Page 155 of Rejected By the Alpha King

“Good. The soup was a good choice. I don’t think I’ll have any trouble with it.”

“All right. I would like to look you over, but I can wait until after dinner. And after the air is cleared.” He shot me a sharp look and left the motel room.

Properly admonished, I lowered my head. “I’m sorry, Anna. I shouldn’t be yelling at you.

After everything you went through…”

“Stop. Please, stop. I know you’re pissed at me. I’m pissed at you. We can yell for a little bit.”

“You’re pissed at me?”

“You closed the mating bond. I know why you had to do it, and I know why you had to take all those pictures with Kenzi, but it’s going to be awhile before I can stop seeing them in my mind. Before I can stop hearing her taunts. I left thinking that that is exactly what would happen.

You would realize that she was the better choice. It hurt, but I did it anyway. And when I was gone, I realized that I’d made a huge mistake.”

“You did?”

“I don’t know that I would have made a different choice, or that I could have made a different choice, but I do know that I haven’t given you a chance. I haven’t given us a chance.

I’ve hated you. I’ve needed you. I’ve wanted you, but I haven’t trusted you, and that’s not entirely your fault.”

My chest squeezed. “It’s partly my fault. I haven’t given you many reasons to trust me.”

“That’s because you didn’t trust me.”

“So what? We start over?”

“I don’t know what we do, but I definitely don’t think we can start over. Things are still too dangerous.”

“The crone hasn’t had any more visions since the twins died. They may have been the darkness she foresaw.”

“Someone was draining Janelle of her magic. Slowly and over time, but every day that I saw her, she was weaker. Emerson is still dealing with powerful witches. I don’t know that it’s over.”

“Then after dinner, I think it’s time we talk to the witch. Until then, do you mind if I join you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I need to touch you, Anna. Please. Just touch.” It had been a long few weeks. I told myself that when she woke up, I would give her space. My wolf had curled up as small as possible and was trying to desperately to ignore the feelings of need.

But it was my human half that was breaking down. If she said no, if she said she needed space, I would give it to her. But if there was even a chance…

Carefully holding her bowl so it wouldn’t spill, she scooted over on the bed. I was up like a shot, bag of food in hand, and climbing into bed next to her. We settled against the wall, and I carefully put my arm around her. I could eat one-handed. “Okay?”

Sighing, she snuggled under my arm. A few seconds later, I felt her shoulder shake.

“Hey. I’ve got you.” Tossing my bag aside, I grabbed the soup from her and placed it on the floor. When I returned, I gathered her up into my lap and held her while she cried. It completely undid me to see her like this. She never broke down. That wall of hers never even seemed to crack.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffed. “I just…”

“You don’t have to apologize, Anna. Just let it out. It’s just us here.” I propped my chin on the top of her head and let her cry. “When we get back, things are going to be different. You don’t ever have to be afraid to cry in front of me.”

When it was over, and she wiped her cheeks and looked up at me, I kissed her forehead.

“Was it something specific that made you cry, or were you just a little overwhelmed?”

“Overwhelmed. I haven’t felt like this since the first time you left me at The Fanged Smile and Parker frowned at me and told me I looked like a rat.”

“Christ. I knew he was a little rough around the edges, but I didn’t think he was that rough.”

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