Page 42 of Wolf's Rejected Mate

“It’s not going on in Pario City,” Ash muttered, rising from the couch. “He’s sending the women out so that the heat doesn’t fall on him. He’s smart, the way he’s running things.”

Dubiously, I continued to point at the door, words failing me.

“Abby—” Elijah murmured, reaching for me, but I stepped out of his grasp.

“Come on, Elijah. Let’s give her some time to process the truth.”

It’s not the truth, you lying bastard!I wanted to yell, but I didn’t dare. Gnawing on the inside of my lower lip, I watched them make for the door, slamming it behind them as they left.

Locking it in their wake, I fell against it, breathing heavily.

Is he that power-hungry that he’d make up such a disgusting crime against Orson?

But jealousy was an ugly motivator, and Orson had fully taken over Elijah’s life. The man I’d once loved was obviously long gone, probably even before whatever had happened to him on that battlefield.

But I’d been fine before he’d shown up, and I’d be fine again.

Then why were tears burning at the back of my eyes if that was what I really believed?

This fucking mate bond,I thought furiously.It’s making me crazy. Orson has been steadfast. Elijah left me. I know who I should trust.

But did I really? If that were true, why didn’t I just come clean with Orson?

Chapter20

Elijah

Iwas utterly perplexed as Ash led me toward his waiting vehicle, his driver opening the door for us.

“I don’t know why she’s so angry,” I said, staring out the window toward the house, willing the door to open and for Abby to come back out. “It’s like she’s been looking for a reason to get rid of me since I’ve been back.”

“Maybe she has been,” Ash volunteered. “You did just swoop into her life out of nowhere. Maybe she’s happy with trafficking women.”

I whipped my head around, eyes narrowing.

“No,” I said flatly. “There’s no way that Abby had any part of that. She wouldn’t.”

Ash grunted unemotionally.

“If there’s one thing I’ve come to realize over the last two millennia, Elijah, it’s that you never really know just what people are capable of.”

I cast him a sidelong look. “You know your mate, don’t you?”

He didn’t like the question. “Leave her out of this,” he barked, tapping on the security glass. The window lowered. “Back home, Royce,” Ash told him.

“Wait, what?” I demanded. “Back home where?”

“To MacShire. I’ve got to get back to Briar and the baby.”

“Baby?” I hadn’t realized, and Ash chuckled.

“There have been some changes.”

I offered him a small smile, but it didn’t change my position.

“No,” I told him. “I can’t go with you. I have to stay here. I was on the fence about how and when to make my move before. Abby was right; Orson stepped up when I couldn’t run things here, but now? If what you’re saying is true, and he’s really running women? I can’t let the Verity Gang keep doing that.”

Ash sighed. “Well, I can’t stay here, Elijah. I have responsibilities at home.”

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