Page 51 of Rejected Mate's Baby for the Alpha King

Water splashed over her shoulders and rolled down to her breasts in rivulets. I cupped one and circled my thumb over her nipple. Despite the look in her eyes, she arched into my touch and gasped. I wanted to touch her, but I also wanted to chase those words away. I wanted to protect. Protect her. Protect everyone. “I could say the very same.”

“You could just leave me alone. Instead, every time I turn around, you’re there. And you’re mean.”

“Not always,” I murmured. I slipped my hand down her belly to play between her legs. Her body trembled with need, and satisfaction surged through me. She was mine.

Blowing out her breath, she finally pushed away enough that she hit the tile wall of the shower. “You have your mission here, but so do I. Sera said that someone here might be able to help me with my wolf.”

I contemplated following her and pressing my body against hers, but I could see that she was done. My hand dropped. “I’m not leaving you here, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Then I suggest you play nice with the alpha and his mate because we might be here for a while. And while we are, you should find someone else to warm your bed.”

“Is this your way of saying you don’t want me?”

Lifting her chin, she met my gaze. “Damn right, I don’t want you.”

“I look forward to disproving that,” I chuckled as she stepped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and stomped away, slamming the bathroom door shut so she couldn’t hear my laughter.

27

Maya

It was strange waking up in Rhyson’s arms with his breath heavy in my ear. His arm was slung around my torso, and his fingers twitched on my skin. I held my breath, willing away the images that popped up in my head. I’d meant what I said last night. I would not be the thing that he hated during the day and used during the night.

Enough sun came through the window that I knew it was morning, but I’d probably only gotten a few hours of sleep. I was exhausted, but precious minutes were ticking by. If I was going to find the witch to help me, I needed to do it before Rhyson left. I had no doubt that he would drag me away whether I wanted to go or not.

That didn’t stop me from taking an extra second to enjoy the moment snuggling against him. As much as I hated it, his warmth and hold made me feel safe. Made me want things. Made me wish for things I had no business wishing for.

I shifted, just slightly, and his hand slipped down my body. Freezing, I held my breath. Had I woken him up?

His hand moved down to my waist, then up the hem of my shirt. His fingers splayed against my skin, and I squeezed my eyes shut, willing him to be still. If his hands kept moving, I’d be moaning for him in minutes.

He wasn’t still. He was very much awake. I could practically feel the smugness in him as his hand slipped to the waistband of my pants. Pretending like I didn’t notice, I shimmied out of the bed. Keeping my back to him, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, making a mental note to ask someone if we could do some laundry while we were here. The adventure hadn’t been kind to our meager supply of clothing.

“You’re not to go anywhere alone,” Rhyson rumbled from the bed. “Take one of the guards.”

“I’ll take Tessa.”

“Tessa is not a guard. You will take a guard,” he repeated slowly. “Or you will take me.”

Well, damn it. “Fine. I’ll take Duke.”

I thought he’d object, but he didn’t say anything as I skipped out into the hall. For a moment, I considered leaving without taking Duke, but the door down the hall opened up and Duke stepped out.

“Can he speak to you telepathically?” I snapped.

He just grinned. “I want breakfast before we go gallivanting off to find some witch.”

Rolling my eyes, I jogged down the steps. He was right behind me. It took a few turns before we found the kitchen. It was not empty. A woman sat on the counter, a bowl of cereal in her hands, and she gave Duke a long look. “Anna didn’t mention that you were yummy.”

“I don’t think her mate would let her taste me. You on the other hand…” Duke drawled, his interest evident. I didn’t blame him. She was a blond bombshell.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m Maya, and this is Duke. I don’t know if your alpha filled you in.”

“Kenzi, third-in-command, and yes. I’m aware that the witch dropped you off last night.”

“Great. We…um…well, I’m on a sort of separate mission. I was told your witch might be able to help me with a problem I’m having.” I felt so awkward talking to her. I really didn’t spend that much time with female werewolves.

“And what mission would that be?”

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