Knotting His Rejected Breeder

RAMON’S POV

"What do you want, Lorena?" I asked, right after I caught her rolling her eyes hard. Her posture was tense, shoulders rigid as she stood near the window, the afternoon light casting sharp shadows across her face.

"What did the man chaser want?" She asked right back, her voice sharp with suspicion, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

I sighed, and reclined into my seat. The leather creaked under my weight, the familiar sound grounding me as I tried to keep my frustration in check. "Why exactly are you calling her names?" I asked, my fingers drumming lightly on the arm of the chair.

"Because she’s exactly that," she dragged the seat Jackie had just occupied, and sat on it. The wood scraped against the floor, the harsh sound matching the edge in her voice. "You should know, since she tried to eat you too."

"Nope, wrong," I wagged a dismissive finger. "Her father tried to get us together. It didn’t work, because I didn’t want her. Neither did she want me."

She scoffed, and rolled her eyes again. "She didn’t want you? That’s news to me." Her tone dripped with disbelief, the words laced with old jealousy that still simmered beneath the surface.

"Lorena, what do you want?" I asked in frustration, leaning forward as I rubbed my temples, the headache from the day’s events throbbing behind my eyes.

"Right, I’d be leaving the pack today."

"You too?!" I blurted before I could stop myself, my eyes widening as the words escaped. The surprise hit me like a cold splash, making my pulse quicken.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked, eyeing me suspiciously, her brows furrowing as she leaned closer.

"Nothing. Why are you leaving the pack?" I asked her, forcing my voice to stay even despite the growing tension in my shoulders.

"Well for starters, it’s that time of the year."

"What time?" I asked, completely clueless on what she was talking about, my mind still reeling from the earlier conversations.

"Please, don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. Seriously, Ramon?"

Her face looked shocked that I couldn’t remember whatever she was talking about. The disappointment in her eyes was clear, a mix of hurt and irritation that made my chest tighten.

If she would just go straight to the point, and tell me, we would save ourselves the stress of going round in endless circles.

"Just tell me what time of the year it is, and why you’re leaving the pack."

"I can’t believe you don’t remember. Actually, I’m disappointed you don’t remember." She frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line as she looked away.

"Alright, forgive me for not remembering. Could you please tell me what the hell you’re talking about now?"

"Fine!" She hissed loudly. "It’s the remembrance day of my pack, remember? I have to go mourn my dead parents, and a pack that can never be resurrected."

"Oh. I’m so sorry I forgot, Lorena. I’ll come with you—"

"Don’t bother," she interrupted. "I don’t want to be disturbed. My pack was a small one, anyway. I just need to tell my parents about our child. I’m sure they’re taking care of him in the beyond, before he gets to this world." She smiled, as she spoke, her hand resting lightly on her belly, the gesture protective and soft.

"Yeah, you should absolutely do that."

"What would you be doing, whilst I’m gone?" She asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied me.

"Training my wolves, why?"

"Nothing," she shrugged. "I take it you’re out of your period of mourning now?" She asked in a voice that told me she was holding her breath for my response.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Lorena?"

"Well, I know we never really speak about it, but Sonia rejected you. Isn’t that why you decided to turn to nature, and all of that blissful bullshit?"

My eyes grew darker, as I stared at her with an intense gaze. The mention of Sonia’s name hit like a slap, the old wound flaring to life as my jaw clenched.

"Sonia did what?" I asked in a calm but venomous tone, my fingers digging into the arms of the chair.

"I meant she didn’t return to the pack with you. I never mentioned it all this while because I didn’t want to be the bad guy. But I’m not stupid, Ramon. I know all of these things," she said, her voice rising slightly as she leaned forward.

I breathed in and out to calm myself. She was going to see her dead parents. It was a difficult time for her.

There was no need for me to add to her difficulty. The thought of her pain, the loss she carried, made me bite back the sharp words rising in my throat.

"I’ll ask Daniel to go with you, just in case any trouble arises," I suggested, changing the topic as I forced my voice to stay steady.

"Except you want me to return with just his head, I’ll suggest you keep him here with you. I have my maids already. You don’t need to worry about me."

"But I have to worry about you. You’re carrying my child."

"And that’s all you care about, isn’t it?"

"Lorena! Why are you fishing for a fight?"

"I’m not. I just want us to clarify things. Where exactly do I stand in your life, Ramon? Asides from the mother of your child, what am I to you? Am I even the least bit important to you?" She asked, at the verge of tears, her voice cracking as her hands trembled in her lap.

I tried to come up with a response to that sudden question, but nothing so far was forthcoming in my head. The silence stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable, the weight of her words pressing down on me.

"You see? You can’t even answer me. It’s all Sonia. She’s your fated mate, after all. I was so stupid to think that a child would change anything between us. But there’s nothing I can do. It’s too late to change the past. But let’s get one thing straight, Ramon, you’ll not treat me like crap. I won’t be tossed aside easily," she warned, and rose to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Lorena, you’re being reactionary," I said, finding my voice as I stood as well, my hands clenching at my sides.

"No. I’m just protecting myself, and my child, just in case you decide to change your mind, and go after your fated mate. My child will not play second fiddle to anyone. I hope we’re clear about that?"

"Are you threatening me?" I asked, appalled by her tone, my eyes narrowing as I took a step toward her.

"I’m just telling you I won’t be reduced to nothing."

"And what makes you think that’s my plan? If it was, you won’t be here, but she will. Have you thought of it that way?"

"You’re not going to manipulate me, Ramon. Unlike Sonia, I have some brain in me. If you’re serious about me, and your child, make me your Luna. That’s my condition."

"What?!" I scoffed. "Your condition for what?" I asked, because this was getting pretty interesting.

Even my wolf sat up to witness whatever this back and forth was, its attention sharp and alert.

"Condition to remain in bloodmoon with your child."

"And if I don’t?" I asked, calling her bluff as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Then you’d have to imprison me, because I’ll run so far away with this child, even if you scorch the earth, you’ll never find me," she warned, her eyes flashing with defiance as she held my gaze.

"I don’t like your tone, Lorena. I’m trying not to lose it with you in honor of what this period represents, but you’re pushing me."

"Why can’t you make me your Luna? Why is it something so alarming to do?"

"You do know my fated mate is alive, right? How’s that supposed to work?"

"It never stopped you from fucking me. Why is it different now?"

I closed my eyes, and counted to ten. The numbers steadied me, a small anchor against the rising anger. When I opened them again, I knew I was done with this conversation.

"Get out Lorena."

The chill in my voice gave her the realization she needed.

She huffed, but walked to the door, and banged it shut behind her. The sound echoed in the room, a final punctuation to the argument that left the air thick with unresolved tension.