Chapter 37 - Luka

**Luka's P.O.V.**

I'm still in shock from the news about Sheldon and his pack. He was the worst man I ever met. The things he did to women made me sick. I look down at my desk and sigh. Many think I'm like him, but I'm not. It's my mate who's the sick one. She's my fated mate, and I wish I had followed my gut and rejected her.

Shirley has been a nightmare since I first met her five years ago. I had been so excited to meet my mate that I let the mate bond cloud my judgment.

*"You can tell yourself that all you want, but I warned you that you were making a mistake marking her. All you cared about was finally being with a woman. Now we're stuck with a nasty bitch who leads you around by your cock."* Aspen, my wolf, mindlinks me.

I run my hands through my short blonde hair in frustration. I was the beta of the Crimson Moon pack, but that wasn't good enough for Shirley. She convinced me that Doug was trying to get me out as beta and had me reach out to Sheldon for help. I didn't really care about status, but I knew it was important to her. However, I wasn't expecting him to kill Doug and his family. Now I'm alpha, and all I want to do is leave.

My office door opens, and the witch herself enters. Shirley is beautiful with her tall, curvy body and wavy black hair that stops just below her shoulders. However, that's where the attractiveness ends. She walks over to the desk and sits on the edge, crossing her long legs. I used to find her sexy, but now I just find her repulsive.

"Any luck finding the keeper? We need her. Once we have our hands on her, we'll be the most powerful pack in the world. You know I'll do anything to get her." She gives me the pout that used to work on me while trying to straddle my lap. I turn so she slides off the desk, and her feet hit the floor.

"I'm still working on it. Don't worry, I'll get you what you want." I tell her as she glares at me. I know exactly where the keeper is, but I haven't decided what I'm going to do with that information yet. Giving it to Shirley isn't on the top of my list.

"You better, or I'll find someone else who will do it. Don't think I'm scared of getting rid of you, just like I did with Doug and his family. I need power, and if you don't get it for me, you're worthless." Shirley turns and stomps out of my office, slamming the door behind her.

"Thanks bitch. If I'm so worthless, I know exactly what I'm going to do." I turn off my computer and leave the office. When I get outside, I get into my jeep and drive away. I go for long drives all the time, so no one pays me any attention. They know Shirley is basically the alpha anyway, and most hate me for letting her take over.

When I get to my destination a couple of hours later, I take a deep breath. I'm not so sure this is a good idea, but the closer I get, the more I feel it's the only option. I turn down the long driveway and see the wolves watching me from either side. They don't attack, but they're letting me know they're there.

*"I'm proud of you. This is the right choice and the only way to stop her."* Aspen says as we come to a stop near the packhouse. I see several standing outside. Funnily enough, it's the women who stand in front of their men when it's usually the other way around. I slowly get out of the jeep and approach them.

"Hello. Can we help you?" One of the women asks. No one has to tell me who she is. I already know that she's the keeper. I can feel the power radiating off her. It's taking everything in me not to drop to my knees in front of her.

"I'm Luka. Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack." I say. I hear several growls, but the woman holds her hands up, and they immediately stop.

"I understand you became alpha by killing the former alpha and his family. Is that true?" She asks me. I look down at my feet.

"I didn't kill him, but I'm responsible for their deaths. My mate had me hire Sheldon to force the alpha to step down. I didn't know she was going to have him and his family killed. I'm not making excuses; I'm just explaining what happened." I tell them. The three women who look similar study me with interest while everyone else glares at me.

"What do you want?" The man standing behind her asks. He must be Dante, the alpha. I've heard about him, but apparently, he's not as weak as most presumed.

"I've come because my mate wants the keeper. I told her that I would get her what she wants." Before I can explain more, a woman is suddenly standing behind me, holding my arms behind my back with one hand while her other arm is around my neck.

"You have the nerve to show up here and try to take her like you're picking up flowers for your mate?" She hisses in my ear.

"No. That's what she wanted, but that's not why I'm here. I came here to warn you and tell you I don't want to be the alpha of the pack anymore. I want to leave my pack and let someone else take over. I want to leave my mate, too. She's not a good person, and she'll do anything to have power. Shirley believes having the keeper will give her the power she craves." I reply the best I can while being held so tightly. Where did she come from?

"Jessi, I think he's being honest." The keeper says with a smile. The woman holding me lets out a huff and then releases me. When she walks away, I'm stunned by how small she is, yet how strong her hold was. "I'm Hailey, and this is my mate, Dante. I'm the keeper, but I think you've already figured that out. The woman who restrained you is Jessi. She's the only female royal warrior and was sent here by the king and queen, so for your sake, I hope you're telling us the truth. Next time, I can't promise I'll be able to stop her."

I look from Hailey to Jessi and then back again. No pack is going to have a chance with all these powerful women here. Why couldn't Shirley have been like these women?

"I'm telling you the truth. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of Shirley's selfish ways." I reply. Hailey nods and looks toward Dante. They don't say anything, but he nods.

"Would you like to stay here with us? I know you're still mated to Shirley, but how does your wolf feel? Is he okay with you being away from her and rejecting her, even though you're already mated?" I can't believe Hailey is offering to let me stay. I was just planning on disappearing.

"My wolf has been against her before we were even mated. He's wanted me to reject her for a long time. He thinks her wolf left her a few years ago, so he said rejecting her, even though we're mated, shouldn't hurt as much." I tell her.

"Good. Are you okay with rejecting her now while we can hear? I'm afraid that's the only way we're going to be able to trust you. I'll help you with any pain you feel if you're willing to do it now." Hailey steps forward with Dante right on her heels. I want to reject Shirley, but I wasn't expecting to be put on the spot. However, whatever pain it causes will pale in comparison to being with her.

"Yes, I'll do it now." I pull out my phone and hit Shirley's number. I put the phone on speaker so everyone can hear. Hailey puts her hand on my shoulder, and I immediately feel stronger.

"Where are you? You better be doing what I asked, or like I said, I'll find someone who will." She answers angrily.

"Wow, she's a ray of sunshine," Jessi says, and I almost laugh.

"Who was that? Where are you?" Shirley yells into the phone.

"That's none of your business. I only have one thing to say to you. I, Luka Dillon, Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack, reject you, Shirley Paul Luna of the Crimson Moon pack." I wait for the pain to hit me, but nothing happens. Shirley starts screaming on the other end, not from pain but from anger.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing? You can't reject me after we've mated. When you get back here, I'll kill you just like I did Doug."

"I'm never coming back and now that I'm not alpha, you're not the luna, so someone else will take over. I hope they send you to hell." I disconnect the call and then send a pack-wide mindlink.

*"I have rejected Shirley and stepped down as alpha. Please choose a more appropriate alpha who will take you far. Don't let Shirley take over. She has no power. I'm sorry for the hell that you've been through for the past few years."* I get several responses wishing me well. I can tell no one is upset about this turn of events, and I can't blame them. It's like waking up from a nightmare.

"Thank you. That was less painful than I expected. I feel like the chains she had around me have been broken." I say as I slide my phone into my pocket.

"Come on, we'll get you set up in a room," Hailey says. I follow behind them with a spring in my step. Who knows, maybe I'll find a second chance mate one day. Anyone has to be better than Shirley. I wonder if any of the other packs are having a change of heart like me. If they don't, they're going to have a surprise waiting for them.