Page 16 of Rejecting his Mate

Adeline tries to keep her expression indifferent as the conversation plays out, but there’s a tightness around her eyes and mouth that I see instantly. Is she still thinking about my dad?

“She’s a Beauford,” she says, finally. “Of course, she’s going to be strong and determined.”

“That won’t count for shit in a fight,” Kyle says. He shakes his head. “Seriously, as soon as you have your first shift, come and find me. I got some moves I want to teach you.”

“You’d show me all your trade secrets?”

He ruffles my hair like a brother would a younger sibling. I shove his hands away. “Get off!”

“Want to keep you safe, Halle Bear,” he says and walks inside.

I snort a laugh and turn back to Adeline, expecting her expression to be jovial, like mine, but her eyes are troubled. “You okay?” I ask, wiping the smile from my face.

“Yeah, I just…” She swallows hard but doesn’t say anything more.

“Aunt Adeline?”

“Halle…” She says my name with so much desperation it makes me instantly go on alert.

“Are you worried about Kyle hurting me? Because he won’t. Kyle’s just messing around.”

“I’m not worried about that. I have no doubt you can hold your own, even against him.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

She opens her mouth, then closes it again. “I...”

“You’re scaring me,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood, but in truth, she is concerning me.

“I don’t mean to,” she says, grabbing my hand in hers. “I love you, Halle. It’s just… worrying when you’re growing so fast. Your first moon ceremony is coming and… Ah, there’s Ellie. I need to talk to her.” She stands abruptly, making the bench wobble a little. I want to make her stay and talk to me, but I know my aunt—whatever is on her mind, she isn’t going to share until she’s good and ready. “Try to mingle rather than sitting here like you hate everyone.”

“I don’t hate everyone.” Just Dalton.

As if sensing my thoughts, she glances in his direction. “It wouldn’t hurt to talk to your mate too. Try to connect a little more.”

“He’s not my mate,” I mutter under my breath as she walks away.

A mate wouldn’t put his hands on me the way that asshole does. I scratch at the claiming bond he forced upon me. It’ll fade in time. Claiming marks are temporary, like bruises, and have to be reapplied over time. Between mates who love each other, it is a symbol of closeness, of possessiveness.

Dalton did it to me to prove I can’t escape him.

I watch Adeline’s back as she moves across the grass toward the small seating area about thirty feet from the house.

Ellie glances up as she nears the benches at the back of the garden. The beta female exudes confidence that comes from years of being in her position.

She and Alaric, like most of the wolves in my pack, are chosen mates. Neither of them found that one mate, fated by the stars to be theirs. Most wolves don’t.

It is a cruel trick of the universe that gave wolves one true mate yet made it impossible to find them. Millions of wolves exist across the world, spread across each continent, but fated pairings are a rarity, like a precious stone that can only be found once in a lifetime. Most don’t even try to locate them and take mates they choose instead. This arrangement has, according to the elder members of my pack, existed for generations and has saved many lives, preventing wolves from turning lone and losing their way. Our kind need the pack to survive.My desire to often be alone is not normal, and yet I crave my solitude. I thought it might have been because of Dalton, but I was the same from a young age.

Sometimes, I think I should have held out and waited to see if I found my needle in a stack of needles. Anything would have been better than this life I’m facing with an abusive wolf who seeks to control everything I do.

I really wanted to believe in the fairytale. Ellie told me before I entered into my bond with Dalton that her love for Alaric wasn’t there to start with, but that they grew into it. I hoped that it would be the same for us.

I feel Dalton watching me again and try to ignore the fact my wolf wants to tear his head off.

“Halle!” Tammy, one of the younger wolves, calls to me. “We’re going for a walk if you want to come.”

I do. Anything to get out from under Dalton’s piercing gaze.

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