The song for this chapter is " a video is attached.

This chapter is dedicated to !

Enjoy!

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It was as if the world was in slow motion as Austin moved in toward Jamie and even slower when she didn't move back or stop him. Time was literally teasing me as I watched him pucker up his lips. Then a second later they touch. Unable to watch I bowed my head ashamed of what I let happen. My wolf was wallowing away knowing once again my erratic behavior had cost him a chance at love and a happy ending.

That is until my ears rung with the sound of a loud smack. My neck snapped upward as Austin clutched his cheek in shock, nearly bug eyed at this point watching Jamie waiting for an explanation. "Are you fucking kidding me?!" She spat venomously letting me know she didn't back away due to shock not attraction. "You were suppose to be my best friend" she croaked managing to sound angry just as much as desperate.

"I am. I did what needed to be done for you" Austin fought back reaching out to grab her upper arm. Though my strong Luna had other plans, instead of letting him worm his way back into her heart she pushed his hand down roughly. "Jamie" he chuckled clearly not understanding her frustration.

"No" she hissed stubbornly, his blue eyes swirling with streaks of black. "What did you really think Austin? That Nate would cheat and I would automatically run away without question?" Does that mean she isn't running away from me? "Or that you could use Carter as an innocent by stander and then-"

"He's not innocent!" Austin sneered spinning back to my previous Beta and shaking his hand at him. "He's just as guilty as I am. Carter wanted you to himself, he knew what this was" he gestured to his own chest. At that moment Brody let out a steady sigh as he rested his head in his hand. Oh just wait buddy, you're next.

Jamie look dumbfounded by this as she peered up to Carter appearing completely vulnerable. A guilty expression washed over his features confusing me more by the second. Had they made an understanding? She trusted him enough to appear disappointed by the news Austin had told her? "I...I..." He stammered not knowing how to defend he countless amount of lies that he told.

"No" she placed up her hand silencing him from speaking as she turned back to her so called best friend. "Fuck you, Austin" she spat coldly causing his shoulders to fold in order as her words set in and took a toll on him. Opening his mouth she murmured "stop" and surpringly he did, obeying her command before turning to me.

"You don't deserve her" he declared heartlessly. Usually where I would have a smart mouthed comment came nothing but silence. I knew Austin was right. I have never deserved her yet she loved me flawlessly. But now, I didn't even deserve her blinded love. Realizing I wasn't going to rebuttal he spun and walked out getting a cocky look from Brody as he left. I bet he thought his plan was working out perfectly. Conniving behind my back and playing puppet master with my mates. Scratch that, Heather didn't even deserve to be called my chosen mate.

I wanted to tell Brody off, I wanted to ban him from ever stepping foot in this pack. Yet, I couldn't. A part of me, my good side, knew that would only hurt Brett which in turn would hurt Chloe. However as I turned to my sister and saw her eyeing Brett carefully I knew that was a choice I wouldn't have to make. "How could you do that?" Brett questioned, his voice coming out weak and fragile as he studied his father.

"You don't think your brother deserves to be happy?" He asked rhetorically causing us all to look at a glossy eyed Carter who didn't even seem to be aware of his dad's part in the scheme. "No, that's right, with Carter gone you got what you always wanted, the Beta position. You're already mated to a Ryder and now you are second chair right next to the Alpha. Good for you" Brody antagonized Brett in an attempt to make him feel guilty for things that he had no control over. He couldn't chose his mate nor that his was born into being my third in command. With Carter's absence he moved up, that's just how it worked.

"It's not like that" Brett defended honestly as he stared between his dad and his brother. His eyes drooped as he realized his father wasn't proud of him, nor was he supportive. Instead he scolded Brett for having a good life and making good decisions.

"Don't do that to him" Carter interjected confidently not bothering to deny that he did in fact make mistakes. "You should be Beta" he told his brother truthfully with a nod. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise" he ordered sternly taking on his own role of the protective big brother as he locked eyes with his dad once more before turning to Jamie who bowed her head down as if unable to even stand the sight of him.

My attention went back to Brett who spun back to face his cowardly father. Chloe nodded at his side confirming whatever their wolves were discussing. "Brody Stone, you are here by relinquished of your duties of this pack" he started the script on the correct way to dismiss a member. "Furthermore," he sighed confirming my thoughts that regardless of the betrayal this was hurting him to do. "You are banned from Paquete de-"

"Brett" Brody cut him off with a husky voice but Brett didn't falter.

"Lune de Sangre and are no longer welcome to come back. If you break this-"

"Brett!" He now screamed to get his sons attention though that only caused Brett to gulp as the shock hit his father.

"ban and come back to our land we won't hesitate to do whatever means necessary to protect ourselves" he concluded the banning ritual as Chloe grasped his hand tightly assuring him that he was doing the right thing.

"You can't do this, you don't have the power" Brody sneered in response craning his neck on my direction as if I would prevent Brett's call. Yeah right. I held in a laugh as I tipped my head in Brett's direction.

"He's my Beta and if he wants you out I back him up" I voiced puffing my chest outward as a defense mechanism in case he decided to lunge. I could see Chloe smile from my perephial vision as I backed up her mate. Though I couldn't say I just did this to please her, mostly it was for Brett. Of course I wanted Brody gone too but had Brett not intiated the ban I wouldn't have either.

After a few curse words and some minor threats Brody disappeared slamming the door behind him. Now stood the five of us in the room being picked off one after another and who knew who would be left standing. Shifting to my left I turned to Jamie. Her cheeks were still slightly puffy and her usually bright pools were dull and red rimmed. 'I'm sorry' I told her wolf again prepared to say so a thousand times if I needed to.

Slowly she maneuvered so she was now facing me fully, staring up into my emotional orbs. She gulped deeply, the sound burning in my ears followed by silence. "You don't trust me" she accused and as much as I wanted to deny that fact my actions had proved her point. "You went through so much to make me yours" she sniffled while taking a pause "yet, you don't work hard to keep me."

"Don't say that" I pleaded my heart sinking in my stomach at the thought of her leaving me. "I love you" I vowed stepping forward "more than anything in the entire world" reaching out I rubbed up and down her side comfortingly hoping-praying it was enough. That I was enough.

Her body mushed like pudding at my touch unable to control the urges her wolf felt. "I don't know" she whispered as a single tear fell from her eye, slid down her face, and hit my arm. The room was so still as I took in the steady beat of her heart. This can't be the last time I hear it, or smell her delicious scent, or make her squirm at the slightest brush of our skin. This can't be it. "I just need to think" she added as a heart wrenching howl escaped my lips.

Brushing away her tears she went to walk out of the room though one thing stood in her way, Carter. Though I expected him to plead his case, to list facts why he was a better option than I, he didn't. Instead he spoke the words I never would have imagined him to. "It's not his fault" he muttered blocking her path as he folded his arms over his chest.

Jamie seemed just as shocked as her body stood still almost as if she was actually frozen in place. Carter's eyebrows pulled down shielding his eyes as he let an exaggerated huff brush through his lips. "If it wasn't for me helping Heather, he would have never thought something was going on. I didn't know about the picture and making it seem like we were together, I swear to God but-"

"What did you think Carter?" She spat coldly crossing her arms just as he had done prior. "That I would see you and we would just get back together?"

"Yes," he admitted lowly almost seeming embarrassed of it. Jamie's lips smushed together as he opened his heart once more. My breathing became very slow and steady as I watched them communicate. A slight tinge of worry rolled through out my body at the possibility of them making up. Though Carter didn't seem to be aiming for that, his honesty could open more doors. "When Austin assured me you still had feelings for me I thought that was my way in. All I would need to do was talk to you and you'd be mine..." He trailed peeking up at me as if awaiting an argument.

"Now I know you didn't say that but at the time, when you said you were with Nate, I got pissed." At this point my guilt began to grow bigger and bigger. As I cheated on Jamie she was telling Carter that she was mine and mine only. Shaking his head he realized he was getting off subject. "But, Jamie, you can't walk away from him. Nate loves you and you love him."

The entire atmosphere in the room changed when Carter said this. In a weird way it was as if he was not only willing to back away from Jamie but giving us his blessing. I could see the corners of her lips twitch up slightly followed by his. They shared a certain look, a powerful one that only people with a history like theirs could. It was like a bulb went off in Jamie's mind as she turned back to me, quickly moving until she was standing directly in front of me. Her demeanor said so much, as if knowing that if Carter could see the connection between her and I that it must be real.

Reaching up, her thin arms laced around my neck, jerking me down roughly. On instinct my hands gripped her midsection tugging her closer until our bodies fit perfectly together. Perching to her tip toes she kissed me hungrily confirming our fate. Joy overwhelmed me as I lifted her into the air, holding her up so I could kiss her better. Her legs entwined around my core as my fingers wormed their way to hold her bottom.

I felt at complete and total bliss. I no longer had to worry about my deep dark secret, or the chance of Carter stealing Jamie back. From now on I would know we were the real deal. We weren't forced mates, or second mates but true mates.

After a moment of passionate kissing I pulled away wanting to thank Carter but he was gone. "Go after him" Jamie whispered as though knowing what I was thinking. I placed her back down, stealing one more peck before I followed his scent which led me outside.

"Carter!" I yelled looking around for him climbing into a car. Silence. I scanned grassy lawn as I spotted him walking off the property, his hands stuffed deeply into his pockets. I didn't hesitate to go after him. A second later I took off, a full run to catch him. "Carter" I breathed out causing him to spin back defensively.

"I don't want to fight anymore, Nate" he began thinking I was angry at him for what had happened. "I'm sorry. I know you two belong together" he admitted turning his gaze downward to stare at his hideous attire.

Though instead of having some witty comment or a proper way to thank him I extended my hand to him. For a moment he just stood completely still, staring at my hand, as though he was waiting for me to ball my fingers into a fist. When he realized this was my way of thanking him for helping with Jamie he grasped my hand, applying slight pressure as he shook it. "Why didn't you ever tell?" I couldn't help but question. Knowing the secret of me killing my father could have helped me. It would have been the exact dirt he would need to make me look like a liar and could have gotten him Jamie back.

"As bad as we were to one another, that was your secret and not for me to spill" he murmured, his thick eyebrows knitting together to form a unibrow as he tried to piece together why I wasn't mad at him. "Besides, I don't blame you for doing it. He was an ass" Carter grunted.

I let out a slight chuckle as he did the same. "From the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry...for everything" I promised as he smiled ever so slightly accepting my apology right away as if he knew that deep down I was.

"Me too" he admitted quitely before turning his head to the side and taking in the place where he grew up. The place where some of the best and some of the worst experiences took place in his life. Sighing he looked back to me, staring directly in my eyes before nodding his head, silently calling a truce from our war.

He spun back gesturing for Valerie to open the gates but I couldn't let it stop there. I couldn't let this be how we ended things. "Carter," I called out as he stopped walking but didn't turn back. "Why don't you come back?" I offered something I never thought I would. A while back Carter was my number one enemy, at times I wanted-and dreamt about taking him out. But, now I know that was just immature thinking. Sometimes it just takes the love of the right person to show you what is really important.

"Seriously?" He questioned letting out a small almost playful scuff. Our eyes locked as he tried to see if this was a serious offer or if I was just pulling his leg.

"You deserve a happy ending too" I grinned knowing I had my best friend back.

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Walking on to the Beta floor I stopped outside of Carter's room, thinking of every single memory that took place inside. Sighing I lifted my fist, knocking quitely. Only a second later it was opened as the dashing brunet leaned against the door frame sporting a genuinely happy smile. "Hey" he beamed brightly as the familiar sweet apple scent of his room filled my nose.

"Hi" I murmured having lost all the words I planned to say to him. "I just wanted to say thank you" I summed up my speech easily. Had it not been for Carter, I could have walked away. Not seeing the truth of the situation, only seeing my pain.

"You're welcome Jamie" he retorted smoothly. "Despite what we have been through, I couldn't let you make the biggest mistake of your life" he added letting me know he was aware just how important Nate was to me. His warm, inviting pools were back to their lovely coffee shade as they held mine magically.

"Thank you" I murmured again unable to explain how truly grateful I was. Letting out a chuckle he stepped from the room, gesturing his head for me to follow.

'And thank you' his wolf spoke to mine. She got a certain ease from knowing he was back here and part of our pack. It was nice knowing that he was safe.

Carter and I may never be lovers again but in some odd way we knew we would always be there for one another. No matter what.

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I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S OVER! :'( All that's left is the epilogue. Okay, I'm dying to know what you thought. Are you pleased with the ending? How about Carter and Nate making up?! AWW! :') BFF's! Hehe. Please vote and stay tuned for the epilogue. :)