Page 33 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)

Devon

I really want this weekend to be special. I know Amaris is pretty much done with our relationship, but I finally understand what went wrong. No excuses. I know I messed up the best thing I ever had, but from now on, I’ll always put her first, regardless of my place in her life. Whether I’m her partner or just her baby daddy, she and Zoe will always come first.

With that in mind, I’m preparing Amaris’s breakfast this morning. I’ve made enough for everyone, but I hope Zoe and I can take it to her in bed. She does so much for so many with little recognition. She’s an incredible female and community leader.

I know she loves pancakes. I’ve learned all her favorites from her friends. So, I’ve loaded a tray with bacon, eggs, pancakes, hash browns, and orange juice for three. I even made a mouse’s head-shaped pancake for Zoe.

I set the tray on the counter and tiptoe into Zoe's room. "Zoe! Here comes the tickle monster to get you!" I jump onto her bed, wiggling my fingers above her to make her laugh.

She shrieks! "Daddy, no! No tickle monster!" Cackling, she squirms, trying to get away. "Daddy! Daddy!"

I pause to let her catch her breath. "Yes, Zoe?"

"Tickle monster, get you!" She screams and leaps on my back, jabbing me with her pointy little fingers. Much to her delight, I flip her over and blow raspberries on her stomach.

"Zoe, Daddy made breakfast." I brush her hair out of her face. “Would you like to help me bring it to Mama in bed and eat with her there?"

"Yes!" she says enthusiastically. I help her out of bed, and we head to the kitchen to grab the tray. Balancing it carefully, we sneak up to Amaris's room, where I knock softly.

I hear a drowsy Amaris say, "Come in." As we enter, Zoe leaps onto the bed and shouts, "Suprise, Mama!"

Amaris swipes her hair out of her eyes and smiles sleepily at Zoe. "Oh, my goddess, Zoe. Did you cook breakfast for me?"

"Uh-huh," Zoe replies. "Me and Daddy!"

Sitting up, Amaris reaches for the tray. "No," I say. "Sit back, and I’ll put it in your lap."

"Thank you, guys," she says, rubbing noses with Zoe. "I’m so hungry. Ooh, orange juice!" She takes a sip from her glass. "Looks like Zoe has some breakfast here, too." I sit on the edge of the bed and help Zoe get settled so she can eat with her mama.

“There’s actually a plate here for me as well,” I exclaim, grabbing a piece of bacon and munching it happily.

As Amaris enjoys her breakfast, I pull Zoe between us to help her. I hold her juice cup or assist her in spearing a bite of pancake. "Mouse, Daddy," she points at her pancake, beaming.

"Oh, that's so cute, Devon," Amaris says, admiring my simple pancake skills.

"Mom used to make these for me," I shrug. "It's a breakfast tradition," Both my girls smile happily.

It doesn't take us long to fill our bellies. Once we’re done, I grab the empty tray. “Come on, Zoe, let's get Grandma some breakfast while Mama gets ready.” Amaris hasn’t smiled this much around me since the day we met. A warmth settles in my soul, and Rue is doing somersaults.

Zoe and I carry the tray back to the kitchen. She chatters the whole way about mouse pancakes, Mama, and Daddy. I listen and reply with genuine contentment.

I plate some breakfast for Minette and pop it in the microwave. While it warms, I load the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and wipe the tray. After pouring a fresh glass of orange juice, I set the reheated meal beside it. Zoe, who hasn’t stopped talking, follows me to Minette's suite.

I knock softly on the door and hear a muffled "Come in."

As I open the door, Zoe jumps onto the bed just like before. "Grandma! We made breakfast."

Minette smiles brightly at the sight of Zoe. "Good morning, my little one!" She rubs her eyes as she sits up and looks at me. “Morning, Devon.”

I carefully set the tray on her lap. "We just wanted to treat you to breakfast in bed."

She gently pats my cheek as I lean over. "You're a good male, Devon. I hope you’ll be even better for our girls."

"That's the plan, ma'am. Do you need anything else?"

"No, Devon, this is wonderful. Thank you," she says, pointing at Zoe. "Has she eaten yet?"

"Yes, ma'am. I fed her and Amaris first."

She smiles. "Can she keep me company while I eat?"

"Sure. I'll go finish cleaning the kitchen."

Afterward, I prepare an assortment of cold cuts, cheese, fruit, salads, a fresh loaf of bread, and sides for our picnic. I leave the food and a large bottle of sparkling water in the fridge to chill before finding a basket and a blanket, which I set aside.

Patting my pocket, I check for the ring, the final touch. I’ll ask Amaris to be my mate again and promise her I won't let anything hurt her ever again—especially not me.

The next few hours are spent playing with Zoe in the driveway, teaching her how to ride her bike, helmet and pads included. We also play hide-and-seek, though she mostly hides in the most obvious spots while I walk around calling, "Where's Zoe? I can't find her!"

She giggles the whole time, making it even easier to locate her if I really need to.

Soon, it's time for our picnic. Amaris calls Zoe's nanny to watch her while we’re out. Meanwhile, I pack the basket. Once the nanny arrives, we set off on our walk. The house sits on just under a hundred acres, and about a mile in, there’s the lake where we’re headed. When we arrive, I spread the blanket and unpack our lunch. The next hour flies by, filled with laughter, as Amaris shares stories of Zoe's antics.

A comfortable breeze blows off the lake, whipping Amaris's beautiful hair around. An easy, amicable silence has descended upon us, and I realize now is my chance. Amaris sits with a contented smile on her face. I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box. "Amaris..." I begin.

"No, Devon!" She holds out her hand to stop me. "Don't. I have no idea what I've done to make you think I'd be open to a ring. If I've misled you in any way, I’m sorry."

I drop my hand, holding the box, onto the blanket and sigh. "I’m just so desperate to bring our family back together."

"Devon, we’re no longer on the same page. I don't feel that way anymore."

"I had hoped we’d have a nice weekend, and that you could see how good we’d be together."

"Devon, I know it would’ve been good. For a few short hours one night, I felt euphoria at having found my... I think I called it— forever . But it didn't last."

I drop my head with shame. "Tell me how you feel."

"Devon, please don't..."

I look at her and ask, "How do you feel?"

She blinks rapidly and takes a deep breath, exhaling it quickly.

"I’m feeling rather apathetic."

I wince at her words.

“It brings me great joy to see you and Zoe interacting. I’m so happy she has you and wish she could’ve had that from the start."

I rub my hands over my face.

"She's young, Devon. You have a whole lifetime ahead of you together. I’m young, too. Our mate bond wasn’t completed, and what was there has been severed," she says quietly. "I don't know what the goddess has in store for me, but it’s not us."

"Would it help if I got down on my knees and begged? Amaris, I’m so, so, so very sorry. I just want to devote myself to my family for the rest of my miserable life." I blink back tears as I reach for her. "I realize I dug this hole, but I didn’t do it alone. I’ve been manipulated, drugged, and magically enchanted by Jeni."

She appeared startled. "I didn’t know about all that."

"I don't want to make excuses, but Jeni's interference has been years in the making. I shouldn’t have been so easily swayed. I should have been a stronger person."

"Jeni never swayed me. I love my mate and pup with an unwavering devotion, giving them my entire soul,"Rue insists. "I fought for Amaris, for our life together."

"Rue says he wasn't swayed for a second. He promises his eternal love," I tell her.

"I will kill anyone who tries to get between us again," Rue vows.

"He says he fought for you and swears to kill anyone who tries to come between us again." It feels like Jeni may have signed her own death warrant. It’s strangely unsettling that someone who once meant so much is now dead to me.

"Oh, Rue!" she cries softly. "Lyra and I love you too." She throws herself at me, showering kisses across my face. "That's for Rue, and this is for you." She presses her lips to mine gently... hesitantly. I return the kiss softly but otherwise remain perfectly still. I don't want to ruin this delicious moment. I'm afraid one wrong move will make her run from me again.

Breaking the kiss, she sighs and presses her forehead against my chest. "I-I guess I'm just really scared," she admits. I remain motionless, holding her carefully in my arms. "I've lost so much and been hurt so deeply that I've built a steel wall around my heart, and very few people have gotten through." She looks up into my eyes. "You did, and you destroyed me. I don't like feeling vulnerable."

"I promise I’ll never hurt you again. I may not have all the answers, and I know I’ll always have Zoe. Still, I realize my future is bleak without you." I gently drag my mouth across her soft cheek, trailing kisses along her jawline. Raising my head, I brush my nose against hers before finally descending to her parted lips. Not wanting to scare her away, I pull back slowly and tuck her head against my chest. I take a moment to calm my ragged breaths, recognizing that promises are being made here. There’s hope and a future, and it feels like coming home.