Rejection

Chapter 39 - Courtship

---Kyle's POV ---

There was a nervous flutter in my stomach unlike anything I've ever felt. Even the fearful thrill of months, years ago, sneaking onto pack territory as a nomadic rogue, was nothing compared to this sudden agitation.

Still seated where Elliot left us, suddenly I had a hard time looking in Drake's general direction. Even he seemed to look everywhere but me, seemingly trying to find whatever he needed to say.

I nearly groaned when I felt my cheeks heat up in a surprising blush, making me feel all kinds of awkward. It was almost as if we were a pair of teens that just discovered their feelings for one another.

Though it was amusing to peek a glance at Drake and observe the powerful Alpha, whom had just effortlessly plowed through one of the hardest conversations one could have.

Talking to the mate that rejected you in the face and offering them a place to stay so they could heal.

Yet now I was watching Drake, a selfless and powerful Alpha, who had been nothing but confident in his actions, stumble over his own tongue.

As if he was dreading that one wrongly worded sentence, one bad impression, could ruin whatever this was. Acting like a prepubescent teen, attempting to confess to their very first crush.

And yet through all his nervousness, through my own awkwardness and the hissed warnings of my bruised heart... I was more than aware of Drake's thumb, still gently caressing the back of my hand.

Even subconsciously, he was aware and careful of my scars, using less pressure, less force whenever his thumb approached a scar. Barely tickling over the raised and sensitive surface, only for his touch to firm over unmarred skin.

The touch was thoughtful, calm and soothing any nerves that reared their ugly heads. Such a simple thing to do, a stupid gesture that displayed so many intentions within it.

It made me blink rapidly, choking up on a sudden onslaught of emotions. There was a sudden thought that, even though my wolf agreed with, made guilt instantly stab me in the gut.

Why weren't we destined to mate? Why did we both have to suffer, if we were going to end up as Choice mates to begin with?

Sadness flushed through my system like an icy, painful and irrepressible wave that threatened to flood me. So much pain and suffering could've been prevented if we had been paired from the start.

It also made me realize how much I still suffered, how much both my wolf and I ached because of Max's actions.

Because I had grown up in the nomadic lifestyle, had always admired packs from afar. But could never join them, until I had met my mate.

Everything I had wanted in life, had dreamed about for years. To be accepted by a pack, to have a large, loving family surrounding you at every time of the day.

People you could rely on. Could build a future on. All that I had wanted, and it had been served to me on a silver platter. Hell, I had even started thinking of parenthood, of adopting pups.

Only for all of that to be taken away from me, brutally, by none other than my mate.

It wasn't until I felt soft fingers against my cheek that I realized I was whispering this against Drake's chest. That he had noticed I was having a breakdown of my own, was encouraging me to let it all out, to process the hurt.

Within the warmth of his embrace, I didn't feel weak. I didn't feel like a trembling mess that had to snarl at the world to keep everyone at a safe distance, to keep myself safe and unhurt.