Page 78 of His Rejected Mate

He was afraid I’d regret my choice. I could see it in his face, sense it in his mind.

“I know what I’m doing,” I said. “We’re mates now. From now on, wherever you are, I’ll be there, and vice versa. Forever. Or as long as we survive,” I added. “Speaking of which, we need to go get ready to fend off the Ninth Pack instead of arguing about things that have already been decided.”

“She’s right,” Kolton said from behind us.

When I turned to look at him, he had his eyes locked on our parents, a sad determination on his face.

“I’m happy for Kira and Wyatt. You two,” he said pointing at our parents, “are going on and on about howgreatthe hierarchy is, and all it sounds like to me is a bunch of propaganda from upper pack leaders.”

Dad flinched as though he’d been slapped. The lower packs had always considered the upper packs too spoiled andpompous. Many of the lower-pack leaders had always thought of themselves as stronger and more honorable. In reality, they were all slaves to an antiquated system.

The fact that Kolton was speaking out like this showed how much he’d grown while I was away. Before, he’d been too afraid of disappointing our parents to say what he truly believed or thought. A soft-spoken beta wolf by nature, Kolton had gone along with the flow and never rocked the boat. Now, he was asserting himself. I’d never been prouder of him than now, when he was hearing sticking up for me.

“Come on, Kira,” Kolton said. “I think they need to think about some things.” There was a hint of disappointment in his voice, and our parents wilted beneath it.

Leaving them to stew and reassess their worldview, Wyatt and I followed Kolton outside. As we walked down the steps, Wyatt took my hand again. “Are you really sure about joining my pack?” he asked.

“Why are you asking dumb questions?” I asked with a smile.

Wyatt didn’t return my smile. “I know how important your pack has always been to you, and I’d never want you to turn your back on that. Especially not for me.”

“You know what I think?” I said. “Theseofficialpacks aren’t very natural. What’s the difference between them andunofficialpacks? Who the hell even came up with those terms? What makes them official, anyway? Do you know how many hundreds of thousands of wolf shifters there are? And only twelve packs?” I smiled. “If you look at actual wolves in the wild, they form packs based on family and the others they care about. I care about you most of all, Wyatt. We’re family now, which means even if it’s you and me and no one else, we’ll be a pack from now on.”

He grinned, and the love he felt for me rushed through me, as did the happiness he felt. It still boggled my mind that we truly were fated mates.

“I agree wholeheartedly,” Kolton said, slugging Wyatt in the shoulder. “I’m really happy for you guys. Though, it’ll take some getting used to you two being a couple. I mean, now I can’t go and complain to you when one of you irritates me, so that sucks.”

“I’m really glad you’re looking at the important things. I’m very sorry for your loss.” I laughed at him.

“You know what I mean,” Kolton said, bumping against me. “Even if it takes Mom and Dad a little while to come around, I think you’re a good match. Hell, I think you’re fated to be together.”

“I really wish you could have figured that out before you punched me at the mega-fans event,” Wyatt grumbled.

Kolton shrugged and gave Wyatt a cheesy grin. “Hey, I was looking out for my baby sister.” He went mock-serious and leveled a finger at Wyatt. “And don’t think for a second I won’t do it again if you mess with her. Got it, buddy?”

“Got it.” Wyatt’s eyes flicked behind us to the house, and the grin faded. Kolton and I turned to see Mom and Dad standing on the porch, looking at us with chastened expressions.

“Kira? Wyatt?” Dad said. “Um, well, we…” He trailed off and cleared his throat. “We know that with the war, there’s a good chance that bad things could happen. Your mother and I don’t want what was said to be the last thing we ever say to each other.”

Mom nodded vigorously, holding her fist against her mouth to keep her tears at bay.

“You’re right that we may have some old-fashioned views,” Dad said. “It’s hard when your whole life has been turned upside down. It’ll take time, but we love you, and we support you in anything you decide.” He glanced at Wyatt. “Thank you forprotecting my baby girl. I’m an ass for not saying that first. You did what I couldn’t. Again, thank you, Wyatt. And, uh, I think you’ll do right by her.”

Wyatt nodded somberly. “Thank you, Mr. Durst. I will. I promise that.”

Dad wiped his eyes and waved toward the forest. “You kids go on. You’ve got things to do. Just, uh, be careful.”

I stood frozen as they waved and headed back inside. Part of me wanted to run up there and hug them, but some superstitious part of my mind told me that if I did, there would be a finality to it. That we might not actually survive the war.

Instead, I smiled and waved back.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Kolton said when the door had clicked shut. “Didn’t expect that.”

“No, but it was nice,” I said.

We strode off toward the forest, the air tense around us.

“As I was saying,” Kolton said to Wyatt, “if you piss Kira off, I’ll give you a black eye. Like, if youreallybother her. Made her cry or something. Just so we’re totally clear.”

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