Page 61 of Claimed By the King's Gamma

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As we drive, Kade turns on some music, and his relaxed demeanor starts to soothe my nerves.I can’t help but steal glances at him, taking in his strong features and the way his muscles subtly shift under his shirt as he drives.We arrive at the café, and Kade guides me inside, his arm casually draped over my shoulders, leading me to a table.

We sit across from each other, and Kade orders us both coffee and sandwiches.He maintains eye contact with me, creating an intense atmosphere that makes the air between us heavy.It feels like he’s studying me.

“Tell me about yourself,” Kade says, breaking the silence.

“I’m just a rogue,” I reply softly, feeling a bit out of my depth.

“Come on now, Abbie.There must be more to you than that,” he presses, his gaze piercing.I shift uncomfortably in my chair, not used to talking about myself.Sensing my reluctance, Kade decides to talk about himself instead, which relieves me.

“You know, my pack is lovely,” Kade begins, a hint of pride in his voice.“They are going to be so excited when I bring you home.You’ll love the pack house, it’s beautiful.”

“You want me to leave with you?”I ask, surprised.

“Of course, you’re my mate.We are supposed to be together.You wouldn’t turn your back on what the Moon Goddess wants, would you?”

I shake my head, but my thoughts instantly turn to Ivy.I have never been without her.Although he is my mate, he’ll look after me, and I won’t have to be a maid, but what will become of Ivy?

“Once I have you home, and we complete the mating ceremony, and I mark you, then I’ll introduce you to the pack,” Kade adds.

“Mating ceremony?”I ask nervously.

“Of course, why is that an issue?”he inquires, his eyes narrowing slightly.

I say nothing, the idea giving me a mix of emotions—none of them are good.

“So once you’re back, you should pack what things you need because once I am done helping the king, we’ll be leaving.”

“I don’t know if I can go, that is up to the king,” I tell him.

“Nonsense, don’t worry, I will handle the king.Besides, it’s the law; he can’t stop you.Mate bonds are protected,” Kade assures me, his tone confident, dismissive of my concerns.

But the thought of leaving Ivy behind weighs heavily on me.I’ve never been without her, and the idea of leaving her feels like abandoning a part of myself.

It’s just about dark by the time I return to the castle.Kade drops me at the front gate, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face.My mate wants me, and he seems nice.He tells me all about his pack and the packhouse, about duties I am expected to perform as his Luna.It’s nice, though I am still a little wary.I wait for the other shoe to drop, keeping an eye out for the rejection, but it never comes.

Easing through the gates, I nearly jump out of my skin when Liam moves off the wall beside the iron gates.

“Gannon has been looking for you,” he states, and I swallow nervously.While with Kade, I completely forgot about Gannon for those few hours.Guilt swamps me and my heart beats faster.

“You need to tell him, Abbie,” Liam tells me.I say nothing because I don’t know what to say.I never thought I would be put in a position where I have to choose.

“Are you going to reject Kade or turn Gannon away?”he asks, stepping closer, and for the first time since meeting Liam, I take a step back from him.He doesn’t look happy with me, and his entire demeanor is off.He looks like the callous killer I have heard rumors of.

“He’s my mate, Liam,” I answer softly.

“Yes, but you’re a werewolf, you can reject your mates,” he says.I furrow my brows in confusion.

“You want me to reject my mate?”I ask him, knowing doing that would be shunning the Moon Goddess for the gift she gave me.

“Kade is not a good man, Abbie.”He doesn’t elaborate further.Instead, he turns on his heel and walks off before calling over his shoulder.

“You need to tell Gannon; if you don’t, I will,” Liam states, not bothering to stop.

“Wait,” I call out to him while chasing after him.He slows but doesn’t stop as he walks through the double doors.

“You can’t tell him.I barely know the man.You’re acting like I am about to run off with him,” I snap, annoyed at the accusation in his tone.Liam turns on me instantly, and I back up at the murderous look he gives me.My back hits the stone wall, and I gasp at his closeness.

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