Rejected By the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #5)

60. Lucas

60

Lucas

Watching Kaylee walk into the pack infirmary was harder than I thought it would be. I should be in there, holding her and helping her through the trauma she has endured. Instead, she makes both Marco and I stay outside.

“She seems mad with us,” Marco states, as soon as the door closes and Kaylee can no longer hear us.

“Most likely mad at me, and annoyed with you,” I add, getting a glare from the redheaded wolf.

“I won’t ask what happened, but I have an inkling of it. For now, we should give her some space.” I growl at Marco’s words, but he is right. Kaylee went through a lot, and judging from what my aunt told us before we attacked Shadow Moon, Kaylee will need some time to deal with the aftermath of being kidnapped. Marco suggests taking me to where I am staying so I can shower and rest as well before I am shown around the pack, and I thank him for the offer. Truth is, I am exhausted, between running away from Oak Fur and then instantly rushing into a rescue mission when I got to Ivory Fangs. I could use some sleep.

Hopping into the passenger seat of Marco’s jeep, the wolf begins to drive but surprises me as he takes the road leading to the dormitories, and not the one that will take me to my aunt and uncle’s house.

“You went the wrong way,” I state with confusion. Marco sighs, giving me an apologetic look, and I get a bad feeling.

“Amelia told me to settle you in the dorms. David already had your room set up, and you’ll be staying there until we decide your role in the pack.”

“Then what about my room at my aunt’s place?”

“Kaylee will be staying there until she is fully healed. Alpha’s orders, and I can’t say no to my alpha.” For a moment I feel hurt that my aunt would push me aside, but then I realize Kaylee needs them more than me. I was the one that pushed my aunt and her family away long before I rejected Kaylee, especially when Kaylee lost her parents and my aunt and uncle lost their best friends. To them, Kaylee is family, more than I am at times. Deciding to push aside my feelings, I accept the new arrangements, and soon we reach the dorms.

Walking into the building, I spot the wolves I brought from Oak Fur chatting in a lounge area with Ivory Fangs wolves, the group talking about the initiation ceremony that will take place soon. Their conversation ends when they spot Marco and me, and without hesitation, they all begin asking about Kaylee. It takes a moment to reassure them that Kaylee is home safe with David and the pups before the group returns to their own conversation. Some have their eyes glaze over, most likely linking everyone of my return and the news of Kaylee.

I am once again amazed at how close-knit this pack is. It is different from Oak Fur, where we had our factions. What amazes me the most is the respect and care they have for Kaylee, who is still only eighteen years old. This scene reminds me that I really did fuck up when I rejected her. That, had we mated, Oak Fur would be just like Ivory Fangs and growing stronger. With a sigh, I look to Marco who waits patiently for me before the elevator, a knowing look in his eyes as we step inside the machine.

“You really do regret it all,” he mumbles, making me nod.

“I do. It was the biggest mistake of my life,” I agree, getting a sigh from my frenemy.

“Well, I hope you know I will be pursuing her.” I bristle at his words but even I can’t say much. I saw the way she ran into his arms. How she cried into his shoulders out of pure relief. Kaylee and Marco have a connection, I can’t deny that. But I can try my best to show her that I am sorry, and will love her the way I should have. The mending mate bond hums in agreement with me, and reminds me that even if Marco tries to win her heart, Kaylee is my goddess-given mate. We are meant for one another.

The elevator ride is filled with silence until it stops. With a small chime of a bell, we exit on the fifth floor and make our way to the last door on the right. Marco hands me the keys, telling me to do the honor, and so I unlock the door. The first thing I am greeted with is a small entryway. I thought the dorms would have a single room with the required bedroom necessities, but I was wrong. To the left of the entryway is an arched doorway, leading to a small kitchen with a minifridge, sink, stove, and counter. It is small with limited storage, but it is perfect for someone living alone. Past the entryway is a larger room with a double bed, a table with three chairs, and a couch facing a television mounted on the wall. Under the television is a small dresser.

“Wow,” I whisper, shocked once again by the contrast of Ivory Fangs compared to Oak Fur. The dorms there were just a double bed, a desk, and a dresser.

“You like the room?” Marco asks with a smile, his eyes also scanning the room.

“I do. It’s perfect for a single wolf, or even a newly mated couple,” I admit, getting a chuckle from the other wolf.

“That was the thought in mind.” Walking to the minifridge, he bends down and grabs two water bottles from inside, throwing me one.

“The design was Kaylee’s idea. She told us about the horrible ones in your old pack, and had the construction crew build a couple of dorms with layouts like this,” he continues, before taking a sip of his water. My heart twangs as I look around the room again, spying another door by the bed that I soon discover is the bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet. Kaylee really would have made a good Luna.

“Anyways, I need to go check in with my wolves. Get some rest, and I will see you at the pack house for dinner.” With that, Marco leaves my new home, and I find myself being able to breathe. As much as I hate Marco for attacking me—and for being so close with Kaylee—he is a good man. If things had gone differently at Oak Fur and I married Marilyn, I could see Kaylee ending up with him. But things changed, and I am here. I don’t care if he is my rival now, because I will do everything I can to win my Kaylee back.