Page 44 of Rust the Rejected
“Indeed, welcome!” Jagger adds as he glances over his shoulder at me. He turns to Rust. “Sage and I figured you wouldn’t want to shack up with the bachelors in their lodges, as usual. So, we prepared one of the guest cabins for you and Natalie. If you decide to choose another, let us know.”
“Oh, but Natalie, it’s the one next to the Alpha’s cabin as a place of honor for important guests, and it’s decorated nicely. Not that any of the residences lack luxury! I agree with Signy about the glamping!” Sage adds with a giggle.
“I’m sure it’s perfect. Thank you both so much! I feel so welcome already!” I respond as I squeeze her hand and smile at Jagger. “It’s been so long since I had family and the love and support of a pack. You make me feel so special.”
My voice catches, and Rust spins around on the seat. He leans over and cradles my face between his hands.
“We’re your family now, my fated mate. Do not feel sad. And if you do, I will comfort you,” he says earnestly. I close my eyes and a tear trickles down my cheek. He smooths it away with his thumb. “I love you, Natalie Ingolf!”
“Speaking of Ingolf… Signy, Sasha, and I put together the overall plan for your mate bonding ceremony. We set it for tomorrow evening. But you have final approval. So, when we get to your cabin, the girls and I intend to whisk you away,” Sage says, then glances at Rust with a devilish grin. “Unless, of course, you wish to join us.”
His eyes bug, and he flops back onto the seat.
“Uh, hard pass.”
I giggle as I dab my face. Sage joins in. Jagger speaks up.
“He couldn’t, anyway. The guys and I have plans for our newly mated best friend,” he says mysteriously. “A new tradition Dylan came up with.”
“No strippers!”
Sage and I shout at the same time.
All four of us bust out laughing. Jagger assures us they would never allow any strippers at their gatherings. Sage and I high five.
Jagger stops in front of an impressive cabin—to say the least. It’s a two-story mansion with large river stones around its base and split timber above. Instead of a porch, it has a balcony with a glass wall on the second level that runs the entire length of the front facade. It overlooks the center square. It’s more than nice.
We climb out, and Rust scoops me in his arms like a bride. I giggle and wrap my arms around his neck. He strides across the threshold and only puts me on my feet when I protest as Jagger and Sage enter behind us. She takes me on a tour while Rust and Jagger head to the deck off the great room.
Aside from the great room, the home features on the main level a guest bathroom, media room, den, chef’s kitchen, and dining room. The second level has four bedroom suites with attached baths. As Sage said, the furnishings are posh but comfortable. I tell Sage it reminds me of a Ralph Lauren home. She laughs and says most of the pieces and accessories come from his home decor collection. I giggle and flop onto a vintage leather chair in the great room. She sits opposite me on the other.
“So, you’re happy, then?”
I grin wider than the Cheshire Cat.
“Oh, absolutely! Rust treats me like a queen and loves me beyond measure.”
“Good! I won’t have to shrivel his family jewels. Now, let’s get the girls over to handle business.”
We chat while we wait for Signy and Sasha to arrive. I can already tell Sage will be a great friend to me. She’s funny, has a mind of her own, and loves deeply. I admire her loyalty to her fated mate, coven, and pack. Their love match was even more complicated than Rust’s and mine. Gah!
“Hello!”
“Hey there!”
“Hiya!”
Sage and I glance up to find several members of the pack enter the cabin. An older couple must be Rust’s parents since the she-wolf rushes over to me with her arms outstretched. I rise from the chair, and she embraces me.
“My dear! I’m so happy our son found his fated mate. Let me get a good look at you,” she says as she holds me at arm’s length and inspects me from head to toe. She smiles. “Beautiful and smart! I understand you’re a doctor, too.”
“Honey, let me welcome her, too,” her mate says as he smiles at me. “And yes, Rust did well for himself. I’m his father, Rudolf, and this is his mother, Frigg.”
“I certainly did!”
We turn at Rust’s voice. He saunters into the great room with Jagger and puts his arms around my shoulders. He leans over and kisses his mother on the cheek and claps his father on the shoulder.
“Well, done, son!”
