Page 12 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

I hate that seeing him again has brought life and fire back into my body. I hate that I crave him, and that my wolf is singing for joy just to be in his presence.

I hate that I want him so much.

When he clearly doesn’t want me at all.

Chapter 5 - Kyle

The wedding is swiftly arranged, and a couple of days later, I’m standing in the locker rooms of the town’s main hall, putting on the best clothes that I own. A gray shirt, black pants, and a dark blue tie. Bae let me borrow his black jacket.

I stand in front of the long mirrors, the large room seeming to echo around me. It has the hollow silence of a place that feels like it should be full of people—so when it’s not, it seems to be full of ghosts.

Ghosts from my past.

They rise around me, looming over my shoulders. The most recent ones from my undercover work hit me first. I knew how to handle those guys because I’ve done it my whole life.

That hint is all it takes for my mind to go tumbling down a great, twisting rabbit hole of dark memories. Horrible things I’ve done, dirty places I’ve been, and deals I should never have made.

I put one hand on the mirror and lean on it, trying to calm my pounding heart. I take in a few slow, deep breaths, waiting for the moment to pass.

The big swing doors shriek, and I hear footsteps on the tiles. The strong, purposeful strides and the scent announce the person’s identity.

Bailey.

“Hey, bud.” Bae hurries over to me, clapping me hard on the shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I nod slowly, trying to breathe. I don’t know what to say.

“It’s okay, man. It really is. I felt the same, and so did Jack. This is all going to work out, I promise you.”

You don’t understand.

“Do you really think so?” I say instead.

“I do,” Bailey affirms. “Trust me. This is good for the pack, and it’ll be good for you, too.”

The words echo through me. Of course he’ll tell me it’s going to be good for me. He wants what’s best for the pack. That means I just have to suck it up.

“Ready?” Bae asks, and I know it’s not really a question.

“Yeah,” I answer, straightening up.

I follow Bae out into the hall, where Carson is waiting near the stage. There are only a few elders present, as well as Gina, Lena, and Jack. I’m surprised to see Carla and Derek as well.

I flick my gaze away quickly before I can make eye contact with Derek. I notice that he does the exact same thing. I have nothing to say to him, and it looks like he doesn’t want to face me, either.

My father was his brother, but that doesn’t mean we’re family. When Carla gives me a little wave, though, I have to wave back. That woman is love personified, and I’ll never have anything against her.

She’s someone else I should really apologize to, if I can grow the balls for it.

I walk up to Carson and wait, my hands clasped in front of me. There is a little bit of quiet chatter that echoes through the large space. It makes me feel isolated, and lonely.

Suddenly, the big doors open up at the back, and I see a dark figure striding towards us. The doors smack closed again with a crash that shakes the hinges.

Leslie.

The first thing I notice is the deep blue of her dress. It has a snug bodice of midnight blue with a very low, heart-shaped neckline. A sweep of pale blue, light fabric wraps around her waist, sweeps up over one shoulder, and flutters down into the full, flowing skirt. Her beautiful pale brown hair is loose and free, a cascade of honey-colored curls that falls across the creamy white skin of her exposed shoulders. Against the shimmering blues of her dress, her gray eyes glint like crystal, picking up the color and reflecting it back in a myriad of glinting prisms.

My chest feels tight. My hands twitch. I have no idea how I’m supposed to control myself in front of her.

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