Three Fated Hearts by LNC

~Landon~

No one moves; it seems that no one is breathing. I don't think anyone expected Tia to issue a challenge, but here we are. Neither Lincoln nor I feel good about this; our inherent nature is to protect our mate at all times and all costs. This is something that she needs to do herself, even though we don't like it.

Stuart throws his head back and laughs. He starts to grip his stomach, and he falls forward, laughing. There are a few snickers around us, but Tia doesn't move. She stands, waiting for his answer. I, personally, want to rip his head off. The laughing is a clear sign of disrespect, and I don't like my Luna being disrespected.

Stuart stands up straight and wipes tears from his eyes. “You're serious, aren't you?" He steps toward Tia, looking down at her. “You get some mates and get a mark, and all of a sudden, you have a backbone.” Stuart sighs. “Okay, little girl. If you want everyone to watch you get your a*s handed to you, so be it.” Stuart steps back and gets into a fighting stance.

I don't like this, L.

Neither do I, Linc, but what do you want me to do? She needs this. If we take this from her, she'll never forgive us. Lincoln sighs in the link but says nothing else.

Tia continues to stand, staring at Stuart. Her legs are slightly parted, and her hands are at her sides, in fists. They are eyeing each other up and down, and my stomach is churning. I can't stand to watch this, but I can't look away.

“Well, are you going to stand there all day? Are you regretting challenging me? It's okay if you are, just say the word, and I'll forget this even happened.” A growl comes from Tia, and Stuart chuckles in response.

“Paul, don't. You don't mean that, I....I lo-" A growl so loudly that the land shakes under us, and Nikki winces and shakes under the weight of my aura.

“I, Paul Attwater, former Alpha of the Emerald Lake pack, reject you, Kimberly Jensen, former Luna of the Emerald Lake Pack, as my mate.” I can feel a burning sensation where my mark sits.

“No, no I won't accept. We have something, we can fix this.”

"Are you serious Kim?! What about us? We can finally be together!”

“SHUT UP STUART! Paul, please.....please don't do this.”

“It's done, now accept it.” Kim folds her arms across her chest like a petulant child.

“l won't... won't accept until you give me a chance to make it right.” I remove my hand from Nikki and walk over to Kim. Her eyes light up as I get closer to her. I grab her throat and squeeze. Kim is clawing at my hand, and Stuart is growling at my treatment of his mate.

If he gets loose, I will end you and him! I mindlink the warriors holding Stuart. A wolf will do anything to protect their mate, and I need Nikki to accept this with no interference.

"ACCEPT IT NOW!" Kim is having trouble breathing, her face getting a tint of red. Her eyes start to water, and slobber drops down the corner of her mouth. She frantically nods her head. I let her go, dropping her on the ground.

“I....l...ac...acc...l...accept....I accept!” Kim is coughing and struggling to breathe. The burning at the site of my mark intensifies for a brief moment, and then nothing. I reach up, and the mark is gone.

I walk over to Nikki and grab her hand. “Are you ready?” I don't need to ask if she wants this. We sat up for a bit last night, discussing everything we learned and wanted moving forward. When it comes down to it, we share a unique experience, and I'm grateful to have her to lean on. Nikki nods at me and closes her eyes.

“I, Nikki Franks, of the Emerald Lake pack, reject you, Stuart Colby, of the Emerald Lake Pack, as my mate.” I watch Nikki flinch, and I know the burn has started.

“I accept your rejection.” Nikki clenches my hand for a few seconds, then lets it go, sighing in relief. Landon walks up to us and pats my back. I comfort Nikki, watching a tear fall from her eye.

“I'm the new Alpha of this pack and I need to do my first official act. Kimberly Jensen and Stuart Colby, you are hereby banished from the Emerald Lake Pack. Your things have already been packed. You will be escorted off packlands.”

“NO! How could you? I'm your mother! How can you treat me like this?!” Landon doesn't respond. He turns on his heel and walks back into the packhouse. I guide Nikki into the packhouse and close the door behind us. I close the door on the screams and cries outside and on that chapter of my life.