Page 6 of Rejected and Pregnant By the Alpha King

On the other end of the wire is a connection that spans out, making its way across what feels like the vast expanse of the universe until it finds its home within the alpha that’s currently holding me.

The crack of a whip, and then my wolf howls.

The mating bond.

“You…” Aiden murmurs, his mouth falling open in shock. “It’s you.”

The alpha standing before me, the King of the North: Aiden Summers is my bonded mate.

“I—” My mouth feels numb as I try to move it. I can’t believe—no, this…surely there’s no way?

But it’s there. The connection beats steadily in my chest, as sure as my own heartbeat.

Aiden drops me back down to my feet suddenly, stumbling away from me. A short burst of air leaves him as he continues to stare at me—in horror? Disgust? Bewilderment? I can’t tell. It’s too dark and I’m too much in shock to really be able to read him.

I step forward for some reason, an energy I can’t even begin to comprehend compelling me to follow him. My wolf is practically clawing at me from the inside, begging me to let her free so she can finally meet her mate.

“Sorry,” Aiden says again, shaking his head wildly. His own wolf must be driving him mad. “I have to go.”

My heart shatters at the words.

I don’t even get a chance to stop him before he’s shifting and turning to sprint through the hedge maze to get away from me.

Did that…just happen?

I touch my skin where his hands held me, the lingering burning feeling still there even as I try to wipe it clean.

I don’t know how long I’m out here in the gardens before I manage to stumble my way back into the ball. The lights are bright, the laughter and music are loud and suddenly grating on my ears.

I’m too overwhelmed to be here right now, but I can’t just leave while Delilah’s still here somewhere.

Passing by a table, I spot a few glasses of wine and swipe one up before downing almost the entire thing in one go. One of the catering staff gives me a strange look before offering me another one, clearly not surprised I need something for the jitters.

Time passes slowly. I spot Delilah here and there while I stick to the outskirts of the party. My chest aches from being separated so suddenly from Aiden, while my head is filled with my wolf baying in anguish.

Usually when a pair’s mating bond snaps in place, they’re sent off to be alone together for a while to properly let it settle. That’show it should be at least. Except apparently I’m supposed to be mated to a damn alpha king.

Who still has yet to show his face.

Eventually, I retire back to mine and Delilah’s room for the evening, needing the silence and the space to be alone again. I can hardly breathe, and being surrounded by that many people with their hormones flying is sending me into a deep spiral.

By the time I get my dress off of me and slip into my nightgown, I feel the familiar pinpricks of tears trying to form in my eyes.

Why? Why did this have to happen? I was just supposed to come here and pretend to seduce Aiden to make Daniel happy, not be rejected by my own mate the second our mating bond snaps into place.

How am I going to be able to leave the Pollis packlands while feeling like I’m dying? Is that even possible? Dying of an unclaimed bond?

Suddenly, a knock at my door has me bolting up in bed. Expecting Delilah, I head over to it and unlatch the door to open it.

A deep and masculine scent hits me instantly, freezing me in place as I look up into familiar golden eyes.

“Raine,” Aiden says, before grabbing the door and prying it out of my hand to push his way into my room.

4

Raine

Before I can say anything, he slams the door behind him and locks it.

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