Page 80 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate

People gathered around us as I made my way through the living room. Larry shook my hand and passed me off to Sonya. In her arms was my daughter, the little girl who I had always wanted, reaching for me. Tears trickled from my eyes as I pulled her into an embrace that seemed to last an entire century.

My sister greeted me with Sierra snoozing on her shoulder. “Adrian is here.”

My chest grew light. “Really?”

“Yeah, he brought friends—and all your stuff.”

I stared at her. “How did you do this?” I investigated my mate’s eyes next. “How did you two pull this off without me knowing about it?”

Robyn blushed. “Actually, Sonya put the party together, but her backyard flooded when Timmy broke the hose on the side of the house.”

The crowd parted like a curtain to show a pimply teenage boy with large glasses and messy hair on his face shrugging into his hoodie. “What? I was just checking to see if it worked, sheesh. Sonya told me to do it.”

I chuckled while turning back to my sister. “I’m glad it could be held here. Much more effective, and uh…” I faced the crowd. “I was starting to think you guys didn’t like me.”

A round of chuckles went around the room.

Sonya opened her arms. “You were strange at first.”

Larry chuckled while stepping forward. “But you’ve grown on us.”

Joyful energy burst around me as the crowd broke into applause. I hugged Sydney and Robyn close, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall again. When the clapping died down, Adrian materialized near the kitchen with a giant tray of food.

He held it up and asked, “Who’s hungry?”

Some people converged on the tray while another group started to trickle outside. Through the porch doors, I saw the rest of the party unfolding, with a bounce house rising from the ground and a DJ starting up a music set. Everyone was packed into the house and yard. It was now or never. When would we all be in the same place without it being all about business?

I handed Sydney off to Hector and turned to Robyn with a gleaming grin. “I wanted to do this with a ring, but…”

Her eyes bulged. “Awhat?”

“Robyn Wade, you’re the most logical and fiercely loyal person I’ve ever met in my life.” I held her hands gently. “I broke your heart when I left you behind. I’ll never do that again.”

“I know, sweetie. I believe you.”

My smile wavered with guilt. “I left Sydney, too. I promise that will never be an issue. In any lifetime. I’m here forever, Princess. You know that, right?”

She grinned. “Of course, I know that.”

“Forgive me for doing this in such a backward way, but we always did go against the grain together.” I knelt on my right knee. “Robyn, will you marry me?”

The universe seemed to hold its breath. Silence resonated through the house as I waited with a clenched heart for Robyn’s response. Even the DJ had stopped his set. Whatever noise remained didn’t originate from the party.

My brows pinched together when she clutched my hand. She grinned, chuckled lightly, and kissed my knuckles. “It’s no diamond, but it’s worth keeping.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

I whooped loudly and scooped her into my arms, shouting to the heavens as the party once more shattered the sound barrier with their applause. After a quick spin, I dipped my mate and kissed her lips, enjoying the wondrous way she clung to me. Everything was perfect.

Almost.

Chapter 24 - Robyn

It was a windy Sunday when we got married.

The sun hung over the top of the trees like a shimmering lantern, warming the woods to the left of our new home. Paths marked with silver stones wound from the backyard to the clearing surrounded by towering trees. Paper lanterns lounged lazily over the crowd that danced on a wide stage of wooden slats erected for this special occasion.

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