Neo’s p. o. v
“Did you kill the bastard?” Ian asked calmly in his office.
“You are three days late for that question.” I answered calmly then walked to the couch and sat down.
“To be honest I knew you were going to kill him.” He said then relaxed in his seat.
“More like rip his throat open. Toni was in shock and very scared after witnessing how brutal Vision and I were, she ran back into the pack house and since then she’s been avoiding us.” I answered softly then brushed my hand through my hair.
“I didn’t think much about it because I was very angry at how that fucker treated her. All I wanted was to kill and that’s exactly what I did. But now that my mate is avoiding me, I have realized that I made a bad move.” I said sadly.
“Brother, I don’t want to lie to you. If I was in the exact situation, I would have ripped that bastard into pieces without a care.” He said then stood up and walked to the window to look out.
“Are you going to talk to her or apologize?. You might have triggered her, remember that we murdered some of her pack members and obviously her family right in front of her eyes?” He asked.
I stood up lazy and walked to the whiskey table grabbing the bottle.
“How could I forget?” I asked then took off the lid from the bottle drunk a mouth full.
“Then go to her and apologize. I’m sure she will understand. If she were in your shoes she too would have done something. Us and our wolves are one, but when it comes to emotions, they feel twice as much, that’s why Vision had let you kill the bastard.” He said as I sighed loudly.
“Well today is one of those shitty days I hate to endure.” I whispered then drunk a mouth full of whiskey again.
“Are the warriors giving you pressure?” He asked when he turned to look at me.
“No. They don’t like the idea of sleeping in camps, but on the other hand they understand and respect your orders and decisions.” I answered.
“Then what’s making your day shitty?” He asked in concern.
“Today I have to pay Sherry a visit.” I admitted.
“Oh.” He said in a low tone then moved closer.
“Is today the day we banish her?” He asked as he grabbed the bottle from my hand.
“She’s been in that place for a very long time consuming wolfsbane. I’m sure she is very weak and she can’t shift into her wolf form. That’s why today I’ll go there and check on her, then I’ll come back and report to you on how she is. You will then decide on whether to banish her or to continue her punishment.” I answered.
“Very well, I’ll be waiting for your report.” He said then took a sip from the bottle.
“Fuck!” I cursed silently.
I was feeling uneasy and very nervous to see her face.
“Brother, I’ll take my leave.” I said then walked out of the office.
“Vision.” I called softly as I walked to where Sherry was.
“Yes Neo.” He answered calmly.
“I feel….”
“Nervous and uneasy, I know.” He answered before I could finish my sentence.
“I just don’t want to see her face and at the same time I want to check on her.” I said when I stood at the entrance of the door.
“Neo, she has to be banished. She not only tried to kill Ian, she turned against us. Moreover, we now have a second chance mate, we don’t need her.” He said seriously.
“Yes you are right.” I responded then took in a deep breath and released it.
I touched the door handle and opened the door wide.
Sherry was laying on the ground with her back towards me. Her clothes were very dirty and her hair scruffy. Her skin looked pale and I could clearly see the bones poking out. She was too thin.
I got closer and stopped a few meters away from her.
“Sherry.” I called softly.
She shifted a bit then slowly sat upright with a low groan.
“Is that you Neo?” She asked, her voice was husky and it sounded unlike her own.
When she looked at me my heart sunk.
She looked nothing like she did back then. In front of me was a dying she-wolf who was very pale, her lips were cracked and the bangs under her eyes were very dark. Her body had red bruises and a few scars. It was clear that she was hit and not fed.
“Did you come to forgive me?” She asked in a low tone.
I clenched my hands in fists and swallowed hard.
“This should be enough punishment right?, because I lost my wolf.” She said in a cracked voice then sniffed.
“I have no strength to talk back to the warriors no matter how much they mock and hit me. I can’t bring my wolf back and you, my mate, hate me. The Alpha wants me dead with all his heart and I have nowhere to go or anyone to talk to.” She said as tears ran down her cheeks.
“Neo, don’t forget that she’s manipulative.” Vision whispered silently as I clenched my hands tighter.
“I can feel my time to die getting close, that’s why I want to ask you for only one favor.” She said then coughed.
“Go on.” I forced the words out.
“Take back your rejection.” She cried.
“What?” I asked loudly then kept quiet for a second.
Taking back my rejection would help her recover and she might get back her wolf if the moon goddess allowed it. Not only would I fail to let her go, I would stand by her side because of the mate’s pull I would feel.
“Don’t fucking do it.” Vision warned silently.
“But she’s dying.” I answered sadly.
“Don’t.” Came his loud growl.
I was about to walk to her when I inhaled Toni’s scent. I quickly turned and found her standing at the entrance with a terrified look on her face.
“Are you taking her back?. Is this why you were avoiding me for days?” She asked in a low tone.
“No, it’s a misunderstanding.” I said softly.
“I see, how could a second chance mate win you over when your heart has always been with her.” She said sadly.
I was about to go to her when she lifted her hand in mid air stopping me.
“Don’t even dare!. I wish you both well.” She said then turned and walked away.
“Are you going to let her fucking go!” Vision growled furiously.
“Not this time.” I responded and ran after her.