Page 95 of Claiming His Rejected Mate

I shouldn’t be nervous.

I have led warriors into war. Torn down enemies with my bare hands. Brought packs to their knees.

And yet, standing in my chambers, waiting for Hazel, my palms are clammy.

Pathetic.

I run a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. Everything is prepared—dim lighting, a fire crackling in the hearth, a feast of her favorite foods laid out on the table. Sylva ensured it was perfect, but I still can’t shake this gnawing feeling in my chest.

Because this isn’t just about dinner.

It’s about her.

About us.

And about making things right.

The fears seep into me. What if she’s not ready yet? What if her heart has not fully let go of the past?

I would give her time to heal. Shehas called me her Mate. She has fought battles beside me. She has led my people to victory. There is little else that she can do to prove to my pack that she is now one of us, loyal to us, dedicated to our well-being. But beyond the pack, she has effortlessly proved that she is Luna, even when I doubted it when it was right under my nose.

And even if she is not ready to accept me today, I can try another day.

The door creaks open.

I turn sharply, breath catching in my throat.

Hazel steps inside, her presence stealing the air from the room.

She wears a deep emerald dress, the silk clinging to her curves, highlighting every inch of her that I have craved for years. Her wild dark curls are free, spilling over her shoulders, and her green eyes are sharper than ever, assessing me, watching me.

Stunning.

I swallow, forcing my body to stay rooted in place. I am taken aback by her beauty. I see her every day. I’ve seen her in different phases. And even though we didn’t get to know each other in the best of ways, it feels like we’ve grown together. We’ve been through so much, that it feels like we’ve lived several lifetimes already.

And through all of it, she still looks mouthwateringly sexy, even with the purpling bruise on her arm and the small cut on her forehead. I want to skip the niceties and fast forward to the part where I make her moan in pleasure, where she is in my arms and the world melts away.

But I have to wait. It’s the little things that matter to her, and I have to take things in her stride.

She closes the door behind her, arching a brow. “You’re staring.”

I smirk, but it’s weak. “Can you blame me?”

Her lips twitch, as if she’s trying to hold back a smile.

I gesture toward the table. “I figured we should start over.”

She walks past me, her scent—wild, fierce, intoxicating—curling around me, making my wolf stir.

I reach for her, taking her hand in mine and leading her to her chair.

“Imagine we are meeting for the first time. I’m seeing you enter theroom for the first time.” I turn her around and admire her some more. “I could look at you like this for the rest of my life and not get bored. You are enchanting and everything about you entices me.”

Her cheeks tinge a shade of red under her light makeup. “Well, that’s a lot of words, Kieran, are you sure you know what they all mean?” she teases, a smile stretching her lips and rounding her cheeks.

“Well, this is the opportunity for you to teach me.” I pull her into me and cup her face. She wraps her arms around me, looking up at me with those bottomless eyes of hers.

“You’re a horrid student. You’d drive me nuts.” She looks away, trying to hide her smile.

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