Chapter 22

Rachel POV

Garden of Our Blessed Goddess

LUST provided a limo which accommodated all of us: Tyler, me, Dylan Roberts, and Ethan. I had thought I would be forced to endure a rejection ceremony with Jenny in attendance, but Tyler had simply dismissed her as if she were no more than the hired help.

Humans weren't usually welcome at wolf ceremonies. I doubted Tyler told Jenny to leave for me as much as to save face for himself. No Alpha wanted to be rejected and the ceremony worked both ways in I was rejecting Tyler every bit as much as he was rejecting me.

My part had already been done, but the formal ceremony required a blood exchange.

We left the car with the driver in the parking lot of the garden. I was grateful Ethan held my arm to help me walk because my shoes weren't very practical for the grass and Tyler was moving at a hurried pace since seeing my pregnancy report.

Once we reached the shrine itself, Tyler bit his thumb to bring forth blood. Alpha blood had an enzyme in it which made it more potent than other blood. The blood of our Alphas had been used to save lives, craft magic, and connect us to our heritage throughout history.

The shrine wouldn't open to allow access to the Forsaken Blade without the blood of an Alpha.

Any wolf could reject their mate, but the ceremony had to be approved by an Alpha. I had never known of an Alpha to be rejected by their mate. Tyler wasn't acting as if he wanted to save our mating for any reason other than pride; I was excited by the prospect of seeing the Forsaken Blade for myself.

"Do you know the words to the rite?" Dylan asked though I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or Tyler.

"I do," I admitted easily, "It's the blood exchange which severs the bond more than the words. The Forsaken Blade is meant to cut the ties between mates. It's the blood magic used with the blade that matters."

Dylan nodded as if he understood. His eyes were fixed on the blade as Tyler took it from the exposed shelf which had opened in the shrine.

I hadn't expected it to look so forbidding. The metal shined with an unnatural light and runes were carved over its surface with a skill machines couldn't match.

Whoever had forged the blade had done it using the oldest magic in the wolf world---I hoped we would have good luck severing our bond and avoid upsetting the balance we lived in with our wolven nature.

Tyler held the knife loosely. I wondered if he was afraid of its magic or if he simply didn't want to clutch something so sacred with anything less than full respect.

I took it from his hand without any resistance.

Cutting into my palm, I murmured, "I, Rachel Flores, vessel of Rayne, reject Alpha Tyler Wright, vessel of Wynd, as my fated mate. As this bond bound us, let us now be unbound from here forward. Blessed be our beloved goddess. Amen."

My blood dripped thick and rich onto the ground before the shrine. The wound wasn't deep, but it was bleeding more freely than any I had ever had before. I knew it was the magic of the blade at work rather than any accident on my part.

I thrust the knife into Tyler's hand and held my bleeding palm up for him.

Tyler stared at my hand as he cut his own palm and repeated the phrase with his name in the place of mine. He pressed our palms together and our blood mingled with a touch of heat I wasn't expecting.

Gasping, I whispered, "It feels like fire."

"I think it's supposed to burn."

Tyler waited until the blood flowing between us dried up -both of our cuts sealed themselves into faint pink scars- and then returned the Forsaken Blade to the shrine. I thought he should have cleaned it, but it was pristine as it disappeared back into the hidden space which held it.

Old magic made me feel young and hopelessly inexperienced. I was grateful my brother was there to wrap his arm around my waist when I swayed on my feet.

"Are you okay, sis?"

I nodded, "A little dizzy. I think it's normal."

"You're not---in pain?"

I wouldn't have admitted to being in pain if I were being flayed alive. I had wanted my rejection and I had gotten it. Tyler Wright was going to be free of me as surely as I was going to be free of him. The sting of rejection was already fading though I was having a hard time with my balance.

I felt as if I were standing on the edge of a cliff. Was that the rejection? Or was it because my body wanted to come up with some kind of reaction to the sudden loss of our connection to Tyler and his wolf?

"No, Ethan, I'm okay. The dizziness is passing. Will you come to Bella's with me?"

I wanted my brother to be with me for a while longer. I didn't trust him alone with Tyler and I wanted to reassure myself he was safe even though he had been the one to pick a fight with my Alpha mate.

Former Alpha mate.

I closed my hand and was surprised by how tender the cut still felt. Wolves healed fast and the magic of the blade had made it close up even faster. I was still taken aback by the fact it pained me at all. Wasn't this supposed to be a simple ceremony? Everything over in a few moments with a few words and only a little blood?

I wished once more my mother was still alive so I could have someone to ask.

Patrick wasn't even close to being enough of a parent to ask for advice. He'd have never approved of me rejecting Tyler anyway. House Wright had too much power for Patrick to be willing to set aside a connection with them. Their money was enough of a lure for his loyalty.

"Do you want us to drop you by Bella's?"

I shook my head at Tyler. I didn't want to spend any more time with him in case he decided to become vindictive again.

"No, I'll call a ride. You should get home and get some rest. You look as if you've had a rough day."

"It's been---eventful," Tyler admitted, "Dylan, you're with me?"

Dylan nodded and I wrapped my arm around my brother to accept Ethan's help to leave the shrine. We would have a ride take us back to Bella's apartment where I would check Ethan over for injuries. I didn't think Tyler had hit him back, but who knew? I hadn't been given a chance to talk with Ethan more than a few words.

Why had he attacked Tyler? Was it because he'd heard about Jenny's pregnancy?

Jenny's fake pregnancy? I wondered.

Tyler had never wanted to have a child. His belief was children born into Alpha houses were only wanted for the assets they represented. He had been treated as a commodity more than a son by his own father and he had only become valuable after his older brother, William, had lost his ability to shift into his wolf form.

"Why did you hit Tyler?"

Ethan looked at me from his side of the cab. His expression was troubled. Guilty almost.

"I heard his woman bragging about how they were having a baby. She called you a whore. He didn't say anything. I couldn't stand it."

"Tyler says she's not pregnant. He has never wanted children you know?"

"Why did he agree to the rejection ceremony so suddenly?"

I could tell Ethan didn't believe Tyler's claim Jenny wasn't pregnant. He probably believed Tyler had cheated on me more than once. Jenny was a very attractive woman. Models tended to inspire men to think sexy thoughts.

"I told him even if Jenny wasn't pregnant I was," I shrugged, "He didn't believe me. He thought I was trying to scam him again."

"You're pregnant?"

Ethan believed me immediately which was gratifying. I gave him a wry grin.

"I am. A little over eight weeks now. That was part of what I wanted to talk to you about at Bella's place. I'm staying with her now."

Ethan nodded, "I think you should probably stay with her or with me. I don't think you should be alone with a baby coming. What if something happens to you?"

"How could something happen to me with all the people who love me around?"

I wasn't interested in getting my own place. Ethan wouldn't have to worry about me demanding any kind of independent living situation. I just wanted to make my music and grow my baby where I was with people who loved me.

"I'll get some more work. We'll make it."

"Don't worry about it, Ethan. I've got a music contract now! I do think we may have to go shopping for a bigger place to live though since we're about to be a bigger family. Would you like to share a place with me now?"

"Absolutely! I'll help find a place that's perfect for my new niece or nephew! We got this!"

As we pulled up to Bella's place, I felt hopeful we did have things under control. I briefly mourned Tyler's lack of interest in our child, then I got out to escort my brother in to work on a future together with my best friend.

Tyler wouldn't ever have to know about the baby, I thought. Why should he care if I kept our child if he never had to get involved?