The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm

Chapter 71: 071: Rejecting Mara

~ RONAN ~

I push open the heavy wooden doors to my mother’s chambers without knocking, my jaw clenched so tightly it aches.

I need to have this conversation. I need to establish boundaries that should have been set long ago. Because if I don’t do it now, if I don’t make it crystal clear that she needs to stay the fuck out of my relationship with Roselle, she’s going to keep crossing lines, keeps interfering and she’s definitely going to keep trying to control my life and my choices.

And I’m done with it.

My mother is sitting at her vanity, examining her reflection in the ornate mirror. She looks up when I enter, and surprise flashes across her features.

"Ronan," she says, setting down her jewelry with slowly. "What an unexpected visit. Did the sky fall today? Is there some catastrophe I’m unaware of that would prompt you to seek me out without me extending an invitation?"

"We need to talk," I say coldly, crossing the room to stand before her.

"About you and Roselle, and about your interference in my relationship."

She cocks a brow, her perfectly shaped brow furrowing. "Very well. Sit down. What’s on your mind, son?"

"Stay away from her," I continue, my voice edging control. "Stop feeding her poison about me, about the curse, and about our bond. Stay away from our relationship. That’s not your place. That’s my choice and I need you to respect that."

She rises to her feet slowly, a frown already etching on her face.

"I know that brat would rat me out," she says, her voice turning venomous. "Typical. Absolutely typical. But let me tell you something, Ronan. I was only trying to protect you, Ronan. You’ve sacrificed so much for this pack, for her. And what has she sacrificed in return? Nothing. She can’t even make one simple sacrifice for you, yet you keep laying everything down at her feet. It’s selfish on her part, not mine."

"Selfish?" I growled, stepping closer. "She gave up everything to be with me. She was willing to walk away to save me from the curse. And you went behind my back to push her out the door. That’s not protection, Mother. That’s meddling."

She steps closer, her eyes rises to looks at me.

"You’ve sacrificed your sanity. You’ve sacrificed your dignity. You’ve sacrificed everything for a girl who..." her words falter... and then she swallows.

"But you know what?" she continues, and her smile turns triumphant. "I’m happy. Genuinely happy. Because the rumors say you slept with Mara. And for all we know, Mara could be pregnant with your child. That makes you indebted to her, andbound to her by more than just destiny."

She paces back and forth, her voice taking on an almost celebratory quality.

"And still, that makes you indebted to Mara in ways that little mute girl could never understand. Finally, finally, you’re going to let go of Roselle. And as fate would have it, Mara turns out to be your true mate."

She pauses, turning to face me with absolute certainty in her expression.

"Which only proves what I’ve been saying all along: Mother knows best."

Kael surge forward with a rage that’s almost impossible to contain.

"Roselle isn’t going anywhere," I say through gritted teeth. "And as for sleeping with Mara—"

I don’t get to finish because the door to my mother’s chambers opens.

Mara walks in, dressed impeccably in a long flowing gown, typically different from what she wears to my office.

My mother’s face lights up with undisguised delight.

"Here comes the future Luna," she says, moving toward Mara with open arms. She embraces her like a long-lost daughter, and I watch as Mara accepts the embrace with smug satisfaction.

"Thank you," my mother says, pulling back to look at Mara. "I want you to know that I’ve always known deep down that you’re the one for my son. I could feel it. I could sense it."

She takes Mara’s hands in hers.

"I can’t wait to give you most of the jewels I inherited when I married Ronan’s father," my mother continues, her voice filled with genuine affection. "The pack is really going to be in great hands with you as Luna. I have no doubt about that."

She glances at me, then back at Mara.

"If you two need a moment to talk, to discuss whatever needs discussing, I can certainly give you some privacy," my mother offers graciously, already moving toward the door as if she’s granting them a gift.

But I cut her off before she can take another step.

"Oh, well, thank the Moon Goddess she brings Mara out," I say coldly, my voice carrying a finality that makes both women freeze. "Because she’s given me the perfect opportunity to do exactly what I intended to do."

I stepped forward, locking eyes with Mara. The mate bond pulled at me, insistent and powerful, but I shoved it down with every ounce of willpower I possessed. Kael snarled in agreement inside me, rejecting the bond with feral intensity.

"I, Ronan Blackthorn, Alpha of the Black Shadow Pack, reject you, Mara, as my mate."

The words rang out like a thunderclap in the quiet room.

Mara staggered back as if I’d slapped her, her face draining of color. "What... what did you just say?"

My mother gasped, hand flying to her chest. "Ronan! Have you lost your mind? You can’t just—"

"I just did..."

Mom turned to Mara, her eyes filled with desperate pleading. "Please... don’t reject him back. I don’t know what’s come over him, but please don’t do it," she begged before hurrying across the room to grip my arm tightly.

"What exactly has gotten into you?" she demanded, shaking her head in disbelief. "We need your mate to make you whole and break the curse, and now that you’ve finally found her, you’re going to reject her... and just walk away?" Her voice trembles with frustration. "What kind of stupidity is that?"