Page 20 of Rust the Rejected
“Yourfated mate?” Tag asks, the first to recover from shock. Then his emerald green eyes narrow. “Where did you meet her?”
“Better yet, how the hell did you let her reject you? Damn!” Dylan chimes in.
Jagger sits forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He cocks his head to the side and studies me like his brother just did with the same ice blue eyes.
“Where is she?”
I shrug, then growl in frustration.
“Okay, start from the beginning,” Jagger says.
I recall every detail from our first encounter in the emergency room to dinner after we teamed up to save the mother and her unborn baby to Natalie driving away. I even went to her apartment. She didn’t answer, and I couldn’t detect her scent. Since I couldn’t sleep last night, I stood in the park across the street from her apartment and waited for hours, hoping to get a glimpse of her. Nothing. By the time I finish, their faces register pity and disbelief. Yeah, tell me about it.
Again, I rub the ache in my chest as I stare out over Biscayne Bay towards South Beach. The salty breeze from the Atlantic Ocean reminds me of Natalie’s unique scent. I want to throw my head back and howl. My wolf whines.
Jagger opens his mouth to speak, then stands as a grin spreads across his face.
Dylan leaps to his feet.
“Hi, fellas! Sasha and I made too much popcorn for our movie night. We figured you might want some.”
Sage followed by a heavily pregnant Sasha carries two giant bowls of buttered popcorn and a roll of paper towels. They sit them on the side tables. Sage wiggles from Jagger’s arms and faces me.
“Oh, Rust! Your fated mate!” She exclaims as she walks towards me. She sits on the foot of Viggo’s chaise lounge and holds her hands out to me. When I hesitate and glance at Jagger, who growls, she rolls her eyes. “He won’t bite your head off if you hold my hands, Rust! You’re in pain. Let me help you.”
“Don’t tempt me,” he retorts.
She giggles, and her green eyes dazzle like emeralds. Shaking her head, she gestures with her hands palms up.
I place my palms on hers.
She yelps and yanks away. Jagger leaps at me, but she holds up her hands and laughs.
“Gotcha!”
Her laughter turns into a squeal when Jagger swoops her up and places her on his lap as he sits across from me. She settles, then turns to me.
“Okay, now, seriously. I can help you. But first you must promise not to force Natalie to mate with you, or I’ll shrivel up your manhood without hesitation.”
I don’t even bother to ask how Sage knows about my fated mate or her name. As the High Witch and super powerful, there’s nothing I would put past her wolf-enhanced magickal abilities. If she can help me with Natalie, I’m all in.
“I promise, Sage.”
She studies my face, then nods.
“You have to be very careful with your fated mate. She’s wounded”—Sage holds her hand up when I jump to my feet—“Not physically. In her heart. She’s had a rough time in life. I won’t divulge any more since it’s her story to share with you. Again, not to be forced from her. Go to her now. She rented a little cottage in Big Pine Key for the month…”
Amazed by Sage’s knowledge, I whip out my mobile and type in the address. Jagger offers the pack’s Sikorsky S-92 Executive Helicopter to transport me to the key quickly. I call the pilot, and he confirms he’ll meet me at the helipad in fifteen minutes.
Before I race from the deck, Sage invokes a spell to fix my sorry ass. Gone are the limp hair, three-day beard, and bags under my eyes. A glance at my reflection in the infinity pool proves she brought back my handsomeness—if I must say so myself. I thank her and rush off.
An hour later, I stand in front of a white picket gate separating the road from a path leading to the cottage set amongst palm trees and flowering shrubs. It’s tranquil with beautiful scenery. At once, a sense of peace envelopes me. I close my eyes and inhale deeply. A trace of her unique scent carries over the floral bouquet. Thank the gods.
I lift the latch and step onto the path. After I secure the gate, I jog towards the front door. Her scent grows stronger with each step. My heartbeat increases, and my cock punches the zipper of my jeans. As I reach the door, a distressed cry from the rear of the cottage reaches my ears. Immediately, I’m on high alert. My protective instinct kicks in. I race around the corner, ready to defend my fated mate. My wolf's growl joins mine.
“Natalie!”
I shout her name when I see her sitting on the step of the back porch alone.
