Page 14 of Rejected Bullied Mate

"Stay here. Don't move."

Did Kiera really think I wouldn't care about her being away from home with our son? What if there had been threats against them in town? Did she care about anything beyond her own selfish desires?

No, clearly not. That would explain why she felt that she could work in a fucking cafe without talking to me about it first. I grabbed my t-shirt from where I'd thrown it over a lawn chair, climbing into the Jeep without even putting the bucket and brushes away.

Nayeli scrambled to get in the other side, despite me telling her to stay put. She had never been good at taking orders, which was both frustrating and convenient.

"It's really no big deal," Nayeli spoke quickly, sounding anxious. "It's probably good for her to have a part-time job and for both of them to get out of the house, you know, and—"

"Enough," I growled, but my cousin wasn't intimidated. Instead, it was clear she was more worried that she'd potentially started something between me and my mate. “She shouldn't have just left without asking."

Nayeli wrinkled her nose. "You know how I feel about all that macho man pack bullshit."

"And you also know that's just how packs work, so knock it off."

"You don't treat me like an object, though. Why her?"

"Because you're family. She's....she's...." I dragged a hand down my face, trying to come up with the right explanation. "Kiera is a flight risk. A liability. And she's been away from pack life too long to understand her place in this world."

"Wow, that sounds really convincing and totally not like an asshole at all," she said, sarcasm dripping from her words.

"She needs a firm hand. That’s all."

Nayeli shrugged one shoulder. "Whatever you say. I don't see why it matters to you either way. The point is, Kiera is working and seems pretty content at the coffee shop. Kit was playing and reading, so no harm done, and now you're driving out to the shop to... Alpha out on everyone. Just turn around and go home, Sam, please."

"No. Hell no."

She huffed. "Then what exactly is the point?"

I gritted my teeth. "Kiera cannot just run off with our son and not talk to me about anything that involves my heir. If she had asked me, it would be different, but…”

"Why don't you tell her that and just not come down to the cafe and act like a maniac?"

I didn't answer her. She wouldn't understand, and I didn't have to defend myself or my decisions as an Alpha to anyone, even my cousin. I drove a bit faster, and before long, we pulled up to a little parking lot across the street from a cafe I had never noticed before. The entire storefront was glass, and from inside the Jeep, I could see my Omega working, her dark hair reflecting the overhead lights like a raven's wing.

Unhurried after speeding to get there, I stepped out of the Jeep and crossed the street to get a closer look without entering the building, Nayeli hot on my heels.

My Omega was busy helping a few customers, but there were other employees, too. The other female, a pack member, seemed to be in charge, directing Kiera and a waitress on the other end of the counter. Nayeli leaned on my arm, her gaze sweeping the scene and the shop beyond it. I glanced over towards the back of the shop and saw my son reading in the booth Nayeli had mentioned, a small stack of books and a cardboard package of crayons next to him.

It looked like any other cafe in a small town. It smelled of coffee and the food in the display case, the soft sound of indie rock coming from speakers that hung overhead. It was innocent, quiet, and friendly, and the longer I stared through the windows at Kiera working behind the counter, the less angry I became.

Kiera was integrating herself into the town, which was a good sign that she understood what she meant to me and the pack. Maybe Nayeli had been right, and I was overreacting, seeing some ulterior motive where there wasn't one.

Kiera looked so beautiful standing there. It had only been a few days, and she was already looking less chronically angry. Her dark hair looked thick and healthy, and her eyes were bright, even from a distance. She was in the flow, serving drinks to the customers with ease, her lips curled into a friendly smile.

With a jolt, I realized how badly I wanted her. I wanted to bury my face in her neck and drink in her scent. I wanted to mark her so no other wolf would ever dream of touching what belonged to me. The memory of the single night we shared, how delicious she'd smelled and tasted, and the soft sounds she made came back to me in a flash. I had to force the images away before they could really take hold.

Nayeli was busy typing on her phone, but after a few minutes, she looked up at me. "I don't know if this will help with your Alpha-related stupidity, but from my quick bit of research, it looks like this place is legit and is in good standing with the community. It's safe, and people like it."

I gave her a long look, and she sighed, looking annoyed. "It doesn't matter how many times you try to scare me into being silent. I'll always be me, and I'll always do whatever the hell I want, even if you disapprove."

I huffed. "I'd never hurt you."

She gave a short bark of laughter. "Of course you wouldn't. You're not a psychopath or an idiot, Sam. But that doesn't mean I don't think your decisions suck sometimes. Let's go home before you get busted stalking your Omega."

"I don't give a damn if they see me," I growled, but caught myself. It was embarrassing enough, having Nayeli see how easily I could lose my cool when it came to Kiera. "All that matters is that she’s still in pack territory with my son. Come on, I've got shit to do.”

We turned away from the window, and Nayeli and I walked back to my car, both of us silent. When I'd buckled in and was turning out of the parking lot, I caught a glimpse of Kit waving at me, his little hand pressed up against the window of the shop. I froze for a moment before raising my hand in a brief wave.

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