Page 62 of Claiming His Rejected Mate

“Feel better?” he asks.

I keep my expression neutral, focusing on the distant horizon. “Why am I really here, Kieran?” I don’t want to beat about the bush with him. He’s hurt me in more ways than one. This ride has been good for my mind, but it’s done nothing to alleviate the crazy discomfort that has now become a daily companion.

A muscle in his jaw ticks, but he doesn’t look away. “Because I need your help.”

I huff a laugh, shaking my head even though his eyes on me makes my core throb and my wolf whine. “That’s new.”

His lips press into a thin line. “I should have valued your strengths sooner. I know that now.”

The admission catches me off guard, but I don’t let it show. What in the world happened to him? This isn’t the same Kieran who would never take my word. This isn’t the Kieran that intends to use me for selfish reasons. He actually seems to mean it.

I arch a brow. Even though he sounds different, I still don’t trust him. And if there’s something he wants to say to me, I need him to say it outright. I know it’s going to drive him nuts, and I feel the amusement bubble in my belly. “And what strengths would those be?”

His gaze doesn’t waver. It make me focus on his words. “Your mind. Your ability to see weaknesses where others don’t. You were trained as a warrior, Hazel. You understand strategy in a way most don’t. You communicate and train in a way that honestly…” he trails off, and it’s as if he’s shy to say it. He looks away and continues, “Even among my ranks, you will be an exceptional leader.”

Something shifts in my chest. Not quite trust, but something less sharp-edged than the anger I’ve carried. But the anger is still there, the distrust blowing soft winds to fan it. But there’s also the satisfaction that he’s saying it, being vulnerable.

I tilt my head, studying him, still processing all the emotions flooding through me. “You’re inviting me to help with defending the pack?”

He pauses. Like he has more to say. Like there are a million words on his tongue, but he can’t utter them. “Yes.”

“Well, I’ll take you up on that if you can catch me.” I grab my horse’s reins and speed away.

I turn back to see his face as he realizes my challenge. A smile spreads on his face as he turns his horse around. He has an “oh you asked for this” look on his face and it fills me with a burst of excitement.

Weaving a path through the trees, I still manage to keep an eye on his horse.

Damn he’s fast…but I’m faster.

I work my reins and pick up speed, but Kieran is right on my tail. I can’t lie, I’m enjoying this a bit more than I should. I think up something naughty and I don’t think twice.

Looking around, I find a clear path and steer my horse left. It’s off the trail, but it means Kieran might miss me with his speed. A little hide and seek sounds like fun.

But then I get to a cliff and the view takes my breath away. I slow down the horse to stop at a safe distance and climb down, taking it all in. I take out my phone and take a picture. I’m so caught up in admiring the view that I don’t notice Kieran walking up behind me.

I trip and fall into him. But instead of staying standing, he falls back, too, and in a moment we are both rolling backward on the soft grass. I don’t realize it at first, but when we stop, I hear myself giggle.

I open my eyes to see him staring at me. There is nothing I want more in this moment than to kiss him. I’m pretty sure my jaw is dropped all the way to the ground, but I don’t even want to stop. The look on his face tells me he’s having as much fun as I am right now.

But then, I remember why we’re here in the first place.

“There’s no argument. I caught you, and now you have to help.” There’s a playfulness to his words that makes my chest flutter, and my wolf wants nothing more than to nip him and prance around with his.

It’s a risk, acknowledging that he needs me, but Kieran doesn’t flinch. For the first time, I see it—the man he could have been if he hadn’t let pride and duty cloud his judgment.

I exhale slowly and bite my lip. I look into his eyes, and I almost regret doing it. Warmth settles between my legs, and my wolf stirs with need as we get lost in his sea blue eyes. “Fine. But don’t think this means anything. I’m here to help the pack, not you.”

His lips twitch, not quite a smile but close. “Understood.”

Back at the estate, the war room is dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across the table covered in maps and scattered documents. The scent of paper and ink lingers in the air, mingling with the faint scent of Kieran’s cologne.

I stand at the table, my fingers trailing over the detailed map of Moonfang territory. Kieran leans over beside me, his presence close enough that the heat of him brushes against my arm. It’s like an electric fire in my veins. But I tighten my jaw. This is not the time and place to be so crass.

He’s watching me, I can feel it.

I clear my throat, focusing on the map. “Your southern border is vulnerable. Too many entry points, and your patrol routes are predictable. If I were leading an attack, I’d strike here.” I tap a spot near the river’s edge.

Kieran’s brow furrows. “We’ve reinforced that section.”

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