Secrets Behind the Betrayal

Chapter 12

I sit up quickly, something startling me awake. Pain shoots through my body at the sudden movement and I wrap my arms around my belly. I look around the room, my eyes landing on a tall female standing at the window. I immediately recognize her as Gretchen. Confusion swirls in my head as I watch her. After a long moment, she turns to me, one eyebrow raised.

"You're awake," she says nonchalantly, her arms crossed over her chest.

I narrow my eyes. "If you've come to give me a hard time, I'm really not in the mood," I mutter.

She chuckles and shakes her head. "No. I came to check in on you." She pauses for a moment before continuing. "And I wanted to say that I was wrong about you. You have more guts than I thought and I never should have underestimated you."

I'm taken aback by this and I stare at her, scrambling for what I should say. "Thank you," I manage after a moment. "That means a lot."

She nods and we lapse into silence. Then I remember how I ended up here and my heart begins to race again.

"Gretchen," I say urgently. "Is Talia alive?"

She sighs and nods. "Unfortunately. In my opinion, it would have been better for everyone if you had killed her, but plenty of the pack admires you for stepping back when you did. It showed you can stand up for yourself, but you're not ruthless."

I let out the breath I didn't realize I had been holding. "Thank the goddess," I murmur. I scoot back in the bed until my back is resting on the wall and I allow my aching body to relax.

Gretchen watches me for a moment and shakes her head. "I feel bad for you though," she says.

I raise one eyebrow. "Why?"

"The Alpha is livid. Once you passed out, he had the medics bring you in and he disappeared into the woods. He's been gone for hours, but when he comes back, you're in for a world of hurt."

Sorrow courses through my veins as I remember what Noax said before my fight with Talia. I stare at my hands as I clench them into fists in my lap.

"Are you okay?" Gretchen asks.

I nod, looking back up at her. "Yeah, I'm fine. Would you mind giving me some time by myself?"

She nods. "Of course. If you need anything, just yell."

With that, she walks out, leaving me alone. I lean my head against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. Tears well up in my eyes and fall down my cheeks. I'm heartbroken and conflicted on what I want to do from here. I'm marked which means our mate bond is sealed. I could always leave and go home if I choose to not be with him anymore. It would put both of us through immense amounts of pain after so long being apart. If I stay, I can either remain together with Noax and help him run the pack, or join the ranks of the Omegas and serve under him which would also be painful.

Rae...

I know. I want you to stay with him, but I can't make this decision for you. Regardless of your choice, I hope you understand that I would like to remain within the pack, at least. I don't want to lose Raza again. She says sadly.

I understand. I won't go home, but I'm not sure what I want to do as far as Noax is concerned. It hurts to think of him loving somebody else. More tears stream down my cheeks and I pull my knees to my chest, sobbing.

You'll figure this out. Talk to him and hopefully you guys can make peace, even if it's just to smooth things over so you can join the Omegas.