Tasting 270

270–I Will Leave This Home Behind Now

Nora:

He dialed the number and informed the council that Ryker was receiving a call from home. Then he

handed me the phone and gestured that he would wait outside so I could speak with Ryker in

private.

I gripped the phone tightly, pressing it against my ear, eager to speak with him.

“Yes?” Ryker answered, and a bright smile spread across my lips.

“Ryker!” I said his name, hoping it would trigger memories of our time together. However, he first

went silent and then groaned into the phone.

“Why are you calling me?” The harshness in his voice should have been a warning, but I continued

to deceive myself—or maybe I just needed to confirm that nobody was willing to let me stay.

“They’re sending me away,” I muttered, my voice breaking as tears began to flow like a waterfall.

“You called me to say this? For fuck’s sake, Nora. I’m dealing with my own problems, and you’re

crying about yourself? It’s not like you’ll be stuck. You can always come and visit us,” was all I heard

before I gasped and closed my eyes.

I didn’t know what to say until an idea popped into my mind.

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“What if I say I’m ready to reject both Cain and Nash for you?”

The moment I said that, I heard him go silent.

“What did you say?” His tone shifted slightly, so I straightened my spine. Maybe he was listening

because it was something he cared about.

“I will reject Cain and Nash for you,” I repeated, but with much more confidence this time.

However, he remained silent before asking in a chilling voice, “You’re mated with Nash? When the

fuck did you find out? And were you ever going to tell me if it wasn’t for the council sending you

away?”

I covered my mouth with one hand as I remembered he didn’t know about Nash.

“I was going to–” Before I could finish, he groaned.

“I want you gone. Just fucking leave. Even if you reject everyone, I still won’t accept you. I’m happy

with April—you need to get this through your thick head and leave me alone. If you have to prove

you love me and want me, stay with Brody for a few months and not let him touch you. That will be a

test for you. And if you fucking tell anyone that you’re mates with me and my brothers—you’ve seen

my wolf–” As his threat began to make my body shudder, I hung up the call out of fear.

There was no going back from here. He told me he wouldn’t accept me even if I fulfilled his

demands now.

Why?

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2701 Will Leave This Home Behind Now

I offered peace, my body, and even acceptance to my mates, but they still wouldn’t choose me

Brody walked back inside and hunched over as he sat down to check on me. I returned his phone

and kept my head down before throwing myself at him and sobbing into his chest.

“He misbehaved?” he asked in disbelief.

“They don’t want me here, Brody. They’re all so bitter—they think I’m a slut—a whore—everything

worse,” I zoned out as their words echoed through my mind.

“Hey!” Brody had to hold my arms and shake me gently to get my attention.

“Screw the world and come with me. You’ll live like a queen in my pack without having to sleep in

my bed or fulfill any duties as a girlfriend,” he said, and I hiccupped, trying to stop my crying.

“I know you’re afraid of this big move. But do you really think this palace is your home? Nora! I’ll

show them how to treat someone who’s a gem. I’ll treat you the way you deserve to be treated. I

won’t even touch you, and if at any point you fall for someone else, I’ll reject you and let you live

freely. Because that‘ s how much I love you. I can lose you just so you can be happy. But I will never

fucking hurt you. And I will never allow you to beg before anyone ever again,” he finished, his words

gradually comforting me and stopping my tears.

“Now come on, let’s pack your things and leave for a place where there’s respect and a home for

you,” he stood up and extended his hand to me. I stared at it for a moment before gently taking it.

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