Page 85 of Rejected Mate's Baby for the Alpha King

There was no power behind my voice, and eventually, her wolf crawled out from under the bed. She kept her tail and her head low as she approached me. Sitting on the floor, I stretched out my legs, and she crawled up next to me. Closing my eyes, I stroked her head and ears until I felt her relax. “Irene is upset with me,” I told her. “She feels I’m not grateful enough that you rescued us. She could not be further from the truth. Trapped in that cage, I realized just how much I wanted to live. How desperately I wanted to see my son grow up, to know the wolf he would turn out to be. I walked into this mountain so sure that I would not walk out. You didn’t just rescue me today. You’ve given me a reason to hope for the future. I hadn’t even realized how much I’d lost sight of that. So thank you.”

Slowly, the wolf retreated, and the woman appeared. Leaning over, I snagged the blanket from the bed, pulled it down, and wrapped her in it as I gently lifted her into my lap. “It’s not just that you’re the king, Rhyson. You’re strong enough, in power and heart, to make a real change among the wolf packs. You are so much more important than you know.”

“I am not more important than you,” I growled.

“Yes, Rhyson. You are. One day you’re going to find your mate, and they’re going to help you turn our species around. I hope that I’ll be there to see it, but if I’m not, then at least I’ll know that I was important in helping you reach your full potential. In helping you survive. I’m sorry for what happened to your brother. Truly, I am, but you were meant to be on this mountain. You were meant to see how we are supposed to be with nature, and you’re meant to carry that change with you. Our son will be every bit as strong as you, and I will protect him with everything that I have.”

One of these days, I would make her understand her own strength. Pressing my forehead against hers, I sighed and held her close. It was the only way I could chase away the darkness that had nestled inside me since I’d watched her throw herself into danger for me, since I’d thought for certain that she was dead. I wasn’t sure that I could ever let her go.

I placed my hand on her belly. “There is nothing that I would not do for you, and one day, you will understand why.”

We stayed quiet until I felt her breathing even out, and then I carried her to the bed and covered her up. I sensed Nash waking up through the bond and returned to check on everyone. Lunessa and Jenson had returned with a third occupant.

Paisley. The boy was white as a sheet, and his eyes were red-rimmed from crying. He held his head up bravely and faced me. “Darla?” he whispered.

“Alive. Her body will heal, although I suspect it will take much more time for her mind to be whole again,” I said evenly as I studied him. “You could have come to me.”

“I didn’t know you,” he said simply. “And I couldn’t risk it. I’d already lost my sister.”

“Your actions put my wolves in danger. Put my unborn child in danger. I have killed wolves for less,” I growled.

He nodded and closed his eyes. “I know you aren’t likely to grant me any last requests, but I would like to see Darla. To let her know that I’m so sorry.”

“For what?”

His eyes sprang open. “What?”

“Sorry for what? You didn’t kidnap and imprison her. You didn’t threaten and torture her. You did everything you could to grant her freedom. Nothing that happened to her is your fault. She’s sleeping in one of the guest rooms, but I’m told that she’s not eating. You should bring her some food,” I said roughly. “Get some rest, and tomorrow morning, we’ll talk about what you owe me.”

His eyes widened. “You’re not going to kill me?”

“Not today, Paisley.”

Anna led him away with a gentle smile, and Jenson ran his hand over his face. “Jax is furious. I don’t know that he’ll accept the kid now. He did get in touch with Elonso.”

“And?”

“And he’ll meet us at Snake River Pack in three days. He says the information you want is there.”

Great. Another pack. “Should I be concerned?”

“London is an ally, but he doesn’t trust Elonso. I honestly don’t know what will be waiting for us, but at least we have three days to worry about it.”

“Not worry. Prepare.”

47

Maya

“No.”

“This is bigger…” Irene began in a cajoling voice.

“I don’t care,” Lunessa said flatly. “I’ve made my sacrifices to save this mountain. I’m done. You can drive, like you used to do before you started using me as a fucking taxi service.”

I’d slipped into the kitchen, clearly unnoticed by the three witches who were at the table, poring over books. Lunessa hadn’t been the most welcoming witch, but whatever Irene was asking her to do had clearly pushed her over the edge.

“You’re not a taxi service…”

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