Page 18 of Riding with the Rejected Wolf

Silas stands too, his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “It’s not like that. He didn’t tell me everything. Just gave me some bullshit story about a missing person.”

I bark out a humorless laugh. “Of course he did. And you believed him?”

“No. Not for a second.”

His words hang in the air, and I try to wrap my head around them. “So why take the job, then? Why even come looking for me?”

He sighs, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Because I wanted to find out the truth. And when I did, I switched sides. You don’t know this, but I’ve been protecting you from the moment that guy showed me your photos."

I narrow my eyes. “Protecting me?” I stare at him, my mind racing. “Silas, you knew who I was. What I was running from. And you lied about it!”

His jaw clenches, and he steps closer, his blue eyes boring into mine. “I had to. If you knew who sent me here, you’d have bolted. And if I wasn’t the one who took the job, Henry would’ve just gone and hired someone else. Then you'd be in more danger than you already were. But the truth is, Mika, whether you were my mate or not, I was never going to hand you over to him. Devil’s Pack doesn’t abide by the mistreatment of women or children—which is probably why Henry made up that bullshit story about you being his missing wife when he met with me and another member. And you can ask Kade if you need to. He’ll tell you that the plan was always to find and help you. It was just a bonus that it turned out you’re my mate.”

I blink, trying to process his words. My head is a mess of confusion, anger, and something else I don’t want to name. “Your mate?” The sarcasm drips from my voice. “How convenient.”

Silas shakes his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Convenient? More like a cosmic complication, if you ask me,” he says. “But yeah, my mate. The one person the universe decided I should protect and cherish. And as messy as it makes this, I can't ignore it. You’re stuck with me now, Mika. You can hate me, you can yell at me, you can run from me, but I'll always find you. I’ll always protect you. Because that’s what mates do.”

I cross my arms, trying to mask the shiver that runs through me. "Sounds more like a stalker's anthem than a romantic declaration."

He chuckles softly, the sound almost comforting if I wasn’t so damn angry. "Maybe it is," he admits, his posture relaxing. "But it's the truth. Look, I get that trust isn't exactly high on your list right now. You've been burned, chased, and lied to. Hell, I’m not exactly scoring points here myself. But, like it or not, I've got your back. Always."

I bite my lip, feeling the war inside me. Part of me wants to throw myself into his arms and believe every word he says. Another part wants to punch him in the face and run far, far away.

“I just…I don’t know what to think anymore,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “This is all just…It’s too much.”

Silas steps closer, and I don't back away this time. It's like he's a magnet, and I'm the idiot piece of metal who's forgotten how to resist. "I know it's a lot. You're dealing with more than anyone should have to. But you don't have to do it alone anymore. I’m here for you, Mika. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. To make sure Henry never gets near you again." He reaches out, his fingers brushing against my arm, and a jolt of electricity shoots through me. Damn it. Why does his touch make me feel things I can't afford to feel?

I try to ignore the warmth spreading from where he touched me. Focus, Mika. There’s no room for distractions. "And what if you can't?" I challenge, my voice sharper than intended. "What if Henry's smarter, faster? What if he gets to me while you’re taking care of club business, or whatever it is you do?"

Silas's eyes darken, and a fierceness ignites in them that sends a shiver down my spine. "Then I'll hunt him down and make him pay for every second of hell he’s put you through."

His words hang in the air like a promise carved in stone. I can’t help but stare at him, this rugged knight on a steel horse vowing to defend my fractured honor. It’s almost laughable if it didn’t make my heart flutter in a way that feels dangerously close to hope.

I take a deep, shuddering breath. "I want to believe you, Silas. I really do. But trust doesn’t come easy for me anymore."

He nods, his eyes softening. "I know. And I’m willing to earn it, one step at a time."

We stand there in silence for a moment, the night air cool against my skin. Despite everything, there’s a strange sense of peace between us. Maybe it's the bond he talked about, or maybe it's just the fact that for the first time in a long while, I feel like I’m not facing this alone.

"I need some time," I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

Silas steps back, giving me the space I need. "I understand. I’ll be close by if you need me."

With that, he turns and heads into the woods. I watch him go, his silhouette blending into the shadows until I can no longer see him. A moment later, a large black wolf emerges from the trees, his eyes glowing in the moonlight. He looks at me for a long moment before turning and disappearing into the forest.

I stumble back into the cabin, my mind reeling. Why does everything about him make me feel like I’m teetering on the edge of something I can’t quite grasp? I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. But it’s no use. I’m a mess.

SILAS

The Night Watch

Lifting my head, I let out a howl that echoes through the forest, a warning to any threat lurking in the darkness. My senses are heightened, every sound and scent crisp and clear. I prowl the perimeter, my paws silent on the forest floor. Mika’s scent lingers in the air, mingled with her fear and confusion. Damn, she must think I’m some sort of supernatural freak show. No better than the stalker she’s been running from.

Determined to prove her wrong, I double down on my efforts to protect her. Running through the woods, my paws pound against the earth as I replay the events of the past few days. I feel like I’ve already fucked this all up.

If I could go back to the beginning and figure out some way to be honest from the start, I would. But how could I explain my true nature to a woman who’s been hunted for years? How could I convince her that I wasn’t here to harm her?

I know I need to give her space, but the thought of being rejected by a second mate gnaws at me. The first time was years ago, when my former mate left me without an explanation. It was only through the grapevine that I heard she’d become a chosen mate to a prince. I curse under my breath, a primal growl rumbling deep in my chest. Rejection is a risk inherent to every relationship, but being rejected by a mate who’s fated to you is something else all together. Not only is there the humiliation within the pack, but there’s also the physical pain that comes from the mystical bond being severed. It’s an open wound that never seems to heal. I don’t think I could survive it a second time.

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