Rejected By the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #5)

21. Kaylee

21

Kaylee

Curled in someone’s embrace, I open my eyes to find that Marco is holding me. There are dark circles under his eyes and stubble the same shade of red as his hair on his jaw. True to his words, Marco stayed with me and helped me through the pain. I lost consciousness sometime after he told me he would keep me fed and hydrated, and I am glad.

The pain consumed me.

Captured me.

Burned and broke me.

But I woke up today.

I am alive.

I survived .

Marco is fast asleep, his chest rising and falling as he holds me gently against him. His heartbeat is comforting, and I think back to the last time I spent the night in someone’s arms. I woke up alone. Woke up to the other side of the bed cold. I was attacked, rejected, and banished, because I was left alone.

Marco never left me alone, and I am so grateful for it.

“Good morning,” Marco mutters, his face moving to look down at me.

“Morning,” I mumble, blushing. He caught me staring.

“How do you feel, Kay?” he asks, brushing my hair out of my face. I know I should move, to distance myself from someone who is not my mate, but goddess, does it feel good to not feel alone anymore.

“Sore, but better. The dam in my mind is gone, and I feel lighter inside,” I answer, resting my head against his chest again.

“That’s good. You will need to take it easy for a few days for your body to heal, but I say give it three days, and you will be kicking me and Ash’s asses in no time.” I laugh at this, thinking back to the day before the ceremony when I was training with Marco and Ash in a two-versus-one match. I throttled them, and they needed to be sent to the pack hospital to be looked at. I remember looking at Royce while two warriors helped the injured Marco and Ash to the hospital, and asking if he wanted to spar. He made some excuse and was gone.

“How long have I been out of it?” I ask, closing my eyes as Marco playing with my hair makes me feel sleepy.

“Five days. Amelia sent Adam in with food, and to check on you.”

“Did I hurt or scare him?” I ask, worried about the pup.

“No. I told him this is the consequence of rejecting his mate. He promised me he would never put anyone through what you were put through, because, and I quote, ‘Seeing my big sis like this is scary. No one deserves this.’ Then the kid left, after giving you a hug and telling you to feel better.” My heart melts as I think about Adam. His scent lingers inside the room, so I know what Marco told me is true. I am glad I didn’t scare him, and as soon as I can, I will track him down and give him a proper hug.

“He called me his big sister?” I ask, my lips curling in a smile.

“Yeah. Those three love you like a sister. It’s no wonder you made a familial bond with Amelia, David, and the pups.” His voice is soft, and I wonder what Marco is thinking. The only thing I know about his past is that his mate rejected him. Now I know it was for Nathaniel Cross. What was his childhood like? Where are his parents? I decide that after how he has been the friend I needed, I will be there for him when he is ready to talk.

“Has anything happened since we locked ourselves in… actually, where are we?” Pushing myself off of Marco, I look around the room. It seems so familiar to me, but also different.

“Your cottage. While you were busy helping the pack last week, Amelia had taken some omegas, and they decorated your cottage and bought furniture. We are in the main room,” Marco answers with a laugh. That’s why this place seems so familiar to me as I take in the room. We are in front of a fireplace, the fire inside small and warming the room. I remember how cold I felt when we first arrived, and thank Marco for making sure I stayed warm. He waves it off as he stands, stretching while I remain seated.

This is my house.

The walls are a sage green, the same color I had shown Amelia on one of our many nights in a hotel room. I had shown her the plans and furniture I wanted to buy once I became a member of Silver Paw.

“I need to thank her,” I muse, climbing to my feet. Marco lets out a short laugh as he makes his way to the kitchen side of the main room, and rummages through the fridge. I wince when I take my first step, my body reminding me that I have literally been through hell and back over the last few days and that I should be resting, not standing.

“Sit your perky ass on that couch. I will bring you coffee and some scones Amelia brought last night to you,” Marco orders without looking at me, his voice muffled by the fridge. I bristle at his tone, wanting to remind him that I am his superior now but stop myself. Marco is my friend. He helped me through the pain. Fighting the part of me that wants to prove I am fine, I slowly lower myself onto the couch and groan when I move too fast. Scratch that, I am not fine.

“So, what else have I missed?” I ask as Marco places scones on the coffee table beside me, before backtracking to the kitchen and returning with a coffee mug in each hand, handing one to me. I sip at the hot liquid as the redhead takes a seat beside me, watching him munch on a scone.

“Not much. Some wolves have been sneaking around our borders, and we taught them a lesson. Sent them back to their packs. Homes are being rebuilt.” He shrugs, avoiding eye contact with me, and I begin to grow suspicious. Marco and I have grown close enough now to know when he is avoiding telling me something.

“Marco,” I growl a warning, my eyes narrowing into slits as I watch him.

“What else happened?” This is an order, and I allow just enough power of my new position to slip through to show I am serious. He sighs, placing his mug on the table as he wrings his hands. He really doesn’t want to tell me whatever it is he is hiding.

“Amelia got a call from a beta at another pack. Things have gotten bad there recently, and many wolves are ready to abandon it, even if it means going rogue,” he begins explaining hesitantly.

“Oh. That’s it? I thought we had war declared on us,” I laugh, reaching for a scone.

“That’s not all,” Marco sighs, turning to finally look at me.

“The beta asked Amelia if we would be able to make room and take these wolves in. She told the beta that she needs some time to think about it, because one, we are still rebuilding Ivory Fangs, and two, we needed your input before we decide what to do.” My hand pauses, hovering over the scone as I look into Marco’s eyes. They are grim and apologetic, and a sinking feeling fills me.

“Marco…” I begin, placing my mug on the table and standing from the couch.

“What pack does this beta belong to?” My voice quavers as my friend looks away, guilt radiating from his body.

“Amelia said she would tell you,” he counters back, his voice low.

“No. You tell me.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair before he turns back to look at me, his playfulness from when we woke up gone as he reaches out and takes my hand, squeezing it.

“It’s Beta Kurt, of Oak Fur.”