Page 15 of The Alpha's Rejected Arranged Mate

“I don’t mean just now,” he continued, his voice getting softer. “I mean, ever. I am never going to be a father. I can’t risk it.”

Never.

Meaning he was never going to give her children.

Being in an arranged mating was one thing, even if some part of her said he’d admit they were true mates one day. But this wasn’t something she was willing to overlook. He was dead serious, and this was one thing she’d always felt strongly about. Children shouldn’t be forced to live with their parents’ regrets.

“You should have told me that first. Before you demanded me as your mate.” Her voice was flat. Emotionless. Numb.

“I know. I’m sorry. It seems like I’m always destined to hurt you.” Finn’s shoulders slumped. “Elin… I really am sorry.”

Elin hid her face in her hands, her chest aching. She had thought there was no pain greater than being alone in the world. She felt as though she was being split in two. At least when she stood at her father’s grave, she still had her mother to hold onto. At least when she buried her mother, she held onto the hope that one day she’d find her mate.

She’d been desperate for love once. Maybe she still was. But she wasn’t so desperate as to live with a man she loved who wouldn’t love her back.

“Once things are done, we can break the mating,” Finn said slowly. “I won’t force you to stay here. I won’t make you give up your dreams.”

“You seem to be under the impression that you’re not part of those dreams.” Elin lifted her head. “I care about you, Finn. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t agree to be your mate now.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t do more to dissuade you from caring.”

Bullshit. Elin bit the tip of her tongue to avoid blowing up at him. She was feeling too much right now. “I need you to leave. Otherwise, we’re just going to start fighting. We can’t afford to do that right now. Not when there are rogues and demons and alpha challenges. So, please. I need some time.”

Finn stepped toward her but stopped. He turned on his heel and left without a word. Elin remained where she was, wishing she could fall apart and succumb to the oblivion of sobs.

But that wouldn’t be useful. So, instead, she breathed in and out, preparing to step into the role Finn needed her to play.

Chapter 7 - Finn

The challenge fight was arranged quickly. Finn was surprised when Seth’s warriors came to the house to announce everything was set. When Hayden challenged Monroe—or rather, the archdemon Zealuv possessed Monroe—it took weeks before the challenge fight actually took place. It seemed as though Seth was a much more honorable Alpha.

And that was what gave Finn his first sense of doubt.

The fight would occur in the sports arena in the town center. It was a large building with stadium seating all around. Given the tall plexiglass barriers, this place was more used to seeing hockey matches than true fights. It seemed as though the entire pack was here, gathered and watching with anxious eyes.

“There’s Mrs. Johnson,” Christine breathed, pointing across the stadium.

Finn glanced over. A handful of the caretakers from his time at the orphanage sat around Mrs. Johnson, wringing their hands. Derek gripped his shoulder, jerking him back to the present.

“Be strong and careful,” Derek murmured.

Finn nodded. He turned to Elin. What could he say? She met his eyes, and he found his second doubt reflected in hers. Not because she doubted him but rather because she didn’t. He reached out, hesitated, then let his fingers trace across her cheekbone. Probably giving her the wrong impression yet again. But he was unable to stop himself.

He spun on his heel and stepped out into the arena. Seth was already there, waiting for them. Both wore stretchy boxers and nothing else, ready to shift to wolf form. Scars ran crisscrossover Seth’s body. He was still strongly muscled, though he was showing the signs of age-related atrophy. Over his shoulder, Rosemary held both her hands over her mouth, her white hair a stark contrast to the dark heads of the warriors surrounding her.

“Before we begin,” Finn said, stopping, “the children from the orphanage. They got here safely?”

Seth’s eyes narrowed. “The humans have always been welcome here.”

“Just not me,” Finn whispered.

He doubted Seth heard him. The old Alpha shifted to wolf form and leaped forward, his jaws snapping at Finn’s throat. Finn sidestepped and shifted to wolf form. He rammed his shoulder into Seth’s ribcage, knocking him off balance. Seth stumbled over his own feet, exposing his flank. Finn lunged into the opening, but rather than biting down on Seth’s haunches, he slammed his weight into the older Alpha again.

Seth regained his feet and whirled, tearing at him with his claws. Finn ducked beneath the attack and snapped his teeth just shy of Seth’s ear. A scream rang out—Rosemary. A handful of the pack jumped to their feet, hands clenched into fists. Finn withdrew, padding back. Seth shook himself as though surprised that he wasn’t bleeding.

He probably was. It was clear he was trying to inflict real damage—and also clear that he was old and had suffered too many injuries in the past. He must have been a fierce fighter once. And the pack loved him. It didn’t take more than the odd glance to see real worry on their faces.

Seth came at him again. Finn waited until the last moment, then shifted into human form. He caught Seth around the neck and flipped him to his back. In one easy motion, he shifted back to wolf form and clamped his jaws over Seth’sthroat. Screams rose as Finn held there. Seth struggled, then went still.

---