Page 51 of Claiming His Rejected Mate

“What has he done to you? Where have you been?”

“Kieran ordered me to get our stuff from Broadstone. I just set upmy room. It’s down the hall from you. He wants you to be comfortable.”

“Why are you defending him? Why is he suddenly being this way? What happened, Ayana?”

She clears her throat and tells me about the conversation with Kieran and how he realized Damon had been trying to keep us both apart.

“How could he believe the lies…” I choke on the words and just shake my head. It just further shows that he didn't choose me.

Ayana studies me for a moment before sighing. “I know it’s hard to see it now with how much you can't stand Kieran, but this estate is safer than anywhere else. That night proved it. Even though there was that close call, he was right there to keep you safe. Out there…?” She gestures vaguely toward the window. “Out there, Eldon and his rogues wouldn’t hesitate to use you and tear you apart. At least here, you have a chance to figure things out.”

I hate that she’s right. As much as I despise being trapped in this gilded cage, the thought of Eldon finding me sends a chill down my spine. This can’t be my life. Not when I haven’t found a way to break this stupid seal.

Ayana nudges me gently. “You know the healer said you should relax more. Come on. Let’s do something to take your mind off it.”

“Like what?” I ask, my voice flat.

She grins, the mischievous spark in her eyes a welcome distraction. “Let’s make something in the kitchen. It’s been ages since we’ve cooked together.”

I blink at her, caught off guard by the suggestion. “Cook? Here? Do you really think they’ll let us?”

“Only one way to find out,” she says, pulling me to my feet.

To my surprise, we’re granted permission with little fuss. Sylvia intercepts us on the way to the kitchen, her calm demeanor unshaken as she escorts us through the estate’s winding halls.

“Try not to set anything on fire,” she says dryly as she leaves us at the kitchen door. I know she’s not far away. She’s probably got orders to watch me and Ayana like a hawk, which I bet is part of Kieran's orders.

The kitchen is massive, all gleaming steel and polished countertops. The scent of fresh herbs and baked bread lingers in the air, and for a moment, I feel a flicker of something close to normalcy. Like mom is still alive, and I’m not the outcast Dad is always disappointed in. It's been so long since I’ve enjoyed the simple pleasure of making a simple meal.

Ayana dives into the cupboards with the enthusiasm of someone who hasn’t cooked in years, pulling out ingredients at random. “What do you feel like making?” The smile on her face is like a light even in the well-lit kitchen. A smile teases my lips.

What would I do without her?

“Something simple,” I say, my voice still subdued. “I don’t have the energy for anything fancy.”

She nods, tossing me a loaf of bread and a block of cheese. “Grilled cheese it is.”

I manage a small smile as we set to work, the familiar motions of slicing and buttering bread soothing in their simplicity. Ayana chatters about nothing in particular, her voice filling the silence with warmth.

But as I stand at the stove, flipping the sandwiches, a low murmur of voices drifts through the open door that leads to the garden.

I freeze, my ears straining to catch the conversation. One of the voices is unmistakable—Kieran’s, deep and steady. The other belongs to another older wolf, probably Elder Darrel, his tone sharp and questioning.

“Why the sudden change, Kieran?” Darell’s voice carries just enough to reach me. “You’ve always been pragmatic, but this…this is reckless.”

“She’s not a threat,” Kieran replies, his voice quieter but no less firm. “I won’t hand her over, no matter what the pack thinks. And now that I suspect that Damon has intentionally kept me away from her with all of those false reports, there is no way I’m changing my mind.”

“When did you discover this?” I'm more shocked that even Darrel doesn't know about Damon. But that means my security is still tight.

“Not long. I'm investigating his betrayal, and I needed to keep it under wraps. I suspect there are more spies, and I'm still interrogating the captured one.”

“That is grave, and I'm sure you are on top of it. But do you realize what you’re risking? She could be a liar just as you suspect Damon is,” Darell counters.

“She’s my Mate,” Kieran says finally, his voice softer now, almost resigned. “I can’t turn my back on that, no matter what it costs me.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I grip the edge of the counter to steady myself. My wolf stirs, her emotions a tangled mess of longing and anger.

“I know I’ve made mistakes,” he starts again, his voice low but steady. “That’s putting it lightly.”

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