Page 30 of The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 15

Billie

When Gavin called the Grandbay wolves to move out, it was a relief to once more be clothed in fur. My wolf’s form was much more efficient at healing, and the pain in my side definitely diminished as we moved slowly toward Grandbay.

A sense of déjà vu traveled through me as I remembered the last time I’d traveled along these tracks. The light-headed feeling and sting from an injury was uncannily familiar. Given that this was only my second week of being able to channel my wolf, I was starting to think that she must be accident-prone, given the number of injuries we’d sustained.

She grumbled as I jokingly blamed her for what had happened lately. So, I sent out waves of gratitude instead as I remembered how well she’d fought Catrina despite her exhaustion. She perked up, and our steps became lighter as we trekked along the trail with the other wolves.

Aislin’s mahogany-coated wolf was beside me, and her mere presence made me feel buoyed up. I struggled a little with the wound in my side, but whenever my steps slowed, she was there, pressing her flank to mine and urging me on. The medicinal properties in the leaves that she and Helen had applied to my injury earlier had definitely helped to bind the wound. I nolonger bled. Instead, the prickle of open flesh in the cool air was what needled me. But I knew, despite the pain, the wound would heal faster in my wolf form than in my human form.

As my legs carried me onward and the rhythmic march of the paw beats washed over me, my thoughts fell back to what had just happened. The accusation that Gavin had thrown at David kept beating through my brain, “youare responsible for stealing the daughter of Shannon and Tobi Rathbone, and displacing her from her true pack.”

Gavin knew who myrealparents were. The shock had rippled through me, and above anything else, I’d wanted to ask him where my parents were.

Shannon and Tobi Rathbone.

I knew their names. I kept turning them over in my head as if I were polishing precious gemstones. I’d wondered whether they were still part of Grandbay Pack? But even as I’d thought it, the wild hope had diminished. If they had been, wouldn’t they have come forward to me then and there? So, I had let go of the ache for family and focused on the Hexens instead. As I had looked at Colt during that startling revelation, I hadn’t observed any sign of recognition or knowing in his gaze. Only shock … and sadness.

A pang of guilt swept through me as I thought of how I was leaving him there alone, in the cold-hearted company of Catrina and David. But I knew I couldn’t have stayed. There was no way after becoming a prisoner that I could have returned to the Hexen household.

A chill stole through me as I wondered whether I hadn’t always been a prisoner. David hadn’t deniedstealingme from my real family and pack. The desire for answers burned brightly. WhenGrandbay’s log cabin roofs came into view, the sight was even sweeter than it had been the first time. Because this time, I knew this was where I belonged. It was where I was always meant to be.

Home.

Like the names Shannon and Tobi, the word swirled through my thoughts, and an ache that had always been burrowed in my chest eased a little.

I’m home.

As I returned to the veranda of the Mundy’s cabin, it definitely felt like a homecoming as Aislin tugged me into her room and pulled out a T-shirt with a huge grin. “You’re wearing my favorite tonight.” She held up a black T-shirt with Bigfoot on it and the words,Don’t Stop Believing, beneath the creature.

I shook my head, but a smile crossed my face despite everything that had happened earlier. “No way. I’ll get blood on it,” I argued. My wound was still very much bloody and in need of treatment.

She scowled. “Fine. But tomorrow, you’re wearing it.” She handed me a plain black T-shirt instead.

I inhaled sharply as I tried to bend over to put the jeans on, and in a flash, Aislin was there. My throat constricted with emotion as she helped me on with them. A twinge went straight through my chest.

“Have a seat,” she instructed.

I sat on the edge of her bed, and Aislin put my socks on and eased my shoes into a pair of sneakers before lacing them up.“You’re good to go.” She added, “I’ll throw some things on and see you out there, shall I?”

I blinked her in, just realizing she was still stark naked. This whole being naked thing really was starting to become familiar. I smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Aislin.”

Her brown eyes softened. “Any time, Billie.” There was a gentleness in her expression, and I sensed that there was a lot she wanted to say but was holding back so as not to overwhelm me.

I stood up and wandered outside to the veranda.

There was only Gretel, Aislin’s mum, and Muriel there. Muriel was the first on her feet. She approached, then opened her slender arms, wrapping them around me in a tender hug.

“May I?” she asked, gesturing to my side.

I drew up my T-shirt, but the movement made me flinch, and Muriel took over. She laid her cool palms over my side, and the same cooling, cleansing magic that had swept over me the night she’d healed me in the clearing rocked through me now.

I gasped as she released me with a smile. Bending down, I examined the unbroken and smooth skin, my hands roving over my side with awe. I didn’t even have a mark.

“You didn’t even shift,” I exclaimed.

Muriel smiled. “It’s amazing what a few days of rest will do, isn’t it?” she said modestly.

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