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

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

can’t be with her every hour of the day” Damien says exasperated

Winter needs to be able to talk, I don’t think

can’t tell me anything or

brothers cheeks. I’m absolutely heartbroken. This

but he’s so afraid for me. Am I

protect me

and he hangs his head. I so badly want to move forward and

I’m frantically blinking my own tears back. I was right that I was never going to speak again

still hurts even though I was prepared for it. Damien hangs up the phone and rests

huge noise as I walk into

his face.

he says thickly as I pretend not to notice “I was just about

asks and I shrug. I don’t really care, it makes no difference to

| shake my head adamently. I’ve never been a real

“Chinese?”

of my head.

nod excitedly. It’s been forever since we had Indian and I loved spicy food. He gives me

dining table, motioning for me to sit as well, looking extremely pale and

have to tell

me but I don’t interrupt, waiting for him

wrestles with his conscience.

he clears his throat and looks away,

whispers “and I’m really sorry but

themselves, they were too

this but my body slumps anyway, He reaches over and takes my hand and I let him, not used

it’s killing me that he’s feeling so wretched