Rejected Mate and Following Fate

Chapter 12: What Now?

I tremble in front of the huge roaring fire, in a state of surreal daydream of the grand fireplace in the room that Colton left me when he brought me into his pack house. My blanket draped around my shoulders as my only modesty covering, as he goes and fetches clothes.

I'm tucked into the armchair in the corner, out of the way, while some of his pack pace around in the clearing directly in front of the flames, inwardly thrashing something out. They're wired, agitated, the air thick with the stench of testosterone, blood, and fury and more are returning by the minute to convene here in this house. Obviously, the pack returning from chasing off those vile murderous intruders.

It's all in their actions, their mannerisms but as I'm not privy to Santo Pack linking, all I can do is watch the animated expressions and occasional outbursts of a word here and there.

They know I'm here, but yet, are completely ignoring my presence, much like they have done for years. It's not like I care. My head aches, and emotions are fragile, barely keeping it together and I can't stop replaying the horrific scene in my head of what I saw laid out in front of me in my on courtyard. Vanka's scent burning my nose even still and I shudder at every thud they make while pacing around so erratically. Unable to wipe that noise from memory.

"Here" I jump when Colton touches my shoulder, so preoccupied in my own mind I hadn't even realized he'd come back. I'm too nervy, too coiled tight and antsy. He drops a pile of clothes on my lap, a simple grey hoody, a pair of sweats and a t-shirt that I guess are all his.

"I'll show you where you can dress in private" he motions for me to follow; his face softening and his manner follows. I think he can sense how not myself I am right now and reverts to gentle handling. He waits for me to get up, pulling the dark grey covering around myself a little more snugly before leading the way out of the room with me close on his heel, cradling my new bundle in against me. My head stuck in surreal and detached from a whole lot of feelings in this moment.

"Cole? We need you in this!" A voice echoes his way and he throws the male back a silent look, eyes glinting as his wolf connects with his packmate. An exchange of nods and he turns his attention back to me to hold the door open out into the large spacious hallway.

"What the fuck is she doing here?" A nasty, biting tone is spat our way as Carmen comes marching across from the open doorway in the main hall, which is sitting wide for returning wolves, and accusingly squares up in front of me, shoving Colton hard in the shoulder as she does so. It looks like she's just returned from the hunt, robed in a blanket like mine and visibly grimy from being out as her wolf self. Most of the pack have gone straight to their rooms for fresh clothes on entry but I guess she thinks yelling at us is more important.

Something inside of me lets out a tiny murmur of a growl in outrage, that she would physically shove him, come at us angrily after the night we have all had, and I quickly swallow it down and drop my eyes to the floor as she spins on me hatefully. Bravado waning fast as I sigh at my own impulsive reaction with immediate regret.

"Did you just growl at me, Reject!" She almost bites it at my face getting close enough to make me flinch. Snarling, scathing anger that makes my body bristle and for a second, I swear my claws begin to peak involuntarily. An anger swirling warmly in my belly as she pokes some deep internal beast.

"Leave her alone… Go into the main room, I'll be there in a minute." Colton pushes in front of me to make her step back, intent on still guiding me away but his protective need taking over. She doesn't like it one bit and the change in her manner is obvious. She gets even madder. Spinning to face him down instead of me.

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell she's doing here!" She spits a little more venomously this time, eyes glowing bright amber and throat eliciting a snarling growling undertone in her words. She's on the verge of turning and her wolf is already riled and ready to fight. I shiver, not sure I can take any more violence tonight. I may be healed, but I'm in no state to have a femme go at it with me over a mate who doesn't even want me.

hand as if to say, 'can we get by?'. Ignoring her hostility, exerting his dominance but even I can tell it's not the right way to handle Carmen right now. She's running on extreme female possessiveness and green-eyed rage. Colton should be soothing her as gently as he is handling me, but he seems oblivious to that

claws as her anger leaches out of every pore. Turning and ready to thrash it out with her so called mate, because quite frankly, he's being insensitive to what she's feeling about my being here. If I was her, it would probably be my reaction

even I know she has no right to make to an alpha, even if he is her mate now. I sink down inside my own wrap of itchy blanket and try to not make eye contact; in the hopes

physically, and too tired for this. Doing anything with Colton is not high on my list of priorities when I just had the worst night of my

can pull herself together…. nothing else. Don't assume you can tell me what to do, Carmen, that's not how this works." There's an edge to his tone but as of yet, his dominant vibe is playing cool and humoring her a little. He's aware he could shut her down with that one tone, but he's

wouldn't trust you with her, any day of the week. I meant nothing in that moment." She blanches, thrusting words like knives

little statement, shoves her aside aggressively before turning to catch my hand firmly and yanks me with him. I yelp

you again, I mean it. Don't fucking touch her!" She yells it after us, a stifled sob mixed with utter bitterness, and I can smell the stench of the betrayal which fuels her. He bristles lightly but just keeps pulling

and I stare at his muscular back and shoulders and try not to react in any kind of way. I never

He sounds pissed, and he's definitely giving me the vibes as I feed on his emotions. It's said

the obvious reason, that there is a Carmen and they're trying to work it out, but I'm sorry I screwed it up for him. I feel like I should be apologizing for something anyway. His life was

Colton Santo…. Remember, you made a choice! A commitment. Remember you chose ME over HER!" She yells it screechingly so, as we reach a door, diagonally from the one we came out of, and he throws her a stiff look back. Carmen is full on shaking, with

doesn't seem to register with you, does it. I denied the fates and stuck with you, yet it doesn't seem to weigh up to much. I'm still dealing with this shit every day." Oozing with sarcasm and simmering anger, he opens the door, ushering me inside with a gentle push, one of his hands sliding behind me, but he stays out there glaring at her in a war of angry

were meant for… not that reject. Just remember that in all of this, that it's me you first loved, and me that's made for you. You betrayed me and I have every right to be mad about that." Her tone is more pained sadness than rage now, but

chick the fates obviously didn't pick. How about, go be mad with them, for not agreeing that you were made for me." He spits it at

had to sting. I mean, it made me

meant to be repairing his bond with. I clock on to the fact my mouth is sagging open and I quickly shut it and

cringe as I grab my ears and attempt to keep the pain out. I literally sync with Colton's pain, crumbling in the same kind of agony, and know her 'gift' has just been used against us once more as an effective

my foot and hurry to pull his clothes on. Shaking from that assault

when

me. Not that it matters, his voice tense and I pick up on the frustration and turmoil in his emotions, wondering if it's why I feel so tetchy