Rejected Mate and Following Fate - Awakening Book

“Baby, we should get up.” Colton rolls over in bed and drapes his arm across my abdomen lightly. Snuggling up close after one of the best night’s sleep I have had in a long time. I’m so relaxed it feels like I’m floating in a happy cloud.

It felt like it had been forever since we had real intimacy like this, time alone to relax and curl up without any need to get up. Now that early morning patrols for vampires are a thing of the past, Colton has been trying to get used to sleeping late with me and adopting lazy morning routines while I’m pregnant. We know they won’t last after these babies arrive. A future of broken sleep and tiny demands, so we are making the most of the time we have left.

“Hmmmm” I murmur sleepily and bury my face under his chin, pressing bodily to that chiseled torso as he wraps his arms around me. “Five more minutes” , I revel in his warmth and close my eyes in a bid to doze back off.

The sun has been up a while and the daily noises of Lychan life outside has been getting louder for the past hour. I know Colton wants to start his day and go see what needs his attention, but I have other plans. The growth of our offspring is exhausting and the need for sleep has been steadily increasing with the passing days. No more stress about wars and invasions pulling my brain around, means I can focus on doing nothing.

“How about I energize you with some exercise? Wake you up a little.” Colton nudges me suggestively and snakes a hand down my back smoothly, to cup my butt, and pulls me groin to groin. A little bump that startles a small laugh form me. Sexy time has been off the table for a while given how fragile he deems me and it’s a nice surprise to find him willing to bring it back.

My hormones have most definitely missed that kind of contact with my normally oversexed mate. Hating that his protective nature trumped his hornier side. A smile breaks across my face and I tilt my head back, instantly wide awake and raring to go. I wouldn’t say no to that kind of exercise with my hunky boy.

“I’m game if you aren’t going to get all weird and cool off two minutes into foreplay.” Like every time I initiated sex before thoughts of babies hit his brain.

“Doc assured me that as long as we’re not overly wild that it’s perfectly safe. Just don’t expect acrobatics or crazy antics. Slow and gentle is what I can deal with.” He kisses me on the forehead with a soft grazing of lips.

“Shouldn’t I be the one saying that?” I laugh at him, amused by his cuteness, but our moment of progress is short lived. I don’t get to inch closer or return the kiss.

Alora, get your butt down here. Carmen and Jasper are about to kill one another. She is in making all kinds of noise and attracting viewers.

Meadow’s urgent tone of despair hits us both in the pack link and Colton groans, letting me go and rolls onto his back once more. That change of atmosphere and the buzz between us dies an instant death when duty calls.

I’m deflated and know that I won’t get that moment back anytime soon, especially not with world war three about to break downstairs. All it takes is Carmen’s super shriek and we have to reglaze the entire homestead again

“Your brother…… your adopted sister….. why am I not surprised?” Colton exhales, his tone unamused. Over the last few days since what seemed like progress between them, has seen Carmen putting Jasper through his paces and refusing to relent in any kind of way. Bickering, standoffs, and even outright verbal fights over the dumbest things.,

She’s punishing him for his rejection of her, even though he’s made it clear he has changed his mind on that front now he’s living here and seeing her every day. Carmen just can’t back down.

“Maybe this is the tipping point and she finally gives in!” I shrug and troll off the bed, grabbing the nearest robe so we can go stop mayhem. I have been waiting for the eruption that might finally break the ice.

“Or maybe Jasper will up and leave because let’s face it, Carmen is hard work.”

I glare at Colton with a ‘don’t even say it, or bring up the past’ and make it clear his next sentences better not be in reference to the fact he used to date her. I may love the girl, but I don’t like any kind of reminder that Colton knows her in ways that I don’t. I’m not the jealous type normally but these baby hormones have made it a touchy subject lately.

“Carmen is someone I love. Don’t utter another word, Santo. I’m pregnant and prone to tears and rage.” I warn and haul on my robe and slippers before marching ahead of him to get out first. Ignoring the looks he throws my way and sticking my chin in the air to highlight my slightly annoyed temperament.

Colton has the sense to silently follow at speed and we make our way down the stairs and to the main hall, where we hear the arguing and smashing of what might be a vase.

You’re being a complete psy…….” Jasper’s

you’ll see exactly how bad I can be!” Carmen screeches at my brother and it’s almost to the level that her gift kicks in but not quite. Everyone watching

Colton rubs his forehead, clearly, it’s too early in our day for this and the glare from alpha sends all the watchers crowding the hall running off to get back to what they are supposed to be

past him to stand

can’t understand why on earth I would refuse the mate bond….like is he really that dense?” She throws

hell for both of us. I know you’re still hurt and mad and trying to punish me. Do you forget that imprinting tells

to bed.” Colton turns and shakes his head, looking like he really intends to take off and leave me to deal with this alone. Passing Jasper with a ‘you’re on your own’ grimace and pats him on the shoulder in a show

for the foreseeable future.” I warn sternly. There’s no

me the puppy dog eyes but I thrust my hands on my hips and head nod towards my brother. Colton obediently walks back to his side and slumps down on the bottom step beside him with a

like an adult. I have no idea what kicked this off but aren’t you tired of this already?” I know I am. She gets the same no-nonsense tone and for once it actually works on her, maybe because I really am fed up with it. She sighs heavily, turns back towards me and wanders back

misty and that flex of her jaw hints at tears being close, and I have to stop the smile that tugs

can I fix us if I can’t get near you to even talk?” It’s obvious by Jasper’s despair and lack of energy that they have been quarrelling for a while. We just came

thought about that before then, shouldn’t you?” She snaps right back,

a lot of issues, Sierra is working through with me. One being my hang ups about this pack…… and my initial reaction to you being Santo. I’m sorry, okay. You know it’s

work it out?” I implore her, with a soft smile and head tilt to the side in hopes of appealing to that inner love she has for me. “We will be real sisters.” Technically not, but I

on my own. I don’t need a man to be fulfilled

your alpha.” Colton smirks at her, not really being helpful in this situation and then stretches his legs out

pups already, and have a cozy little love nest picked out in the grounds. You’re just delaying the inevitable.” I try appealing in a different way and am rewarded with a scowl from

throws her hair over her shoulder, sarcasm fluent this morning, and once again pointedly glares at Jasper, who runs a palm down his face and looks like he might scream. I

gestures with open palms at me, looking for someone to side with him

him to shut up and am met with a blank stare. These two butting heads is probably what I didn’t need to start

and feisty tempered on a good day. It’s wall meeting wall, although jasper is obviously trying more

this anymore. Move. It’s like listening to toddlers fighting over a toy.” Meadow’s harsh tone comes from behind Jasper as he is shoved ungracefully aside to allow my sassy queen to march on over to me. She shakes her head and catches Carmen by the wrist before turning and tugging her back again where she came from. Full on aggressive mode that I expect from med’s and she wastes no time

to you, don’t leave your things lying around so carelessly or

has no choice but to catch her before she falls and Meadow smacks carmen on the back of the head. The hostile affection she has with carmen has always been a mystery to me, and the

You love each other, the fates made it so. Go have some crazy sex, vent your anger and then talk things out. Trust me, with your personality I think the only way to get through to you is if he mans up and takes the crazy from you while being banged.” Meadow again shoves Carmen into Jasper’s arms when she tries to step away and her scowl his way seems to flick the button in his

to me, in any form.” Jasper catches

with a hand toss in the air as if to

says but Jasper spins

away, making sure I’m here to take care of you. Forever….. I was wrong. You’re not going to get rid of me, no matter what you say or do.” Jasper’s voice drops to a low intimate level, and it seems weird

to me, to give them space and he sighs before getting up like

don’t like you.” Carmen pouts at my brother, but her venom has subsided quicker than the speed of light. Her voice is softer, her gaze no longer amber

a week go. I see that as a positive step.” Jasper leans in closer to bridge the difference in height and slides his arms around her properly, pulling her into him in a hug even though she doesn’t return it. She struggles a little, but nowhere near the venom she had a few minutes ago

can mess with your mood and your head and weaken the strongest resolve. Meadow