Page 2 of Rejecting his Mate

“Damn.” Mama slams the stick on the dashboard down and twists to look over her shoulder. “Hold on tight, baby,” she warns before the car jerks backward.

I keep my gaze locked on the wolves coming toward us until Mama spins the car around, and we’re looking the other way. My stomach heaves at the movement, and I swallow down the acid climbing up my throat.

She hits the gas, and the car bumps over the curb and onto the grass before we hit the road. The screech of the tires is loud as the car peels off.

Once we’re rushing away from the motel, I turn in my seat to glance through the back window. We are notfree, not yet. The wolves are chasing after us, but we’re going too fast for them to keep up. Mama splits her gaze between the road and the rearview mirror as she steers the car onto a larger road.

“Mama, why are they following us?” I want to be brave, but I can’t keep my voice from trembling.

She doesn’t answer right away, her concentration elsewhere.

“Because… because we’re different, baby,” she murmurs the words as she weaves between the few cars and trucks on the road. “And those assholes don’t like anything that ain’t the same as them.”

I’ve never heard Mama swear, so my eyes flare at her words. As if sensing she’s overstepped, she reaches over, splitting her gaze between me and the road. “I’m sorry, baby. Mama’s just upset.” I want to tell her it’s okay, but the words stick in my throat, clogging my airway. I let my tears fall, turning to the window so I can wipe them away. I’m a big girl now, and big girls don’t cry.

The road widens into a highway, lights coming from cars racing on the opposite side. My fear keeps me awake even though I was dragged from my bed and I should feel tired.

I squeeze Teddy tighter as if he can protect me from the wolves Mama is scared of.

We’re different…

Different how?

Because of the wolves in our minds? I thought everyone had those.

As if she can sense my troubled thoughts, Mamatakes her eyes off the road for a split second to glance at me.

“Try to get some sleep, Halle.”

I feel wide awake after all this commotion, but I lay down on the bench seat anyway. Arguing doesn’t seem like a good idea right now, not when tension is still rolling off Mama even though the wolves are far behind us.

The cab is warm, but my legs are still chilly as I hold Teddy and try to sleep.

When sleep doesn’t come, I watch Mama drive. She doesn’t relax. Her knuckles are white as she grips the steering wheel, and her gaze drifts constantly to the rearview mirror.

“Mama… what’s happening?” I ask eventually.

She blows out a breath. “We’re okay now,” she says, and I’m not sure if she’s saying it for my benefit or hers. It also doesn’t answer my questions.

“Are we in trouble?” I press.

“You smelled the wolves when we were at the motel?” I nod. “You scent a wolf again, you run, understand? You run fast and far. I don’t care where you are—you run.”

I don’t understand the instruction. We’re wolves too. Why would we need to run?

“Halle, do you understand?” Mama snaps the words out this time, and I hug Teddy closer.

“Okay, Mama.”

Silence lapses between us, and I relax, my eyes getting heavy.

I must fall asleep because the next thing I know,Mama’s shaking me. I pop my eyes open, and her face swims in front of mine for a moment before she comes fully into view.

“We’re here.”

I push up in my seat and glance through the windows. It is another motel. I squash down the disappointment that we might have been going home.

Leaning over, Mama undoes my seat belt before she climbs out of the car. I scramble over the seat and get out through her side.

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