Page 4 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)
Amaris
Not long after thecowardmade his quick getaway, I decide that staying any longer is pointless. Taking a hot shower, I scrub my body frantically, trying to wash away the beauty of last night, which has now turned into the anguish of today. Turning to face the showerhead, silent tears continue to flow. Sinking to my knees, my forehead presses against the cool tile, and I lose myself in the raw pain.
He didn't return. I am alone.
Ashamed.
Abandoned.
Bereft.
As I feel the heart-wrenching tug of the mate bond in my chest, I curl into the fetal position and let the shower pound on me until the water turns ice cold. Numb, I stand to grab the towel.
“He isn’t coming back,” my wolf, Lyra, mourns for her mate.
As the realization sinks into my thoughts, I turn to the mirror and wipe the condensation. Staring at myself, I assess my looks. I’m not what anyone would call drop-dead gorgeous, but I think I’m pleasant to look at. My deep green eyes are pretty despite the pain I see in them.
At that moment, I feel the bond with my pack snap as Alpha Black releases me into my new life. What should feel like freedom just tastes bitter. Everyone in my life abandons me. I understand that Alpha and Luna Black have done this without knowing the devastating impact of their timing, but it only adds to the ache of Devon’s betrayal.
Straightening my spine, I wash my tear-stained face and make a promise to myself. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I say, "I will survive! I am strong and worthy of love! I can do this alone. I don’t need anyone!" The words become more than rote as I breathe them into existence, gaining strength and growing louder with each declaration until I practically shout the last sentence. "I don’t need anyone!"
Turning away, I grab my bag, which is thankfully still packed, and quickly slip on a nice pair of skinny jeans and a tank top. I brush through my long black hair, pausing for a moment to apply a bit of natural-looking makeup to help with my pallor. With a bright smile, I pick up my bag and head to my car.
The place is crowded at this time of day, with echoes of "mate" still bouncing around. I hope their relationships are more successful than mine. Stepping off the elevator into the lobby, I spot Devon and his family near the front desk. A young female around his age clings almost desperately to his arm. I notice him stiffen when he scents me, but he never turns to face me.
"Well," I repeat to myself, holding my head high, "I can do this alone! I don’t need anyone!" I pass just a few yards away from them and head for the glass front doors.
The fragrance of flowers on the breeze is so intoxicating that nausea washes over me. The sun is shining, but ironically, I feel it should be overcast because it’s raining in my heart.Pain strikes with memories of last night before my heart was wrenched from my chest. Tears well up in my eyes as I struggle for control. I am stronger than this, I remind myself as I walk to my new car and place my bag in the trunk.
I can't go back to my pack. The humiliation alone would destroy my soul, leaving nothing of my wolf, Lyra. No, I need to find my place in this world. Since Alpha Black believes I'm going with Devon, while Devon clearly has no intention of me doing so, I’m free to go where I want, and no one will be the wiser. I have a year of stipend payments to establish myself somewhere.
I put the keys in the ignition and let fate guide me.As I slip away, I feel a tear form in the fragile bond I share with Devon. I don't even bother glancing back in the rearview mirror.
As I drive, my thoughts wander. I blink and become aware of my surroundings, finding myself miles away in a small college town. I pull into a nearby parking lot, and after checking that the doors are locked, I recline my seat and close my eyes. Since it’s night, I quickly drift into a fitful yet desperately needed sleep.
The sun streaming through the windows wakes me up to my bleak situation the following day. As I look around at the strip mall where I’m parked, I notice it’s filled with shoppers busily entering and exiting the various businesses.
I check the clock on the dashboard and see it's mid-morning. I must have been completely drained to sleep for so long. I exit the car and smooth my wrinkled clothes, running my fingers through my long black hair. I decide that a short walk is exactly what I need.
As I stroll down the strip mall, I’m drawn to a business displaying ahelp-wantedsign on the door. It’s a small shop called The Healing Hand.It resembles an antique apothecary, with several tall shelves behind the counter visible through the large storefront windows. The shelves are stocked with decorative and unique jars and bottles of various sizes.
Back home in Little Silver Creek, I trained with the doctors and healers. In fact, I have all my certificates and degrees stored in a portfolio in the car. I have a knack for working with potions, treatments, and hands-on healing. I’m told I have a gift. I’d planned to study it further after my mating, but that dream has clearly vanished.
As I enter, I browse the shelves and am amazed to discover that I actually know how to make most of the items on display. Not only are there blends for healing nearly every imaginable ailment, but there are also herbs available to use as ingredients for creating your own remedies. I run my fingers across the labels--lotions and creams for skin issues or pain, potions for upset stomachs, and other treatments. The selection and variety are impressive! I’ve never come across a shop like this where the items are pre-made.
While there isn't a large supply of each remedy, since I assume they lose their potency over time, customers are snatching them up, almost like it’s a Black Friday sale.
"Julia, I'm so glad you restocked this," a nearby female exclaims as she grabs a bottle labeled Nocturnal Sleep. "My insomnia has been acting up."
"I can't keep up with that one," replies the shopkeeper behind the counter, who I assume is Julia. "It has to be fresh to work. I think the whole town suffers from insomnia." Both females laugh at the joke.
As the press of customers dies down momentarily, I approach the proprietress. I can tell by her scent that she is a wolf shifter, as are most of the patrons in the store. "Hi. My name is Amaris. I want to inquire about the help wanted sign in the window. Can I get an application?"
The older woman with kind eyes looks at me. "Hi, I'm Julia." she smiles. "I don't have any applications. We really are informal. What are your qualifications?"
"I’ve been training since I graduated high school three years ago. I have certifications, knowledge, and experience making many of the medicinal products you sell in your store, including a good insomnia blend that is shelf-stable." I pause and smile. "I also have experience with hands-on healing, working under doctors. I plan to enroll in university this fall. I need to get a job and find a place to live."
I realize I word-vomited all over her, but I am desperate for work.
Julia returns my smile. "I can give you a try. Bring me your certificates and any letters of recommendation you have, and we can sort out the paperwork this afternoon. I have an extra bedroom upstairs in the apartment that can be part of your wages. If everything clears, you can start tomorrow."
"That would be great! Thanks, Julia!" I walk out the door to text Dr. Shannon.She may not know exactly where I am, but I can still ask her to email me a letter of recommendation regarding my work and experience there. And that's how the rest of my life began.