Page 17 of The Alpha's Rejected Arranged Mate

Elin’s chocolate eyes were calm. In the past, Finn had been the one protecting her, calming her down from the pressure of demons on their doorstep. Now, there weren’t any demons, yet he felt as though he was about to burst. She was the grounded one, the steady one.

“I know what Finn is,” she said, her voice cool. “He’s a strong warrior. A wolf who defends those weaker than he is. He’s a kind man with a good heart and generous hands. He’s everything an Alpha should be, and your pack is fortunate to have him.”

Was that really how she saw him?

His cheeks went hot.

“I take it you don’t,” Seth said, his tone scornful and dismissive.

Finn’s gaze snapped back to him. “Oh, she knows exactly what I am,” he said roughly. “The question is whether your mate knows what you are. Are you the man who betrayed her and slept with a demon only to abandon your son? Or did you simply murder my mother for being a rogue before tossing me into that orphanage?”

Seth’s eyes widened.

“I can’t quite tell,” Finn continued, his voice shaking. “Whether you did the same thing to Derek or not. Did you kill his parents, too?”

“You bastard,” Seth seethed.

Rosemary pushed her way between the two men. She put both hands on Seth’s chest, narrowing her eyes at him. “Enough. This isn’t going to help anything. Either of you.” She glanced over her shoulder at Finn. “This isn’t how you want to start your rule as Alpha.”

She was right. Finn forced himself to take a step back. He would prove that he was a better man than Seth was.

“We will leave now,” Rosemary continued, now taking her mate’s hands. She tugged him toward the door, but her eyes never left Finn. There was fear in her gaze… and pity.

He didn’t want her pity. She knew about him. If she didn’t, then his accusations would have shocked her. Rosemary abandoned him just as much as Seth did. Maybe she should fear him. Maybe the whole fucking pack—

No.

No, he wasn’t going to punish the pack for their Alpha’s actions.

He was a good man.

He wasn’t a demon, even if one of his parents was.

Elin slipped her hand into his. Her skin was soft and warm. He clutched her hand as though it was the only thing keeping him from spiraling into orbit. And it was that simple action that showed him how off-balance he really was.

“I’m half-demon,” he said. His gaze bored into Seth’s. “And you put me in that orphanage. So, what’s the story? How did you end up fucking a demon?”

Chapter 8 - Elin

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Seth growled. His words were difficult to understand due to the fangs growing in his mouth.

After the fierceness with which he’d gone after Finn in the arena, Elin didn’t want to see how far they could push him. Finn wasn’t acting like himself, either. Normally, he was the last person to antagonize someone else on purpose. They were all under a great deal of stress. With Christine and Derek gone, Elin was the only one on Finn’s side here.

“Don’t I?” Finn challenged.

Elin stepped between the two men. “No. We’re not doing this right now.”

Seth and Finn wore identical, startled expressions. Rosemary, on the other hand, gave Elin an approving nod.

“I won’t pretend as though we can just pretend like there isn’t history here. It’s important to discuss this, but it’ll only end up with more fighting right now. Neither of you are mentally stable.” Elin winced as the words came out of her mouth. “What I mean is, we need to take a breather. Get our emotions under control.”

“I’m not emotional,” Seth ground out.

Elin faced him. “Okay. If you’re not angry, then you can put your claws away.”

Seth glanced at his hands, then clenched them into fists to hide the claws that had started forming at his fingertips. His jaw worked, but he didn’t speak. Rosemary gently laid a hand on his arm, urging him to go with her. Finn huffed, but Elin reached back and touched his arm again.

They still glared at each other, but Seth and Rosemary left without another word. Elin locked the door behind them and slumped against it, letting out a shaky breath.

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