Page 27 of Because You Rejected Me

My blood boiled at the thought of what this stranger had done to Matt. To my Matt.

“I barely made it here,” Matt said, his voice hitching as he wiped his eyes again. “I wasn’t sure I would.” He let out a sort of exasperated cry. “I can’t believe he did that to me! I… I thought he liked me.”

I pushed myself to my feet and came around to Matt’s side. Kneeling down in the sand, he allowed me to pull him into my arms. He leaned against my chest, the tears still flowing as he cried.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, running my fingers through his hair. “He never should’ve done that to you.”

“It’s my fault,” Matt replied. “I’m so fucking stupid.”

“No, you aren’t,” I said sternly. “He’s the stupid one for betraying someone as wonderful as you. He’ll spend the rest of his life regretting that, I guarantee it.”

“Nobody wants me. I’m nothing but trouble.”

“I want you.”

Matt suddenly looked up, his tear-streaked face red from crying.

“I mean it,” I added, anticipating his deflection. “I like having you around and I want you to stay. You’ve become a good friend and I want you around.”

“J-Just friends?” he asked, wiping his eyes.

“I’m happy with that if that’s all you want. I know you’re hurting right now and this life is all new to you. The last thing I want to do is pressure you into something you’re not ready for.”

“What about that night…”

“Sex is sex,” I replied. “If that’s something you want, we can talk about it. But I want you to be comfortable first.”

Matt nodded. “I like you,” he replied, the fear in his voice evident. “But I… I’m scared.”

“That I’ll turn on you?”

He nodded again, turning his gaze down. I reached up with my forefinger, lifting his chin so that we were eye to eye once more.

“I’m not going to do that,” I said softly. “I promise. I’ve lived your story and I’d never do that to another person.”

“Y-You have?”

I gave him a sort of sad smile. “My guy wasn’t the Alpha’s son, but he did have a wife and pups at home that I didn’t know about. Little did I know, she was best friends with the Luna of the pack. Needless to say, she made sure my ass was on the street the moment she found out. As for her husband… well, I’m not so sure she didn’t castrate him on the spot.”

Matt winced. “Fuck…”

“He didn’t try to help me or take any of the blame. He just stood there and let his wife ruin my life even though he was the one who pursued me. And the worst part is, I can’t blame her for her reaction. She had every right to be angry.”

“But you didn’t deserve it!”

I nodded. “You’re right. I didn’t. But that’s what happened. And that’s how I ended up here in Shifter Grove.” I smiled down at Matt. “If it hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have met you.” I took a deep breath. “But I don’t want you to do what I did. Don’t lock yourself away and rot for ten years because you’re afraid everyone you meet is going to turn on you. Believe me, it’s not worth it.”

Matt stared at me for a long moment. “Can… Can you kiss me?”

The smile that filled my face was involuntary. Leaning down, I pressed my lips to his, kissing him softly.

“I’m not gonna hurt you,” I said, pulling away. “And you can call it quits at any time. No pressure.”

“Okay,” Matt nodded. “Kiss me again.”

And I did.

Chapter Fifteen: Matt

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