The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 65

Darius POV

I was miserable, but then so was she. Ever since Sophie had spilled the beans on Amber's pregnancy i was ke there was a shadow hanging over us. I had been incredulous at the news and then angry. Why had she taken so long to tell me? Why didn't Amber speak to me and let me know that she was pregnant with my child? I don't know what I would have done, but now my options are limited. For instance, did I go and replace Amber and this Alpha Rowan and demand a paternity test? Could I really do that to Amber? But wasn't I entitled to see my child? To be a part of its life? It had started a heated argument, one that lasted for days. Sophie had been inconsolable, terrified I would leave her considering that she was infertile. While I understood, partially, where she was coming from, it still hadn't been a good enough excuse for keeping me in the dark for so long. Then I discovered her parents had known but still insisted that I marry Sophie and it had been enough to push me over the edge. Without so much as a by your leave, I had gathered some of my things and moved into a guest room, unable to bear looking at Sophie's face for even a minute longer. Not when I was so livid.

My mother and father were confused, of course, for neither Sophie nor I would tell them what the argument was about and we'd been careful to shout in whispers so that we weren't overheard. It helped that most of the pack rooms were soundproofed, of course, but we'd still been cautious. These days, Sophie was wallowing in her misery, walking around with a very ashen face and practically stumbling along the corridors and hallways, completely silent, barely acknowledging anyone, not even my mother. Whereas I, on the other hand, had kept myself occupied and busy, doing numerous tasks and paperwork that involved either pack business, or my father's business. I kept late hours and came home late every night, long after Sophie was in bed so that I didn't have to worry about running into her.

Knock, knock. I paused in my writing, staring at the clock. It was late and I was currently in my parent's study, catching them up on paperwork. It was almost midnight and I wondered who was still up to see that I was awake. It was my mother, alone, clad in a robe and nightgown, a tired smile on her face.

"Can I come in?" she asked hoarsely, looking drained.

I sat back in the chair and made a gesture, inviting her to come inside. Not that she needed the invitation when it was, in fact, her and father's study to be fair.

My mother made herself comfortable in the armchair across from me, folding her ankles and resting her delicate, fragile-looking hands in her lap. She cleared her throat as I stared mutely, wondering what it was that she wanted to talk to me about. Finally, she spoke. "It's about Sophie," she said delicately, as I stiffened and then scowled at her. What right did mother have to pry into my private affairs?

"What about Sophie?" I asked evenly, pretending to give a damn.

My mother could always see right through me. "Darius," she said sharply, "I don't know what it is that you and Sophie are arguing about, but I do know this. The both of you look completely miserable when you looked so happy coming back from your honeymoon. What on earth happened between the two of you?"

I looked away, clenching my jaw and not answering. It was none of my mother's business and she knew. If this was what she wanted to talk about, then she could just leave.

My mother's face softened for a moment. "Listen," she said softly, leaning forward and gazing directly into my eyes as I blinked at her. "I know that your father and I have been hard on you, that it wasn't easy having to marry Sophie. Perhaps we should have given you some more time, but we were in a hurry to get you situated and married. We're getting older" she explained, pausing, "and tired. Tired of running the pack and the business. We want to retire soon, get to enjoy our grandchildren, and spend time with our family. You were always going to take over the running of the pack, sooner or later, but now with your stubbornness with Sophie and your bickering, I don't know if you're mature enough to be the leader."

That stung. It wasn't my fault that Sophie and I were arguing. Besides,, who else was going to take over leadership of the pack? I was their only son. "I'm mature", I said gruffly, "you and father still argue, don't you?" I pointed out.

She grimaced. I had her there and she knew it.

"Yes, we still argue," she said softly, agreeing with me, "but in the end, we make up with each other and forgive each other for what we said or did. That's part of being in a relationship", she exhaled, "and it's not easy, but it's worth it in the end. Sometimes you have to be the bigger person", she explained, "even when you don't feel like being it."

I definitely didn't feel like being the bigger person, but what was I supposed to tell her? Oh hey mum, you know how badly you want grandchildren? Well, it turns out that Amber is pregnant with my baby and your grandchild. How do you feel about that? I couldn't say that. So I muttered "maybe, I'll think about it" in an effort to appease her.

"Do," she says quietly, "it's very lonely sleeping in a bed by yourself, don't you think?"

I didn't have to think about it. I missed Sophie and being in our bed more than I could say. There was something about the way she would sleep beside me, her arm reaching out to touch me, her legs thrown over mine. Her soft snores filled the room, as her gentle breathing and the warmth of her body. I missed her companionship and her witty humor. But I was so angry at her that it made everything else seem obsolete.

"Is she pregnant?" my mother asked sweetly and I shook my head, seeing her shoulders slump and her face droop.

"No mother, she's not pregnant," I said hastily and my mother sighed. I hated to see the disappointment on her face. Lord knows how she would take it when she eventually learns that Sophie couldn't have children.

"Well, give it time," she said wisely, standing up and wrapping her dressing gown more securely around her body, "and think about what I've said. No argument is worth being this miserable" she pointed out, coming around the desk and giving me a quick peck on the cheek. "I love you."

"I love you," I said back, my voice thick and hoarse. Damnit, mother was really getting to me tonight.

I watched her leave with a heavy heart.

I tried to get back to my writing but I just couldn't. My mother's words kept playing in my mind, repeating themselves over and over again. Was she right? Was I being too harsh on Sophie? I tried to see it from Sophie's point of view. I knew she had always loved me, even when we were small children, and that she had viewed Amber as a threat to her happiness. She must have been terrified when she discovered her sister was pregnant with my child. She would have been afraid of losing me completely. It made sense why she'd hidden the information from me, but it still hurt.

I swallowed hard and then sighed. The paperwork remained untouched as I slowly got up and turned the light off, shutting the study door resolutely behind me. I was tired. Tired of the fighting, tired of feeling sad and miserable, tired of being alone at night. I made my way back towards the guest room and was surprised, but not completely shocked, to see Sophie standing in the front of it, her arms folded across her chest, her blue eyes narrowed with resolution.

"We need to talk" she burst out, obviously expecting me to argue back or to be defiant.

Instead, I stunned her by nodding and opening the door, motioning her inside. She walked in hesitantly, glancing over her shoulder to make sure I followed her in.

"I know what I did was wrong, Darius, and I'm sorry" she whispered, her voice shaking, her body trembling, her face extremely pale "I just couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I should have told you about Amber when we first got together or when I found out. I was selfish and pigheaded and a complete b***h for doing what I did and I don't blame you for being angry" she vented.

I held up a hand to stop her in her tracks, her voice grinding to a complete halt. "Sophie," I said evenly and very calmly, "what you did was beyond what I thought you were capable of. Do you know how it feels to replace out you're going to be a father and that you and your parents knew but said nothing? I know Amber said nothing, but you were marrying me, and Amber and I are now exes. I can see why she would want me to have nothing to do with it. But you, you should at the very least have confided in me once we were married instead of waiting so long."

"I know," she said meekly, " I was afraid."

"I know" I growled, "and I'm still mad at you, but I can see your way of looking at things and I can understand why you did it."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "So will you forgive me?" she asked in a small voice.

I hesitated. Could I forgive her and move on from this? Both of us were completely miserable without the other, and my wolf was urging me to forgive, to once again form a bond and relationship with our chosen mate.

"I can forgive you," I said slowly, "so long as you never ever do something like this to me again. Is that understood?" I demanded my tone almost the alpha tone.

She immediately brightened. "I promise" she swore, her voice still shaking, "but Darius, what are you going to do? Are you going to ask for custody of the baby?"

I shook my head. "I don't want full custody, it wouldn't be fair to Amber, but I do want to play a part in my child's life. Can you live with that, Sophie? I know it won't be easy for you, but to me it's fair and if you can't, then just say the word and leave, right now. I won't stop you" I said firmly.

She smiled, though I could see tears forming in the corner of her eyes. "I can live with that, but Darius, you can't just ambush Amber," she said in dismay, "for starters, my father would be furious and I wasn't even supposed to tell you" she added dismayed. Screw her father, I thought fiercely. As it was, I'd had to do some serious sweet talking to replace out where Amber was at the moment with her mother.

"I won't ambush Amber and just turn up, that wouldn't be right" I mused, "but perhaps a letter to open up some contact would be best? She was always partial to letters", I added, and saw Sophie wince.

"I think that's a good idea", Sophie breathed, "and at some stage, we will go and see her. I'd like to see for myself how she's going and what she's up to. I don't believe a word of what my father told me. I still think she could use our help, but then again, she's the feisty brave one and I'm the..."

"Beautiful, sweet, gorgeous, one" I supplied with a small smile as she blushed and bit her lip.

"Not that beautiful" she whispered shyly.

I grabbed hold of her hand and drew her towards me, reveling in the sparks that flew between us and the tingles that ran down my spine. I leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. "Let's get started on this letter," I said firmly, "and then let's go to bed, the two of us together."

With luck, I could get the letter sent, without my parents being none the wiser.