Three Fated Hearts by LNC
Chapter 78

~Mark~

I feel wretched! I swear my body is sluggish, and my mind is hazy. I've felt this way since Jenna leftthe territory. I've been struggling with training and my duties as the future Beta of the pack. I'vetried to keep the twins out of it as much as possible, relying on Tia to talk it out with me.

She has been off as well. I guess replaceing out that your sisters wanted to, possibly, kill you is enoughto have anyone acting off. We have relied on each other to get gain some sort of semblance. Lynnhas also been helping us, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Our parents are in front of the packhouse now, welcoming the guests for tomorrow's ceremony. Ihad planned to join them, but I just couldn“t put the fake smile on my face and pretend. I'd have topretend that my heart and soul aren't hurting. That angers me! Why should I be hurting? Whyshould I want someone that is clearly no good for me? It isn't just Cato who yearns for her; I hatemyself for that. Out of all of the she-wolves I could have been fated to, it just had to be her, Jenna.A knock on my door brings me out of my thoughts. “Yeah?” My door is pushed open, and Lynnstands in the doorway, arms crossed in front of her. “What's up? Did mom and dad need me?”

“No, they are still performing their last duties as Beta male and female. Look,” Lynn shifts from footto foot. She looks a bit nervous.

"Do....downstairs?” Lynn nods and tries to hide her smile. I jump out of bed and run to my closet. Istart to shuffle through the clothes before I stop. What the hell am I doing?! She doesn't deserve mybest. I slowly make my way out of the closet, and the minute Lynn's eyes meet mine, she falls on thebed laughing.

"Oh yeah! There's a wolf who wants to reject his mate.” Lynn is laughing hysterically, and I slap hera*s as I walk past her. “Ow you a*****e. You're going to pay for that one.” I can hear the rustling ofthe blankets, so I start to run down the hall and down the stairs. I slide into the hallway, stopping infront of the living room where that scent hits me like a truck; apples and cinnamon.

I clear my throat and walk into the room. Jenna is standing in front of the fireplace. She was lookingat the family photos we have up until I got to the hallway. I sit on the couch and watch her. I missedher beauty and her body, to be honest. She looks nervous, and I'm not sure if that's sweet or shouldbe expected. "He...hey."

“What are you doing here, Jenna?” She sighs but doesn't move from her spot.

“I mean, I came with my father to watch the ceremony.” I nod, not expecting her to say anythingelse. “Also...” I look at Jenna, waiting for her to finish her sentence. The nervousness andanxiousness are heavy in the air, and it's getting a bit hard to breathe.

"Also..."

“I, also, came to see you. I came to..." I cross my arms across my body.

“You came to accept my rejection, finally.” Jenna's face falls, and I can feel a pang in my heart. Iswallow, trying not to show that I'm affected.

“I...just let me say what I came to say and if you want me to accept your rejection after, I will. I won'tfight you anymore.” I look at her, trying to replace any untruth in her words, but I detect none. I nod,indicating that she should continue. Jenna sighs and turns back to the mantle. “I lived my life acting.You know people have a certain view when it comes to Alpha children. Many see us as spoiled andarrogant. Many want to be friends with us because of our status, not really caring about who wereally are. I pretended that all of those views that others had of me were the real me and conductedmyself in that way. I was the prissy, spoiled, arrogant b***h that ran to daddy to get whatever shewanted. That was never the real me though.” Jenna turns to face me. “The problem is that Ipretended for so long that I forgot I was pretending.” Jenna sits in an armchair adjacent to thecouch.

“I know I came here for the wrong reasons the first time. I.....I thought I was coming here to get whatI wanted, what I deserved. I was so wrong. I had no right to try to break up a couple just because ofwhat I wanted. I should have never made a deal with the Luna or came here to cause any trouble.I'm...I'm glad I did though.” My back straightens, and I look at Jenna like she’s crazy. She chucklesand closes her eyes. “If I hadn't have showed up, no matter the f**ked up reason, I wouldn't havefound you. I'm grateful for that. I'm so sorry that you are fated to someone who doesn't deserveyou. You are way too good for me and I know you'll want to have all that you deserve.” Jenna getsup and walks toward me, placing a hand on my shoulder. The sparks under her hand makebutterflies appear in my stomach, and I inhale sharply.

“I'm so sorry. I want you to know that I apologized to the twins and Tia. If you want me to acceptyour rejection, I will. Just... just dont make me do it right now. I don't think I can take it right now. Iknow I don't deserve to ask anything of you, but just... just give me some time.” I see a tear fall fromJenna's eyes while she runs to the door and disappears through it.