Page 27 of Rejected Pregnant Mate

"Yes, we are," Joe said, sitting up straighter. "Now I have a feeling you two aren't going to like this, but—"

Before he could finish, the door to the porch opened, and Jayce walked out, hands in his pockets, looking way too casual, considering that our last run-in had nearly ended in blows. Just his presence was a silent challenge, and I was instantly on my feet, Samson behind me.

Joe moved between us, his eyes flashing gold, the color of his wolf's eyes. "Sit. Down."

I didn't want to, but my respect for Joe won. I sank into the chair, my teeth gritted as I stared at Jayce, who looked back with a cocky smirk on his face.

"What's the meaning of this, Joe?" Samson growled, his voice deepening. His eyes were shifting to gold too, his wolf riding high within him, but he controlled his temper. He sat back down and glared at Joe.

The older Alpha shrugged one shoulder, sipping his coffee as he leaned back. "I thought we should all be on the same page. I invited Jayce here because he's the newest pack Alpha in town, and I'd like to know what his intentions are."

"How do you even know him?"

"Well, after you and Samson gave him shit the other day, he came to my shop. I can't say I was happy about finding a new Alpha on my doorstep, but unlike the two of you, Nayeli wasn't there to make me crazy, so we had a rational conversation."

Samson and I found ourselves united against Jayce, a rarity for us, but I was glad I wasn't the only one who was suspicious as hell of the guy. Our combined hostility waspalpable in the air, but Jayce grabbed that damned fourth cup of coffee and took a seat like he belonged.

I imagined breaking all of his fingers, one by one, and it helped me calm down.

Finally, Jayce spoke. "Believe it or not, I'm not here to start trouble. And the other night, when I ran into your Omega, I was only out there to see exactly where the pack boundaries were, so none of my wolves accidentally crossed." He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "But I will say this. My pack has settled nearby, outside of Crystal Creek, but still close enough to easily access the town, and I have zero intention of uprooting them again. We've chosen a territory. It was empty, so none of you have a hold on it."

"It doesn't work that way," Samson growled. "If you want to settle here permanently, then you need to ask permission."

"From who?" Jayce asked, his tone challenging. "I know damn well you two didn't ask permission before you expanded your territory to include Crystal Creek."

I didn't point out that Samson's father had first claimed the area for his pack. It wasn't relevant. "You still should have fucking asked. Out of respect."

"I respect my pack's right to a peaceful life. I'm not going to force them to move again."

Samson barked a laugh. "You can take that savior complex and shove it—"

"Enough!" Joe snapped. "Samson, Scott, I'm asking as your friend and fellow Alpha to calm down and let the man talk." He looked at Jayce. "We're all here because you have some territory you want to keep, right? That's what you told me."

Jayce nodded once. "I do. We've settled outside of Crystal Creek, near the mountains."

That territory was indeed empty. Still, it was too close for comfort, and every time I looked at the bastard, I couldn't get the image of him and Nayeli in the forest together out of my head. My wolf was getting restless, and I couldn't stand his presence.

"This alliance is important, and it's why our packs have thrived without challenge," Joe continued. "So we're here to make sure that there won't be any trouble."

Jayce shook his head. "None. The Blacktide pack has no interest in expanding any further or making any kind of claim on this town. This is just the place we're settling for now. If you have a problem with that, then take it up with me directly. Don't bother my pack."

"And what are you going to do?" Samson asked, his tone still antagonistic. "I've never even heard of your pack, and I have contacts all across the East Coast."

Jayce's eyes flashed. "We're...well. A lot of my pack are outcasts and rogues. We've kept under the radar, but now we're ready to settle down. And..." He licked his lips, looking briefly at Joe before turning back to us. "I want the Blacktide pack to be part of your tri-pack alliance."

I saw red. Our alliance had been carefully built, and it had been a battle to make it work. It was a rarity among packs, and now some no-name wanted to come in and mess with that equilibrium? "You've got some nerve, thinking you can come here and just take a piece of what's ours."

"I think you misunderstood," Jayce said, frowning. "I'm not asking to be given anything, and with our combined strength—"

"No," I interrupted, my voice knife sharp. "You don't get to walk in and act like we owe you something. You're not a part of this."

Joe shot me a warning glance, and I could see the exhaustion in his eyes from trying to keep the peace. He was struggling to keep things civil between us and the new Alpha. "Take it easy, Scott. Let's not turn this into a battle when it doesn't need to be."

I stood, chest heaving, fighting the urge to let go of all the anger I was feeling. A small voice in the back of my mind told me that this was because of the bond and that I should have better control, but it was meaningless. Something had snapped, and I had to get the fuck out of there before I did something I would regret.

"I'm done," I told Joe simply. "I don't need to hear this. Not from him."

Joe and I both looked at Samson, who had his arms crossed but hadn't risen. He thought for a few moments before speaking. "I'll give you five minutes, but then I'm gone too."

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