Page 25 of Rust the Rejected
Our gazes shift to the mobile screen. It connects with Jagger’s on video.
“Rust. What’s happening?”
“Alpha—”
“Oh, so, this call must be pretty damn serious for you to call me Alpha instead of Jagger—”
“Rust! You didn’t upset her, did you? I warned you. Don’t think I can’t get to you from here!” Sage says as she leans over Jagger’s shoulder to glare at me through the screen.
Fuck if my cock and balls don’t shrivel just at the thought of Sage making good on her threat. I shake my head vigorously.
“No, Luna. I didn’t upset Natalie. In fact, she’s right here on my lap,” I respond, adjusting the mobile’s angle to include her face.
“Thank the Fates!” Sage declares.
Jagger pulls her onto his lap, and she leans against him with her emerald green eyes focused on Natalie to confirm she’s fine.
“But we do have a major problem, one that involves the Los Angeles Wolves Pack.”
Jagger sits up and narrows his eyes as they flash cobalt with his wolf near the surface. As Natalie recounts her story, his anger rises. At the end, he growls and assures Natalie the Los Angeles Alpha will rectify the situation immediately. She expresses her gratitude. He nods.
“Natalie, as Rust’s fated mate, my Luna and I welcome you to the Miami Wolves Pack. Not only will your fated mate protect you, so will every male in our pack. I will finish anyone who dares to threaten you or to enter my territory to challenge Rust for you. More than likely, Magnus will punish the so-called alpha of your former pack, along with his followers severely. But do not worry about retribution.”
“You will meet Sasha, another new member of our pack and the fated mate of Dylan—one of Jagger and Rust’s best friends. It’s her story to tell. But I guarantee it will resonate with you, Natalie,” Sage adds.
Jagger nods, then asks, “Should we expect you back in a week after your seclusion? We can plan for a pack run in the Everglades to welcome Natalie officially.”
“Yes! And your mate bonding ceremony!” Sage says as she bounces on Jagger’s lap, clapping her hands. “I loved Jagger’s and mine! So romantic!”
My fated mate stiffens on my lap and turns her head from the mobile screen. Tension fills the air. She tries to rise, but I tighten my arm around her waist. I cock my head and stare at her profile. She won’t meet my gaze.
Jagger and Sage sit in silence.
“Natalie?” I ask.
She mumbles a response, and I pray to the gods my enhanced wolf hearing mistook her words.
“Natalie?”
She faces me and repeats words that sear my soul.
“I did not agree to mate you, Rust.”
CHAPTER10
Natalie
If a face could collapse,Rust’s would crumble to dust like a skyscraper hit by a dozen wrecking balls. His skin pales as his eyebrows dip over dimmed hazel eyes. The corners of his mouth droop. A gust of air puffs from between his parted lips. They move to form words, then close. He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head. When he opens them and stares at me, they’re full of anguish.
My heart clenches.
“Uh, we’ll let you go, Rust.”
“And remember what I said about your manhood.”
His Alpha and Luna’s voices sound from afar as I stare back into Rust’s eyes. He winces at Sage’s words. I find them odd, but don’t dare to ask their meaning while he’s shocked by my response.
I’m a bit taken aback too. My reaction to his unexpected appearance and to our heated kisses proves I’m attracted to Rust. Hell, if I’m perfectly honest, my body burns for him. My wolf rolled over and bared her vulnerable underbelly and throat to him. Well, after she came out to protect me when he tried to issue his claiming bite.
