Page 140 of Rejected and Pregnant By the Alpha King

“I can’t go back there,” I say, stumbling back from her. “He’ll kill me.”

“What?” Delilah’s brows knit together. “No, no. It’s not like that. Raine, he misses you. Seriously, he’s kind of a mess without you.”

I let out a laugh. That’s rich. I’m sure Daniel does miss having his favorite punching bag around to abuse. Who else will he take is undying rage out on?

“I’m not going back there to be locked up again, Delilah.” My voice is firm. “I’m sorry if he put you up to this. The alpha king here can grant you sanctuary if I ask him.”

“Sanctu…? Raine, no. I’m not bringing you back to Daniel.”

Okay, now I’m confused. “Then who did you come with?”

My nose picks up another scent—this one much darker and richer than Delilah’s. It’s painfully familiar in the worst way, like waking up from a long sleep to realize one hundred years have passed you by.

He doesn’t bother to hide the sound of his tracks as he moves through the brush. I’m glued to my spot, not even daring to breathe as he grows closer.

Without even meaning to, my eyes focus over Delilah’s shoulder to where the tall bushes part and another figure steps into view.

My entire body responds instantly, my wolf snapping awake from its slumber as my mate—our mate—stands before us.

Aiden.

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Raine

He stares at me, statue-still.

It feels like a lifetime has passed since we last saw each other—since the last time I laid eyes on my fated mate and he abandoned me to a fate worse than death.

My wolf whimpers inside of my head, the pain of our fractured bond tearing into me. The tether binding us together has turned to barbed wire and razor blades, shredding my heart as it tightens the longer we stand here facing each other.

Aiden visibly winces, having felt it too just now.

“Come on, Raine.” Delilah’s voice is gentle. “It’s going to be okay. We’re taking you somewhere safe.”

I can’t move. I’m too stunned.

“Uh, you’re not taking her anywhere,” Rose says from behind me. “She’s a part of the Soleus pack. If you take her, you’ll all be hunted down by our pack alpha. Spoiler alert, you really don’t want that happening.”

Aiden’s eyes are mournful, watching me carefully as I struggle to even breathe.

How dare he come here now that I’m happy to try to claim me? How dare he waltz through packlines like he owns the place, like his authority somehow matters more?

My anger erupts from me, making it hard for me to see straight. “Leave.”

Delilah’s body startles. “Raine—”

“Leave,” I snarl at Aiden, who has yet to move. “You don’t belong here.”

“Neither do you,” he counters—his voice music to my damn ears.

I hate it.

I hate him.

My heart still yearns for him.

“No one is taking anyone,” Rose says, coming up to stand next to me. “You both need to leave.”

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