Page 3 of Betrayed Mate (Rejected Fate Trilogy #1)

CHAPTER THREE

M y heart sputtered and I blinked. As soon as I opened my own eyes again, the mystery eyes had disappeared like a figment of my imagination.

Had the flames made me see something that wasn’t there?

Briar linked, What’s wrong?

I inhaled deeply, but all I smelled was smoke and overtones of musk. With all the people traveling in for the ceremony, wolves that normally didn’t enter our territory had needed to pass through it to reach the cliff, which was located on the property line that divided the Blackwood and Sinclair packs. Many had come in their animal form.

I thought I saw someone watching us. Knowing it was foolish to just stand here and hope the person would leave, I strolled to the brush and pulled it back. The space was empty, but the tantalizing scent of musky amber and pine hit my nose, overpowering the ash and tugging at the back of my mind.

My gaze darted to the woods, but I didn’t see anyone there. The scent had already begun to dissipate, indicating they’d left.

If they’d planned to attack us, there wouldn’t be just one. Still, they could be scoping out the area in preparation for an assault. I linked to Dad, The scouts need to keep an eye out close to the pack houses. Someone was watching us from the woods, and… A lump formed in my throat, and I inhaled sharply, the identity of the person crashing into my core. And I’m pretty sure it was Ryker Grimstone.

After a pause, Dad responded by looping Briar into our link, Both of you, get your asses in here now.

The firepit— I started.

I’ll handle it, Em. For the love of Fate, the two of you get in this house now, he reiterated just as the back door opened and he came outside. Dark copper fur was already sprouting all over his body, and his clothes began to rip as the shift overtook him.

His eyes glowed bright with his readiness to alpha-will us if we didn’t move.

I grabbed Briar’s arm and hurried toward the house. I wanted to scout the area with Dad, but if I tried to do it right now, Briar would demand to come along too. Though her wolf wasn’t weak, she had a milder nature than Dad and I did.

Dad remained in place, watching the two of us. I knew he wouldn’t move until we were inside, but howls informed me he’d already alerted the scouts and everyone else in the neighborhood.

As soon as the door shut, I heard Dad’s paws hit the ground, quickly growing farther away as he headed into the woods.

Mom stood in the kitchen, eyes wide and chest heaving. “Are you two okay?”

Normally, I’d say something funny or sarcastic to try to cut the tension, but not today. That simple question shattered the anger that had fueled me, and my heart twisted painfully once again. The drastic change in emotions unsettled me—like I wasn’t quite the same person.

Briar tugged me to her side as though she wanted to remind me that I wasn’t alone. “We’re fine. Em sensed Ryker, but I didn’t notice a thing.”

“I’m just thankful nothing happened.” Mom shivered.

Trying to push the hurt away, I straightened. “The Grimstone pack is now only four people. It’s not like they could do anything to our pack of a hundred and five.” Our pack was strong despite what Reid had proclaimed.

“Don’t underestimate them.” Mom frowned. “They were the second strongest of us all. That’s one of the reasons they guarded the entire royal pack. If Ryker and his friends had been there when the attack happened, and he’d survived, several packs would probably be in favor of him taking the crown, especially since he was so close to the princess. There were rumors they might have been fated mates.”

I rolled my shoulders. “I should help with the search.” I yawned, exhaustion catching up to me, and sagged against our round, dark maple kitchen table, which was near the door.

“You would’ve had a huge day even if the end weren’t so…” Mom trailed off, looking up at the ceiling for answers. “Startling.”

I laughed. That was a horrible word to use to describe what happened, but I appreciated her efforts. “Mom, let’s call it what it truly was. A disaster. I just—” A sob lodged in my throat, and I swallowed it. I didn’t want to break down again. I’d cried more tonight than I had in my entire life. Fate had screwed me with Reid. I’d never let anyone have that much influence over me before, which made me feel worthless. Like something was wrong with me.

“Why don’t you give it a minute for your dad and the scouts to finish?” Mom pressed her lips together. “And if all is well, then you take a shower and try to get some rest.” She glanced at my feet.

I followed her gaze. They were caked in dirt, and I feared looking at my reflection in the mirror again. The woman I’d seen this afternoon and hadn’t recognized was the complete opposite of me now. But the thought of taking a hot shower and soothing my swollen eyes and pounding head did sound like a dream. “Okay.”

The two of them stared at me, making me feel as if I were under a microscope. My skin crawled like it had earlier. I sighed. “Well, let me go grab my stuff so as soon as the coast is clear, I can take a shower.”

With that, I went back to my room. All my life, I’d tried to be strong. I was the firstborn of the pack alpha, and my two goals since I could remember were to make Dad proud and to one day own my own bakery. Both had always felt attainable, but not tonight. I’d already failed at the most important—making my father proud.

Nothing seems amiss, Dad linked with the entire pack. If Grimstone was stalking the area, he must have been curious about us. I’ll stay out with the scouts tonight, and we’ll alert everyone immediately if anything odd happens.

Just as quickly as the pack links had warmed, they went back to their normal temperature.

I linked with only Dad. Do you need me to join the watch? My throat tightened as I awaited his answer.

I’ll take it tonight. You need your rest. You can help out tomorrow night instead. I don’t want to let our guard down for several days. After what happened tonight, we need to stay on high alert in case someone does cause problems.

I could breathe once again. He wasn’t treating me differently. I hadn’t even realized that I’d been worried Reid’s rejection would impact how he viewed me. I should’ve known better. Okay, but if that changes—

You’ll be the first to know. I promise. You’re still the strongest wolf in the pack after me.

At the validation, my eyes burned with tears once again. I love you, Dad.

I love you, too. And nothing will ever change that.

Wiping the moisture from my cheeks, I snagged a pair of maroon shorts and a black shirt from my closet and headed down the hall to the bathroom.

I stayed in the shower until the hot water ran lukewarm. Then I managed to drag myself out, change into my pajamas, and go to my room. A part of me worried that I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep, but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out within seconds.

The next morning, I refused to hide in my room. Instead, I put on what—if she were still alive—my grams would’ve called my big-girl britches and showed up for work, even though I wasn’t on the schedule. It worked out well because someone had called in sick, so I worked from five in the morning until five that evening when the bakery doors closed. I even tried to stay longer to help clean up, but my boss pushed me out the door, saying I’d been there long enough.

On my way home, I forced myself to look every pack member I came across in the eye. Each one had concern etched on their face, but I smiled and tried to pretend that everything was okay. That my world hadn’t changed despite everything inside me feeling strange.

Last night, I’d dreamed of the way my connection to Reid had seemed to both provide comfort and unnerve me. That would’ve been fixed if we’d completed our bond.

These repeated intrusive thoughts wouldn’t accomplish anything but to drive me crazy. A fated mate hadn’t been meant for me.

At home, I crashed for several hours.

My alarm buzzed, startling me from yet another dream of Reid, though this one was different. In this version, Reid didn’t reject me, but right before we would have completed the bond, he morphed into Ryker as he bent down to claim me. Waking up, my whole body felt disappointed, and the sensation of having my heart ripped out debilitated me.

I sat up in bed, gripping my white shirt over my heart as if that would keep the organ from imploding in misery. Tears clouded my eyes, but I blinked them back. I had a task to do, and I needed my senses to be on high alert.

Shoving off the maroon sheets, I stood and stretched, needing to feel the burn in my muscles. I rolled my shoulders back, getting limber so shifting would be easier.

Someone knocked on my door, and Briar linked, I heard your alarm, so I’m assuming it’s time for us to join Garret, Carol, and the other scouts.

I opened the door and lifted a brow. You’re joining the night watch? I suspected that she and Dad wanted her there to support me, but I wouldn’t call them on it. If Garret or Carol asked too many questions, she’d be there to help me fend them off.

She smiled and tilted her head. “I thought we both were, but maybe I have a mouse in my pocket since you don’t seem to be part of the equation.”

I rolled my eyes but smirked, once again missing Grams. She’d used so many Appalachian sayings most people had never heard before, and she’d know exactly what to say to me right now to get my head back in order. “You’re mouse-free. I am, in fact, part of the watch tonight.”

Briar winked, knowing she’d pulled the right heartstrings.

“Come on, let’s go.” I threw an arm around her shoulders, and the two of us headed to the living room. Dad was passed out on the recliner, snoring, and Mom had in earbuds, watching a show on her phone.

Still, given her wolf hearing, she looked up as soon as we entered.

You two be safe. She pursed her lips. And I’ll have a huge breakfast made for you in the morning when you get back.

The thought of food made my stomach revolt, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Sounds great.

I hurried over and kissed her cheek, and then Briar and I went out the front door. The cool breeze hit my face, and I glanced up at the full moon. My wolf stirred inside me.

She’d been quiet so far, as if the trauma had impacted her just as hard, but now she came surging forward within me. I stripped off my clothes and allowed her to take hold as Briar did the same.

My bones broke, and my skin tingled as fur sprouted. Within seconds, I was on all fours in wolf form with more enhanced vision, hearing, and sense of smell than I had in human form.

Briar stepped beside me in animal form, and the two of us waited for orders.

I yanked on my links to the twenty other wolves who were running watch tonight. What area do you need us to cover?

Fred, my dad’s official beta, replied, Do you mind taking the route behind your house?

His words were the equivalent of a punch in the gut for so many reasons, but that assignment meant that they weren’t thinking about Reid and me. Sure—

Wait. I meant the area directly across from your section of woods, he corrected hurriedly.

There it was. He’d realized his error.

I refused to let them all know how much last night bothered me, so I fudged the truth. It’s fine. Briar and I are already in the woods by our house.

Briar shook her head and whined. Damn, Em. Did you have to lie? I wasn’t ready for the smell of rotten eggs.

Of course she’d smelled my lie. I don’t want them to think I can’t handle it. I bounded in the direction of the trail we’d taken a little over twenty-four hours ago.

Briar fell into a slow run beside me.

Are you sure? Garret linked to me individually. No one would blame you if you’d rather not be anywhere close to the Blackwoods.

Garret was Fred’s son and a year older than me. He spent a lot of time at our place with his father, so we’d become friends at a young age. I’m fine. Promise. I just want everyone to forget the whole thing.

After an extended pause, Fred linked back with everyone, Okay, Briar and Ember will cover the route toward the Blackwoods’ territory.

Ahh… Garret and Fred had been checking in on me. That was fine. I’d gotten my way.

If you need me, just link, and I’ll be there. Carol is breathing heavily over here anyway and driving me crazy, Garret teased.

I laughed. His little sister was two years younger than I was, landing right between Briar and me in age.

Deciding not to encourage him with a response, I focused on the sounds of the woods. Raccoons scurried by, and owls hooted. Some distance away, it sounded as if a fox or smaller predator was hunting for food. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

The world hadn’t changed yesterday. The only things impacted were my trust and heart.

Briar and I scouted nearly to the property line and had just turned around to head back when my hackles rose.

I glanced over my tail, but there was no sign of anyone behind me.

What the hell? Briar, do you sense anything, or is it just me?

I…I thought I was imagining things. I don’t see or smell anything around us.

A yelp sounded close by, and my blood turned to ice.

The pack link to one of the scouts who’d been running the stretch beside ours grew cold, indicating he’d died.

I was instinctively lifting my head to howl in mourning when Fred linked with us all, Everyone. Get ready to fight.