Page 87 of Wolf's Rejected Mate

I caught the disgruntled expression on Elijah’s face, but his immediate concern was me. He didn’t go after the pair and instead turned, his hands cupping my face as he searched me over.

“What happened to you?” he rasped, looking me up and down for injury.

Slowly, I began to regain feeling in my legs and arms, my chin able to move. I tried my jaw, and relief flooded Elijah’s face.

“I thought he’d petrified you,” he choked. “Is that what happened?”

I shook my head slowly, unsure of how to answer.

“I don’t know,” I sighed, confusion overcoming me. “I don’t know how he could have, but I don’t understand what else could have happened.”

He fell back on his haunches, a mild suspicion clouding his vision.

“If he had, you would still be paralyzed,” he reminded me. “Did you just act hurt so that Orson would get away?”

Appalled, I pushed his hands away.

“Of course not,” I sputtered furiously. “He came here to kill me!”

Elijah studied me pensively for a moment, and I huffed, curling my knees up to my chest.

“I could have ended him,” he grumbled, sitting back to find his discarded clothing. “Now I have to go finish what I started.”

I swallowed thickly and reached back out for him.

“Do you, though?” I asked imploringly. He eyed me, locating his tattered pants just outside the front door. I rose unsteadily to my feet, my head still unclear. Elijah was at my side instantly, his arm at my waist.

“Do I what?”

“Do you have to finish it?”

He grunted and withdrew his arm, eying me sternly.

“You can’t be serious right now, Abby. Do you think that Orson isn’t going to come for you again?”

“No, of course he is,” I agreed quickly. “But you and I—we don’t have to be here.”

His face softened. Adjusting his jeans around his perfect hips, he ambled toward me, peering down to look at my face.

“If you’d just stick with me, nothing will happen to you, Princess,” he murmured.

“If we get out of here, nothing will happen,” I exploded. “Why won’t you just listen to me? All we have to do is pack up and go. Tonight!”

He stared at me pityingly, and it made me angry.

“Stop looking at me like that!” I barked. “I’m not a glass doll!”

“I know you’re not,” he replied softly. “You’re also not someone who’s going to sit back and let Orson traffic women.”

He stared at me meaningfully, and I hung my head, shamed that I was still angry at him.

“Don’t do that,” I muttered, conflicted. “You’re choosing against me again.”

Elijah’s jaw twitched, and he shook his head, taking my chin between his finger and thumb.

“I always choose you,” he insisted. “You just need to stay with me.”

His grip on me tightened, the intensity in his eyes growing. “I will always protect you, my love, but you can’t keep shutting me out. I’m not going anywhere. You have to stay, too.”

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