Page 30 of Rejecting his Mate

I didn’t expect him to answer, but it suits him. “Cade…” I test the name on my tongue, dragging out the A.

I feel his eyes piercing me. “You got a problem with my name?”

“Nope.” I give him a smile that is not entirely friendly. “I’m Halle.”

“I know.”

I scowl at him. “How do you know that?”

“I know everything about you.”

I’m unable to unlock my gaze from him at that admission. What else does he know? “Why?”

“Because I made it my business to know everything about the wolf that has snared my interest so completely. I found out everything I could about you.”

“That’s creepy.”

“Noted.”

“You didn’t know I’m latent,” I mutter at his bare back.

“No,” he agrees. “But clearly neither did you. Your parents are both wolves?”

“I guess so. I don’t know much about my mom. My dad was definitely a wolf, though.”

As I pass him to step over a fallen log, he grabs my wrist, stopping me. Electricity pulses around his touch, heating me from the inside out. I stare at his fingers against my skin before raising my eyes.

“You shouldn’t let him touch you like that.” His voice is filled with exasperation, like I allowed Dalton to beat me up.

That warm fuzzy feeling disappears as I narrow myeyes. “I didn'tlethim do anything. He’s the son of our alpha, and he has alpha strength. He’s stronger than I am. Fighting back is pointless.”

He raises the hand not gripping my wrist and runs his fingers over the claiming mark on my neck. My skin tingles all over, and I wonder what it would feel like if he had given me a claiming mark instead of Dalton. It is a terrible thought to have, but it doesn’t stop me from wondering what his tongue would feel like licking it.

A shiver rolls up my spine as he dips, so close to me now that our mouths are nearly touching. I can feel his heated breath against my face, and such a simple thing is enough to heighten my senses.

Is he… is he going to kiss me?

Do I want him to?

“You’re his.” The accusation snaps through his tone.

“I don’t think he wants me,” I say, my smile wry.

He doesn’t crack a smile or laugh at my attempt at levity. Instead, he locks his eyes with mine and crawls his gaze over my face. “Do you want him?”

Why does he care?

I blow out a breath. “I don’t make a habit of being attracted to people who want to kill me, Cade.”

I don’t miss the way his eyes tighten as he slides his gaze to the claiming mark marring my neck. He glowers before he pulls back.

“You’re not weak, little wolf, so don’t act helpless. Fight back.”

My jaw is so tight it makes my ears ache. “I’m not acting. I would have died back there if you hadn’thelped me. But thanks for kicking a girl when she’s down.”

I stride past him, heading deeper into the forest, feeling suffocated by how closely the trees are packed together.

“You are such an asshole,” I snap, not turning to look at him. “I fought him with everything I had. I didn’t want to die, but as everyone seems keen to remind me, I’m defective and worthless.”

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