Rejected Mate's Vengeance

The group of young Deltas, Conner Wallace, had been venting their frustrations without a care until they suddenly remembered that Kensley, Jaxson’s mother, was standing right in front of us.

Kensley’s eyes welled up with tears, her lips trembling as she struggled to speak. “Did Jaxson really say that?” she finally managed, her voice barely audible.

“Aura, I’m sorry. I’ve ruined your life. I’m useless. I’ll give you my life as an apology!” she choked out, her emotions spiraling out of control.

In the heavy silence that followed, I clenched my jaw and dropped to my knees in front of her. “Mom, this isn’t your fault. Jaxson’s the one who’s lost his way. I’ve never blamed you!” I said firmly.

“If it weren’t for you giving me food when I was a child, I would’ve starved to death. I don’t want your apology. I want you to live!” I added, my voice cracking with emotion.

When I was young, my parents had died in a rogue attack, leaving me orphaned and alone. It was Kensley who took me in, fed me, and raised me as her own. She was the only family I had left.

Jaxson had once been in love with Camryn Lawrence, a Beta, but she had left him for a stronger mate, crushing him. After that, he turned to me, and Kensley, who had always admired my resilience, urged me to accept him. I had bonded with him out of gratitude, but then Camryn returned.

Jaxson demanded a rejection, but Kensley refused to allow it. The whole pack was in an uproar, and with Camryn’s manipulations, Jaxson became convinced that I was the one holding Kensley back. He resented me deeply and, to get back at me, he began indulging in reckless pack runs and lavish pack gatherings with Camryn.

My emotions churned inside me, but I forced myself to stay calm for Kensley’s sake. When she finally settled, I reached out and took her rough, calloused hand in mine.

“Mom, you’re not well. You can’t hold on much longer,” I said softly. “Let me take your place, okay?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, the crowd erupted in protest.

“Aura, think carefully! That’s a rogue trap from the last pack war. If it goes off, you’ll either die or be left crippled for life! You’re throwing away your future!” one of the Deltas shouted.

“You’re young and strong. Don’t risk your life like this!” another added.

Kensley’s tears kept flowing. “Aura, I raised you because your parents saved me from the rogue attack! I’m already halfway to the grave. If I die, so be it. Don’t get involved!” she pleaded.

But I held her hand tightly, refusing to let go. “I can’t watch you die. If you won’t let me take your place, then I’ll stay here with you. We’ll face this together,” I said firmly.

After a long, tense moment, Kensley finally relented. “Fine,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

The Gamma, Leighton Gilbert, seeing that he couldn’t dissuade me, ordered the group to retreat to a safe distance. Back when things were good, Jaxson had once told me how to replace someone who had triggered a rogue trap. I used that knowledge now, guiding Kensley through the process as I carefully shifted my weight onto the trap.

My legs felt like jelly, and fear clawed at my chest, but I forced myself to stay steady. I had nothing left to lose. Kensley was the only person who had ever truly cared for me, and I couldn’t let her die.

After an agonizing silence, Kensley and I successfully switched places. She wiped her tears and looked at me, her expression fierce. “Aura, wait here. I’ll go find that ungrateful son of mine myself!” she declared.

As I stood there, the crowd’s gaze shifted from pity to admiration. The young Deltas who had been venting earlier now stepped forward.

“Aunt Kensley, we’ll go with you. You need to teach Jaxson a lesson. He’s gone too far this time,” they said, their voices firm.

With that, they escorted Kensley away, disappearing down the path.

Leighton and I waited in silence for what felt like an eternity before they finally returned.