Page 47 of His Rejected Alpha Mate
“Excuse my mate, he’s just a little hangry. Lunch was a while ago.”
It took a lot of effort not to roll my eyes at him. He was probably right. I wanted to get off my feet, too.
“Oh, that’s fine. It’s a big decision. Why don’t you try one of those delicious pastries at the bakery over there? They make wonderful iced drinks that are perfect for this heat. Thank goodness for A/C, right?” The salesperson suggested.
I gave them a grateful look. “That sounds wonderful, thank you. We’ll discuss it and come back after.”
We wandered over to the bakery, placed our order, and settled at a table inside the cute shop. The A/C was blasting, the July heat outside oppressive. Dakota studied the pamphlets they had given us and I looked at him. I felt such a rush of love for him, some of it moving down the bond. His head snapped up, and he grinned before making room for our food.
We thanked our server before digging in. Dakota smirked at my moans as I tasted the apple turnover I’d chosen. The flavor was both sweet and tangy.I remember you making that noise as you were stuck on my cock earlier.I coughed, nearly inhaling the pastry. He laughed.
Evil bear.
It wasn’t long before our food was finished and we were ready to go back to the store. We got outside into the blazing sun when my phone rang. “It’s Grady, hold up.”
My visions sparked for the first time in months. Flashes of bedridden friends. Illness. Being alone. Keep away was the sense that I got. The goddess didn’t want me near Grady. I answered the call voice wary, “hey, Grady, everything okay?”
“Angel is sick. I think Trey is too. Both of them have fevers. Red said she had a sore head and went to have a nap. She took so long to wake, Jas. I was so scared. Now Trey is burning up.”
“Are you okay? Do you need us to come home?”
“You can’t come here! I think it’s the sickness. The beta sickness. Swear you won’t come!” His voice was frantic. Words speeding out of him.
“Grady?”
“A baby died.” I felt his sorrow down the phone. “The omega was fine, but she lost the baby. You can’t come home, Jas. I just hope it isn’t too late. Please, goddess!” He wheezed and coughed.
“I don’t understand.” I said the words, but the picture was forming. My family was sick and I couldn’t return to the house. The rumors of a beta sickness, of deaths, were true.
The beta sickness had hit the Sweetwater pack.
The Sickness
Jasper
Theblaringofacar’s horn broke us out of our panicked stare off. I couldn’t even give voice to my thoughts. Pure icy fear had settled into my gut, making a stranglehold on my throat. I couldn’t breathe enough air, the air burning as it sawed in and out of my lungs.
Dakota led me to a bench, urging me to calm down as he got me to sit down with my head between my legs. “It’ll be okay, I promise. She’s got Grady and Trey looking after her.”
My head came up so I could meet his eyes. “Didn’t you hear Grady’s wheeze? Kota, he’s sick, too.” Dropping my head again, I fought back the tears that threatened to spill. “This is all my fault! They came here for me.”
“Okay, this is what we are going to do. First, we aren’t going to panic and lay blame. Next, you’ll go stay in the main house with Kade. I’ll head home, get some things for you, and I’ll take care of all the others.”
I couldn’t help but stare at him in astonishment. “You’d do that?”
He cupped my cheek. “I’d do anything for you. Our daughter is sick and you won’t rest unless you know someone is looking after her properly. That someone has to be me, especially if Grady is showing symptoms, too.”
Thank you. I love you.I couldn’t get the words past my lips, using the bond instead.
His phone rang just as he was taking it out of his pocket to make the call. “It’s Kade.”
Dakota answered the call. “Hey, I was just about to call you.”
“Kota? Can I come stay with you? There are cases of beta sickness in the house. Blake wants me out of here as soon as possible. I’m waiting for him in the truck while he packs me a bag.” Kade’s voice was frantic.
Dakota’s face went as pale as snow. “Who’s sick?”
“Jake and Sebastian showed symptoms this morning. Melody complained of a headache. A few other beta females stayed home this morning instead of guarding the omega area.”
