Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178

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It was why I looked up to her so much-and why the disappointment I saw in her gaze now made my heart crack.

“Do what you want,” she said, lowering herself into her chair. She grabbed a pile of papers and a pen. “But I won’t sit here and act like I approve of this decision.”

“Jayne, I’m sorry.”

There was no response. She started scribbling on the papers, filling out reports and making calculations without so much as glancing up at me. I knew I was technically allowed to stay in her office if I wanted-she wouldn’t send me away-but I wasn’t exactly welcome now, and she wouldn’t speak to me.

With a sigh, I set aside my cup, thanked her for the tea, and slipped out.

“She’s right,” Ava’s voice echoed through my mind as I made my way back to my room. “The Moon Goddess sent us back for a purpose, and we’re denying it.”

By the following morning, some of my resolve had wavered, but not all of it. No matter how much I knew I should help Debbie, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. At breakfast, I told Tyler and my father that I had decided against it. They, at least, understood.

But as I packed up my truck and prepared to leave, my resolve wavered a little more. I felt my skin prickle and looked up to find Jayne standing a ways off, holding a basket full of herbs, her hood down to reveal that same stern, disappointed face.

I waved to her, but she simply turned on her heel and walked away. My stomach knotted with anxiety as I said goodbye to my family, promising to be home in a couple of months for the holidays, then drove away.

The open road should have been a balm to my frayed nerves. I was getting back to the life I had grown to love, back to the rugged wilds that had become my home over the past year.

And yet, as I drove down the road, all I felt was bitter sadness.

Up ahead, a fork formed in the road. I slowed the truck to a crawl as the sign came into view.

“East: Pineridge Village, 60 Miles.”

“North: Crescent Hollow, 100 miles.”

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