Page 106 of Rejecting his Mate

But there’s still the issue of Dalton.

I want him gone.

Having him in any part of me feels like a violation. Dalton disgusts me. He hurt me because I did not fit the idea of what our perfect life should be. Cade knows I am different, and he does not care. He wants me for me.

That’s what a true mate should be like.

Pushing to my feet, I cross the room and step into the bathroom. The mirror over the basins is covered in steam, so I wipe it clean with my hand. My image appears, a little wobbly and a little flushed, but there. I still look like hell, the abuse I suffered clear on my face and in my eyes. I hate Dalton for making me feel weak and making me believe I was worth nothing. I hate him for pretending to be something he is not.

I deserve better.

I want better.

I want Cade.

The thought drifts through my mind. I do want him. My body itches to be with him.

Turning my head to the side, I stare at Cade’s claiming mark. It completely covers the one Dalton gave me as if it was never there. I still feel it seared into my skin like a brand, though.

I don’t want to be mated to that asshole for another second.

I don’t know what I’m doing, and it is probably dangerous to use my powers when I don’t understand them, but I don’t want to wait.

I am tired of being tethered to that son of a bitch.

I close my eyes and I reach inside myself, tapping into the magic that makes me the target of dangerous hunters. It is that power that is going to fix my life. The irony is not lost on me.

I don’t know what I’m doing, but I keep Dalton’s face in my mind. I mumble under my breath, “I don’t want to be his mate”, over and over.

Envisaging tearing out our mating bond, I focus my energy and my strength there.

I feel the magic swirling around me, growing and multiplying. It is almost too overwhelming to hold onto, and I grip the counter, palpitations fluttering in my chest. I don’t stop, even though every instinct tells me I should. I want him gone. I hate him with everything I am.

Not knowing where to direct my power, instinct tells me I need to let it flow through me. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but the magic inside me seems to understand my intention.

It blasts through me, nearly knocking me off my feet. Stumbling, I scramble for purchase on the wet floor, and I slide before slipping backward. My body jars as I slam down, my breath wheezing out of me as I lie there, stunned.

I snort, even as I groan.

Way to go, Halle. A slow round of applause for that epic failure.

Reaching inside me, I realize all that pain was for nothing. The mating bond with Dalton is still there, faint but still present.

I bang the back of my head against the floor and then carefully peel myself off it.

It was never going to be that easy.

Everyone told me it had to be undone by magic, but I have magic. What’s the point of it if I can’t use it the way I want to?

As I reach the door of the bathroom, Cade is slipping in through the front door, a large bag in hishold. He takes me in with a frown. “What happened?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.” If I tell him what I did, he’ll lose his mind, and we are in a nice place right now. I don’t want to ruin the mood.

He narrows his brow suspiciously but doesn’t call me out on my bullshit. Moving into the living area, he places the bag on the coffee table and opens it up. Grabbing a clean sweater and a pair of sweatpants, he thrusts them in my direction. “For you.”

“Thanks.” I don’t move to put them on, and he arches his brow.

“What’s wrong?”

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