*Chapter Twenty-one*

I reached my pack around the time I said I was going to. The sun was high in the sky as the fall air breezed past me. Because I wasn't connected to Parker's pack, I still have the mind-link with my pack.

'Where is Sarina and Anthony?' I mind-linked my dad as I started walking into my old pack. I saw members walking around on the side walks greeting me when they see me.

'Kiddo? You're here? They did mention that you were coming. They are at Starbucks, I believe,' My dad responded quickly. I smiled sadly at his voice. I've missed my family so much. I would just come back home but Parker probably would hurt my pack, and that is something I fear of besides commitment again.

'I'll visit you guys later,' I promised as I approached Starbucks. I can already imagine their reactions when they see me. I've missed them so much.

I opened the door and was welcomed by the smell of coffee and pastries. A smile came across my face as I saw Sarina in line picking up coffee and a blueberry muffin, her favorite, while Anthony was sitting at a high table talking with some other guys from our pack.

Sarina turned around and when her eyes locked on mine, her eyes went wide and so did her smile. She let out a shriek and flung her arms around me.

"Jamie!" She hugged me tightly and I laughed, returning the hug. "I've missed you so much!"

I smiled as we pulled away, "Me too."

"No hug for me, Princess?" A masculine voice said from behind me. I turned around just in time to be enveloped in a hug. Anthony's strong arms were wrapped around me as my face was buried in the crook of his neck.

"I missed you," I said as he hugged me tightly.

"I missed you too," He said as he pulled back, a grin taking over his face. His eyes scanned my face and the smile on his face faded.

"How are you?" He asked quietly, knowing that he was referring to me rejecting Parker, I shrugged. Honestly I didn't know. I just wanted Parker to just let me go. Something inside me is telling me that it isn't that easy. Mates are supposed to be together, without their mate they aren't complete. Especially for Alphas. They need their Luna. I shook those thoughts away.

"He came to get me. I don't know why he doesn't take the hint," I said biting my lip. Anthony stared at me, an unfamiliar emotion running through his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but Sarina spoke up.

"Don't mind me asking, but why did you reject him?" She asked curiously as she motioned for me to sit down at the table they were already had their things. I followed her and sat down in the spot closest to the window. She handed me her coffee but kept her muffin. Anthony sat down on the chair next to mine. I took a sip of the coffee.

"Well, you both know that I'm afraid of commitment," I said while staring at the cup in my hands. Neither of them said anything but watched me. They knew that there was more to it so they waited for me to continue. "He only wants me for my body. That I'm only there when he needs me for sex," I said quietly while glaring at the cup as I remembered his exact words.

I heard a growl from beside me and a gasp from Sarina. I looked up to see her eyes wide as she stared at me with horror. Anthony had a scowl on his face and he looked like he wanted to murder someone.

"That asshole! No mate should be treated like that, male or female. He needs to be put in his place. He deserves that rejection," Sarina snapped. "I don't care if he's 'the cruel Alpha', I want to punch that face of his repeatedly until he's no longer conscious. He deserves to have his balls ripped off, twisted, and shoved down his throat. Then the hair on his head should be pulled out, one by one." She looked as if she was ready to murder someone. Anthony, on the other hand, didn't say anything but glare at the wall ahead of him. I didn't do anything but stare at the table.

.

.

.

"Has Ryker marked you yet?" I asked Sarina curiously as we sat in her living room binge watching Teen Wolf while eating cookie dough ice cream. Taking her silence as a yes, I glanced at her through the corner of my eye and saw her blushing while shoving a huge mouth full of ice cream into her mouth.

"He did!" I accused turning to face her fully while a grin slowly spread across my face. She looked down at her bowl and shyly nodded, a smile growing on her face as well. "Did it hurt?" I asked curiously.

"At first yes, but after it feels amazing. So pleasurable," she smirked and sighed at the memory. At least it doesn't last.

"Now it always burns when he kisses or touches it. It is amazing."

I couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to be marked. Must be nice. I shrugged the thoughts away and continued listening to her story. After spending time with Sarina, Anthony, and my family, I decided to head back to Parker's pack. Anthony, being the friend he is, offered to take me back. I didn't reject his offer because I really don't feel like going in the woods and being alone. I gave the address to Anthony and he put it in the GPS before starting the car and pulling out of the parking space of the pack house.

"Don't let Parker force you into anything," Anthony said quietly as he stared at the road ahead of us. It was quiet in the car except for the low volume of the radio. Usually we talk a lot, I don't know why it is so quiet.

I nodded my head silently as I stared out the window. After moments passed I decided to break the silence. "Something has happened to Parker in the past. I wish I knew what, maybe it has something to do with the way he's treating me. There is no way he'd open up to me though, and he probably doesn't think I care. I did reject him after all. His attitude isn't the only reason why I did it, it is mostly because of me." I continued to stare sadly out the window, regretting everything I've done in the past when it came to partying and my old sex life. That was the time when I separated myself from my family. I broke rules and didn't listen to my parents. But I love them and they love me, I apologized once I realized what I was doing, and they forgave me. No one in my family brings that subject up, knowing how touchy that subject is when it comes to my old life and Kyan. He was treated like family and he threw it away. I shake my head at my thoughts and tune into whatever Anthony was saying.

"He's lucky to have you, you know," Anthony stated. "He just doesn't realize. However, you are lucky to even have a mate." He whispered the last part and I couldn't help but glance at him. Hurt was written clear on his face as he stared straight ahead with his lips pressed in a thin line. It seems as if he was more talking to himself than me. Realization it me and my eyes widened.

"You mean..." I trailed off not knowing what to say. As if knowing what I was going to say, he nodded his head sadly as his grip tightened on the steering wheel so his knuckles turned white. I opened my mouth and closed it as no words came out.

"I saw her the day of graduation," he started but I cut him off.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He shook his head at me.

"No, I want to tell you," he replied before continuing, "Well I saw her after graduation ended and she saw me. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen and my wolf was going crazy. She had long flowing blonde hair, beautiful ocean blue eyes, and full pink lips. I got her number and gave her a call later. We were going on a run, getting to know each other and we were attacked by rogues. She had been aggressively attacked, near death, while I was fighting rogues. After I killed them off, I killed the ones attacking her. She died in front of me and it was the worst feeling ever. Until this day, I feel the emptiness inside of me." His voice cracked at the end. I felt my eyes glaze over as I swallowed the lump in my throat. I know that emptiness inside of me but it is nowhere near as worse as Anthony's pain. I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to say that I'm sorry or its okay, because it is not. Loosing your mate to death is the worst feeling to have as a werewolf.

"Sometimes I feel like you're my second chance of having a mate," His voice was barely a whisper and my eyes widened in shock.

"W-What?" My voice was shaky as I turned my to him. He glanced at me, his eyes meeting mine for a few seconds before facing forward.

"I do, all the time. I thought you were my mate up until Alpha Parker showed up to our pack and stated that you are his mate. I didn't want to accept it but I guess I've got no choice. My hopes have been high, hoping that you had feelings for me but when I flirted you would blow me off. I guess that's what made me even more attracted to you," He said quietly as he parked his car in front of Parker's house. He turned towards me and gave me a sad smile. He reached forward and I felt his fingers reach for a strand of hair that had fallen out of my messy bun and tucked took it between his index finger and thumb.

"I'm happy if you're happy," He whispered. I opened my mouth to say something but Anthony reached over my and opened up my door for me. I stared at him before unbuckling my seat belt.

"Thank you, Anthony," I thanked him as I started getting out of his car. He smiled at me before reaching over again and closed my door. I watched as he pulled away and his car disappeared. I let out a sigh not knowing what to think about this new information. Anthony likes me? I always thought it was just playful flirting that didn't mean anything. I trudged to the front door and quietly opened it in hopes that Parker was asleep or in his office. I don't really feel like seeing him right now, especially when all I wanted to do is sit in my room, eat some Ben & Jerry's while watching some Teen Wolf.

I stepped into the hallway and it was dark. I couldn't see anything but was overwhelmed by the scent of Parker. I couldn't help but inhale it. As I moved to close the door, strong arms grabbed me and slammed my back into the now closed door. I gasped at the impact and found my eyes staring up at golden eyes. I felt small sparks of electricity on my wrists as large hands gripped them tightly, pinning them to the door.

"Where have you been?!" Parker growled out as he stared down at me. I gulped as his wolf was surfacing as his green eyes were now bright gold.

"I-I left a note. I went to my pack to visit them," I spluttered as I tried to free my wrists but his grip on them tightened. I tried to ignore the warm feeling and I knew that Parker could feel it too.

He stepped closer to me so I could feel his chest pressed up against mine. He leaned down to smell my hair and growled.

"Why do I smell another male on you?" He asked through gritted teeth. I couldn't see his face clearly from the dark but I could see his perfect jaw clenched.

I frowned at him, "Well I was hanging with my friends, Sarina and Anthony. Anthony gave me a ride home so I didn't have to run back in the dark." Parker growled at the last part.

"I could've driven you back instead of that male. Did he touch you?" I could feel the anger radiating off of him and couldn't help but feel a little scared. I mean, he's the big bad Alpha, standing in front of me, angry. I attempted to free my wrists again, but it was no use.

"No," I snapped staring at his chest instead of his face so he couldn't see through my lie.

"Bullshit."

"Excuse me?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"You're lying. Don't lie to me, I can smell him all over you," he sneered, his eyes narrowed down at me.

"I can't hug my friend?" I asked and laughed dryly.

He stared down at me while I glared up at him. I didn't realize how close his face was to mine and I could feel his minty breath hitting my face. My wolf wanted me to press my lips to his but I immediately ignored her.

He glared at me. "No," he replied curtly. I felt anger build up in me. Anthony was there for me during my troubles. He's extremely important to me and I can't hug him.

"Let me go," I spoke through gritted teeth as this time I tried even harder, trying to dig my nails into his skin.

"No," he easily declined what he thinks is a request but it was a demand. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep me from cursing him out. His grip on my wrists tightened even more causing me to let out a whimper from the pain.

"Let me go, you bastard!" I shouted out as I had a sense of déjà vu of what was happening except with Kyan instead. I felt tears fill my eyes at the memory and had such little hope that he wouldn't do what Kyan did to me. I then remembered rumors of Parker that packs had spread that he took advantage of women who disrespected him which scared me even more.

Parker growled at me "Don't speak to me like that," he gritted out. His eyes flamed with anger as I knew his wolf wanted to hurt me for disrespecting him.

"Stop! You're hurting me," I cried out as I felt my hands become numb. Does he not realize what he's doing or does he not care.

Immediately he let go of my wrists and stepped back, his eyes widened with realization. I brought my hands to my face and examined my wrists. There will definitely be bruises later. I glanced up at Parker through my tear-filled eyes. He stared down at me guilt clear in his eyes as they returned to their normal emerald color.

"I-I didn't realize," he stuttered.

I glared at him angrily as the tears rolled down my cheeks. "You know? I thought that after I rejected you, you wouldn't be so cruel to me and maybe you would realize how you've been treating me. I never thought that you would go as far as hurting me, but I guess I was wrong. I may be over dramatic about this but I don't feel like getting hurt over and over again, breaking me even more than I already was. After the speech I gave you yesterday, I thought that you would think about it. Might as well let me go back to my pack where I can be loved by my friends and family. I'm sorry if I'm not what you imagined as a mate. Sorry to be a disappointment. I deserve an explanation." I side stepped him and started towards the stairs.

When I reached them, I turned towards him.

"Make sure you jérk off to someone other than me," I said before turning and headed up the stairs not waiting for his response.

-

There's chapter 21 for you! I hope you all enjoyed it. Sorry I haven't updated recently but I'm now on summer break.

Thank you for all of your votes and comments. My story is ranked #38 in werewolf as of 6/19/16 and I can't be even more happy! Thank you so much! This story has gotten 70k so far and I am so thankful for it.

I have also decided that I will enter my story into the Watty's 2016 tomorrow.

Thank you for reading
~Kira