Page 35 of Rejected Pregnant Mate

I tried to be patient, but we had too much going on between us for her to try and avoid me at every turn. The last straw was when she was two hours late coming home from the cafe. It stressed me the hell out, and felt like just another attempt on her end to stay away from me.

I didn't even know what I'd done wrong.

That night, I didn't even bother calling. I just got in the Land Rover and drove into town, intending to confront Nayeli in person. She was the only closer that night, and we'd have the cafe to ourselves to hash out whatever was bothering her.

When I parked, I could immediately feel a change in the bond between us, raising the hairs on the back of my neck. She was distressed, maybe even in pain, but I only got bits and pieces of her emotions through our messed-up connection.

I'd been in such a rush that I hadn't even bothered to grab the keys to my own store, and when I found the door locked, I clenched my teeth. It was like everything was standing in the way of me getting to her, and I had the sinking feeling that Nayeli needed my help.

"Nayeli," I yelled. "Are you in there?"

Nothing. I cupped my hands against the glass of the window and looked through, and didn't see anything at first. But as my vision adjusted, cold fear washed over me—all I could seeof her was her feet on the floor, the rest of her body obscured by the counter.

I knocked on the door again, rattling the lock. "Nayeli! What's wrong? Are you okay?"

She let out a whimper, and I pounded on the door with my fist, my wolf growling deep in my chest. He knew she was in pain, and I could feel the bond between us vibrating. She needed me, and I was stuck outside while she was hurt.

That wasn't going to fucking work.

I took a step back, lowered my shoulder, and slammed into the door with all my strength. It cracked under my weight, but didn't break. I backed up again and hit it a second time. This time, the lock broke, and the door swung open.

I stepped inside, my gaze zeroing in on Nayeli. She was lying on the ground behind the counter, her eyes wide, her skin pale. The bond between us was vibrating at a fever pitch.

"You broke the door," she said, rising up on her hands with some effort.

"I don't give a fuck about the door," I growled, kneeling next to her. She was curled up, pain evident on her features, but she'd sat up and was pushing herself away from me. My frustration boiled over, and I almost snapped at her...until I inhaled.

Her sweet scent had deepened, darkened, and taken on a primal edge. The air around Nayeli was charged, the connection between us so intense that it was almost sparking. The rest of the world fell away as the Alpha in me rose up, demanding to be answered.

She was in heat. My mate was in heat. I should have known.

"Jesus," I sighed, reaching for her. "How long have you been suffering in silence, you stubborn thing?"

She was defensive. "It doesn't matter. You can't help me."

I wasn't about to back off, not with her like this. That part of me that was used to being in control, the smooth, calculated Alpha, had been fraying at the edges ever since Nayeli's spell misfired, and seeing that she was in heat was the last straw. The hunger, and the desire for her were all taking over, and I could see in her eyes that she felt the same.

"Yes, I can," I said, moving closer slowly, my instincts kicking in. "You don't have to be alone."

She still tried to push herself away from me, this time grabbing onto the edge of the counter and pulling herself to her feet on shaking legs. As much as her heat was making me senseless with need, my heart was also breaking for her. Strong, unshakable Nayeli had been put through so much lately, and now this? It almost wasn't fair.

But this was happening, and there was only one way for her to find relief. She'd lost her damned mind if she thought I was going to leave her to suffer through her heat alone.

"It will be worse if you stay," she argued, holding out a hand as I stepped around the counter.

I smirked at her, trying to lighten the mood. "What, are you scared you're going to jump me?"

She didn't laugh. "That's exactly what I'm scared of. Because I will."

"You've been in heat before," I reminded her, taking another step forward.

Her eyes flashed, and she backed away again. "Not like this. This isn't normal heat. I feel...different. Off. There'ssomething inside me..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "It must be the bond. I don't know. But I really wish you'd leave."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the urge to take her into my arms. She was being stubborn, and I knew that I wouldn't get anywhere by arguing with her. The only way to prove to her that she didn't need to be alone was to show her.

She made it easy for me to catch up to her, backing into the corner behind the counter. Nayeli froze when she realized she had nowhere to go. I stepped forward until our chests were almost touching, my hands resting on the counter, trapping her.

"You're scared," I said, meeting her eyes, "that you'll do something you regret, but we both know what will happen if I leave you here to deal with this alone."

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