Page 97 of Rejected Mate's Baby for the Alpha King

“Why didn’t you tell London what happened to you?”

“We didn’t trust him, Rhyson. We didn’t trust anyone for years, and then it wasn’t so bad living here,” Gemma said with a soft smile. Reaching out, she took my hand and squeezed. “I don’t blame you. I thought of you every day and wished I could take that fight back. I hated knowing those were the last words we might ever speak to each other. I was such a child then.”

Grateful, I squeezed her hand back. I told them that I’d found them because of Marrow, and then I had to tell them of Marrow’s death. The pain washed over me all over again as Emily cried. “God, we should have tried harder to come home. Maybe none of this would have happened.”

I thought of Maya’s words and the guilt I held. “This isn’t your fault, Emily. I’m going to find who killed him, and I’m going to make them pay.”

There was a knock at the door, and I grinned. “There is someone who I want you to meet.”

The door opened, and London popped his head in. “You girls okay?”

They both smiled warmly, and I realized how much I owed London. Apparently, all those years ago, two of his soldiers had been out and found them freezing in the snow. They brought them back, and London took them in and made them an official part of his pack a year afterward, even though they’d never said where they were from. A couple had raised them as sisters. The whole pack had made them feel safe and loved.

Maya walked in, and Emily gasped. “Oh my God, do I have two nephews?”

“This is Maya,” I said as I pulled out a chair for her. “And yes, she’s the mother of my child.”

Emily squealed and leaned over to hug her, shocking the hell out of Maya. Gemma raised an eyebrow. “Is she your mate?”

“That’s complicated,” I admitted.

“It’s wonderful to meet you. Rhyson has been beside himself since he learned that the two of you were still alive. I’m happy to give you more time together, if you’d like,” Maya said quietly.

“No.” Emily squeezed her hand. “You’re going to be family. I want to get to know you. Gemma and I have been living together, and there’s a plot of land right next to ours. I’ll convince London to build the two of you a house.”

“A house?” Maya looked over at Rhyson. “You’re going to stay?”

“Of course he is. Why wouldn’t he?” Emily’s eyes rounded. “Wait, are you an alpha? Shit, bro, I can feel the power coming off of you.”

“Not an alpha,” Maya said quietly. “Emily, your brother is the king.”

“The…” Gemma’s eyes widened. “Shit, does London know? This mountain hates you. What did you do to them?”

“Previous king,” I muttered. “And I’m not sure what we’re going to do yet. I became king to use my power to avenge Marrow. Once I’ve done that, I’d planned on passing the crown to Rune. We could come back.”

“Maya?” Gemma said softly. “Do you think Rhyson should give up his crown?”

Something flickered in Maya’s eyes. “I think it’s not up to me. What I’m worried about now is that Marrow’s killer is still out there. If he thinks there are survivors, he might come for the two of you.”

Shit. I’d been so busy dealing with the fact that they were alive, I hadn’t even thought of the implications. “Emily, Gemma, do you remember anything about who abducted you? Did you ever meet Emerson?”

Gemma paled. “He was the one who took us into the mountain. We saw him once when he was alpha. We should have said something then.”

“Don’t blame yourselves. You survived,” Maya said firmly. “That is what is important. Did Emerson abduct you?”

Emily’s eyes filled with tears. “No. I barely remember that day, but I knew there were three different men. One who killed our parents. One who took us to the mountain. And one who took us into the mountain. Our faces were covered for the second part, but I will never forget his voice.”

“I saw a tattoo on the man who attacked us.” Gemma’s voice shook. “A yellow snake wrapped around a wolf. I remember because it was so distinctive. What kind of shifter gets a tattoo of a snake strangling a wolf?”

Maya made a strangled sound and immediately stood. “I’m sorry. Morning sickness. Please excuse me.”

With a moan, she raced from the room. Emily cleared her throat. “Rhyson. You look like you haven’t learned a thing about women since the last time we saw you. You’re supposed to go after her.”

I was torn, but Gemma laughed. “I’m sure she understands. It’s an unusual situation. A little bit like the answer you gave when I asked if she was your mate.” Leaning across the table, something gleamed in her eyes. “Especially since you’re supposed to be my mate.”

53

Maya

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