My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

16 I Refuse to Beg Lily POV

When I open my eyes this morning I'm bombarded by a tidal wave of emotions. I'm excited, nervous, and scared. I know I'm supposed to be this bada** Red Wolf, but what if I fail? What if I don't reach my mate in time? I never even asked the

goddess about the fact that technically my mate can't claim me. If we are supposed to be bonded, how the hell is that going to happen when I don't turn eighteen for another eighteen months? "Stop worrying and get up. We are a bada** Red Wolf who will not fail. Our true mate is going to be amazing, and we will reach him in time. As far as the claiming I wouldn't worry too much about that," she giggles. Did she actually just giggle? I roll my eyes before I roll out of bed. I packed everything yesterday so I could spend as much time with my family before breakfast.

Liam, Grant, and I plan to leave as soon as breakfast is over. I grab the jeans and t-shirt I laid out the night before and head into the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I pull off my boy shorts and tank top. I catch my reflection just before I step into the shower and almost fall on my a**. I step out moving toward the mirror. What the hell? My breasts seem bigger and rounder. I mean, it's not an obscene change, but definitely different. My body is still tone, but I'm definitely curvier.

Ariel giggles as I continue to look myself over. I swear my hair is a little longer than when I went to bed. As I stare at myself, I think I've even gotten at least an inch taller. "Ariel, what the hell is going on? Why do I feel like I've aged overnight?"Such a smart girl. The goddess created all of wolf kind. Do you think she can't speed up your aging?" "So, what, I'm eighteen now. Why didn't she tell me about this when she showed me everything else. I'm kind of freaking out." "She didn't want to overwhelm you with more after everything that you had seen. Besides, this is a good thing. We will be able to mark our mate now. Our bond is the most important thing, not only to us but to the Elven kingdom. More will be revealed, but for now get showered so we

can go spend time with our family," Ariel says.

When I slip my pants on, the changes to my body are even more obvious. Even though they still fit, they are tighter and shorter. I slip my shirt over my head. I'm grateful it's not so tight I feel uncomfortable. I slide my converse on my feet and head out of my room. I guess I'm not the only one that notices the changes because my mother's eyes get big when she sees me.

"Lily" she says.

The sound of her voice, has my father turning away from the stove. "What the hell," he says,

15 Refuse to Reg

and I can't help but laugh. "That's exactly what I said when I saw myself. "How why, what happened, my mother says. "I needed to be able to complete my bond not only to save my mate but to help the elves so the goddess made that possible."

"I thought I had another year to come to terms with my little girl being fully mated" my dad

grumbles. My mother giggles and slaps his arm. She rushes over to hug me. Mam leads me into the dining room where my sister and brothers are already waiting. I hug Abigale first: She has always been my shadow, so me being away is going to be hard on her I'm going to miss

you sissy" she says. "I'll miss you too, but I'll be back before you know it."

Thug Jameson and Kenneth before they take their seats. I asked Liam and Grant to join us. They walk in next, followed by my nana and papa. Judith comes bouncing in and jumps at me. I'm going to miss you Lily" she says. I'm glad that Abigale will at least have Judith while I'm gone. "I'll miss you too." After more tears while hugging nana and papa, we all settle in for breakfast. A peace settles over me as I look around the table.

I say a silent prayer of thanks to the goddess for my amazing family. I dig into my food. I can't

help but notice the strange looks my grandmother keeps giving Grant. Is she worried about

him going with me? I shake off the thoughts as everyone starts to ask me questions about my journey. "Lily, Liam informed me about what happened with Camille yesterday," my father says. I glare at Liam. I handled it, so I didn't think it was necessary to say anything to my

father.

"I handled her dad. Colton is gone and I won't be here. I think its better not to banish her right

now. At least she can be watched here. Do you remember the girls that attacked the pack the

day I first shifted?" He nods but doesn't say anything. "We don't need her causing problems for

the pack right now." "Fine, but if she steps out of line again I'll have no choice but to punish her. I've commanded her not to speak about Ariel," he says.

"That wasn't necessary, dad. I would never have shifted in front of her if Ariel didn't tell me it was time. I trust my wolf, and she wanted me to shift in front of that witch. I won't be hiding my wolf anymore. You and mom did an amazing job of protecting me when I needed it, but I don't need to be protected anymore. I am the Red Wolf and it's time that everyone knows it." "I also understand you may need to punish her if she continues to act out, but with Colton gone I don't think she'll cause trouble." I hate the twinge of sadness at the thought of ColtonProperty © of NôvelDrama.Org.

being gone. "Maybe we should get going, Lily, if you want to cover the most ground before nightfall" Grant says. He's right, but I never realized how hard leaving was going to be. I knew I

would be sad, but my chest is actually aching at the thought of not seeing my family every

day. I nod at Grant and head to my room to grab my bags. I take one more look around my

room before I make my way through the pack house.

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151 Refuse to Beg

After a tearful goodbye with my family I slide into the back of the SUV with Grant. Liam will be driving first. Grant taking my hand and giving it a squeeze, startles me. "Are you ready to find your mate," he asks. I offer him a reassuring smile and nod. Pulling my hand from his and placing it on my lap, my mind wonders to images of the mate the goddess showed me. I wish I saw his face that day. I look up and notice Liam glaring at Grant. I roll my eyes before I focus my attention out of my window as we pass through the pack gates.

Drake POV 

As I carry the large tray into the dining room, my steps falter. I'm shocked to see David sitting with Jasmine and the children. He normally eats in his office. I also notice that Jiselle is missing from the table. She takes great pleasure in sitting with Jasmine every morning after she has been with David. I begin to set plates down in front of each of them. "Drake, can we come to visit you today, Daniel" asks, as he often does.

Jasmine's body stiffens, but I quickly shake my head no. I hate to see the disappointment on his face, but I refuse to be the reason Jasmine gets in trouble again. "Son, we do not spend time with slaves. They are beneath us. Let this be the last time you ask to be near that pathetic slave. I've already told your mother she is not to spend anymore time with him," David says angrily.

Each of his words is like a knife to my heart. I know it's for the best, but it doesn't make any of this easier. They are the only family I have left. I set the plate in front of David, and he grabs my wrist roughly. Goddess, I wish I had my powers. "You are nothing. You have no one and I will make sure you never forget it." The scraping of a chair across the floor has both David and I turning to look at Jasmine.

Tears stream down her cheeks as she turns ushering the children from the dining room. "Jared, take him to the cells while I go check on my family." He emphasizes the word my before he turns to leave. Jared grabs my arm roughly as others in the dining room look on. Some have pity on their faces and others disgust. Instead of allowing this pr*ck to drag me, I wrench my arm free and walk toward the door that leads to the cells. I may not be able to beg because I can't speak, but I wouldn't give them the satisfaction even if I could.

Once I'm inside the cell, he slams the door behind me. "We both know the only reason you aren't pleading for mercy is because you can't." I shake my head no even though I know it will

make the punishment worse. I hate Jared almost as much as I hate David. "I hope you know that you won't be the only one he punishes. Any pain she endures today will be your fault. Maybe he'll even include the kids this time to make sure they never speak to you again," Jared

says with a smile that makes my skin crawl.

I rush toward the bars wishing I could watch the light leave his eyes. "What got something to

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16! Refuse to Beg

say mute? You know I was there that day. It was too bad David killed your mother so quickly. I would have liked to have a little private time with her. I tried to bed her once before she found Allister. She thought she was better than me. I may not be able to punish her, but I can help

David make your life miserable," Jared says.

Without thinking, I raise my middle finger, needing to convey something. I wish I could rage and scream that my mother waited for her beloved. She would never have touched a disgusting pr*ck like him. I'm glad she never had to endure being touched by him. "That's two slave. I hope your display of disrespect was worth the beating" he says, with an evil smirk. I nod vigorously because honestly, if they killed me at this point, I would be glad to die.