Chapter 2

Kaiden pov

She drove off, and I felt my heart crack at the tears running down her cheeks. Jasmine was a gorgeous woman, but I was head over heels for Cecilia. We met at twelve and at thirteen realized we loved each other. We have been together ever since, and once we hit eighteen, we realized we weren't fated as mates.

It hurt, but we vowed to reject our fated mates to be each other's chosen mate.

The day we ran into Jasmine nearly destroyed us as my whole body stiffened at her scent. A warm toasty vanilla hit my nostrils, and I purred loud. Cecilia started to sob as she looked up at me and then over to Jasmine.

"Fuck no",I almost roared.

"Kaiden," I hear Cecilia sob. Jasmine ran off after yelling me off. I needed to fix this shit but I was more surprised seeing her packing to leave.

"Cecilia, go home. I need to go talk to Jasmine quickly. "I soothed her or tried to. I left her at her place. I ran for Jasmine who told me to fuck off as she squeals tires leaving my pack. I shifted and chased after her, but the next moment, I felt pain hit me as she rejected me.

"I Jasmine Heart reject you, Kaiden Fire as my mate. I hope she makes you happy," her voice broke on a sob as my wolf howled loud in my head. I let out a loud howl as my heart broke.

Fuck me.

I started searching for her right away, but Jasmine cut off Fireside pack right after crossing the border. She was like a damn ghost. I sighed as I sat at my desk doing alpha duties. Cecilia walked in, but I couldn't look at her. It disgusted me now. Yes, we have a long history, but since knowing my mate is out there alone, I become distant from her.

"You coming over tonight?"she asked, hopeful.

"No, I got training and paperwork," I said, ignoring her sad look.

"It has been four months, Kaiden, just mark me already. She left we can be together ",she was trying to touch my neck, but I moved away.

"Leave my office now, I bark out pissed, I'm busy and your not listening to me. I'm not marking you, "she stifled a sob as she ran out. I know I hurt her and in my own way I fucking love her but the look my mate had the day she left haunted me. Pure devastation was all over her face, and I even felt it.

"Kaiden," I look up as my beta Grayson entered. He looked sad for me.

"Any news?"He nodded no.

"Fuck she could be hurt or worse",I rubbed my neck.

"Brother, she was running on emotions that day she is probably holed up sobbing her heart out. She won't do anything stupid",he tried to reassure me, but we both didn't believe his words.

"I was fucking stupid Gray I never gave her a chance I just spit out hate and shit about Cecilia to her. She just ran after I said I wanted Cecilia, but now I can't even stand touching her. I know we have been glued since thirteen, but I can't stand her touch or smell. "I sighed out.

"Brother maybe hire a private investigator",He says softly.

"Fine, hire one, please. Make sure Cecilia stays out of my office. "I go stand by the huge bay window and look out into the dark praying Jasmine is okay.

Jasmine pov

It has been four months since I ran, and I'm not worse, but not any better either. I miss my parents and I miss my pack. Kaiden is probably fucking that bitch everyday and that thought alone makes me sick.

We would feel it, Jasmine. My wolf speaks up. You know we feel everything they do, and nothing is happening.

"I fucking hate her",I sniffle as I clean my apartment. I've worked my job remotely and found a place in the four months since I left. I was happy I made good money and didn't have to go to the office because everyone would see the mess that is me. I brush my long black hair and sigh sadly. The cop that pulled me over helped me find a hotel and settled me there, but I haven't seen him since. He was very sweet as I lost my shit in front if him.

"Jasmine, I hear a soft knock from my elderly neighbor, I made you brownies, sweetie," she has been trying to feed me. I look awful, I know, but keeping anything down is a no-go.

I open my door smiling as she hands me a plate with two huge brownies on them.

"Thank you, Mrs. Fern, I greatly appreciate it, but you don't have to cook for me. You go through so much trouble, "she smiles sadly.

"I'm just trying to put weight on you, honey. Are you sick? We should see a doctor. I'm worried for you sweetie ",I sigh.

"I'm good, just stressed from work," but she doesn't believe me. I thank her over and over before shutting the door as she goes home. The day I moved in and she saw me crying as I unloaded my belongings is the day she came over and hugged me. Her warm, soft embrace made me feel loved.

Now, months later, she cooks and bakes for me. I get a knock daily to make sure I'm still alive. This woman can fucking cook but I can't keep much down. Kaiden is probably having a blast with Cecilia, and I'm not even a thought in his head.

"Why moon goddess? Why give me someone who doesn't want me? The pain is unbearable, "I sniffle as I close and lock my front door. I head to finish a project so I can enjoy my vacation.

As I wrap up, I hear another knock, but I ignore it so I can finish work. Hours later, I go check my mail and see a note on my door.

"Heading to my sister's house, please eat sweetie," Fern wrote in her delicate writing. I grab my mail when I feel the feeling I'm being watched. I look around but see nothing, so I shrug and take my mail back to my place.

I must be paranoid. I sigh to myself as I lock up and go through my mail.

I miss my parents the most, but I'm too afraid to message or call. If I call, they may track me, and I can't have that right now.

I can't deal with the pain I'm gonna hear in their voices, so I delay it. I just hope they forgive me some day.

I also hope I get over him soon because I just exist. I'm not living.

I want to live. I just want happiness and peace, which feels unreachable. I sigh again. Maybe someday it won't feel like a knife digging in my guts all the time.