The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 111

Amber POV

Rowan was going to be alright. I calmed myself down, glancing at Stefan gratefully. He was to remain in the hospital, Rowan that was, for another night for monitoring, and while he got 'used to being a hybrid' thanks to Stefan's blood. We walked hand in hand, down the corridors, leaving my mother to chat amicably with Rowan.

"Thank you" I breathed and Stefan gave my hand a squeeze "I know you only did it for me but" I shrugged helplessly, tears pricking the corner of my eyes. Was there anything this man wouldn't do for me? From defending me to the council members to turning Rowan into a hybrid on my behalf, Stefan had far outdone himself.

"I'm just glad that the pain you were feeling is gone" he answered with a small frown "but at some stage, we are going to have to talk about this mate bond" he added as I flinched.

Talking about the mate bond was the last thing I wanted to do. But I knew eventually, we would have to figure out what we were going to do. I couldn't picture myself leaving Stefan, but neither could I picture rejecting Alpha Rowan again. It was all too confusing. Elder Mathias came striding toward us, looking most displeased, not that he ever looks kindly to me. He glared at both of us and snapped "council meeting, now" making both of us look at each other with raised eyebrows. Had they heard about what Stefan had done already? But it had only been mere minutes since we had left the hospital wing. Who could have possibly informed the council about everything that had happened at that time?

"In the throne room" added Mathias unnecessarily and we both followed him, glumly, upstairs and to the right, away from the hospital wing and into the throne room, the guards by the doors bowing in respect when they saw their King. It was really too bad that Elder Mathias couldn't be that respectful, I thought to myself sourly, not liking the man at all. Somehow I was not surprised to see Elaine standing there, in the small group of other elders. I glowered at her but she merely raised her nose in the air and stared haughtily away.

"What is the meaning of this?" asked Stefan mildly, trying to keep his temper. I could see his jaw clench tightly and the way his eyes flashed showed his anger.

"Ah, Amber how lovely to see you again" beamed Elder Gerald, the only one to greet me, in a cheerful voice. The other elders glared at him.

"Pleasure to see you again," I told Gerald honestly, making him smile even more widely at me.

"Gentleman, as much as I enjoy these meetings," said Stefan a tad sarcastically "what is the meaning of this?"

Elder Mathias drew back his shoulders. "It has come to our attention that there are more shifters in the palace."

I nodded slowly as Stefan began to speak "those shifters happen to be Amber's mother and um..." he hesitated, unsure how to put it.

"Amber's mate," said Mathias slyly as the other elders gasped in shock. "Isn't that right Stefan?"

Stefan looked at me helplessly. Elaine looked triumphant in the background, a smile curved on her lips as she regarded us both. She thought she had won, but she had another thing coming, I thought grimly. I straightened my own shoulders and spoke before Stefan could defend himself. "Alpha Rowan was my mate but I rejected him for my own personal reasons. Stefan is and will remain my true mate" I said honestly, reaching out and taking hold of my mate's hand.

"I have heard that there is still a mate bond present" hissed Elder Mathias "if you rejected him then why is it still there? Why does it remain?"

Now I was lost. I couldn't say why there was still a mate bond, all I could do was guess the reason. I looked Elder Mathias directly in the eyes. "I cannot say for sure, only that Alpha Rowan did not accept my rejection, so the mate bond was not severed as it should have been."

Elder Mathias pointed a shaking hand at me "his mark remains on your neck. Look" he insisted, speaking to the other council members who shifted awkwardly in their seats. Elder Thomas was the only one with the nerve to get up from his seat to examine the nape of my neck and the mark that was on it. "He's right" he reported to the council members as he sat back down "but King Stefan's mark is present also."

"Hmmm" murmured Elder Gerald unexpectedly "I wonder what that means" he paused for a moment and deliberated "could it possibly mean that all three of you are destined mates?" he asked "I have heard of that happening."

"Nonsense" spluttered Elder Mathias "what poppyc**k are you sprouting now you old moron" he snarled.

Elder Gerald slammed his hand on the table. "Listen here" he hissed, his eyes glowing red as he glared at a repentant-looking Mathias who had realized he may have gone too far this time "you will not insult me again. Not if you wish to live at any rate. Is that clear?" he demanded.

"My apologies Elder Gerald," said Elder Mathias meekly.

"As for the multiple mate's things, well it's blatantly clear to me that that is the reason for the two marks. It's happened before in history you know that and I guess now it's happening again. The question is" Elder Gerald commented wryly, with a glance toward me "is whether Amber wants to accept her second mate or not and if they can all live in harmony together."

I gaped at him. Multiple mates. Was he kidding? But the man seemed to be very sincere. I gulped. Stefan looked at me. I looked at him pained. "I don't know" I stammered feeling like an i***t and hating the way the lights dimmed from Stefan's eyes. This wasn't my fault, I wanted to shout at him, so don't take it out on me, but I couldn't. Both of us were hating the situation we were in.

"We cannot have a slut for a queen" Elaine cut in, a sneer on her face, her father Elder Mathias nodding along with her "we have always only had one male mate for the queen and it should be no different now. This woman is not fit to be our queen, she will only bring ruin to the kingdom. Best she leaves now before the damage is too much to repair."

My hands clenched into fists. "How about you start minding your own business" I shot back "and you will never be queen Elaine, so give it up already" I finished tiredly. I was tired of all this fighting, tired of the council pushing their own agenda onto Stefan. "As for the slut comment" I hissed and then I was off, leaping across the table over astonished council members, and tackling Elaine to the ground whose mouth was open in shock.

I wrestled her to the floor, both of us scratching and clawing at each other. I was heedful of my pregnancy and quite frankly marveling at the fact I had been able to jump so high, let alone so far. We stood up and Elaine backed away slightly, her eyes narrowed in derision. "Mangy mutt" she hissed and raced towards me.

I dodged to the side and kicked my leg out, making her stumble, and then kicked out with my leg, getting her right in the kneecap and making her tumble to the ground. She gave a hiss as she awkwardly got back to her feet, limping now, her eyes glowing a bright vivid red.

"Come now girls, enough" shouted Elder Mathias, sounding quite alarmed.

But none of us were going to back down. Elaine dashed towards me again, her hands out, her nails long and I reached over and grabbed her arm, bending it behind her back and then kicking her so that she flew across the room with a shriek. "You b***h" she howled "I swear I'm going to kill you."

If she was going to kill me by fighting then she was doing a pretty poor job of attempting it, I thought with a smirk. This time she went to leap and I shifted, forgetting all about my surroundings, forgetting that I was meant to be keeping my wolf a secret and I met her in mid-air, clawing and scratching her in the face as she let out a screech, covering her face and dropping to the floor. I followed suit, standing there, tensing, waiting for the next inevitable attack.

The elders began to mutter amongst themselves in the background. "She's a white wolf, can you believe it"

"My god, I've only ever heard of white wolves in legends"

"Wonder what kind of powers she has"

"She's unique, not an ordinary wolf"

"What does all this mean?"

"You were saying she wasn't queen material, but I beg to differ Elder Mathias."

King Stefan hadn't moved from his position, merely folding his arms and watching the fight with interest. He knew we needed to battle this out, for my sake and he wasn't about to interfere. I could see the concern in his eyes though and I cursed the fact that I had lost my temper enough to reveal my secret in front of a room full of elders.

"A white wolf" whispered Elaine, looking at me with contempt in her eyes "who cares, I'll still kill you" she shouted and she was next to me in a flash, using her vampire speed. She lifted me as I kicked her out, getting her in the head and making her drop me. She gave a hiss, rubbing her head, and then tackled me, scratching me across the chest and side before I managed to roll over and kick her off. She went flying back a few paces and then stopped herself in her tracks. Across the room, Elaine's father was trying to get her attention.

"Elaine" he yelled "stop it. you can't win my child. Stop already" but Elaine wasn't having it. I sighed. The fight was becoming tedious and Elaine had no hopes of winning. It was time to deliver the final blow. Lilac was watching the spectacle with a frown on her face. This fight is going on too long. Don't forget you have a pup in your belly child.

I haven't forgotten and the pup is perfectly safe.

For now, it is, but I think it's time that this fight ended, don't you?

You read my mind Lilac, That's exactly what I'm about to do.

I cut off the link to my wolf and concentrated, feeling the heat engulf me, rising in my chest and throat. Elaine had an uncertain look on her face now, and she bit her lip, looking concerned. I let out a large exhale and then tipped my head back, concentrating on the fire, and then once it had gathered, I let it loose, sending a flame directly at Elaine who failed to get out of the way in time. She let out a loud scream of pain as the flame engulfed her, her dress now aflame as Elder Mathias frantically threw his coat over her, and got her to roll over and over again.

Now that the threat was gone, I shifted back to human form and stood there, hands on my hips, c*****g my head at the weeping girl on the floor. "I'm done fighting with you" I spat out "and if you ever call me a slut or mangy mutt again, I'll kick your a*s without hesitation."

Elaine was nodding, still sobbing, burn marks all over her face, body, and arms. I didn't feel sorry for her. As a vampire, she would heal undeniably fast. I strode over to Stefan who immediately pulled his shirt off and put it on me, it hanging down past my knees. The elders were silent, all looking stricken as they eyed Elaine. I gave my most wicked grin.

"Gentleman," I said smoothly, leaning into Stefan's embrace "I take it that this council meeting is now over? We'll take our leave now" I added, tugging on Stefan's hand and leading him towards the doorway.

No one had the nerve to stop us or even attempt to and we shut the door with a loud bang behind us, leaving the council members to talk amongst themselves.