Page 17 of Pregnant Rejected Mate

As the strength in my bones wavers, my every nerve-ending tingles while my heart scatters on the floor with the tears I shed. I can’t breathe, think straight, or go on without the love of my life.

How will I survive? With only a few simple words and no apology, I don’t want to live anymore.

Chapter 7 - Felix

“Diego is being kept in the dungeon. I think we need to talk to the Council,” I suggest to Draco when we’re at the dining table.

After my attempt to speak to Sierra was met with resistance, I decided to head down to take care of the things I had control over because it seemed I didn’t have control of what happened between us. She’s made it very clear that this isn’t a clean slate.

I know that she must hate me. But I can’t let her go. If it was anyone else, I would have taken them back home if they agreed to be my mate. This is Sierra, after all. The only woman I’ve ever loved. I can’t let her go a second time. I was foolish before and don’t plan to make the same mistakes twice.

Draco contemplates the suggestion and then clears his throat. “Did anyone witness the abduction?”

Aragon enters the dining room with his pregnant mate, Yazmine. “No,” he replies to Draco’s question. “I was careful not to take him in the presence of his men. But that just means he’s missing now.”

Draco grunts under his breath before turning to me. “Do you think he’ll take more money?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. He’s a liability we can’t afford if we’re meant to keep our existence a secret. I knew he couldn’t be trusted when he lied to his daughter and told her his life was in danger.”

“The Council never threatened his life,” Draco mulls with a frown.

“Yes,” I nod. “But his daughter never agreed to be a dragon’s mate. She knew nothing about it until yesterday when he kidnapped her. She would have never agreed.”

“So I take it you’re being met with resistance, then?” Aragon chuckles as he leads his mate to her seat. “It’s not easy charming a human woman, is it?”

Yazmine slaps his arm playfully. “Of course not. That’s why I gave you hell.”

“Is she being difficult, Brother?” Draco asks as his lips curl into a smirk. “You just have to sweep her off her feet.”

“It’s not as simple as that,” I contend with an exasperated sigh. Of course, they’re not going to cut me any slack—not since I was the one who’d given that very same piece of advice.

Aragon scoffs. “You made it sound pretty simple when it wasn’t your turn.”

“Yeah…” Draco adds. “You have to be kind and caring. Isn’t that what you said?”

“You won’t understand,” I sigh, hanging my head in shame. I hate that I’ve kept this a secret for so long—I kept Sierra a secret. How was I to know that we’d follow through with a human mating process that would lead us here? Because of her, I know how to charm my way into a human woman’s heart. Even though I didn’t have to try very hard. Sierra was the one who always brought that romantic side out of me.

I doubt that’s going to work right now. Not with all the pain I must have caused her.

“Now that the shoe fits, I suppose it’s time to wear it,” Aragon continues to taunt me.

Unable to sit around and take their playful jests, I get out of my seat and march to the front door. Behind me, I can hear more footsteps signaling that the rest of the gang has joined breakfast.

I’ve lost my appetite.

I need fresh air.

“Felix!” Kairo calls from behind, catching up with me just as I step outside. I would have shut the door in her face if she was one of my brothers.

But it’s Kairo, and I could disrespect a female like that.

“What do you want, Kai?” I groan; my irritation is still evident in my voice. Just because I wouldn’t disrespect her doesn’t mean I won’t let her know she’s caught me at the wrong time.

“Geez, Felix,” Kairo frowns with concern. “Is everything okay?”

I shrug nonchalantly, not knowing what to say to her. “I guess.” There’s no point in lying—Kairo will see right through me.

“You know…” she shakes her head slowly, planting her hands on her hips as if I’m about to get a scolding. “... Out of all my brothers, I was least expecting you to be the one having trouble with this.”

---