Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games

I laughed.

"Oh, she's young, and has plenty of time, so spill it. What're the plans? Are you taking her back to

your Clan?"

I cringed. I didn't want to confess that I'd been banished, that I had no pack to take my mate back to. My head hung in despair.

She reached over and lifted my face in both her hands. "It can't be all that bad."

"It is actually. Had I known with certainty, I would not have condemned Elise to a life with me." I swallowed hard before spitting the words out. "I've been banished, Mary. I-I don't have a pack to take Elise home to. I honestly thought he'd move past it, that everything would be fine, but it's not fine. Kyle wants me to take the trials to switch to Westin, but I don't think he fully gets it. My dad isn't just angry, he banished me. I'm a lone wolf that no pack should want, and now I've condemned Elise to that too."

"Why did he banish you?" a strong voice said from behind me, and my wolf and I both cringed. Jason Westin.

I turned and started to stand, but he motioned for me to stay seated and made his way to a chair next to his mate.

I struggled to meet the man's eyes, lasting only a brief moment before dropping my gaze to the table. "Da was angry that I had reneged on the challenge against Kyle. I had already gotten a whiff of Elise, and I knew I couldn't settle for Kelsey after that, not to mention the distraction would have likely gotten me killed. I explained it to him, but he was pissed. Kyle said I could stay in your territory until I found my mate. I honestly thought he would have calmed down and things would have blown over by now." The pain of admitting my failure to these people was awful and humiliating. "It hasn't blown over. I've been banished, sir. I'm not welcome in the Clan again, and honestly, I'm not sure he's going to change his mind." I took a deep breath; the next words were somehow even harder. "He's hoping I die in the challenges for my insubordination. He's sending my brother, Niall, to challenge me for punishment, because banishment isn't enough." I was struggling to stay seated and needed to move. I was so hurt and pissed. "He believes true mates are the ultimate weakness for a

male."

jaw was set and twitching. He

sir. I would not have mated her if I had known." It was true, too. I would have suffered great agony and depression walking away from my mate, but I would have done that before tying her to a banished

It is disgusting. I am proud of you for following your heart, son. You will never be a lone wolf with your mate by your side." He paused and I felt him sizing me up. "Kyle talked

I nodded.

not care about your banishment. I can appreciate the pain and concern it must have on

overwhelmed hearing his words.

you give Kyle an answer

partially surprised.

mate.

taking the trials to join Westin

one of

reestablishing the Beta

asked Patrick and Cole to

what he was saying and nodded. "Very good choices, but I don't understand-you didn't give him an answer?" She

I needed time to discuss

parents gave each other a

you yapping with me for? You have more important