Chapter 2

Irene's POV

"You're kidding, right?" I asked, ignoring the pain in my chest as I tried to steady myself. "Tell me you are, Peris," I pleaded.

But instead, he looked away, avoiding my gaze. I tried to grab his hand, but he pushed mine away. 

He turned to me. "It's not you, Irene... It's just that... My family can't have anything to do with yours," He said and then his eyes darkened. "I mean, your Dad is a traitor—"

"—You know that's not true!" I yelled, trying to defend my father. "My Dad would never do that."

Peris chuckled. "Oh really... Then tell me why he is lying on the floor of your living room with his body torn to pieces like a worthless—" Before he could complete the words, someone spun him around and landed a punch on his face, sending him to the ground.

"Don't you dare talk about my Dad like that again, especially not in front of my sister!" Silas growled. 

Peris scoffed as he stood up. He wiped the blood that spilled out the corner of his busted lips. "I can see the little wolf has grown some fangs."

"That's what you get for disrespecting my family," Silas replied as he moved towards me.

"Oh really, so tell me. Where were you when your Dad was being killed? Where were you when he was having his body torn apart!" Peris taunted.

"That's it! I'm going to kill you!" Silas growled as he made for Peris, but I held him back. 

"That's enough," I said.

I knew Peris was being an asshole, but I wasn't ready to lose him. Before I could say anything to him, he said the words that shattered our bond.

"I, Peris Stark, reject you, Irene Michael, as my mate."

I winced out as a sharp pain struck my heart. It was like getting stabbed in the heart by a million tiny knives.

"Irene!" Silas yelled, holding onto me as I cried out. 

"Now it's over. I won't have anything to do with you low lives." He walked away, leaving me in pain, and without a Mate.

***

"Take it easy, kiddo," I said to Silas as he cut through some wood. I walked towards him, handing him a bottle of water. He chuckled as took it from me, emptying the bottle.

"Thanks," he replied.

I watched him pick up the axe once more. He reminded me a lot about Dad. 

It hade been a week since he was taken away from us. Silas and I buried him in the backyard. We had also fixed up the cottage. Though it didn't look like before, to us, it was still home. For now.

We had agreed that after Silas got his wolf, we would move into the city. The cottage reminded us a lot about Dad, both the good and the bad memories.

Just as I was about to head into the house, I overheard footsteps. Silas noticed my reaction and followed me towards the front yard.

"What do you want now?!" I asked as I saw some of the Alpha's guards walking towards us. "Haven't you done enough?"

"Definitely not enough if you still have the guts to speak to us that way," One of them said. 

Before I could react, Gareth snapped. "That's enough, Jake." His eyes met mine. He didn't look happy. "You and your brother need to come with us."

I snickered. "What makes you think I'll follow you assholes anywhere?" I asked.

Gareth's brows furrowed. He turned to Silas, and then to me. "Because if you don't, your family will be in a lot more trouble than you're already in."

***

When we got to the Pack House, Silas and I got down from the car. We followed the guards in. 

"So what did we do wrong this time?" Silas asked.

"You'll find out soon," One of the guards replied.

We were about to go into the Council room when I stopped in my tracks.

"What?" Someone asked.

"I need to use the toilet," I replied. 

Gareth smacked his forehead lightly. "Go with her, Richard," He instructed.

I chuckled. "You gotta be kidding me. What am I, a criminal?"

"Who knows, you might run away," Jack said.

"And what, leave my brother with a delinquent like you? Definitely not." 

Jack was about to walk towards me, his eyes filled with anger, but Gareth held him back. "Fine, be back in five."

I nodded my head and gave Silas a reassuring look before walking away. The toilets were located at the end of the Pack House, it was always frustrating walking there.

As I turned towards a corner, I overheard a familiar voice. It was the Alpha. Then I heard another—the Beta.

I moved closer to the door, trying to understand what they were saying. 

"Do you regret it?" Beta Raymond asked. 

I heard the Alpha sigh. "I had no choice. He was a friend of my father, so framing Michael and calling him a traitor wasn't an easy decision."

My eyes widened as I heard those words. Frame?! Michael?! They were talking about my Dad. Why would they do that to him?

I felt anger building up inside of me. I felt the urge to throw the door open and confront them, but just then, I heard footsteps coming. 

I ran away. I couldn't make any rash decisions. Besides, I had Silas to look after. The last thing I needed was to be punished for eavesdropping or attacking the Alpha.

I hurried back to the Council Room. When I got there, the Council members were already seated.

I was directed towards the front, where Silas was sitting.

A few minutes later, the Alpha and his Beta walked in. I fisted my arms, trying to control myself.

He looked towards me. His green eyes held no emotion. I wished I could go over and pull them out, letting his blood spill all over the floor, but I couldn't. I turned to Silas. I had to protect him.

The moment the Alpha had his seat, someone from the council stood up. "Thanks for accepting our invitation Irene and Silas Michael," He said.

Silas scoffed. "Like we had a choice."

I couldn't help but smile. My eyes went to the Alpha. He still had that stoic look on his face. I didn't like it. I wanted to piss him off. I wanted to annoy him.

I smirked. "So why did you send your dogs to drag I and my brother here?" I asked, my eyes still on the Alpha.

But he didn't say a word. He just stared at me like he wasn't bothered at all. 

Before I could say anything else, the Council member spoke up again. "Well, Irene. We heard that you were rejected by your mate."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he said those words. The pain I felt before coming back all over again.

"So, what has that got to do with this?" Silas asked as he noticed my discomfort. He was pissed.

"Well, everything Young Pup." 

"Like what, you piece of—" I reached out for Silas's arm and squeezed it. He was trying to protect me, but I couldn't let that happen. 

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"You should know the rules, Irene. A Mateless female cannot exist alone in the pack. You have to find yourself a Male Wolf. You need to be under the protection of a man who would fend for you and also be able to control you—"

"—or else what?" I cut him off, letting out a chuckle. "What happens if I don't want another Male in my life?"

Before the Council member could say anything, the Alpha said, a menacing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Or else your brother will be taken away from you.”