"Then it is settled. Beta Javier Morales will formally reject his mate Abalon Penn. Access to their pup is granted to Beta Javier on weekends as per Abalon's approval and alternating holidays. Retribution has been called for and Beta Javier has accepted. Two thousand lashes after the formal rejection and Abalon Penn shall remain in this territory." Enforcer Gary finally speaks and my limbs tremble at the finality of his tone. There is no room for any kinds of negotiations. We all know Javier might not walk out of this alive.

"Mom, will you keep Avery until I've recovered?" I ask and she nods.

"I'll have a guest room prepared for you." Alpha Tyke finally speaks and we nod.

"You can get Avery's things in my quarters." I whisper and my mother nods going back to my father's side still holding a sleeping Avery to his chest.

"Beta Javier and Abalon please remove your shirts and take a position before each other." Enforcer Bryan instructs us and we do as he says.

"Place your right hand against Beta Javier's chest, Javier do the same." I feel how wild his heart is beating and I'm positive he feels and hears mine.

"Foreheads together." We do that too and stare into each other's eyes. Javier is warm to the touch, eyes sad but shines with acceptance. I hate that he's not fighting this. I hate that he's not standing up for us. I'm grateful for it too. I'm glad he's not making more trouble for me.

"You may begin." I can hear Ivan's sobbing and Avery's cooing but I'm captured in Javier's eyes. In his scent. His skin against mine.

"Oh Goddess, I pray that you may accept my denunciation of my fated mate, Abalon Penn." Javier begins the recital and I breathe slowly waiting for the pain.

"I reject his heart being tied to mine." The first stab comes and I shudder and so does Javier. Rejections are done by the most dominant of the pair since they take the brunt of the pain. A submissive wolf can't handle the pain alone which is what would happen if we try to reject our more dominant mates. It's a sure death sentence.

"I reject his life being tied to mine." my insides coil tightly and I feel like upchucking everything in my stomach.

"I reject his bond." My heart feels as if it's in a vice grip. My mind flashes back to the day I had asked this very thing of Javier. My heart quivers and our foreheads press together with even more force.

Javier grits his teeth and so do I the more the pain intensifies. I gasp and pant, the same feelings I felt when I had my own heart in the palm of my hand assaults me and tears slip down my cheeks as I try to breathe. I try hard to get a little air into my lungs before I combust from heat and lack of oxygen.

We fall to our knees together, the both of us crying out. I don't understand why it's lasting this long. Normally after a few moments both wolves pass out or feel really weak but Javier and I are still writhing on the floor tangled together.

Javier's eyes are blown wide, his pupils shot and tears leak past the rims. He bites his lip till he draws blood. The spot where his hand is pressing against my chest is cold. Freezing and so is mine where I'm touching him.

I can vaguely hear my mother asking why it's taking so long. It's been almost fifteen minutes and yet I don't feel as if we are anywhere near the end.

I can hear one of the Enforcers talking. Something about both of us bonded very strongly at some point in our relationship.

Blood trickle down Javier's chin and the pain keeps coming. It's battering the both of us. Then finally it feels as if the tension inside me snaps after what feels like an eternity passes. I feel nothing for a second until my core uncoils.

Shaky, weak, close to passing out. That's how I feel. I can't breathe properly. I can't see well. It's not tears that blur my vision for a few moments and when it clears all I see is Javier.

Javier is panting as he removes his hand from my skin. I look at him still. My wild is not compelling me to be with him anymore. Our ritual was a success.

Why do I still feel all this love for him?

My father picks me up placing me on a chair and I watch as my mother brandishes her favorite whip while Javier kneels before us. His back offered to her and yet he doesn't look away from me. He still looks upon me with those eyes of a lover and my heart whispers that it wants that.

My wild side still wants his eyes to caress my being as if I'm his. I still want his beast to call to mine. I want his hands to hold me and his lips to whisper that he loves me.

**************************************

A/N

Love you all so much.


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