Two Years Gone

ELLA

After crashing into Zane and Mariah, I made my way back to the kitchen, fuming. It seemed like nothing had changed after all this time.

“What happened?” my mother asked, looking at the ruined food.

I rolled my eyes. “Someone opened a door into me.” My mother huffed and we went back to work, replacing the dropped tray.

“Hun, can you take this water out to Declan? He’s almost out.”

“Yep,” I replied. I rolled the cart of water to the ballroom and up to the bar. “Here’s your water, Dec.”

“Thanks, Ells, you’re a lifesaver. These guys are going through drinks faster than I can make them.” I gave him a warm smile before making my way back out of the ballroom.

Suddenly, I crashed into a brick wall of a man. “I’m sorry, excuse me.” I lowered my head in submission, hoping whoever it was would let me by.

I was met with a grunt and looked up to meet Zane’s gaze. My eyes widened, and I involuntarily recoiled. “Excuse me, Alpha,” I said quietly before rushing out of the room.

I ran out of the ballroom and back to the kitchen, hyperventilating. My mom ran to me, worry in her voice. “Ells Bells, what’s wrong? What happened?”

“Not again,” I managed to stutter, rubbing my hands on my face and through my hair. I slid down the side of the island and sat on the floor, my knees at my chest.

“Not again?” My mom was confused. “Ella, what is going on?”

“I-I c-can’t do this again. I am over him! My mate pull is g-gone!” I stammered, trying to control my breathing. “But he’s everywhere!”

My mom bent down in front of me, placing her hands on my knees. “You knew it would be hard, even after two years. Just take a deep breath and remember that you aren’t mates.”

I took a deep breath, remembering the pain Zane had caused me.

The excruciating pain of the rejection and the months of verbal abuse from pack members afterward. He didn’t have to deal with it, he got to run away for two years.

“Nobody wants me, Mom. I’m nothing. Just a little omega,” I mumbled.

“Ella; you are not nothing! Who told you that?” Sophie asked sternly.

“Everyone, Mom! You’ve seen how some of these people treat me. My whole life, the pack has shown me my place. It’s why Zane rejected me. I wasn’t good enough.”

I could see the anger flash through my mother’s eyes. She took a deep breath and stroked my hair. “Sweetheart, you will always be enough for the one who is right for you.”

After a while, I decided to pick myself up and continue my work. The night ended without any more crazy events and I sent my mom home.

“I can close down the kitchen, you go home and rest. I’ll be home soon.” I gave my mom a kiss and sent her off.

I washed and packed up the trays, sorted the leftovers into bins and put them in the fridge, washed the dishes, and straightened up the kitchen.

Finally, I stacked all the boxes in the corner to take down to storage in the morning. I took off my apron and made my way out of the pack house.

As I opened the door and stepped outside, I almost crashed into him again!

“Hello again, Omega.” Zane looked down at me, a smirk on his face.

I was tired and so not in the mood. “I have a name.” I pushed past him and began to walk down the hill.

“Your point is?”

I turned back to him. “Are you following me?”

“Yes.”

“Well, stop it.”

He grabbed my hand, and I flinched. “I thought we already went over the way you’re supposed to speak to your alpha.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m exhausted, can we get this over with? Or better yet, just do this tomorrow…”

“Get what over with?” He looked at me confused.

“Zane, you’re obviously here to throw some more insults my way. You already rejected me, just leave me alone,” I groaned.

“Ella”—he looked me straight in the eye—“I’m not here to be cruel.”

I laughed bitterly. “Of course you are. Why else would you be speaking to me?”

Zane shrugged. I tore my hand from his grip and walked away again.

“Exactly. So unless it’s about your breakfast tomorrow, please just leave me alone. You’ve done enough.”

Zane growled before making his way back up the hill.

I could hardly believe it. I lay down in my bed and stared at the ceiling. “Can you believe the nerve of that guy?” I thought out loud.

I could hear my wolf whining softly in my head. Why won’t he leave us alone? Maybe he wants us!

“I doubt that,” I replied as I drifted off to sleep.