The Lonely Rogue

Chapter 24 Caspian

"My first mate died seven years ago." I said and her eyes went wide,

"I'm....I'm your second chance mate?"

"You are. Sabrina, my first mate, was killed by rogues." I explained and realization lit up her face.

"So, you hate rogues now. What a surprise when your second chance mate ended up being one." She frowned.

"Yes, but that's not why I've been....distant." I spoke quickly.

"No?"

"No. It...I didn't, I don't think I deserve another mate since I couldn't protect my first one." I mumbled, looking at the ground.

"That's....." She started but pressed her lips together, unable to finish her sentence.

"Stupid, I know, I've been told." I chuckled humorlessly.

"No, I was going to say sad." Her voice caught my attention and I looked up into her comforting eyes.

"You were?" I wondered.

"You know, I have my own reasons, too." She said and I blinked in surprise.

"Reasons for what?" I inquired.

"For wanting to reject my mate." Her words cut through me like a knife, "I always planned to reject him."

"Wh....why?" I was barely able to ask.

"Who would want to deal with a rogue wolf and all her family's drama? It's easier to reject someone before they have the chance to hurt me. Besides, I'm happy living out my lonely rogue existence with the humans. I don't need a pack or a mate." Her face grew hard and stern as she spoke.

"You're not a rogue." I argued.

"I'm as good as. Packless, rogue, what's the difference? Either way, I'm nothing." She said venomously. I grabbed her hand,

"You are not nothing." I replied passionately, "Stop saying that."

"Sorry, your highness, but you haven't exactly treated me like something all this time." She glared at me.

"Don't." I closed my eyes.

"Don't what?" She spat.

"Don't call me that, please. Don't call me your highness, your grace, King, Alpha, none of it. I'm just Caspian to you." I opened my eyes and they melted into hers.

"I don't understand, what kind of trick is this?" She whispered.

"It's not a trick, I swear, Junie. I know I've given you no reason to trust me, I know I haven't treated you how I should. I don't deserve you, but....I can't stay away from you anymore." I confessed in a weak voice. She blinked at me, staying silent.

"If you want to reject me, I'll.....I'll let you finish this time and I'll accept it. If that's what you really want, I'll do it." I forced myself to say.

"What....what do you want?" She stuttered.

"I want you to give me a chance to prove to you how sorry I am and how important you are to me. I promise, Junie, if you let me, I'll be every ounce the mate you deserve. I won't let anything happen to you." I leaned towards her, moving as close as she would let me so I could drink in her scent.

"I won't make it easy." She said and I shook my head in disbelief,

"I wouldn't suspect you to."

"I won't leave my job, my school, or the human realm. Not yet, anyway. You'll have to prove it to me here, on my terms." She demands.