Page 76 of His Rejected Mate

“Sounds good,” I said. “Not surprising they’d want to leave soon, especially after the shitshow yesterday with the Ninth Pack. Things will get interesting fast, if I had to guess.”

“Yeah,” Eli said. “He was worried about getting Chelsey home safe.” The fallen angel glanced over her shoulder, and for the first time since I’d known her, she looked a little uncomfortable. “Um, Kira, your brother came by early this morning to check on things. He, uh…well, we talked a bit. He thought you might already be here and was looking for you. He headed back home about thirty minutes ago.”

Kira, noticing the same thing I did, smiled at Eli. “Is he okay?”

“Oh, he’s great. Very driven and brave. Sensitive, too. I like that.” Eli blinked, her perfect alabaster skin tinged pink. “I mean, in a fighter. In war, I mean. It’s good to be sensitive to the needs of your soldiers. That’s what I mean.”

Kira nodded, stifling her laughter. “Uh-huh.”

“Well, I need to go check on the patrols,” Eli said. “I’ll talk to you all later.”

As she walked away, I leaned down to whisper to Kira, “Have you ever seen an angel that flustered? I didn’t think they had it in them.”

“Come on,” Kira said, tugging at my shirt. “Let’s find Kolton.”

Another hour of running, and we were back at Kira’s parents’ house. Kolton stood outside, a cup of coffee in hand, talking to a few members of his pack and my unofficial pack who’d been tabbed as security for the Durst home.

“Morning,” Kira said as we walked up.

Kolton glanced up, and when he saw us, he froze. His eyes darted to the bite marks on our necks, and the cup of coffee tumbled from his fingers, crashing on the ground.

“What the fuck?” he cried out, a broad smile splitting his face.

Before we could answer, he rushed forward, nearly tackling us as he threw his arms around both of us.

“You have some shit timing,” Kolton said. “Doing this in the middle of a war is crazy, but I’m happy for you. I think I might cry.”

I could sense Kira’s embarrassment as she pushed her brother off. “If you’re gonna cry,” Kira said, “wait until Eli is around. Apparently, she likes sensitive types like you.”

Kolton’s smile vanished. “Huh? What do you mean?” He glanced around, then back at us. “Uh, did she really say that?”

The two siblings continued to poke fun at and tease each other. While they did, I glanced up at the house. In the big bay window overlooking the front year, Kira’s parents stood, glaring down at us.

A knot of worry filled my stomach. They did not look pleased. There was no hiding the marks on our necks. Whatever reaction I’d been hoping for was obviously not going to happen. This would not end well. In their minds, I was thelastperson they’d have chosen to be their daughter’s mate.

But I’d be damned if I let them rain on Kira’s parade and ruin her happiness. While Kolton and Kira continued talking, I hurried inside to discuss things with her parents. Maybe I could smooth this over before they ruined what should be the happiest day of their daughter’s life.

“Morning, Mr. and Mrs. Durst. I trust you slept well,” I said as I stepped into the kitchen.

Her dad strode toward me, his finger shaking as he pointed at Kira and Kolton through the window. “I suppose you’re gonna come in here with some crock of shit aboutasking for my blessing? I hope not since, apparently, it’s already too late.”

Kira was mine, and I was hers. Her father or not, I would protect what was mine. I leaned into the alpha side of my personality and took a step toward her dad. Not threatening, but still aggressive enough to get my point across.

“I’m notaskingfor anything. What I’m doing is telling you that you had better watch yourselves when it comes to my mate. I’m not about to let you give her shit about our relationship.”

“You watch your mouth, young man,” her mom hissed.

I held up a finger. “No. I won’t. You two have always put too much on her. Her whole life, she’s kept her head down and done what was best for you. For thepack.” I sneered at the word. “She’s done everything she could to bring honor to the pack. She was moments away from mating with that piece of shit JaysonFell.Everyonesaw what an awful person he was. Yet, you two were too fucking happy to make an alliance with the Ninth Pack, even if it meant disregarding your daughter’s feelings.”

Kira’s mother flinched. The truth struck deep, wounding her more than it did Mr. Durst.

“You two have always hated each other,” her dad said, his voice growing testy. “Once you all got on that show, you screwed with her head with that act you put on—”

“Stop,” I interjected. “You can’t evenbeginto comprehend what Kira and I have been through together. You can’t fathom what your daughter really feels. If you think your daughter is stupid enough to fall for some guy playing a game on a TV show, then…” I shook my head in disgust. “You don’t know her at all.”

“Well, regardless of how Kira feels now, you have to see what you’ve done,” her mother said. “If you really loved her, you should have just gone away. Being mated to a lone wolf will destroy any social standing she has. You should have taken that into account.”

“Exactly,” Mr. Durst said. “You ruined her life, Wyatt. You’ve pissed on everything she worked so hard for on that show.”

---