Page 38 of The Alpha's Rejected Mate

She nodded, her gaze becoming bolder. “I’d like to join them,” she admitted.

Over the last few days, I’d experienced how in control of her wolf and what a good tracker Aislin was. And although I hadn’t witnessed her firsthand, from the pack stories I’d heard around the campfire most evenings, I knew she was a good fighter, too.

“I’m sure they’d be lucky to have you,” I said sincerely.

Her whiskey-colored eyes warmed. “Thanks, Billie.”

I’d never had a girlfriend … or rather, a friend who was a girl. Of course, Aislin’s love of everything conspiracy-theory-based talk wasn’t the stereotypical talk I’d imagined you’d have with your girlfriend. But there was a definite element here thatwasgirlie. I couldn’t help noticing that the way she’d talked about the “top mountain man” and the way she’d said “Everett” had held a lot of warmth.

So, with a smile, I added, “And it’s a bonus thatEverett’spart of Mythguard.”

She chuckled. “It’s not like that,” she argued. “I mean, he’s undoubtedly good-looking, but he’s aloof … a total iceman.”

“Maybe he just needs the right person to thaw him,” I offered, smirking as I thought Aislin was the perfect person for the job.

She shook her head and countered. “Anyway, you’re one to talk. What’s going on between you and another Alpha?”

My heart beat self-consciously as I wondered how much Aislin knew. I hadn’t told her that Gavin had kissed me a few days ago. But neither had I confided to her about how we’d seen each other in our Moondream.

As if Aislin knew where my thoughts had gone, she confessed, “Gavin told my mum and dad and me that Vana showed you one another in your Moondream.

Of course, Aislin knew. Gavin would have told his Betas and his best friend about something so significant. I’d half expected that they already knew about what Gavin and I were supposed to be to each other. And before a few days ago, I’d have felt awkward at this kind of chat because of what had happened weeks ago between Gavin and me when he’d come to Hexen Manor and rejected me.

But now … the blush stealing across my face was because of what had happened a few days ago when he’d kissed me. Just thinking about it sent heat crashing through me. He’d brushed my lips with such unexpected gentleness. But then the way he’d parted them, his tongue dipping into my mouth with such hunger, had been … divine. I’d wanted to rock my body against his but hadn’t had the nerve to. The thought of the heat and hardness of his muscled chest, too, had me wishing again that that moment of intimacy hadn’t ended so abruptly. What more might have happened between us had that phone call not come in?

It wasn’t until Aislin said, “Uh, by Vana, what’s this?” she said, gesturing to my pleasure-addled look. I flushed, doing nothingto counter her suspicions. “Something totally happened,” she exclaimed.

“We kissed,” I confessed.

She beamed. “I knew it.”

But then my heart lurched. Gavinhadn’tsought me out since. I’d seen him coming and going from his cabin while I’d sat around the campfire with the rest of the pack. I liked to hang out by the fire when Muriel told stories to the kids. She was a natural storyteller, and it had been really lovely to watch how the pups of Grandbay had taken to my friend.

Likewise, Gavin hadn’t come to the Mundy’s cabin to call on me. I admitted, “Gavin’s been a bit of an iceman since we kissed. I’m not sure there’s going to be a repeat, to be honest.” My mood dipped at the thought that the kiss that had rocked my world was something he instead regretted.

“Gavin’s being moody because of everything that happened with Catrina and Joseph,” Aislin said. “He’s worrying too much about what might happen with the Inkscales. I don’t think he’s been sleeping much or doing anything much except obsessing over old reports about them and other dragon attacks in the area.”

I nodded, realizing how unfair it was of me to expect him, amidst all that was happening, to have time for me. I laced my shoes up and got to my feet, telling myself that I’d just let things take their course. “Have you spoken to him about it?” I asked her.

“Of course, but that’s only feeding his worries. He doesn’t need talk. What he needs is a good distraction.” She grinned, clearly plotting as she pulled on her running top.

As we traipsed out of the woods, and the cabins of Grandbay appeared through the trees, my heart brimmed with happiness. This place really did feel like home. The freedom I had to go wherever I wanted and channel my wolf was one I’d never have had in Dalesbloom. As for living with Aislin and her parents, not only were they all so kind and caring, but it was comforting that their house was the one I’d been born in. I’d shared all the circumstances that Gavin and I knew about my parents’ disappearance with Aislin and her parents, and it had strengthened our relationship. I knew I was truly welcome with them.

With a nudge to my side, Aislin spurred me on to take the step I probably otherwise wouldn’t have, to stop in at Gavin’s cabin.

When he opened the door, I noticed he wore a pair of slacks and a T-shirt, his feet bare. The fabric of the T-shirt strained against his well-defined chest, and my pulse spiked as I drank in the sight of him. He had a little stubble on his jaw, too, and I realized he hadn’t yet shaved for the day. The slightly disheveled look sent a thrill through me as I contemplated that this was a taster of what it would be like to wake up next to him, except I’d be treated to eyeballing his bare sculpted chest. Smothering such distracting thoughts down, I said, “Morning, Gavin.”

His hazel eyes swept me with surprise but sparked with warmth. “Billie, come on in. I was just making another coffee. Want one?”

“Sure,” I said, noticing the shadows beneath his eyes. The rest of his tanned face was as healthy-looking as ever, and for a moment, I wondered how he could look this good sleep-deprived. Mostly, though, concern trickled through me about him pouring over the reports on the dragon attacks at all hours.

We wandered into the kitchen. It was brighter and lighter than all the warm wood and stone tones of the living room. The kitchen units were a sage green, and the gray marble countertops lent a modern air to the space. The warm hues of the wooden walls and floorboards still gave it the cabin in the woods feel but with more of a rustically elegant finish.

“How’s everything going?” I asked lamely.

Gavin exhaled a world-weary sigh as he poured the coffee. “I’m sorry, I haven’t managed to find any leads about your parents’ disappearance.” I felt as if I could feel his frustration rippling through me. He thought I’d just come here to see what he’d found out for me.

“You know, sometimes people just drop by for a social call,” I said.

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