Page 4 of Rust the Rejected
Jagger’s mobile rings. Undoubtedly, it’s from his fated mate, based on the giant grin as he answers the call. With a not so genuine sorry to end our evening early, he gives me a salute and heads out the door.
I shake my head and glance around, trying to decide if I’ll join the other males for poker or to just hang out. Instead, I finish my drink and go to my Bugatti La Voiture Noire. Another boys’ toy, and the most expensive supercar in the world. Since I don’t have a fated mate to lavish with “all her heart’s desires,” I might as well spend my money on the finer things for myself.
Once again, the ride back to my bachelor’s penthouse leaves me yearning for the one who will complete me.
My fated mate…
CHAPTER2
Natalie
“Dr. Moore,your next patient arrived. Shall I bring her to examination room two now?”
So engrossed in the patient’s medical chart on my desk, I startle at my nurse Thandie Ross’ question. I glance up to find her standing in the doorway of my office.
“Oh! I didn’t mean to scare you, Dr. Moore!” She says as her sepia cheeks redden apologetically.
I wave off her concern and shake my head.
“Not a problem, Thandie. I was caught up in her case. It’s intriguing. Right in line with my specialty of critical care. Kindly take her to the exam room,” I say, then arch an eyebrow. “And remember to call me Natalie unless we’re with patients. I’m not into formalities.”
She smiles and leaves.
I close my eyes and sit back in the chair. My mind drifts to my former pack out west and the drive for me to care for females who require the close attention and knowledge required for dangerous pregnancies.
“Amanda, you don’t look too good. Your face is pale, and your breathing is labored. Are you sure you want to continue our walk? I think we should head back,” I say as we reach the tree line surrounding our pack’s land. “We already walked a mile, and I don’t think we should go any further.”
My older sister takes another step forward, then winces as she gasps and clutches her round belly.
I grab her arm to prevent her from falling. My gaze scans the area for a comfortable spot she can rest. A fallen Douglas fir catches my eye.
“This way. You can rest over there, then we’re heading back. And do not argue, Amanda. I’ll get the midwife to check on you.”
Amanda nods as she grinds her teeth. Slowly, we make our way to the evergreen, where I help her sit gingerly. She closes her eyes and inhales, then exhales. The grimace disappears as she settles.
“Listen to me, Nat, no matter what happens, you take care of yourself. Don’t let anyone force you to mate. We’re not meant to be breeders. Dad would never allow this to happen if he were still alive and Alpha.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I glance away. It won’t due to upset Amanda—not now with her in distress. But she’s right. Had our parents not died with so many other members of our pack from the unexpected affliction two years ago, Sam would never be Alpha or mated to Amanda. He defeated the other males, then took Amanda as his mate since she’s the eldest daughter of the prior Alpha. I thanked the gods I’m four years younger at sixteen.
We sit in silence—lost in thoughts—until Amanda moans. She glances down at her lap, then up at me. The grimace returns as her onyx eyes—so like mine—widen.
“M—My water broke… Nat,” she pants.
I turn towards the closest building. It’s too far for Amanda to walk. She’ll never make it.
“I’m going to shift and run to the midwife. We’ll return with Sam and his pickup truck to bring you home. Don’t follow me, Amanda, please!”
She nods as she sucks in a ragged breath.
I kiss her forehead—covered in a sheen of sweat—and step back to remove my clothes. I allow my body to relax and accept my wolf to take over. My other half lives on the fringes of my being. Always ready to spring forth at my call, then retreat at my will. An ability born of our kind so long ago and marks us different from full humans.
The sensations of my bones reshaping and muscles lengthening to shift me from my human form to that of my wolf block out all else. Crackling and a flash find me on all four paws within moments. My wolf appears with midnight fur and a white streak like my widow’s peak.
I cast a quick glance at Amanda. Certain she’s not moving, I dart away. My paws pound the grassy terrain as the salty air from the Puget Sound wafts past my nose. It’s a rare sunny morning with no sign of rain. Nothing to impede my race to the midwife and Sam. Thank the gods!
I run straight to the older she-wolf’s home. My howl as I approach brings her to the front porch. One glimpse at me, and she rushes inside. She returns with her bag and a dress.
“Here, Natalie, shift and change. Where’s Amanda?” She says as she hands the dress to me. “Hurry, she hasn’t looked good to me in days!”
