My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

7 The Real Betrayal

Rosalyn POV

As soon as I see Colton's face, a rock forms in my stomach. No, this can't be happening. Part

of me had thought when they were pups they might be mates, but as they got older the bond

we all saw developing seemed to disappear. "Colton, what's wrong? Do you know why Lily ran out of here? Why was she so upset?"

"Honestly, I need to talk to her, Rose, before I talk to anyone. Where did she go," he says. "I don't know," I say before walking away from him. I don't trust myself to continue to talk to him. I love my brother but right now I don't like him very much, knowing he could hurt his mate.

The disappointment I feel that he would hurt my daughter isn't something I am ready to face right now, so I rush to Beck's office. I push open the door, and he is pacing a hole in the floor. His running his hands through his hair, which is what he does when he is upset. He must have heard from Liam. "Where is she?" "She shifted and ran toward the western border. Liam is

already following her. She is safe but Liam said he can tell that Ariel is in control."

"Beck, I thought we would have more time before this happened. She is only sixteen He walks over, pulling me into his arms. Not even his presence can quell the raging guilt that flows through me. I'm not sure how much time has passed. When I feel Beck's fear through our bond. I pull back, and I swear he is fighting tears. "She left the pack? You need to call Mindy?

How long before they know she is alive," he says.

We pull apart, and I quickly pull my phone from my pocket. She picks up on the second ring. "Rosalyn, where is she," she asks, before I can even speak. "She ran after Colton betrayed her." There is a long silence before she finally speaks again. "The minute she crossed the pack border I could sense her. You need to get her back in the pack as soon as possible. We will be

there as soon as we can to protect her," Mindy says.

"Mindy, why was she able to sense her mate? She is only sixteen. I thought this wouldn't happen until she was eighteen. I know we couldn't tell her what was going to happen because of the prophecy, but at least we could have been there for her." Again there is a long pause and I look at my phone thinking the call dropped.

"I'm sorry, Rosalyn." "What do you mean? Why are you apologizing? Did you know this would happen earlier?" "I know you assumed the betrayal would be by her mate and that is part of it, but it's not his betrayal that will start her on the path to finding her true mate," she trails off.

My heart squeezes in my chest. "It's us. We betrayed her by keeping this from her. Is that wha you're saying?" I don't even wait for an answer before I disconnect the call. My legs feel like 1/4

*2 Points

7 The Real Betrayal

they are jelly. I expect to hit the floor, but strong arms lift me. "This can't be happening. The goddess has used us like pawns," Beck says. It's hard to defend her when I agree. I know she has done this for a reason, but having my pup feel we've betrayed her is more painful than anything else I've endured in my life.

I can't stop the sob that escapes me as Beck tightens his hold on me. "We need to get to the Golden Leaf. We need to get her to come back to the pack. Mindy said they will be here as soon as they can to protect her. What are we doing to do if the pr*ck that attacked us all those years ago knows she is alive? No matter how angry she is, we have to protect her, Beck."

As we make our way through the pack house I pray we don't see Colton or my family.

Unfortunately, luck is not on our side. As soon as we step out of the pack house, Sam and my mother rush toward us. "Rose, what's going on? Colton is so upset, but he won't tell us what's going on." Beck growls because, despite knowing this was meant to happen, Colton still made this choice. He chose to betray his mate. The goddess may present the opportunity, but we all have free will.

"Keep him the f**k away from me right now, or I won't be responsible for what I do to him"

Beck says before turning toward the parking area where the SUV is waiting. "Rose, what the hell is that about? Why is he threatening Colton," my mom asks. "I don't have time to explain

everything that has happened. I need to get to Lily. When we return, we can all sit down and discuss what has happened." I don't wait for a response as I rush to the SUV. I need to get to

my pup. 

Lily POV 

Knocking on the bathroom door wakes me. I don't know how long I've been asleep, but the water isn't even luke warm at this point. I stand drying myself off before wrapping the towel tightly around myself. When I push open the door I expect to see Bridgette. What I don't expect is to see my mother with her. I glance at the clock on the wall seeing its five. "Mom, why are you here? You should be at Colton's party."

"Do you really think that Colton's party is more important than checking on you? Your father and I were beside ourselves when we realized you left the pack land. I know you don't understand because there are things that we planned to tell you when you turned eighteen, but you need to come back to the pack. You being here is putting you in danger," she says.

"You're right, I don't know what's happening because you and dad didn't tell me. You kept me in the dark. I understand why when I was a young pup, but I've been training for a while now, I deserved to know just how special my wolf is. I deserved to know everything that had to do with me."

+8 Point: 

7 The Real Betrayal

I see regret flash in her eyes, but I'm finding it hard not to be upset that things about me were kept so secretive. I know I'm young, but I'm not a typical teenager. I have proved myself time. and time again.

"Lily bear" she starts to say, but I stop her. "Mom, do you know why I ran? Do you even know why I'm here and not at Colton's celebration?" "Colton wouldn't say, but I have a feeling I know why. He insisted he needed to see you before he would explain," she says. "Well, too bad. I won't be seeing him until I'm good and ready." "I understand that you're hurt. I've felt the pain. of betrayal. I wish I could have shielded you from the pain you are feeling."

A feeling of realization rolls through my body and the hurt of Colton's actions has nothing on the pain that is consuming me now. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not shocked by what Colton did to me?" The look on her face lets me know that I'm right. "Lily" she starts to say,

but I cut her off. "I want you to leave. You and dad can go back to the pack. I'm not coming. I'm not ready to talk to either of you right now."

"Lily, please, you staying here isn't an option. The protection spell is only on the Blue Crescent" she says. "Protection spell, you mean the one I knew nothing about. If you were so worried about me leaving the pack maybe telling me before it happened would have been a good idea. I'm not leaving."

Tears run down my mother's cheeks. Seeing her so upset has me nearly cracking. Seeing her cry isn't something I'm used to. "Lily, we had no choice but to keep it from you. It was the goddess's will. It was to," she say, but I cut her off. "Well, congratulations mom. You did the goddess's will at the cost of destroying my trust in both of you. I'm the one that had to see my mate f**k a girl that has terrorized me most of my childhood. I'm the one who had to have my dreams of being loved by the man made for me torn to shreds because you and dad chose to keep the goddess's secrets."

The door of the room flies open and my father steps inside. He looks between myself and my mother. "What the hell is going on?" "What's going on is I just learned that my parents knew my mate would betray me and did nothing to protect me from this pain. Honestly, that hurts more than finding out my mate cared more about f**king some b**ch than about me."

I can see the shock on my parents' faces. I don't think I've ever cursed in their presence, but right now I don't ever think I've been this angry or hurt. "Lily, please just let us explain. Once you hear why we couldn't tell you, I'm sure you will understand," my father says.

"Oh, mom, explained it was what the goddess asked of you. I'm sure at some point when hear isn't shattered I will be able to understand, but right now all I know is the two people who have told me they loved me and protected me all my life allowed this to happen to me. I have to wonder if you were both more worried about how this would affect Colton." 3/4 

+8 Point 

7 The Real Betrayal

My father's face looks like I just slapped him and my mother sobs. Despite just waking up, I

feel exhausted again. I move toward the chair where the clothes have been placed for me. Without another word, I head back into the bathroom to get dressed. "Lily bear, I know your

angry, and you have every right to feel that way, but I promise you we never meant to hurt you. Please come out and let us explain properly," my father pleads through the door. "Dad, I can't talk any more tonight. I just want to be left alone. You had years to get used to the

idea that I would be betrayed, but for me, it just happened. I had to walk in and see my mate with another woman. Then I had to find out that not only did he betray me, but my parents knew he would and did nothing to prepare me or stop it from happening.""

"I just want to be alone. You should both go celebrate Colton's birthday since you aren't angry about what he has done." I slide down the door hoping my words are enough to make them go away until I'm ready to face them. How did my life get this messed up in a day?