REIKA

SIX

Dad searched for days but couldn't find him. That man disappeared. No trace, no way to track him.

The thought of me still having a chance to kill him with my own hands helped me move forward. The pain from getting rejected would last for a long time. It could take me months or years before I could move on, more if the rejection was one-sided. The person who gets rejected always has it worse. Or so my grandma Sage told me.

Five weeks have passed, and I have stayed at home the whole time. After what happened, I left the camp and didn't come back. I could still do so, but Dad wanted me near him. He, like the rest of my family, was on high alert. While staying at home with Dad, I had received many visits.

Grandma Sage's visit was very helpful. The same thing had happened to her when she was young, almost as young as I was. Back then, she had no one and I don't even know how she could do it on her own. Even when I was counting on the full support of my family, it was still difficult. I truly admired her strength.

If anyone knew what was going through my head, it was her. She urged me to not let hate guide my actions. Grandma told me she too felt the hate and the consuming need for killing the person who hurt her, but that it got better with time. She also told me not to feel guilty. It wasn't my fault my mate turned out to be shit. Still, I blamed myself for what happened. If I hadn't trusted in him so easily, none of this would have taken place. Time will heal you, were her words. She held me in her warm arms for a long time before she and grandpa John left.

Shortly after her visit, was grandpa Than's. He came to ask as many details as he could learn about that man. He was helping Dad move earth and sky to find him. Dad had stayed at home with me and Mom took the full Alpha role for the time being. Kane, my parents Beta, passed by daily and made sure there wasn't anything I needed. I could tell they came out of love, not duty. We have always loved Kane as a family member.

Grandpa Damon's visit took me by surprise. Now that I have gone through this pain, I couldn't see him the same way I did before. Is funny how when we are kids, we love all our family members without seeing their flaws. It was like I had just opened my eyes and seen him for who he really was. How could he do something like that to Grandma? I knew it was unfair for me to feel this way and that he was sorry, but I couldn't help it. Talking to him brought mixed feelings.

"There's one thing I know for sure, he must be regretting it. By now he must have realized how much he fucked up and I bet you anything that he will look for you. I wouldn't be surprised if you find him roaming near you. The goddess knows I would have looked for your grandma, but she had left my pack already and I couldn't track her. I knew nothing about her, not even a last name to begin my search," Grandpa said, as I gave him a dead stare. He couldn't be, possibly...

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking his side. If I ever find him, I'll beat him to a pulp, Reika. I will look for him in my pack as well as all surrounding packs. I just want you to know he is regretting it." Grandpa Damon's head dropped, and he became pensive. It was as if his past self was talking on that man's behalf. He must have seen this as a reflection of his own regrets. In some parts, he must have been right. I haven't rejected him so the bond wasn't completely lost, and I believe he could feel it, just as I did.

"I know how it feels to reject the person who was supposed to own your heart out of stupidity, and I also know what it feels to be rejected, see them move on, and be happy with a chosen mate," he voiced softly, still looking at the ground. "It fucks up everything. Every aspect of your life." Grandpa dried a tear with the back of his hand and patted his knee before searching for my eyes.

"When you do find him, at least give him one last chance to speak." My grandfather gave me a sad smile and stood. His eyes told me he knew my feelings towards him changed. I could tell he wanted to hug me before leaving, but he didn't. Grandpa left in silence, closing the front door behind him.