Page 20 of Rejected and Pregnant By the Alpha King

She’s right—of course she is. I’m just afraid that overstepping and forcing Aiden into making some kind of public decision is going to drive him away. We barely know each other.

“What if he doesn’t want to?”

“He will.” Delilah’s voice is firm. “You’re amazing, Raine. Surely he’s realized that by now.”

Honestly, I don’t even know. But whatdoI know about Aiden other than the character he portrays in public and the person I see when he’s alone with me? Which one is the real him?

That’s the important part I need to figure out. I need to know what we’re doing with this bond because in less than two days, I’m leaving.

“You’re right. I’ll talk to him tonight after the ball.”

She grins at me. “Attagirl.”

9

Raine

I don’t bother attending the ball later that night.

Call me a coward, but the thought of having to force myself through another round of Aiden dancing and flirting with other females while members of his pack try to get handsy with me has me feeling sick to my stomach.

Delilah didn’t try to convince me to come down with her, thankfully, and had simply wished me good luck before departing for another night of fun. I’m glad she’s at least enjoying her time here.

Time passes slowly while I pace my room.

It could be a colossally stupid idea to corner Aiden to get some answers out of him, but I have to try. I leave bright and early Monday morning. Him dragging his feet, as Delilah stated, is only going to cause us to suffer if we are forced to separate.

I’ve only heard of a few cases where mates are pulled apart, and it never ends well.

A shiver rolls up my spine at the thought of having to go through that: the agony, the despair. I’ve already had enough heartbreak in my life, adding being forced away from my mate isn’t something I want to add to my ever-growing pile.

My wolf is restless, leaving me no choice but to leave my room early and instead wander the halls. They’re thankfully devoid of anyone, staff included, most likely having retired early for the night to attend the ball as well.

I can’t really say I blame them. An event like this only happens once in a lifetime, after all. Usually when alpha kings take their rightful places, a Luna has already been chosen for them long before they ever ascend.

I wonder why Aiden didn’t have one arranged for him? Obviously everyone knew he’d ascend eventually. Had his father’s death been that sudden?

To my surprise, I wander far enough around the estate that I end up on the other side of it, where we were all told not to go the first day we arrived. Looking around, it seems that this side of the estate has also been abandoned, giving me free rein to explore.

I wonder where Aiden’s room is.

Breathing in deeply, I let the scents of his pack linger in my nose. It takes a bit of concentration, but I soon pick up on that deep spicy scent I’ve come to know so well. Following it, I’m led down another hallway, this one with only one door at the end.

My hand hesitates as I reach for the knob.

Should I go in and wait for him? He told me he’d see me later. Perhaps this would be easier than him trying to sneak over to my suite and potentially stumbling into Delilah or someone from another pack.

I’m not sure how low-key he wants to keep all of this, but regardless, we still need to talk about things.

My hand grips the handle, and after looking over my shoulder again to make sure I haven’t been followed, I twist the knob and push the door open quietly.

His room is giant and stately, ever reminiscent of a soon-to-be king.

Shutting the door behind me silently, I head through the entryway and into the living area he has set up right under a large floor-to-ceiling window.

With it being dark outside, the room is bathed in a soft glow from a few candles lit on the table between the couch and matching loveseats. The candles have been burned down about halfway, the white wax dripping down onto the plates under them.

How odd that he’d leave candles burning in here while down at the ball.

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