Page 31 of Rejected Pregnant Mate

"What the hell is going on here?" he growled, stepping up to Joe. "Did I just see you whispering in my mate's fucking ear?"

Joe, to his credit, didn't even flinch, but there was a shadow of concern that passed over his eyes. He raised his eyebrows, unbothered. "We were talking. You know, words, sentences, conversations."

Scott didn't laugh. Instead, he looped his arm around my back, his palm on the back of my neck. His skin was hot like iron, and I suddenly knew that was exactly what he was doing—branding me. Marking me as his in front of all these people. I stiffened, but didn't pull away, feeling his rage simmering down our strange bond.

"You two looked cozy," he finally looked at me, but his expression was anything but casual.

"Don't start," I hissed, confused. Joe was Scott's friend. What the hell was wrong with him? "It's just Joe."

"He touched you."

"Is that a crime?" I snapped, louder than I intended. People had stopped to stare, conversations dipping as the air grew heavy. "I'm not your property, Scott."

For a beat, I thought he was going to argue that point, his upper lip curling. He just stared down at me, his hand not moving from the back of my neck, and I was shaken by the amount of emotions I could feel down our connection. With him being so close, touching my skin, I knew how much he hated what was happening to him, how much he hated Joe touchingme, and how much he hated that I didn't push Joe away. Beneath it all was the dread he felt from how out of control he was, and how out of character it was, but he was helpless.

I swallowed hard, wracked with guilt, and pulled away. Scott reached out, logic finally cutting through his domineering instincts. "Nayeli, wait—"

I didn't. I pushed through the crowd, disappearing before he could get his hands on me again. Everyone had seen his outburst, and I was humiliated, but at the same time, I felt miserable about the change in Scott. It was my fault.

Chapter 12 - Scott

I fucked up.

"Nayeli, wait—" I called for her, reaching out, but it was already too late. Nayeli had looked horrified, her spine stiff, and it wasn't until then that I'd realized the entire party was looking at us.

Dammit. She already had such a hard time in crowds, and I'd gone and humiliated her in front of a fuck ton of pack members.

I hadn't meant for it to happen. The possessiveness had been a reflex. Seeing her with Joe, laughing and relaxed in a way she'd never been with me made something twist in my chest. I'd reacted without thinking, the bond burning like acid, and I acted like some feral beast defending his territory.

Was that what I was becoming? A feral wolf? The thought made me nauseous.

"You need to get some fucking air," Joe growled, low enough that only I could hear. "I'll let it slide this time since you're my friend, and I know you're going through some shit, but challenge me in public again and I'll make you regret it."

A retort was immediately on my tongue—I was positive I'd be able to take Joe in a fight, but that might have been my ego talking—but I clamped my mouth shut. He wasn't wrong. I trusted Joe with Nayeli, but that damned spell made me forget that fact. I nodded at him once and moved through the party crowd. Now that everyone realized the show was over, they were starting to converse amongst themselves again, but I could still feel eyes on my back.

I exited out of the back of the cafe, dragging a hand down my face. I hadn't meant to scare or embarrass her, but I had. Just as she was starting to be more comfortable with me I fucked it up. I couldn't take it back, but I had to apologize. Maybe she'd understand—after all, she had her own problems with the spell bond, too.

She wasn't outside, though, which was strange. I was sure she'd left after storming off. A few people were wandering around, and none were Nayeli. I sniffed the air, but I couldn't pick up her scent. I started moving forward, checking around the side of the building.

It was there I ran into Kiera and Gwen, both women glaring as soon as they saw me. I winced. "Hello."

"What the hell was that?" Gwen demanded, pointing a finger at me. I wondered if it was the first time I'd heard her curse. She worked for me at my other cafe and was usually overly polite. "You made her look like an idiot in front of all those people!"

"I know," I sighed. "I'm not proud of it."

Kiera crossed her arms, giving me a stern look. "Do you even understand what you just did to her?’

"I didn't do it on purpose," I insisted. "Nayeli's important to me, too."

"Well, it doesn't look that way."

I exhaled, rubbing my eyes. I was tired, frustrated, and guilty, and it was showing. "Is she inside? I can't find her."

The two women looked at each other, worried. "Uh, we were looking for her, too."

I frowned. "What do you mean? I thought she came out here after our little show."

Gwen shook her head. "We checked inside first and then came out here. She wasn't out front."

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