Page 50 of The Alpha's Rejected Arranged Mate

“I hate that I let Dukiel get to me like that.” Finn clenched his jaw. “If that was his plan. He must be hoping I’ll drive you away and cause you to run. Without the pack's protection, you’d be vulnerable and easier to catch.”

“It’s a good thing we’re stronger than he realizes. He won’t come between us, no matter what he tries.” Elin clutched his hands, giving him a small smile.

Finn couldn’t stop the swell of self-disgust that washed over him. “I’m doing a pretty good job of that on my own.”

“So this is what Mica meant.”

“What?” Finn’s eyebrows pulled together. What was Elin talking about?

She released his hands and balled up her fists on her hips. “What I’m talking about is that you’re wrong. You’re very, verywrong. And that sort of thinking is only going to end with you buried in self-pity. I know we can’t change thought patterns as easily as we’d like, but you can’t think that way. It only opens up more room for that fucking bastard to manipulate you.”

Hearing those crude words from that pretty mouth startled Finn to laugh. From the pleased look Elin gave him, that was exactly what she’d been hoping for. The tension gripping him eased as he pulled her back into his arms. As he nestled his head in the hollow of her neck, listening to her heartbeat, he remembered what Christine said about bed rest.

“We should get you back home again,” he murmured.

“Home is in your arms.”

Finn kissed her pulse point. “Is it?”

“It is.” She tangled her fingers into his hair. “Goddess, but I wish that Christine hadn’t said absolutely under no circumstances are we to have sex. I want to meld into you so much right now.”

Finn lifted her back to the examination bed and stroked her hair from her eyes. “We only have to wait a little while longer. One week until we can see our baby. Then, it takes six weeks to heal, at least for humans. Or is that just from vaginal birth? Maybe the surgery takes longer.”

Elin cupped his chin and swept her thumb over his lips. “We just have to be patient is what you’re saying.”

“Yeah. I’m not going to do anything to risk you further.” He frowned. Before they slept together again at all, he needed to make sure he was incapable of getting her pregnant. As much as he realized he did want to be a father, he couldn’t put her through this again.

If they wanted more kids, they’d adopt. Maybe IVF with a sperm donor if Elin wished to give birth again. That would be something to discuss later when they had the space to have a long discussion, weighing all the pros and cons.

“You know, the first time we slept together? I kept telling myself I wasn’t going to do it. First, I just wanted to check on you and make sure you were okay. Then it was just one kiss.” Finn shook his head, laughing ruefully. “The need to connect with you was so strong. I knew the moment we met on that street, all you’d have to do is crook a finger at me, and I’d be on my knees.”

“Really?” Elin laughed. “So that means I didn’t have to wait so long?”

Finn nuzzled her neck. “I am your dearly devoted. I love you.”

Elin let out a shaky breath. “I love you, too.”

Finn closed his eyes, reveling in this moment. Love. It was a word he’d been terrified of for so long.

“And Christine thinks that an early C-section will work? That it won’t hurt you?” Finn asked, meeting her eyes again.

“She thinks it’s the best option we have. But it is risky for both me and the baby.” Elin bit her lip. “Waiting is risky, too. She’ll have to continue monitoring me. It’s best to give him as much time as possible, but we want to be ready just in case.”

Finn brushed his hand over her belly. “I trust her judgment. Let’s do it.”

***

Finn sat on the edge of the bed, Elin tucked into the blankets and pillows again. She wore a modest nightgown thathid her figure entirely, but Derek still didn’t seem to want to look at her. His eyes were averted to the floor.

“You want me to work with Christine?” Derek complained. Finn had just told him to arrange with Christine to get everything they needed.

“Are you incapable of doing that?” Finn asked pointedly.

Derek shook his head. “But she might be incapable of working with me.”

Finn let out an annoyed huff. “Look. I’ve held my tongue and not tried to push you two into reconciling. But this is about my mate and child, Derek. If you can’t stop being petty when Elin is in danger, how can I trust you again?”

“I—” Derek started, his head snapping up. But he closed his mouth again.

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