Chapter 2 The banishment

I turn to Maverick and see he has one too. My heart shrivels up at the sight.

"Hello Ares"

"Morning Alpha"

He must have found out about my little spat with his son yesterday.

"Are you here to apologise on Maverick's behalf?"

Maverick turns to me so fast that I almost hope he breaks his neck. Dad gives me a look. He's Wondering why I would disrespect the Alpha like that.

"No. That's not why I'm here"

What other reason could make him leave his house that early. I already don't like where this is going. What he says next becomes my undoing.

"I just wanted to inform you that you have 24 hours to leave the Pack before you are thrown out or worse."

I stand at the door aghast. I'm lost for words. I expected anything else but that to come out of his mouth. He couldn't possibly mean it. I swallowed the lump in my throat so I could speak.

"I'm sorry?. I-I think I heard you wrong. Are you sending me away?"

I whisper the last part. I look at Alpha Matt. I searched his face for a sign that perhaps he was just playing. My heart drops when I see the resolution on his face. This can't be happening to me.

"Mom?"

I look at Mum. I find her eyes red but she turns away from me and hugs Dad like he's her lifeline. Her tether to reality.

"Dad?"

"I'm sorry sweetheart"

He had the decency to look into my eyes as he said those words, before he turned to comfort Mum like she's the one being sent out. I need the comfort not HER!. I turn to Maverick.

"Rejecting me wasn't enough?"

"You accepted the rejection didn't you"

How could he have no remorse, no guilt. Shouldn't he be feeling the pain of the broken mate bond or at least ashamed. He went against the will of the moon goddess.

"Maverick loves me. He wants me as his mate not you"

Ashley picked that as the right moment to voice her thoughts about the situation.

"I wasn't talking to you"

The venom in my voice startles everyone in the room. I've never spoken to anyone that way before.

"Well he's mine now"

"one more word from you and I will cut out your tongue!"

The authority in my voice had not just Ashley but Mum and Dad submitting to me. Even Maverick bends a little in submission before he raises his head up as if remembering he has Alpha blood running in his veins.

Alpha Matt looked at me differently, suspiciously even. He must have sensed my aura changed.

Mom and Dad looked at me like I was not the same person they hugged and kissed yesterday. The look on Ashley's face was my favourite at that moment. She was terrified. Afraid that I would really cut out her tongue if she so much as utter my name or breath in my direction.

I could smell her fear. Hell, I could smell the fear on all of them except Alpha Matt. Good. I want them to be afraid.

The sound of Alpha Matt clearing his throat snaps everyone's attention to the matter at hand. My banishment.

"Please pack up your belongings and leave or you will risk being escorted out by the guards"

"Got it"

I walk past them and head to my room to start packing.

"He marked her Ares"

"I know. I saw it."

"It hurts..."

I wiped the tear that was about to drop. He doesn't deserve my tears. Not anymore.

"We're going to be fine"

I assure her. I want to believe it too but I don't think I can fix that piece of me that was broken by him.

I finish packing up my necessities in a duffle bag. I change my clothes and pack the rest into a pile. I take the pile downstairs and out to the yard.

I head inside to get the match stick all while ignoring them like they were all just wall canvas. I lit the rest of my belongings on fire.

The smoke must have attracted attention because some pack members started coming out to check out the source.

Gossip starts to circulate. News of my banishment must have been leaked. Why am I not surprised?

"I heard from Simon that she was rejected yesterday. He was there when it happened."

"I heard there was a showdown between them and they fought, that was why Maverick rejected her."

"No one deserves to be rejected. I feel a little pity for her"

"She deserves to be banished. She was always a freak."

"I knew there was something weird about her."

"With that bead of hers that never comes off"

I roll my eyes at them. I'm not going to dignify them with a response or a reaction. I watched my belongings burn to ashes before I head inside. If I'm gonna leave, I won't leave anything behind they can track me with.

Mom was fawning over Ashley's mark. I ignore the hurt and walk past them. At least I know where I stand in the family now.

I walk upstairs and grab my bag. When I head to the door, Dad stops me. I guess he has some last words.

"I'm really sorry about how things turned out sweetheart"

I guess the saying is true 'it's not love on which the strongest foundation is built, it is the decency of merciful lies.'

"Got it. You are sorry that Ashley, my sister, YOUR daughter stole my mate. I'm just gonna pretend like you really mean it"

He winced at what I said. I guess I hurt him with what I said. I love him but he made his choice when he stood by his daughter marking my mate.

As I walk to the pack's border, I'm met with James, Maverick's best friend and future beta.

"You have to know, I don't support what Maverick did to you. It's not right"

"I know."

"I'm sorry I can't be of help"

"It's alright James. Take care of yourself and please watch out for my parents"

"I will... I promise. Be safe out there okay"

"I will. This won't break me. Bye James"

I turn to look at the place I've called home for the past eighteen years and I'm filled with nothing but pain. Eighteen years worth of memories, both the good and the bad.

"Here's to a new adventure, Athena. I promise we'll be fine"

I walk past the border and the pack link breaks.