Shyla’s POV
“Mom I am also your daughter, how could you be so partial towards me? I have obeyed everything you said all these years but still she is the only one you can see?” I couldn’t believe it. What’s happening around me? I feel like they are not even my family. They feel like strangers to me now.
“Shyla, how could you talk like that to your mother?” Dad walked forward angrily “for raising you all these years you are giving us such an attitude?” Suddenly a hard slap landed on my cheek and I fell to the ground.
I held my cheek and looked at him tearfully “dad….”
“Don’t call me that. We have been raising you all these years, giving you everything you need but you are still not satisfied?” Dad rebuked angrily.
“Was I wrong dad? I was just asking for justice for myself. Reese had-”
“Shut up. What qualifications do you have to accuse Reese? If we had not picked you up and brought you back here you would have died long ago” dad shouted at me. His eyes are dark showing how angry he is.
“Honey stop, what are you talking about?” Mom held his arm.
Picked me up? I… am not their daughter? I was adopted? So finally I can understand why they are so partial even if I was true, they are siding their own daughter and who I am? An adopted one?
“Shyla dear, don’t take your dad’s word seriously. He is just angry and concerned about your sister” mom said immediately. Oh no, my adoptive mom in truth.
Am I just an orphan? Then what right do I have to middle in? They are showing me my value and my right here.
“Dad please don’t scold her” Reese stepped forward and squatted down before me “she is my sister after all” then she leaned towards me “do you think a man like him will ever take a woman like you as his mate? You should know your place and don’t fool yourself more. Besides let me tell you the real truth…. you never had his heart, not as a woman… nor as a mate” she whispered in my ear then moved away.
“Dad please don’t be angry we are at fault today. She is just a victim here” Reese stood up and wept again.
“This matter is serious but Avan even if you love Reese, Shyla is your mate” Alpha said again.
Mate? I wanted to laugh so loudly until my stomach hurts. I am just a mate that he needed to fulfill his bond. I turned to look at my mate.
“You knew that I was adopted?” I asked him.
“Shyla, I am sorry but you also know as an alpha I need a mate who can rule beside me. To take responsibility for the whole pack. But you already passed the shifting age and you couldn’t help me in future. But even though you are weak you are still my mate and we have a special bond between us which can not be broken. So I hope you understand my problem too and cooperate with me. I promise I will give you everything that you need in your life and make you happy. But I can’t give you the title of Luna. Reese will help me in ruling and since both of you are sisters I believe you can get along with each other” Avan said. He did not reply to my question but avoided using other words. So he knew all along. Isn’t it?
What did he say to get along? Does he think I want to live my whole life in the shadows while watching them have a good life? Can he give me anything I need? Instead he already took everything from me.
“Shyla dear, I know you are hurt. Take time and think about it. After tonight Reese will be declared as Luna but only for name because you are Avan’s real mate. So I think it will be good too besides we all can agree to this point. It will make everyone’s life easier” I heard Alpha making a decision.
Am I a tool for them so that they can decide everything about my life? I am weak because I couldn’t shift. I should be broad minded because my half sister and my mate love each other? I should help him because I am his mate and it’s my responsibility? Suddenly my chest started to burn like something was rising inside me but I don’t know what?
“Avan we should not have done that” Reese walked towards Avan and grabbed his arm.
“Don’t worry, Shyla is matured. She will understand the situation and help us” Avan patted her shoulder gently.
Mate should make you feel warm and protected but I couldn’t feel anything more than EMPTY inside me. Staring at the person in front of me holding another woman who accidentally happened to be my half sister? If this is being called as mate bond then I refuse to accept such mate bond. I would rather die without a mate than being a shadow in the dark.
I get up from the floor placing my hand over my chest. They don’t have any feelings or concern for me but just wanted to use me as a tool for their benefits. But I am also a living being who wants to be free.
“Is that what you want me to do?” I asked Avan. He looked at me then smiled.
“I know you will understand me clearly. No one knows me better than you. Shyla I know you love me and I am so happy. I promise I will do everything for you”
To live as a substitute for my mate? This is not what I expected nor did I ever imagine. He wanted me to give him a mate bond while he enjoys the warmth of another woman in his arms. Is this what we call a mate? If yes, then I refuse to have such a mate.
“I never agreed with you,” I replied with blank face.
The smile on Avan’s face froze “what are you saying Shyla? If you don’t agree then what will you do? Who will take care of you? Think about it again. I promised you, I will give you everything you need. Even after Reese become my Luna, you will not lose anything, you will also enjoy a life of luna in the backyard that’s it”
I looked at Reese “have you ever thought what would happen when you find your real mate someday?” Reese looked startled.
“Shyla, what are you talking about? Say yes to the young Alpha” I heard my adoptive father say. But I am careless now. I don’t even care about what he thinks or says. I am not related to him but all these years of helping me I wanted to be grateful but with the slap he gave me I have returned all the kindness to them.
“You are my mate but you are never satisfied with me yet you hooked up with my half sister because she can shift? And adding to that you want me to accept your proposal and become a shadow of your strength?” I asked.
“Shyla it’s not like that, you-” Avan started.
“I don’t need that. Save it for yourself”
“Shyla, it’s not like that. Reese is your sister after all. You can get along and we will make peace for our pack” Mom smiled.
I threw a look at her then looked at Avan “I am not qualified enough to be your mate. It will be better if you find the qualified one for yourself”
I wanted him to be mine, he is my mate by all means but he never wanted me to be his mate just because I couldn’t transform myself. Is it my fault?
“Look Shyla even though I love her but I will never abandon you. You are my mate and of course you have all right with me. I will take your responsibility and you don’t have to worry about it” Avan smiled, still trying to show how reasonable his point is.
Responsibility? If I didn’t know him better I would have believed his words. I shook my head. I lost everything today. Everything comes to light now. I am an outsider who doesn’t have any right, who is weak and pathetic.
But if I have to choose between my mate and myself then I will choose me. Even if I am weak I won’t let them ruin my life and decide my fate.
“I wanted your love but you never had any feelings for me. And now I don’t want anything from you, not even the bond” I gritted my teeth. He cheated behind my back but he is not guilty at all.
“Shyla what are you-”
Since you don’t want me, I won’t bother you anymore. I looked at him closely and my heart only felt pain. There’s no love anymore except coldness.
“I refuse to live under the same roof of a cheating couple. And this is why I Shyla Clarke reject you Avan Lowe as my mate forever. Our bond is over from now on”
I heard gasps from behind. Reese’s eyes widened with shock.
“Shyla what did you-”
I didn’t hear what they said as I gathered my will and ran away from there. I want to go so far away from this place. I did not look back as I ran. I could hear their voices calling my name.
But now I really don’t care about anything. Not anymore.