Rejected Mate and Following Fate

“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.

a complete psy…….” Jasper’s pleading

to the level that her gift kicks in but not quite. Everyone watching the

you two.” 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 doing. They know better than to stick around

going on?” I interject while pushing past him to stand

dense?” She throws her hands up in the air, waving them around and turns to pace off. My own mood frizzles, and this brings on the fatigue with

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

to deal with this alone. Passing Jasper with a ‘you’re on your own’ grimace and pats him on

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

towards my brother. Colton obediently walks back to his side and slumps down on the bottom step beside him with a groan. He knows when

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

a child even though her eyes are misty and that flex of her jaw hints at tears being close, and I have to stop the smile that tugs at my face as her emotions hit me with close proximity. Carmen is bluffing and trying her hardest to convince herself that Jasper should go away. Inside she’s begging him to come give her a hug and I have to stop myself from tugging

whatever it takes to mend things between us. You just have to stop telling me to go away when I get within ten feet. How can I fix

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

long-lost sister being Luna of my enemy. I have 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.

your stubborn is your worst flaw. Can you not give a little and think of the happy future you can have with your destined mate if you just let him grovel and work it out?” I implore her, with a soft smile and head tilt to the side in hopes of appealing to that inner

I don’t need a man to be fulfilled

smirks at her, not really being helpful in this situation and then stretches his legs out and stifles a

happy Sierra and Radar are, huh? They’re planning pups already, and have a cozy little love nest picked out in the grounds. You’re just delaying the inevitable.” I try appealing in

over her shoulder, sarcasm fluent this morning, and once again pointedly glares at Jasper, who runs a palm

at me, looking for someone to side

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

these two up like this. Both headstrong, stubborn, and feisty tempered on a good day. It’s wall meeting wall, although jasper is obviously trying more

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

to you, don’t leave your things lying

the back

to fix that, and your pig-headed slow brain is too all up in your self to think it through. Alora was rejected by that thick brain over there and look at them now. 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

let you do whatever you want to me, in any form.” Jasper catches her around the waist and doesn’t relent when she starts to

with herself and walks off past them with

growls his way, eyes ambering and even I hesitate that Meadow has this right. I flinch and step forward to tell him to do as she says but Jasper spins her so he’s nose to nose with her. Now she’s in his

going to leave you. I’m always going to be a step 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

and motion for Colton to come to me, to give them space and he sighs before getting up like an obedient puppy

pouts at my brother, but her venom has subsided quicker than the speed of light. Her voice is

hate you’ 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

strong that a mere touch can mess with your mood and your head and weaken