Page 73 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

“I’m Elroy,” he says. “Call me Roy. I am no alpha… none of us recognize such a title, but most of the group look up tome. I thank you for your kindness, Alpha Bailey, and beg your forgiveness.”

“You have it,” Bailey says, grasping his hand. “By coming to help us in our time of need, you have proven yourselves to us. Whatever supplies you need to get through the winter, we will provide them to you.”

“Thank you,” Roy answers, his eyes widening in surprise. “That is extremely generous. I will accept, but only on one condition.”

“Name it,” Bae says.

“That you will let us rebuild Silverton. We are ashamed of the damage we did there, and would like to make repairs and support everyone there until the town is fixed.”

Bae smiles and tightens his grip on Roy’s hand. “Of all that has come out of this today, I am very pleased to have met a new friend and ally.”

“Me too,” Sasha says softly, shooting a glance at Roy, who blushes fiercely.

“Wait a minute,” I say, moving away from Kyle. “What damage? What happened in Silverton? I heard there was a fire, but I didn’t know the damage was that bad.”

Roy turns to me. “A few buildings were burned to the ground, unfortunately. No one was hurt, we made sure of that. We were only supposed to drive the main pack to the north end of town, where Jethro was going to be waiting to reclaim his mate. Then, all of us would leave. I figured out right away that something was very wrong.”

“So, my parents are okay?”

“Yes,” Kyle says. “I saw Gladys in her diner. She told me everyone followed the evacuation plan, so your family got out.”

“She was defending the diner?” I ask.

Kyle nods. “With a shotgun.”

“Oh, God,” I can’t help chuckling. “That sounds like her. Where is Decker?”

“He was on relay between the two towns,” Bailey says. “He’ll call in as soon as he gets near a phone.”

“If you will allow it, Bailey, we’d like to head to Silverton now to help with the cleanup,” Roy says. “People will be in need of help, and I want to get started as soon as possible.”

“I’m going with you!” Sasha says a bit too quickly. A few of us have to hide knowing smiles, realizing that Sasha most definitely has a thing for our new friend.

“I’m coming, too,” I offer.

Kyle tightens his grip on my shoulders. “No, Leslie, come with me—”

“I’d love to,” I answer, turning to face him. “But Silverton is my home. I haven’t even been back since the wedding. I need to see my family and friends, and help with repairs.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Sorry, Kyle,” Bae says. “I need you here, at least for the first few days. We have had damage done in our town as well. You won’t be apart from Leslie that long, and I have work for you.”

Kyle nods. “Okay, I understand.”

He looks down at me, and for a moment, we just look into each other’s eyes. Emotion builds between us until Kyle bends down and kisses me. I kiss him back, holding on to him as tightly as I can.

“I love you,” I whisper through our kiss.

“I love you, too,” he answers. “Go to your family, then come back to me, and we’ll start our life together.”

I move a few steps away, still holding his hand. “I can’t wait,” I murmur.

He gives my hand one last squeeze, then lets me go.

“Okay, guys.” I look around at the other wolves. “Are we ready?”

Around me, everyone starts shifting, and the air fills with howls and barks again. I shift, too, and we run towards the forest. Just before I hit the tree line, I turn, pausing to look at Kyle one last time.

---