Page 8 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

“Ah… yeah. Still a bit tired from the mission, and this is a bit of a shock. When do I find out who I’m spending the rest of my life with?”

It better be Leslie. I couldn’t stand for it to be anyone else.

“If you’re happy to go ahead, then I’ll give Decker a call and see if we can have this sorted by this afternoon. Do you have any objections to Leslie? Have you met her before?”

I shake my head slowly, not committing an answer to either question. “If she is recommended by Gladys and Decker, I am more than happy to go ahead,” I say quietly.

“Excellent!” Bae announces, getting up. “I’ll make some arrangements. You are a vital member of the pack now, Kyle. You could be on the council in a few years if this keeps up. We were worried about you, you know.”

I nod, keeping my eyes on Bailey’s. “I know, my alpha. And I can’t thank you enough for giving me so many chances, and supporting me so I can serve the pack well.”

Bae nods and gives me a clap on the shoulder. “No problem. It’s what I’m here for. How about you take a rest for a bit? I’ll go and call Decker.”

While Jack and Bailey head off, I go upstairs to my little room. Shelley has a few rooms for rent above the bar, but she’s not a huge tourist trap like most of the places in town. These are usually just for wolves who are passing through. I got in so late last night, I opted to stay here instead of go home.

Home.

As I lie down on the bed, I wonder where I’ll be living with my new bride. I might have a house—well, more like a crappy shack—but it’s never really been a home.

I’m Jack and Gina’s cousin, and if I had been raised by Carla, maybe I’d have done better for myself just like they did. I shake my head, trying to clear it of these thoughts.

It’s useless to go down that track. Stop it now.

I shy away from the dark, shadowed corners of my mind that hold all my memories of the past. I don’t want to remember. I try to think peaceful thoughts, but my dreams quickly become dark.

When my phone rings and wakes me, I’m grateful for the distraction.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Kyle. It’s Bae. You ready to head over to Silverton?”

“Sure thing.”

“I’ll pick you up in ten.”

I wait downstairs, pacing back and forth so badly, Shelley demands I wait outside. By the time Bae arrives, I’ve managed to pull a façade over myself, even though I haven’t really calmed down.

We talk a little on the way to Silverton, mostly about pack business and the connections with Sawpit. Bae also tells me that a few townhouses and public buildings have been built for pack use, thanks to Jack’s construction company.

As we pull up at Gladys’s diner, I try to play it cool, but my palms are getting sweaty. Bae gives me a wry look.

“I know, it’s daunting,” he says. “Everything will be okay, though. Both Carson and Gladys have made matches within their packs for years, and their matches always work out.”

I nod in agreement, trying to smile. I’m just so excited to see Leslie, I can’t contain myself.

This isn’t how I wanted us to meet, though.

I wanted to apologize, sweep her off her feet, and shout our love from the rooftops. I don’t know how to talk to her infront of all these people, or how to explain that we already know each other… intimately.

We head inside, and Gladys directs me to a booth. The elders have a chat over at the counter while I watch the door and have a very quiet freakout.

When the door jingles, I jump like someone fired a gun. My head swivels towards the door, and my eyes lock onto the vision of beauty that just walked in.

Leslie!

She’s even more beautiful than I remember. I can’t stop staring at her. I also seem to have lost complete control of myself. It feels like my jaw has dropped to the floor. I could be drooling, I’m not even sure.

Leslie walks over to the counter and greets the gathered elders. I watch in silence, desperately trying to get my shit together. I feel like I’ve been hit by a train, and now I’m flat out on the tracks, not knowing if I’m alive or dead. My body feels numb and tingly, but at the same time, my senses are heightened and overloaded.

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