Broken Bonds

~Tasha~

Once I finished gathering my things, I put them by the front door. I notice Herbert sitting in the living room, but I don't acknowledge him. I decide to wait in the kitchen for my ride to come. Night has started to fall, so I'm sure that I will be leaving soon. "We need to talk, Tasha." I sigh and continue to look at my phone. I know Herbert is in the kitchen, but I refuse to look up at him. "Do you hear me? We need to talk."

"We have nothing to talk about," I respond, still scrolling through my phone.

"You can't seriously be considering going to stay at Crystal Lake."

"You're right, I'm not considering it." I hear Herbert exhale, almost in relief. "I have already decided and that is where I will be staying." I can feel the anger roll off of Herbert. My phone chirps and I check the message: my ride's here. "I guess it's time for me to go." I stand up and walk past Herbert to the door. He doesn't follow, but he does watch me from the doorway. Standing outside is a driver; he grabs my bags and heads to the car.

"So there is nothing I can say that will get you to change your mind?" I shake my head, but don't answer. I'm still watching the car, the driver is holding the door open for me. "I'm not sure when you changed, or if you have always been this way and I was too blind to see. The disregard you show for our child…..for me. I can't do this anymore Tasha. I won't do this anymore." I step outside and grab the door handle to pull it closed. I still don't look at Herbert, but I can feel his eyes burning into me. "I, Herbert James, former Alpha to Dark Moon Pack reject you, Tasha Wren James, former Luna to the Dark Moon Pack as my mate now and henceforth." I take a deep breath as I feel a tug on my heart. My legs feel a bit shaky, but not enough to disrupt my balance.

As I close the door I whisper, "I, Tasha Wren James, accept your rejection. I reject the Dark Moon Pack and cut all ties." I can feel the bond break as I close the door. I can hear a sob come from inside. I get into the car and the driver starts it up. A long tear falls from my eye.

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It didn't take long to get to Crystal Lake. The entire ride, there was a dull pain in my chest, but I breathed through it. When we made it to the packhouse, I jumped out of the car and headed in. A tall, blonde woman is at the door waiting. "Good evening, Alpha Jasper asked me to show you to your room." I nod to her and head into the packhouse.

"Where is your Alpha? I need to speak to him."

"He's busy with a…meeting. He told me to take care of anything you need." Something seems off about the entire situation. I decided to climb the stairs and find him on my own.

~Jasper~

The she-wolf under me is squirming and whimpering. She has the wig on and I have her over my desk. I didn't want to look her in the face or I would remember that she isn't her. None of them are her and it's starting to get to me. I'm pounding her again and again. I have a tight grip on her hips, pushing my fingers in deeper and deeper. I keep imagining Janessa moaning and begging me for more. She is loving my hands on her and how I feel inside of her. I use my right hand to reach around and grip her neck, squeezing just enough. I lift her up and pull her back against my chest. Her hands are gripping my arm. "Mmmmm…..Janessa. You like it like that don't you?" I hear her whimper as I continue to pound into her. I hear the door open and a click of the tongue.

"Don't tell me that this is what you've been reduced to." I turn towards the door to see Tasha standing there with her arms crossed. I growl at her and she looks at me unphased.

"Get the fuck out! I'm busy right now." Tasha rolls her eyes, but doesn't move.

"Please, busy with what exactly? Did you actually put a wig on that girl to make her look like-"

"SHUT UP!" I pull out of the she-wolf and push her away from me. She lands on the desk and the wig falls off. I turn to the door, anger rolling off of me.

"Child, you may want to gather your dress and leave. Your Alpha and I need to talk." The she-wolf jumps off of the desk and grabs her dress. She runs out of the room quickly. I'm shaking with anger, trying to reel in my wolf. "Oh cut it out. Pull your pants up so we can make a plan. You want my daughter and I plan to deliver." Tasha walks over to my couch and takes a seat, waiting for me to join her. How she has the balls to talk to me like this is beyond me, but I don't have much of a choice but to fall in line. I get my clothes situated and have a seat across from Tasha.

"What's your plan?"

~Herbert~

I never, in my life, thought I'd end up rejecting my mate. I thought that we would live our lives together and be happy. I'm not sure what changed in Tasha, but she is no longer the woman I met all those years ago. Maybe this is how she has always been, but I couldn't see it. Maybe the mate bond clouded the truth. That night was tough. My heart ached for my mate. My wolf and I mourned for her. As tough as it was, I knew that this had to happen. I can't stand by while my mate is so hateful to our child.

I made it back to Dark Moon early in the morning. It was quiet in the packhouse when I entered and I told the warriors not to inform Janessa that I was back. I needed to get myself together before seeing her. I made an appointment with the doctor last night so he could check me out. Rejecting a mate after so many years isn't ideal. It could lead to major problems, but strong wolves can get through it. I have always considered myself pretty strong, so the hope is that I can make it through with minimal problems.

I didn't bother to sleep. I didn't sleep last night and I knew I wouldn't be sleeping this morning. I got my stuff settled back in my apartment and took a shower. I want to be down at breakfast so I can talk to Janessa. I head down and can hear the hustle and bustle of mornings in the packhouse. I haven't been gone long, but I did miss the activity of a packhouse. Years ago, Tasha and I had discussed living away from the packhouse once I retired. That is why I had the cabin built. I did it to make her happy, but deep down I didn't want to leave the packhouse. It was something I thought we could discuss down the road, but now there is no point.

I enter the dining room and see people eating and talking. "Herbert! You're here. Does Janessa know?" I'm engulfed in a hug by Lana. I walk over and hug Gemma before taking my usual seat.

"No, I got in early this morning and didn't want to wake her. How is everything going here?" Gemma and Lana share a look. It makes me curious, but I decide not to ask right now.

"Things are good. We are glad to see you. How have you been?" I turn to Gemma and give her a small smile. I don't really want to get into everything that happened with Tasha until I can let Janessa know.

"DADDY!" I turn and see Janessa running towards me. There is a man hovering in the doorway that I've never seen before. I get up and catch Janessa as she launches herself in my arms.

"I've missed you so much, Peaches." I give Janessa the biggest hug I can and feel tears gather in my eyes. This is not how I planned to present myself to my child. Janessa pulls back and looks at my face.

"Daddy, what is it? What happened?" I shake my head. I don't trust myself to speak. It isn't an issue with Janessa, but looking at her makes me relive every dream I had regarding my little family and how, now, those dreams are dead. We will not be grandparents to amazing grandkids. We will not grow older together and watch Janessa come to greatness or watch her pass the torch to her heir. All of those dreams are dead. I may be able to see these things, but I will be seeing them alone and that was not my plan.

I close my eyes and take a minute to try to calm my emotions. I don't want to break down in front of Janessa or anyone else. I open my eyes and give Janessa a small smile. I clear my throat and point towards the doorway. "Who is this young man?" Janessa gives me a look telling me that this isn't over. She walks back towards the doorway, pulling the man towards me.

"Daddy, this is my mate. This is Drake." He holds his hand out to me and I gladly take it. He gives a strong handshake and I respect that.

"It's nice to meet you young man. I would do the 'dad' thing and tell you to take care of my little girl and ask your intentions…." Janessa rolls her eyes and I chuckle "I would, but there is no reason to. I know Janessa can take care of herself."

"She is amazing and I'm lucky to have her." I smile at that.

"Daddy-" I hold my hand up and shake my head.

'We can talk after breakfast. We probably have a lot to discuss." I usher Janessa to her seat and Drake sits next to her. Once I take my seat we begin to eat.