.” Ann stated, her mouth curling into a distasteful expression.
He froze a wounded look on his face before dropping his hands to his side.
“Ann please, I don’t know what happened…honestly. I came as we planned and would have spent the night in the guest wing. The last thing I remember is drinking with your parents and Ada. After that… there’s nothing… no memory.”
Ann and Lexi snorted at almost the same time as they shared a look full of meaning.
“That’s the best you can do? You don’t remember it?” Ann sneered coldly.
“I swear, Ann! It sounds insane but it’s the truth! Even my wolf remembers nothing! Please. He’s furious with the whole situation.” Brad pleaded.
Ann’s heart ached for his wolf. As strong as they were, stuck inside our bodies they were powerless to act if they were shut out.
‘Don’t you dare feel sorry for him Ann! One time does not excuse the years that he’s been f*uc*king her behind our back. He’s not worthy of your pity.’ Maeve snarled furiously.
Her resolve hardened with Maeve’s words and she chuckled humourlessly.
“Really? Then tell me why he didn’t stop you or at least warn Maeve after all of the other occasions you were in her bed!” Ann’s voice began to rise as her anger bubbled furiously.
Brad looked stunned for a second before an expression of confusion flashed across his face again.
“What? No! That’s not… no! There have never been any other times!” He protested incredulously.
“Really?” Ann smirked contemptuously, “Ada was only too happy to fill me in on all the gory details Brad…”
“I swear she’s lying, Ann! You have to believe me!” he interrupted, his voice rising in panic.
“Actually, I don’t, Brad. I caught you in the middle of the act. Ada says she’s pregnant with your child, she admitted to this little… whatever it is… between you two, and quite frankly, I believe her. She would bend over backward to take everything from me and you knew this. So while I worked hard at building and planning our future, you were busy destroying it.”
A silence had fallen over the cafe as the argument had escalated into raised voices and Ann could feel the unwanted attention on them.
She had wanted to avoid this confrontation in public at all costs.
It would do nothing but create bad press for both the Royal Family and Brad’s pack. Who knew how it would affect Alpha Nocturne’s pack once the news was out regarding their marriage?
“Look, I’m over this already, Brad. We’re done.”
“So that’s it? You’re throwing it all away. “ He snorted incredulously before his face darkened as he glared at her back.
“You know, I didn’t think you were capable of doing it, but I guess I was wrong. It’s a pretty f*uc*king low blow having those pictures published before I even had the chance to tell the elders of my pack.” Brad hissed.
Ann turned and fixed him with a steely glare. “I had nothing to do with those pictures. Why don’t you go and ask Ada? I’m sure she’ll have some delightful insights for you as to their origin.”
Brad glared at her silently, the rage in him mounting before he finally snapped.
“You can’t do this!” he roared as he smashed his fist onto the table next to him. The cups and plates on the table rattled in protest.
Ann turned to face him again, her eyes cold and devoid of feeling.
“Oh I can Brad, and I already have. I, Ann Veritas…”
“No!” He roared furiously as she raised her voice above his bellowing.
“… reject you, Brad Lunaris as my fated mate and the other half of my soul, on the basis of your infidelity with my own sister and your scant regard for the sanct*ity of the mate bond.”
Brad glared at her furiously, his body shaking as Ann felt the connection she held to him and his wolf snap.
They stared at each other in silence as a dangerous aura rippled outwards from him.
“I do not accept your rejection.” He ground out between gritted teeth.
“It seems I’ve arrived at a bad time…” a deep baritone emanated from behind Brad’s trembling frame.