Page 136 of Rejecting his Mate

“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I know you think what you did was for the best. It must have taken a hell of a lot of courage to go to that witch and demand a favor, but it changes nothing. You took things from me I can’t replace. There are memories stolen from me that have still not returned, and may never. I’m grateful for what you did for me, and on some level, I may even understand it, but I wish you had found adifferent way.”

“You have to understand, Halle, that I brought you to a pack for protection and safety.”

“Despite knowing the alpha killed his own sister for being different?” I snap.

She doesn’t answer that because what can she say to justify it? “I know you’re angry. I would be too, but please try to understand this all came from love. And I won’t apologize for what I did because you’re standing here alive, and that didn’t seem likely back then.”

Halle’s face scrunches as she gazes over the fields and mountains surrounding us. “I’m grateful for everything you did, I really am. But knowing what I was, I can’t forgive you for letting me go through with that first moon ceremony. Nor for tying me to Dalton.”

“I hoped you had more of your father in you than your mom. It was stupid, and I know that now, but I was terrified. I guess I buried my head in the sand and hoped it would all be okay. And Dalton—You agreed to that match.”

“I did it to make you happy.”

Adeline’s expression folds into one of dismay. “I never expected that. I chose Dalton because I hoped he would love you enough to protect you from outside forces, even his father, but I see how mistaken I was.”

“You turned a blind eye while that bastard abused her.”

Adeline faces me, and I have no idea what to make of this woman. She seems sincere, but her actions are not justifiable. “I did the best I could, and I’m sorry ifyou feel as if I failed you, Halle. I brought something for you.”

She turns and walks back to the car, leaning into the front, and when she emerges, she is holding a beat-up-looking teddy bear.

I can sense the emotional attachment Halle has to it through our mating bond. I glance at her and notice the tears brimming in her eyes.

Halle reaches across the wards and takes the teddy from Adeline. “Thank you,” she says in a choked voice. “I thought I’d lost it forever.”

“I knew how much it meant to you.” Adeline gives her a sad smile. “I know it’s going to take time, but I hope one day you will be able to forgive me, and we can move forward.”

“Maybe one day,” Halle says without offering any firm assurance. I don’t blame her for that. She has a lot to work through, and it's going to take time.

Adeline smiles at her before turning and walking back to the car. We don’t move as we watch her drive off, and only once the car has disappeared does Halle fully let go of her emotions.

She sobs, and I hold her against me, the teddy bear clutched between us. I want to know what it means, but now is not the time to ask those questions.

I hold her until she calms herself, and then I wipe the tears from her stained face. It shatters my heart to see her so upset, even though I understand why.

“You okay?” It’s a stupid thing to say, considering I can see she isn’t, but I want to allow her to open up to me.

“I didn’t think I would see this teddy again. It was a present from my mom on my sixth birthday, two years before I lost—” She breaks off because she didn’t lose her mother. “It’s stupid to be attached to something this much, isn’t it?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s not.”

She hugs me tight, and I hold her against me as we walk back toward the cabins. “I don’t want to lose my aunt,” she admits.

“Then don’t.” I tighten my hold around her hip, pulling her against my side. “Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you.”

“Thank you.” She stops walking, and I halt with her, turning to face her. “Whatever happens, I’m glad you're at my side. And I know that makes me selfish because I shouldn’t want you to be in danger, but I don’t think I could do this alone.”

This vulnerability from her squeezes my heart. “You’ll never be alone again,” I promise her. “Whatever happens, I’ll be at your side through it all.”

I mean that. No matter what we have to face, I am not walking away. Halle is mine, and I will follow her into the fires of hell if that is what it takes.

As we get closer to the cabins, a figure darts out in front of us. It's Roux. She turns, yelling, “Stay out of my business!”

I’m not sure who she is talking to until my brother steps out from behind one of the buildings blocking our view. “You are my business, Roux! When the hell are you going to understand that?”

She stops, and he nearly runs into the back of her. “I have nothing to do with you.”

“Biology suggests differently, sweetheart.” Despite the light tone of his words, I hear the bite in them. “You can deny me all you want, but the truth is you are only putting off the inevitable.”

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