Page 91 of Rejected Mate

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Iwasleaving.

Once again, as I sat in the idling limo in front of the castle, I struggled to comprehend all that had happened. It had only been a little more than a week since I’d become a contestant in The Mating Games, and yet, I was irrevocably changed. And now, I was being sent home as if nothing had happened.

Everything had happened. And nothing all at once.

Defying all logic, Laurel had been victorious, despite being beaten in the contest. Ares had picked her because of my so-called “brutal actions” in the game. No one wanted to hear my explanation. No one believed I was about to show mercy, that I had tried to reason with her before the fight, and she had chosen brutality.

The only person who could corroborate my claim was Laurel, and that wasn’t going to happen.

My chest ached as I thought of Laurel and Ares together. I’d thought he and I had the same feelings, but it had been so easy for him to pick her, announcing it like it was the clear choice, not even looking at me as he made the rounds to the cameras and Laurel’s family.

Had it all been a lie? Had I meant nothing to him?

Was I really that stupid to think I could ever love a loathsome vampire?

I’d thought maybe I could. I thought maybe… I did love him. So now what? And what about the Dark Match? Maybe it had never been me.

That night in the clearing…

I rub the heels of my hands into my eyes. I’d spent enough time crying lately. Ares and Laurel deserved each other. Time to go home and forget that Ares and William Raith ever existed. At least for a few days, because I was sure this was just the beginning.

I glanced at the castle, realizing I was looking at it for the last time. I wouldn’t miss the drama or the vampire guards’ hatred, but I would miss the camaraderie with the girls I did like. I would definitely think of Maurica. She had shown me a modicum of kindness, even though she was a vampire. I vowed to look up Violet and Silvia as soon as I was settled at home. I missed them, and it couldn’t hurt to have a few pack allies, especially now.

Laurel and William would come after me. I had no doubt about that. War seemed inevitable, and without Grandfather and the strong mate he’d commanded me to procure, I was afraid we wouldn’t stand a chance.

I bit my lip as thoughts of home flooded my head. I needed to get back as soon as possible and make sure I was ready for whatever came.

When the car door opened—dragging me out of my fugue state—I nearly bolted through the opposite door. Instead, I watched as a dark figure slid into the seat across from me.

Callan.

“What the hell areyoudoing here?” My heart pounding, I gripped my Alpha necklace. I could shift in here, though it would be tight.

“Relax,” he said, nodding at my fist. “I’m not here to drink your blood. Not unless you ask nicely.” He arched an eyebrow.

“Dream on,” I shot back. I hadn’t forgotten the cut he gave me or the way he’d conspired against me in the games. He was strong and fast, but I was pretty sure I could take him.

But instead of lunging, he sighed and straightened his shoulders against the leather seat. There was no denying he had a certain magnetism, no matter how much of an ass he was. Good thing now I knew better than to fall for an evil vampire’s charm.

“I wish I was dreaming,” he said, harkening back to my comment. “This whole thing has been a nightmare.”

If he thought he was going to get sympathy from me, he had another thing coming.

“Ah, poor baby vamp didn’t get what he wanted?” I mocked in a sing-song voice that then turned biting to add, “Like I give a shit. Get the hell out, Callan!”

He smiled at me smugly. “I don’t want to be in here any more than you want me to, princess, but we have a mutual enemy. And I’m pretty sure you’ll want to hear what I have to tell you.”

That stopped me. “You mean Ares?” I raised an eyebrow.

Callan shook his head. “Laurel.”

Surprisingly, this was the one thing he could have said to keep my attention.

“I’m listening. Talk fast, though. I’m feeling bity.”

Callan rubbed a hand across his brow, his smugness gone for a moment. “They dropped me like a clove of garlic as soon as they had what they wanted. I was only a pawn to William.” He said the name like it was poison in his mouth.

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