Page 56 of Rejecting his Mate

Pain lances through my temple as I emulate what I did last time, but nothing happens.

I try again.

Sweat beads on my nape and my forehead as I try to push through the wall that seems to be surrounding the power I need to heal Jackson.

I grunt, the sound accidentally slipping from my mouth. The pressure of what I’m doing is making me see double, and I blink, trying to focus.

“What are you doing?” Sawyer demands, his eyes roaming over my face.

“I’m trying to heal Jackson, but it’s harder than it seems.” I let out another grunt as my brain feels like it’s being squeezed in a vise. I’ve caused these wolves so much trouble; the least I can do is put my stupid difference to some use.

As I try to access the part of my awareness that lets me heal, I start to doubt Cade’s assertion that I am part witch. There’s nothing there. I can’t find anything.

My wolf howls, begging me to stop, but I keep pushing. I can almost sense something there, behind the walls of my mind, but I can’t reach it.

Cade snaps out, “Stop!”

“I’m not going to stop,” I snap. “He needs help.”

“And he’ll get it,” Cade says, “just not from you.”

What an asshole. I glare at the back of his head. “You’re not my alpha.”

“I made you part of this pack, and in this pack, I am alpha.”

My gaze slides toward Sawyer, seeking confirmationof this. Cade’s brother shifts his shoulders apologetically. “He’s our alpha.”

My gut churns with acid as Cade’s eyes meet mine in the mirror. I can’t tell if he wants to drag me into his lap to fuck me or strangle me with his bare hands. Both seem possible. I give him a sweet smile that he doesn’t return and turn my attention back to Jackson, trying not to let his whimpers break my heart.

“Hold on,” I soothe, trying to calm him. His eyes are glassy as they take me in, and I’m not sure if he knows where he is.

The mountain pass changes. The trees thin out, and houses appear on one side of the road before more and more properties line either side. My eyes are everywhere as I take it all in. Everything is so quirky and interesting. Stores line the main street, flags flying outside a few of them, and there’s a buzz around the place.

I watch a woman walking down the sidewalk as we stop at a set of traffic lights. She’s clinging to a small girl with dark hair and a pale blue jacket.

Something unlocks in my brain. Something falls out of place. A vision flashes through my mind of a woman with red hair like mine. The terror on her face as she pulls me along a walkway. I can see doors on one side and a railing on the other overlooking a parking lot.

Motel flashes on a neon sign, illuminating the darkness and chasing some shadows away.

I can sense the desperation in her movements, and all I feel is terror.

I gasp and lean forward in my seat, the air lodging inmy throat until I can’t breathe past it. The pain I felt trying to heal Jackson is nothing compared to this.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the intense feelings swamping me. A hand on my back fills my awareness, but the ice pick that feels like it’s sliding between my ears is taking up most of my focus.

I gasp for breath, trying to get oxygen into my lungs, but I can’t.

I’m aware of the truck stopping and my door opening, and the next thing I know, I’m in Cade’s arms on the curb, pressed against him. His scent fills my nose, and it instantly soothes me. That lump in my throat starts to recede, and I pull in one breath, then another.

“I got you,” he tells me, holding me so tight I’m scared of what happens when he finally lets me go. I cling to him, my fingers fisting his shirt.

“Is she okay?” I hear a woman ask.

“All good,” Sawyer assures her before crouching in front of me. “Is it all good?”

I nod, my body calming down and taking comfort from Cade being close.

“What happened?” Cade asks.

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