Chapter 49

I jumped on top of Jax who softly pulled me off. They were skilled higher-ups, and it was too quick for me to even help but I had finally found an entrance while Anthony’s was on the ground and Jax was on his. I slid in right in time, but the worst time was when his jaw was around my throat squeezing. Anthony noticed but he couldn’t do anything. One wrong move and my throat would be ripped out. It took Jax to notice and he retracted. Blood was coming out of the holes now, but I knew I would heal. I shifted quickly rubbing my now penetrated neck.

“I’ve had enough! Jax, I am rejecting you once and for all.” I walked over to him. “Don’t do this. It doesn’t exist.” I stood there just staring at him with teary eyes.

“I’ve known you all of a few months before things went downhill. I am not a prize or just a baby-making woman like you oldies wanted. You’re an amazing guy and I would've loved it if we would’ve worked but it’s too little too late because I fell in love with Anthony and there is nothing you can do to change that. So please stop with this nonsense and move on.”

I didn’t know that I was crying until I had felt the tear down my cheek. But with that, he just nodded.

“I guess this is my final offer. Leave with me now and I will forget about all of this. Please just come.”

I can see the pleading in his eyes, but it meant nothing anymore. I shook my head at him and slowly backed up.

“I made peace with what happened and maybe you should too.” An arm was now over my shoulder which confirmed it.

“Okay. Just know that this is it. I am not waiting for you,” he said.

“I don’t expect you to. So, I need you to release me from your mark.” He hesitated but followed through. He walked over to me, releasing his nails right before he dug into my shoulder ripping a chunk of skin that once held his mark on me. Blood drenched my shirt while he dropped it to the ground. I was free at last.

They left that night, and our lives were about to begin. I got everything I had always wanted. First came marriage... then came kids. Our whole life was mapped just like I always wanted. Alizac and Jax never crossed my mind. It was everything a girl could dream of.

But it’s never that simple, is it? Because perfect is never perfect.

8 YEARS LATER…

JAX

Life went on. I still recall the day that Ryleigh made me remove my mark and it hurt me, but she had an entire life that I couldn’t compete with. So, I listened too. I moved on and started my own life. After a few years, it got easier to accept she was out of my life forever. We crossed paths a few times but that is the life of a Royal Beta. I was on edge today knowing about the rogue attacks and the human attacks had increased so we of course upped our security. I entered Alizac's office and quickly turned away after he was with an unmated wolf.

“You know I’d like to come in for once and not see this.”

He laughed as I heard clothing shuffling. The female walked past me and went out the door. I turned around to him buttoning his pants.

“Hey, is it okay if I go on patrol today? I just need to kill a few rogues to get this anger off.” He walked over to me concerned.

“You good man?” he asked.

“Yeah, I am, just been on edge lately and kind of pissed off for whatever reason. So, is that a yes or what?”

He nodded and I headed to my room to change. It was not my job, but I liked to do it so that I could pass the time. Night came and I headed out to the gate.

“You both can head home to your families.” I relieved the guards who just ran a 24-hour shift. Nights are the worst time when we are the most vulnerable because everyone is asleep. But tonight was especially dead.

“Hey, just to let you know, two packs have been hit with human hunters so be vigilant.”

Alizac had sent a mind-link. My guard stayed up.

It was late and there was no activity until I heard shuffling from the trees ahead. I got into a fight stance before a figure came forward.

“Back away now!” I yelled but I heard heavy breaths.

“Jax, please don’t hurt us.”

The light became clearer and right in front of me stood Ryleigh carrying two kids. One seemed to be an infant and the other looked to be about 3 or 4 years old. She was covered in claw marks that were deep and dirt covered the blood coming from her.

“Grab them please.”

I ran over and grabbed the kids in my hands. But once they were safe in my arms she fell to the ground.

“I need help over here!” I yelled. What the fuck happened?

“Alizac, I need your assistance now!” I mind-linked him.

The kids were safely asleep in my arms and for some reason, I admired her even more. She kept going until she knew they were safe.

“What the hell happened?” Alizac walked over.

“It’s Ryleigh, I need you to grab her because she is injured.” He hesitated but bent down and scooped her into his arms.

“What happened to her?” But his guess was as good as mine. She must have been one of the packs that were infiltrated. From the looks of it, she was as good as dead surely.