Page 104 of Rejected Mate's Baby for the Alpha King

By the time I got Maya back in bed, London already had his healing staff at the ready. She barely woke for the exam, but the healer concluded that Maya and the baby were fine and just suffering from dehydration and exhaustion. She treated the wounds on her legs and left when the others returned with Champ. The others had forced him to shift before they pulled the knife out, so he would need stitches.

And it would scar. I got a little perverse pleasure from that.

“Emily and Gemma are with guards,” London said when he returned. “Men and women I personally trust.”

I was standing in the doorway, unwilling to let anyone in the room with Maya but also unwilling to leave her alone. “Champ will identify his spy, and I will kill them,” I said flatly.

“Once I have assessed the situation, I will consult with you,” the alpha said quietly. I growled, but he didn’t lower his gaze. “Not all situations have to end in death, king. Did you not let the wolf who attacked your mate live?”

“It’s different.”

“Because all situations are different. I want to know that my mountain is safe from outside influence. I want to know that this trafficking is well and truly over, and I want to make sure there are no holes in my pack. Once I am satisfied, I could turn those responsible over to you, but I suspect you will be long gone.”

He was right, and I felt my body ease a little. “I do not think Emily and Gemma will come with me. I want to know that they are safe.”

“Rhyson, just because it will be difficult for you to return to the mountain does not mean it’s impossible. Plus, you know, we have phones.”

At that I cracked a smile. Maya stirred on the bed and made soft sounds, like she was waking up. “I would appreciate some food brought to us,” I told him. “And I thank you for everything you have done for my sister, her friend, and me.”

I held out my hand, and London clasped it warmly before leaving. Stepping into the room, I closed the door behind me just as Maya started to wake.

Sitting up, she blinked in confusion before her gaze settled on me. A smile started, and just as quickly, it faded. “Rhyson. Shit, I shouldn’t be in your room.”

“You shouldn’t?”

“No…oh, you probably moved rooms, didn’t you?” She put a hand on her belly. “Baby?”

“He’s fine.”

Her shoulders drooped in relief. “You’re angry. I can tell. I had no idea that Champ was here. I swear. I meant what I said about not hurting the babe. I just wanted a confession from my father, and he would never hurt the child. Not when he has a chance of being grandfather to the king’s heir.”

“I’m not angry, Maya. Well, I’m a little angry. I thought by now we had some kind of trust, but that’s beside the point. You and I need to talk.”

The shadows drifted over her face, and she nodded and stiffened, like she was preparing for battle. She really thought Gemma was my mate, and she was ready to face the truth.

Instead of walking her way, I leaned against the wall in front of the door and crossed my arms. I was going to tell her the truth and hope that she didn’t run.

57

Maya

Champ was in custody. We had a way to bring down my father. My baby was safe. There was no better outcome for what had been a truly spectacularly failed mission, but seeing the way Rhyson was looking at me broke my heart.

I worried he wouldn’t be able to get the words out.

“You don’t have to say it,” I told him quietly. “Truly, you don’t. I know that Gemma is your mate, and I accept that. I don’t want you to feel guilty. We would not be the first set of wolves to have a child but not be mated. We can work this out. And if you can’t look at me without seeing my father, I understand. Sometimes I can’t look in the mirror without thinking about who sired me.”

“Stop talking,” Rhyson growled. He hadn’t moved from the door. “You were such an optimist when you first came to me at the foot of the mountain, and I suffocated that with the way I treated you. I hope this is you defensively talking to me, because otherwise, I won’t be able to handle being so casually dismissed.”

“I…” My throat dried up. “What are you talking about?”

“After everything that we have been through, everything we have shared, you’re just going to let me go?”

“She’s your fated mate, Rhyson. No one stands in the way of that.” I couldn’t figure out why he was so angry. I was trying to make this as uncomplicated as possible.

“Close your eyes, Maya,” he said hoarsely. When I didn’t immediately comply, he cleared his throat. “Please.”

Taken aback by the soft plea, I closed my eyes. Maybe this was what he needed to make the announcement easier. “I know your father has taken away your ability to physically form a bond. I can’t imagine how that must feel, but I know the strength in you. You may not be able to communicate with your wolf, but you and she took down your tormentor together. She knew you needed strength, and she fed that to you. Neither one of you needed a physical bond to make that happen.”

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