Chapter 12: Chapter 12

~Talon's POV~

I raced through the woods, driven by my pain, the moon was already high in the sky, I couldn't tell how long I had been running for since I left that clearing, I had lost track of time.

I pushed myself harder, trying in vain to relieve the pain in my heart, my chest felt so tight and stuffy, each breath was painful, I felt like I would pass out any moment, panting hard, I came to a sharp stop when I realized my usual relieve wasn't helping this time, when I rejected Jay, I had felt I wouldn't survive the pain, somehow I had, but something told me I wouldn't be so lucky this time, the pain was intense.

I was glad she hadn't insisted on us accepting the rejection, I couldn't imagine putting her through this, the pain slammed into me continuously, radiating from my heart to every other part of my body, I was left with no relieve.

I lifted my head, howling my pain up to the moon, looking at the moon, the pain doubled and I whimpered crumbling to the ground as I was force shifted into my human form, somehow I understood what the moon was trying to remind me, that it was all my fault, curling around my self, I gritted my teeth, refusing to let my tears fall, letting out another whimper, I felt Raine in my mind, he had shut me out after the rejection.

"Give me control Talon." he mindlinked me softly, relinquishing control to him, I felt the pain reduce drastically as my wolf took on the bulk for me.

"Thank you." I whimpered gratefully, he hummed in response, I could feel he was in intense pain, I sighed feeling like the scum of the earth.

"I'm sorry Raine, I'm so sorry." I said quietly, he gave no reply but I understood his silence, he was angry at me but i was his other half and he would never let me be in pain, not when he could do something about it, he didn't agree with me but he loved me, and that was what mattered most, closing my eyes, I shifted and lay down, deciding to let my wolf be among the elements he loved, badly hoping it would provide even the slightest of relief, as I settled down in the quiet of the woods, my mind wandered.

~flashback~

"I Alpha Jaylen Alexander Shadow..." Jay began, I looked up at him in shock and hurt,

"I..." he trailed off, looking away, I realized, he couldn't do it, shaking off the slight comfort I felt from that, I knew it was up to me.

"I Alpha Talon Raine Moon of Crescent Moon Pack reject you, Alpha Jaylen Alexander Shadow of Blood Shadow Pride as my mate." I said without a breath, hearing his sharp gasp of pain, I looked up at him in shock, as he grabbed the wall for support,

' what had I done?' I thought in horror, as I saw his beautiful features scrunch up in pain, he looked up at me, those blue orbs held so much hurt and pain, I sucked in a sharp breath as I felt my heart breaking at the sight, steadying himself, he struggled to an erect position, taking a deep breath in, he shut his eyes.

The moment his eyes fluttered open, I felt myself grow cold at the look he gave me, smiling coldly, he replied,

"I Alpha Jaylen Alexander Shadow of Blood Shadow Pride gladly accept your rejection Alpha Talon Raine Moon." I gasped as my chest tightened in pain, closing my eyes with gritted teeth, I struggled to take in a breath, grabbing at my shirt, he briefly looked at me before turning and walking away, stopping halfway,

"From this moment henceforth, I and my pride will have absolutely nothing to do with you and your pack, I'd also appreciate it if you stayed out of my sight." he informed me without turning, not waiting for a reply, he headed out, and the farther he got out of my sight, the more I fell apart.

~flashback over~

My eyes fluttered open, looking around I registered that we were still in the forest. I was now in my human form, I immediately checked in with my wolf, noticing he was resting, the pain had subsided to a bearable extent, and I took complete control from him, easing his burden, he hummed tiredly and I sighed fully aware that for it to be possible for me to sleep through all that, Raine must have expended a lot of effort.

"I don't know what I did to deserve you Ray." I thought gratefully, he chuckled tiredly,

"I always ask myself the same question, considering you never do anything right, I really don't know." He replied, I snorted, deciding to walk back home so Ray could rest a bit.

Stretching, I searched for one of the many trees that hid clothes for naked emergencies we shifters often got into, pulling on a pair of shorts, I jogged all the way back to my pack house.

Getting out of the woods, I noticed my beta Cain waiting at the front porch, he rushed to me the moment he caught my scent, pausing as he observed me.

"you okay?" he asked worriedly and I smiled weakly with a nod,

"yeah, I'm good.", his look showed he didn't believe me but he didn't continue asking.

"did something happen while I was gone?" I asked seriously and he sighed,

"we all heard your howl last night, and simultaneously Alpha Jaylen withdrew all involvements with the pack, warriors of the pride have been stationed at our shared border, a clear display of hostility, he seems to be completely done with us this time, combined with your howl last night, the pack has been in a state of alarm, Elder Mathias has been fueling the fire by making hints at this being a declaration of war, panic is spreading, it's total chaos right now." he explained, I nodded in understanding, going into the house and heading for my room, he followed after me with a look of confusion.

"you're not going to say anything?" he asked and I sighed staring blankly at him,

"is there something I was supposed to say?" I asked uninterested, he eyes searched mine for a while before he sighed, nodding in understanding.

"I will inform the pack that you wish to rest and as such should be left alone." he said with a bow, I nodded, and headed to my room.

I took a quick shower and went straight to bed, shutting my eyes, I drifted off into a much needed sleep.

"Kyle, wait!" I said grabbing his arm, he turned to me with a glare,

"I thought you were on my side Lon!" he said angrily,

"you need to calm down a bit and think about this rationally, you haven't even told Jay anything." I explained,

"he's no where to be found is he?, for the past five months we haven't seen or heard from him, besides, you and I both know he'd do everything to stop me from 'making a mistake' as you all think this is, I know what I feel Talon, He's the one." he said with conviction,

"you have to reconsider this Kyle, just wait till your 18th birthday, that way we'd be sure, if you do this, and you're wrong, you know the repercussions, claiming someone else would completely break your bond with your true mate, if James is not your mate as he claims to be, you'll end up never meeting your true mate....ever, taking that risk for a hunch, it's just not worth it Kyle." I reasoned, he pulled his hand from mine sharply,

"a hunch huh, that's what you think it is?" he asked crossly,

"look Kyle, all I'm asking is to at least wait till we can reach Jay, he's our best friend,he should know, and if you won't then wait till your 18th birthday." I pleaded,

"and give my parents enough time to tear us apart huh?, I think not, my mind is made up, I'm claiming him tonight, I love him and my wolf does as well, he has to be my mate, I'm sure of it, he turned 18 yesterday, he has already confirmed it, he would never lie to me, look Talon, it's either you support me or you don't, either ways, my decision stands." he said firmly, then turned and walked away without looking back.

I woke up with a sigh, frowning at my dream,

'If only Kyle had listened to me that day' I thought sadly, with a shake of my head, I got off my bed and headed out.

~Jaylen's POV~

I rushed up to my office the moment I was out of the clearing, Leo tried to get my attention but I brushed past him, getting into my office and locking the door.

I rested my back against the door and slid down to the floor as the pain over came me, shutting my eyes I drew my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms round them, shuddering in pain. I couldn't scream....I wouldn't scream, I couldn't let my pride hear me, my pride as a Lion wouldn't let me so I gritted my teeth and held down the pain.

I would cry, but I didn't know how to, I never had, and I wouldn't start now, not over him,

"but what are we gonna do about her?" my Lion whimpered in my mind and my heart was consumed with more pain and loss.

I wish I hadn't walked away, I wish I hadn't told her I understood, I didn't want to understand, I couldn't understand, I should have held unto her, I should've told her she was my last chance at happiness, I should've told her she was everything I could ever ask for and more, I should've told her being with her was never an option to be decided on, I should've told her I wanted...no I needed her, I should've"... standing up with a loud growl I trashed my office, breaking everything in sight, having nothing more to destroy I looked around, taking in the havoc I had caused,

And yet the pain hadn't let up even a little bit, growling in anger I punched continuous holes through the wall till my knuckles were torn up and bloody....and still nothing, I crumbled to the floor in despair, my whole body shook with the pain, my Lion forced his way out, halving the pain I felt, I wordlessly stayed at the back of my mind, till I heard it...his howl...it held so much pain, so much sadness, so much longing, so much guilt....

'and yet, he rejected us!' my Lion cut short my thoughts with anger, I nodded in agreement as I decisively pushed all thoughts of Talon out my mind.... and suddenly I felt nothing, I didn't hate him, but I knew I just didn't care anymore.

~Author's Note~

So, a lot of drama huh?, Our female lead sure seems totally unaware of the pain a rejection can inflict...and our male leads ....I'm sure Talon must look like a jerk right now, but believe me, I'm sure Lon has a reason...but then again no reason is reason enough right? , oh well, btw...I'm sure y'all are wondering who Kyle is, we'll know soon enough...see y'all in the next chapter

~Ariana~