Rejected Mate and Following Fate - Awakening Book

You okay?

Colton comes through loud and clear, checking on me, and for a second it warms me that he does, that maybe he felt my nervousness. His voice is that sound of home that I never knew I needed, and I find myself exhaling, like I’ve been holding my breath, as I lean back into the chair less stiffly.

Just waiting on the others and sitting by the fire.

I reply, setting his mind at ease and hoping I sound as comfortable here as I am pretending to be.

I won’t be long, my father kept all the leaders back to talk plans, schedules, you know what I mean. If you need me, I’ll leave our link open. Don’t let any of them give you any shit or else they’ll have to deal with me. His deep husky voice has me pining for his presence, and I sigh wearily.

Matteo is being a gentleman and taking care of me; I’m sure he’ll intervene. I’m trying to make him relax, but the overwhelming surge I get back from his emotions that he didn’t like what I said, surprises me. It’s a hint of jealousy and I blink at Matteo as though I’m missing the point. He has his back to me, pouring his drink, and nowhere near me.

Right. Like I said I won’t be long.

His tone is clipped, and he closes link before I can respond, despite saying he wouldn’t, sounding off, and moody, and I swear it actually makes me want to laugh at how ridiculous he’s being. He sent me here with Matteo, and now he’s what? Jealous, because I said he was being nice. I knew males were territorial and possessive by nature, worse so when they mate up, but I’m not even his and he has nothing to worry about. We imprinted, and the fates made sure I have no desire to look at anyone else, even if he did reject me.

I inhale sharply, shake it off, and go back to staring at the fire, trying not to let him get to me as the door swings open and two boys stomp in arguing with one another

“You’re a liar, I didn’t say anything of the sort.” The first male snaps, turning and spotting me and instantly frowning like he’s just been faced with a terrible or vile sight. He stops dead as the other collides into the back of him with an exaggerated ‘whooomph’ noise. He’s unsurprisingly dark haired, tanned and has your typical Colombian look to him. All the Santos originated from there, before coming here a few generations ago. They tend to mate up with others like them, so the bloodline stays purest, and most of the males are sent back in early childhood to spend time in their homelands, so most have mixed accents, like Colton does.

it” the voice snarls angrily and shoves him forward, exposing an identical face and equal build, and I realize these two boys are twins. If memory serves right, I can pull out of Colton’s mind that this is Domi, and Remi. They’re younger than Colton by a year, making them eighteen, like me. Both lanky, tall, athletic boys, with brown hair and soft hazel eyes. More Santos and I know for sure they’re Colton’s distant

turns to Matteo with a growl and is met with a

to hear you were questioning it!” It’s not a friendly tone and it has the effect of dampening down the

our pack” the other chirps in, throwing me a devious side eye and I shrivel back into my chair, aware the waves of prickling heat coming my way are hostility, even while he is smiling on like it’s not.

sultry, preceding her entry. She sashays in like the Queen of the manor and stops dead in her tracks when she spots me. Grey eyes instantly storming over, pouty mouth forming a thin tight light, and porcelain skin paling as rage ignites under the surface. Her eyes start glowing intense amber as she growls her dislike at me and lowers her chin to move into an attack stance. Wolves are aggressive by nature and we literally jump to fight for every little thing. Bite, nip, attack. It’s just

his hyper speed, blocking her in a nanosecond, and standing between us. He stands firm, lifts his chin, and

and behave!” Matteo has a tone not too dissimilar to Colton’s alpha tone, only less effective, and she draws her eyes from me to him, not as affected as she would

in here. Surprised that Matteo is not

a deep raspy undercurrent as three more wolves stroll in unannounced, and I recognize her as Meadow, one of the older femmes in her late twenties, mated to

room when Colton is not here. Sit!” Her accent is heavy, and thick, clear she’s an incomer to Radstone and English is not her first language. It’s not uncommon for wolves with links elsewhere to sometimes bring in family pack from further away, to live with them, or find a mate, and I know Meadow’s been with us for a few years, maybe even as far back as the

together on one sofa and stare at me with lowered eyelids. No hint of warmth, which adds to my growing uneasiness as I sit stiffly where I

to behold, at five feet eight, strong, graceful, and very Latino. Black hair, the most amazing pale blue eyes under sculpted black brows, and deeply tanned skin. She has full lips, catlike eyes with perfect make up, and an outfit of clingy denim with a blouse that

I wouldn’t argue with her, her natural

and I’m starting to see a pattern with this pack. Best of the breed and all alarmingly alike, except Carmen, the only blonde among them. They’re all big, strong, and have lashings of both aggression and attitude, common among our strongest. I’m sure as a pack they have many a battle of wills and lots

Cole’s memories and I’m sure she knows how to access them.” Meadow strolls in front of me, heels clicking on the

entered the open door and praying that has to be all of them. This is getting crowded and I’m starting to feel like raw meat being lowered into a hungry lion’s den. I don’t even glance their way, as Meadow has a commanding quality that demands you