Page 7 of His Bullied Fated Mate

“A couple of hours away up north,” Charlie said as he cut his chicken. “It's a beautiful city. Clairview.”

I noted that name and nodded. “Good for her.” I thought of the council's words just earlier. You need to bring her backand marry her. You need to mate and get yourself under control. It's what's best for the pack.

Chapter 2 - Janella

“I’m leaving for the day, Scott.” I paused at my boss's door as I put on my jacket.

He leaned back in his chair and offered me a smile. “Alright, see you tomorrow. Great work today. You really outdid yourself during that presentation.”

I blushed at the compliment, my mind traveling back to the meeting we had this afternoon. We had a big client come in, and Scott wanted me to run the meeting. I thought I’d done a decent job, but I knew there had been problems. I was worried I’d screwed it all up. But the client signed on because of how easy it was to talk to me and how I handled everything. Even when our computer failed, I remained calm.

I pushed the door open and stepped outside. It was drizzling outside, and the wind blew. But I embraced the cold. I couldn’t help but smile.

It was my four-year anniversary since I’d left the pack. I’d worked my ass off to get where I was, and I couldn’t believe how far I’d come. It hadn’t been easy. The first few weeks were debilitating. I missed my parents and my brother. I missed sitting with them and feeling safe.

I had nothing but the clothes on my back and the money I’d saved. Mom offered to help me figure things out, but I’d told her I'd already figured them out. I didn’t want them to know the truth about everything.

So, I’d found myself a crummy little apartment and spent endless hours working at a diner across town. During my free time, I was online, searching for a lasting career. I hadn’t wanted to go to school, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life.

I’d had plenty of setbacks. My car broke down, and I had to start walking to work for months. My apartment got broken into, and I knew it was a sign I needed to move. I left the diner and found a cleaning job at the school.

But things got better. I saved enough money for a down payment on a two-bedroom apartment that had security. It was big with lots of space. I moved in feeling that finally things were starting to come together.

I left the school and started working at a tech company that sold computers. I worked the front desk and slowly worked my way up to executive assistant to the CEO. Scott wasn’t what you expected. He was a gentleman with class and respect.

It had been four long, brutal years, but I’d made it. I’d pulled myself from the dirt and felt like I belonged. I had a beautiful home that was mine. I had amazing friends who were great. A perfect job with an understanding boss. I didn’t have a man in my life, but I was okay with that. I didn’t even know if I wanted one.

I headed over to my car, which was parked in our private parking. It wasn’t a fancy car, but it was nice. It was only two years old, still shiny. I hopped inside and turned the heat on. I warmed my hands and looked over at the little picture that hung on my review mirror. It was a family picture of us all. Mom was squeezing me tightly, kissing my cheek. I was wearing my graduation robe. Troy held my shoulder, a big grin on his face. Dad was next to him, smiling bigger than I knew possible. Little did they know that the girl was dropping a bomb on them twenty minutes later. She would be leaving in a few days and would never come back.

We looked so happy, and that little picture pushed me. I never wanted to be here again. Faking that happiness, feelinglike I was suffocating, and never being able to be honest with my family. I missed them dearly, but I couldn’t go back.

Suddenly, my phone started to ring. I glanced at my car screen, seeing Mom pop up. I smiled and clicked answer. “Hi, Mom.”

“Janella. Oh, I’m glad I got you. I was expecting to get your voicemail again.” Her soft voice filled the car, and it was like she was right there next to me.

“I got off work early today.” I grabbed my belt and buckled myself in. “I'm sorry I didn't call the other night. I was working late.”

“Oh, that's okay. I know things come up. You still like everything? You happy there?”

I nodded even though she couldn’t see it. “I am. How are you and Dad doing?”

“Oh, we’re good. Your father finally ripped that dead tree out of the ground in the backyard. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the hole.”

I smiled, pulling out of my parking spot. “You going to plant a new tree?”

“I’m sure, but first we need to go and buy a shit ton of dirt.” The space fell quiet for a moment, and I knew what was coming. “We miss you. You should come down and visit.”

My stomach clenched, and I chewed on my cheek. I hadn’t come home once since I left. They came down to visit me, but not as often as either of us would like. Mom was proud of where I was, but I could see it in her eyes that she wished I’d stayed.

“I don’t have time for a trip right now, Mom.” It was the same excuse that I always used. At first, I didn’t havemoney. Then I had other excuses. I’m painting the living room this month. I’m working on getting that promotion that’s being opened. I’m remodeling my kitchen. Then it landed on I don’t have time.

The silence stretched for a moment. “Honey, I know you had a hard time growing up, but don’t you think it’s time to try and push past that? It’s been four years.”

I came to a stop at a light. “That’s not what this is, Mom.”

“I know what this is, Janella. I understand things were rough in high school, and you didn’t feel that you belonged. But you're not in high school anymore. You're an adult, and everything is different.”

I sighed, not in the mood to argue with her. “Mom, it’s not that simple.”