The Alpha's Rejected Silent Mate

Chapter 31

Winter POV

It’s my eighteenth birthday next week, which falls neatly into my plan. I doubt Damien even remembers, he’s not celebrated any of my birthdays before and it’s not like Johnathon’s going to know. All I have to do is hold on until then. Because then I can shift, I’ll finally have my wolf and that is the most important aspect of my plan.

I’m leaving this place. I have no ties to my home, except for Damien and I don’t want to be a burden to him. In my condition, unable to talk to him, I’m not much of a sister, or someone he can talk to. I also know that he’s planning

omeon

on getting a job to look after us both and while I would do the same, who would hire

and while I would do the same, who would hire someone who was mute? I’m not

stupid, it was easy enough to see the expression on the doctor and Damien’s face. My vocal chords have been

damaged beyond repair, it was only going to be more painful to have hope.

I can’t bear to go downstairs, see Damien because if I spend too much time with him in the next few days, then!

might change my mind. I’m in so much agony by my decision, that my chest hurts and it feels tight, tears welling up in the corner of my eyes. Would I hurt my brother for doing this? Or would he be relieved to no longer have me, a burden, to contend with? As for Johnathon? He confused me. It’s like he couldn’t bear to be too far from me, or maybe

it was guilt for rejecting me? I’d felt the mate bond sever, even if I hadn’t really made a big deal of it. So he should be moving on with his life, just like I want to move on from mine. I refuse to feel bad about it. He’ll find another mate, hell Jessica desperately wanted him and she always gets what she wants eventually. I’d be surprised if he refused her

advances a second time.

I can’t stay up here forever though, Damien’s already suspicious and so I force myself to come out of my room

and go downstairs where I can hear Damien on the phone, presumably to some friend of his. I’m about to walk forward and let him know I’m there when I hear his conversation and realize he’s talking about me. But to who?

“Yes sir, I really appreciate you taking the time to call. So you’re of the opinion that she won’t ever be able to talk

Damien sounds frustrated but I jolt, realizing he’s talking

the day” Damien says exasperated and I flinch. He sounds so defeated, so broken as his

there’s something you can do? Winter needs to be

tell me anything or scream

down my brothers cheeks. I’m absolutely heartbroken. This is what

for

That he needs to protect me

it” he whispers and he hangs his head. I so badly

blinking my own tears back. I was right that I was never going to speak again then.

for it. Damien hangs up the phone and rests his

noise as I walk into the kitchen, Damien springing back and hastily wiping tears

his face.

pretend not to notice “I

care, it makes no difference to

again” | shake my head adamently. I’ve

“Chinese?”

shake of my head. Guess I

been forever since we had Indian and

dining table, motioning for me to sit as well, looking

he begins “I have to tell you something and

going to tell me but I don’t interrupt, waiting for him to speak and

wrestles with his conscience.

clears his throat and looks

you were still upstairs” he whispers “and I’m really sorry but

repairing themselves, they were too shredded in

He reaches over and takes my hand and I let him, not used

it’s killing me that he’s feeling so wretched over it. Even when he beat