My Step-Dad Is My Mate
Chapter 12

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN 2 YEARS AGO?" My mother yelled inRichard's face. I've never really heard my mother yell that often so thiswas kind if a shocker.

Richard sighed and hung his head low.

"I've known since you first introduced me to he-"

He didn't have time to finish his sentence since my mom slapped him inthe face.

"Don't hit him!" I yelled before I could stop myself. What was that? Oh,must be the pull.

My mother turned to face me with a hard glare and teary eyes. "Howlong have you known Danica? Hmm? How long have YOU been lying tome?"

"If what your asking is if I knew since we met then no. He didn't tell meeither. I found out on my birthday. Mom, I wanted to tell you but I justcouldn't.”

"You couldn't? YOU COULDN'T? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?"She screamed in my face and I pushed her back.

"Shut up! Just shut up! You don't know what it's like to see your matedo romantic shit with someone else right in your face? I didn't tell youbecause I tried to keep you happy! I tried to prevent you from goingback to how you after daddy died-"

When I mentioned my dad, she cringed.

"-1 wanted to prevent you from those suicidal nights and those nightsof crying! Who was there for you? Who helped you survive mom? Mel!It was all me! Richard made you happy and I wanted you to start thatway because I know you I-loved him. So yeah, I didn't tell you and I'msorry but I did it for you and it just didn't work out the way I planned.”I took a deep breath after my long rant and wiped the tears away frommy face.

My mom stared at me for a minute then sat down with her head on herknees, bawling. My heart broke a little. This is exactly what I didn't wantto happen.

"Roseanna...-"

"Don't Richard" she exclaimed, "just don't."

"Danica, please.” He pleaded to me as he looked me in the eyes. "Ididn't want to hurt either one of you.”

I shook my head in disbelief. He was guilty as hell and still trying to playthe victim act.

"Richard maybe you didn't really want to hurt anyone" I admitted, "Butyou are not stupid. You knew this was bound to happen and you didnothing to prevent it and I will never forgive you for that." I finished,calmly.

His expression held one of hurt and anguish and it broke my heart. Imean, he is my mate. I still care about him despite how distant I am andhow much I avoid him. It just disgusted me how slimey he was being sowhy would I let myself get close to that?

I heard sniffles near us and I turned my head to see my motherstanding and heading for the door.

"Mom, where are you going?” I asked, slightly worried she might dosomething stupid like she tried to do many times after Dad died.

"Just going for a run...Danica, make sure you come home. Richard,come get your clothes because you are not staying at my house.” Shesaid then swiftly left, letting the doors bang behind her.

"Heh...I guess this is the end.” He said humorlessly.

"Not yet." I said and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. OnceI do this, I can't take it back. That'll be it. I'll be done.

"You don't mean..."

I nodded and picked up a knife from the table Aiden and I weresuppose to have dinner on. This is how a rejection process goes down;you cut each other's palm, to mix the blood together then say thewords of rejection which forces your wolves to separate from oneanother. In a way, it's kind of like the joining a pack ceremony butdifferent words.

"Let's get this over with.”

Richard hung his head low and for a minute, I almost wanted to kiss hispain away.

Almost.

Hesitantly, he took the knife and looked at it for a moment.

"Can I do one thing before we end this?"

"What Richard?" I asked, annoyed.

He sighed then shrugged. "I guess you can't hate me more than youalready do.”

I furrowed my brows, confused at what he saying but it all became clearto me when Richard's lips were suddenly against mine and saying I feltlost would be an understatement.

Kissing your true mate is nothing like I ever thought it would be. Thetingles that coursed through my body and on my lips were mindmelting.

Richard's finger was under my chin, tilting my head more upwards toallow him better access due to our height difference.

Just as my arms were about automatically about to wrap around hisneck, I snapped out of my daze and pushed him off of me.

What the hell is wrong with me? God, I just let him take my first kiss. Ifelt disgusted with myself and weak.

"Asshole." I muttered an the sound of the door quietly closing alertedmy attention.

Looking over, I didn't see anyone so I assumed it was the wind but thewind can't move a door that heavy that easily.

I saw Aiden's head passing by in front of the window and I gasped.Fuck, he saw.

Richard on the other hand was smirking his ass off and I got pissed."You smelled him coming didn't you?" I asked and he shrugged with asmile on his face.

Since Richard was an older male, some of his senses were moreenhanced like his sight, hearing and as you can see, smell

"You are such an asshole!" I yelled then grabbed the knife out of hishand. I drew the sharp blade across my palm, wincing a little thenhanded it back to him.

"Do it. I'm done with you."

He looked shocked for a moment then shook his head.

"You don’t want to do this Dani."

I shook my head,"Yeah I do actually and It's Danica Monroe. You'regoing to need to say that when you accept my rejection.” I said with asmirk and I could see the last bit of hope he had die away.

Richard had stared at the knife in his hand and threw it on the ground."No.l won't do it."

"Stop being a fucking child Richard.” I rolled my eyes.

"You need me! I need you! Don't you see what happens to mates whenthey separate? You yourself saw what happened to your mother whenher mate died!"

I cringed. "My father died, that's different.”

"It's not different because we're about to do the same thing. Severesomething so precious and golden. Die to one another.”

I bit my bottom lip. Why does he have to make his so difficult? He canhave whoever he wants after we do this.

"I'm sorry.". He said and I raised a brow.

"For what?"

Richard sighed and fisted his hands. "This."

In the blink of an eye on Richard appeared to me as a blur, a result ofhim using his wolf speed.

What the hell is heln that moment, I felt a piercing pain in my neck,causing me to scream out in pain. I flailed my arms wildly, hittingRichard multiple times against the chest.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?"

"I stopped you from making a bad decision." He said.

I rubbed my neck furiously as it burned like it was set on fire. I let out aear piercing scream mixed with a growl as my wolf side fought with myhuman half,almost like I was at war within my own body.

My vision blurred and I fell to my knees. I looked up to see Richard, buthe was gone. I tried to call for help, but my voice wouldn't go above awhisper and my body welcomed the darkness that took over me.