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.

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

be!” Carmen screeches at my brother and it’s almost to the level that her gift kicks in but not quite. Everyone watching the show still winces though and I cover my ears and throw my mate a look of despair. I

Christ, 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

I interject while pushing past him to stand between the sparring

he just won’t listen or accept it. He can’t understand why on earth I would refuse the mate bond….like is he really that dense?” She throws her hands up in the air, waving

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 I need to know about you and how you deal with things? I know why

god. I’m going back 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

the foreseeable future.” I warn sternly. There’s

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

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

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 her into

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 us if I can’t get near you to even talk?” It’s

before then, shouldn’t you?” She snaps

lot that day, like my 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. You know it’s not like it

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 love she has for me. “We will be real sisters.” Technically not,

don’t need a man to be fulfilled in life. I have my pack and you’re already

not really being helpful in this situation and then stretches his legs out and stifles

in the grounds.

once again pointedly glares at Jasper, who runs a

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

am met with a blank stare. These two butting

pairing these two up like this. Both headstrong, stubborn, and feisty tempered on a good

my sassy queen to march on over to me. She shakes her head and catches Carmen

this belongs to you, don’t leave your things lying

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

been hurt. I know how scared you are, and this idiot did the absolute worst when you imprinted. Rejection is a big deal to you, and we all know you have scars. He’s here now trying 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

do whatever you want to me, in any form.” Jasper catches

pleased with herself and walks off past them with a hand toss in the

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

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 intimate level, and it seems weird that we are staring at them like this. Tension sparking between them and little electrifying pulses signal through the air as the mate bond

to give them space and he sighs before getting

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

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 and I can see her caving now

your head and weaken the strongest resolve. Meadow was aiming for that when she tossed her over their like a