I threaded my way to the stream, but it seemed further than I had remembered.
I placed my backpack in front of my body to cover my private parts as I ran and walked. I just wanted to rinse off because of the mud drying up everywhere.
But the pain in my hips and in my thighs wasn’t helping.
I smiled as I let the memory of last night come flooding back into my head. I couldn’t wait to see him again and maybe have another round before we headed off somewhere.
I skipped and ran when I saw the stream ahead, and at the same time, rain poured down from the sky. I jumped into the water right away and brushed off the mud covering my body and my face. My private part felt tender as I washed it gently, but I didn’t mind. It was the result of a good night, so I shouldn’t be complaining.
After I was done washing, the rain poured harder. So I decided not to put clothes on, as they would only get wet. I just decided to run naked.
I was still in high spirits, running and skipping in the puddles of water along the way. Happiness was overflowing in my soul.
I was so excited to see him—only to be crushed the moment I stepped inside the cave.
He was nowhere.
I dropped my bag to the ground and hurriedly went to the place where I left him sleeping.
It was empty. I spun around and around, eyes welling with tears while my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.
He left. He didn’t want me.
My eyes darted to the note that I left for him lying somewhere in the middle of the cave, dirty and stomped over.
With my heart breaking, I fell down on my knees before I crumbled against the cold, dirty cave floor as I coiled my shaking body, letting out the sobs that I was trying my hardest to control. I thought he would come and save me. But he was like all the others.He just used me.
And once again, I felt like I was just a piece of trash, that I was nothing special. Not even my own fated mate wanted me.
Chapter 4
After three months.
RILEY.
Igrunted loudly as thesun’s rays fell on my face, waking me from my sleep. I threw a forearm to cover my eyes before squinting and peeking at the intruder who had disturbed my sleep.
“What the fuck! Close that and fuck off from here!” I growled at my Beta while he continued to open all the curtains.
“You need to wake up. You have a visiting Alpha waiting for you downstairs.” Dominic responded calmly, drawing the last curtain open before standing at the foot of my bed.
“I don’t remember agreeing to meet anyone. Send him home and let me sleep!” I grunted once more before turning my body around and pressing the pillow on top of my head to block off the sunlight.
“I’ve been doing that for the last three months, and this is not right anymore. You need to do your part, or you will keep losing people! I have already allowed three family transfers in the past three months!”
“If they don’t want to be in my pack, then they can all go to hell!” The pillow on my head was lifted and flew across the room.
What in the world did my Beta not understand about the term fuck off?
“Riley! Soon, I’ll take over this pack and kick you out of here! Three months! Three fucking months! Andrea is already having the time of her life, and you’re still stuck up here! Move on!
“Who says this is about Andrea? Go away!” I growled.
“That’s the problem! You refused to say anything! You’re not talking! You’re just sulking and doing your own thing! I’m your Beta, but you’ve excludedme from your life! I felt like I was just a puppet running this whole pack because my Alpha is worse than dead!”
I let out an annoyed sigh before turning around, placing my forearm over my forehead as I stared at the ceiling. “What do you want? A salary raise? Do it yourself. You have access…”
“Damn you, Riley! I have never felt more insulted than I feel right now. I don’t need your money! I need my Alpha back!”
