The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 71

Amber POV

I got out of the hospital and didn't bother to contact Rowan. Instead, I discharged myself and walked across the grounds, feeling more like myself as the sun shone down on me, warm but not too hot, perfect for the mood I was in. I was so angry still that Rowan didn't believe me, that he was willing to believe that Stacey hadn't done it. I didn't care if she'd been under guard the whole time, I still suspected her, and I'd be doubly careful about what I ate from now on.

Laurence greeted me at the door, a placid smile on his face, beaming from ear to ear. I frowned at him as he brandished a plain white envelope toward me.

"Somebody is missing you" he joked, and I gave a small glance towards the letter, my heart jumping in my chest as I recognized Sophie's writing.

"Thanks," I told Laurence drily, taking hold of the letter and resolving to go and read it straight away in the room.

I briefly wondered where Rowan was, then shrugged at myself. If I was honest, I really could care less and thought it was a bonus that I wasn't running into him. "Where are you going?" asked Laurence.

I glowered at him. "Upstairs" I bit out "if that's alright with you? I assume that I do still have a room in this pack house? Until Rowan makes a damn decision that is" I snapped.

Laurence looked taken aback. "Sorry" he apologized, his hands out in surrender. "I didn't mean to make you angry."

I merely glared at him and then stomped upstairs, my hand holding tightly onto the letter.

Once inside, I tore the envelope open and several sheets of paper fell out. I frowned as I saw not only Sophie's handwriting but Darius's as well. What did he want? Maybe it was to tell me all about their honeymoon? Dear Amber

I've missed you so much! I know it's only been a few weeks but it's felt like a lifetime since I saw you. I had to get your location from mother in order to write to you, as father wouldn't give it up. Not surprising, I know. I had the greatest time on my honeymoon. You should see Australia, sometime Amber, it's beautiful and the people are so welcoming over there. It's very different to us here in the USA.

We did all sorts of interesting things, like eating in restaurants, but I suppose the most interesting thing to see was the different packs as we traveled. I did some shopping, of course, and Darius mainly stayed in the room when I went off to do that. I guess it's true what they say, men really do not enjoy shopping.

I really hope this letter isn't upsetting to you, Amber. I want us to have a relationship as sisters. Proper ones. I know I wasn't the nicest sister to you, but I hope that you can forgive me for that. I especially want to come down and see you, see how you are getting on. I wonder if the monstrous alpha is as beastly as they claim he is. You poor thing. I was so mad when I got home and found that you had been married off, or attempted to be married off by father and mother. If I could have prevented that, I would have, believe me. After everything that's happened to you, you deserve far better than that.

Darius and I are hoping to come and visit you soon. He's written you a note as well and I really hope that you aren't too upset with me, Amber, over it. I seriously didn't mean for it to happen. You'll know what I mean when you read Darius's letter. I love you Love from Sophie.

I frowned as I put Sophie's letter to the side, Darius's still folded up. I felt a bit apprehensive about opening his, feeling like a shiver ran down my spine. What could Sophie have possibly meant by hoping I wouldn't get too upset with her? What had she done? My hands were shaking as I slowly unfurled the other letter, which was written in harsher, more masculine writing. I recognized Darius's handwriting at once. Dear Amber

First off, let me tell you that the honeymoon was superb and that Sophie and I had a great time. The other packs in Australia are fascinating and so different from our own. They are much more welcoming and I have to let you know, that they treat undesirables much better than we ever have over here. I hope to do the same when I take over my pack as Alpha and Sophie as Luna.

I heard about your close call and almost being married. I'm so sorry Amber. IF Sophie and I had known, we never would have left for Australia and we would have argued with your father to leave you alone. Even if it made my own parents angry. I can't believe they tried to marry you off to the monstrous alpha. How horrid. How cruel. I still don't understand how any parent could do that to their child. I hope that, despite everything, you are getting along very well and haven't been forced to marry the bastard after all. There's something I have to bring up with you and it requires discussion in person. Please don't be too upset with Sophie for telling me this, but she recently let slip that you are pregnant with my child. I want to discuss possible custody arrangements and I would very much like to do it in person. Please don't be angry, Amber. I know you probably never wanted me to know, but now I do and I can't not play a part in my child's life, so please don't ask me to. If I had known you were pregnant, things might have turned out very differently, but I can hardly complain now that I adore your sister and love her so deeply.

If you get a chance, please write back. Otherwise, Sophie and I are planning a trip to this beastly alpha's pack very soon because she's worried about you. All my love Darius

My whole body trembled as I put Darius's letter on the floor and stared at it, hard. I had feared that someone, would let slip that I was pregnant with Darius's child, but I had never dreamed that it would be Sophie. My face went ashen. What if he tried to take my baby away from me? What if he wanted joint custody? What if Luna Marian found out and tried to take the baby? All these questions were running through my mind as I glared at the paper.

I wanted to scream out loud and vent my rage. I crumpled up and threw the paper across the room, watching it bounce against the wall and fall to the ground. What was I going to do? My mind was whirling with possibilities. I could run but then I remembered that I was forbidden to try and leave because Alpha Rowan had seen fit to use his f*****g alpha tone on me. Lilac was quiet and pensive. I turned on her, angry that she wasn't as annoyed as I was. Why aren't you helping me? Darius could be here any day now and then we're stuck! What if he takes the baby from us, Lilac?

He won't. He just wants to play a part in his child's life, you heard him. It seems reasonable, doesn't it? I mean, technically, he is the father. It would be unfair to keep his pup from him.

What about me Lilac? I don't want to have to share my baby with Darius.

Well, sadly, you probably should have thought about that before you slept with him, child. Now you have to face the consequences of your actions.

Great, thanks for nothing, Lilac.

I moodily shut off the link with her and blocked her out. I got up and began to pace the floor, my panic rising with each step and each breath I took. Then a knock on the door startled me out of my thoughts. It was Laurence. "There's somebody here to see you."

I frantically glanced toward the window and began to push it open. Maybe, just maybe, I will survive the fall. I wasn't thinking clearly and was almost positive that the visitor would be Darius and Sophie. So I was stunned when I heard my mother's voice come from the doorway, sounding puzzled.

"What on earth are you doing?"

I halted in my tracks and whirled around, surprised to see her. For as long as I can remember, she never did anything without father by her side, and I expected to see him with her and was shocked to see that my father wasn't there, nor did he come up behind her. "Nothing" I muttered sheepishly, turning around and giving her a hug "what are you doing here? Where's father?"

My mother flinched. "Your father is still at home," she said slowly, "recovering from another hangover" now she sounded bitter.

"No offense," I said wryly, not in the mood for bullshit, "but what exactly are you doing here, mother? I thought for sure that you would never come and visit me once I was gone from your life. I mean, isn't that why you tried to marry me off? So you wouldn't have to see me anymore?"

She blanched, her face going pale and her eyes looking haunted. She put her hands together and I noticed they were trembling.

"Amber" she whispered, "I'm so so sorry for everything. When you were younger, I loved you unconditionally, but your father was so angry that you didn't look like us, that he wouldn't look past that. I let him influence me and manipulate me into not loving you and, for that, I cannot express how sorry I am."

I raised an eyebrow. She seemed close to tears. "You had so many chances to stand up to him, mother, and you never did. You let him do whatever he wanted, no matter who it hurts. So what's changed now? Why should I believe that you've changed?"

My mother looked upset, but I was angry. My entire life I'd been treated like crap by my family and now everyone was suddenly changing their tune. You don't just think that the person will automatically forgive you, just because they have apologized. It doesn't work that way.

"I guess what's changed is that I see your father for what he is now. A mean, horrid, person who takes great delight in bullying people to get what he wants."

She turned and looked at me sideways, a sad smile on her face as she reached up and used the sleeve of her shirt to wipe away her makeup. I let out a gasp. There on her cheek was a big purple bruise, that was slowly fading, but still evident under the light. It looked extremely painful as well and was slightly swollen, now that I was looking at it properly.

"Oh my god," I cried out, moving towards her and taking hold of her arm, "why did you let him hit you? How long has this been going on?"

She took a deep breath. "Since you and Sophie were little" she admitted, "I tried to go to my parents once, for help, and they told me that I had made my bed and I needed to lie in it. They had no sympathy for me whatsoever. I was only thankful, that until you were older, he never laid a hand on you both. I did the best I could to make sure you girls never saw him strike me."

She was openly sobbing now and I guided her to the bed, making her sit down as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "I have always loved you, Amber, I want you to know that. Sophie too. I was a terrible mother, a selfish one, and if you let me, I want to make things right."

Her crying was tugging at my heartstrings. I couldn't deny her, no matter how badly she had treated me in the past. I eyed her critically though, knowing she couldn't possibly be thinking about going back to father or that house.

"Mother, you need to stay here," I told her quietly. "don't go back to him. He'll end up killing you one day if you're not careful. No one deserves to be in an abusive marriage."

"I can't impose on you" she sniffed, "I was going to try and find a place in a nearby pack."

I took hold of her hand and squeezed it. "Stay here, it will do you good and we can get to know each other", I urged. "Plus, I have my wolf now and I can tell you all about what's happened to me."

She looked me in the eyes and gave a slow nod. "Alright, I'll stay," she said lowly, "but I have to warn you, Amber, that I'm afraid of your father. He's gotten a lot more violent since you left and Sophie stays in the pack house. What if he comes looking for me?"