Page 61 of Choosing the Rejected Mate

Cole’s eyes flick past me and widen slightly.

“Maisie called,” he says, stepping into the doorway, his words meant for me.When he turns to Cole, his voice is low and menacing.“You should leave.”

The words are quiet, but they still shake through me.

Cole straightens, recovering his arrogance quickly.“This doesn’t concern you.”

Daniel moves closer, and my wolf surges in relief, but I lift one hand without looking back.Stop, and Daniel stops.Immediately.The shock of that tiny obedience goes through the room like a spark.

Cole notices.Maisie notices.I notice most of all.

Daniel does not step in front of me, and he does not take over.He stands beside me.Not blocking or claiming.

My throat tightens so hard it hurts.

Cole sneers.“How sweet.She has you trained.”

Daniel’s eyes glow amber, but his voice stays calm.“She has me respectful.I understand that might confuse someone like you.”

Maisie whispers, “Oh, I like him,” and I almost laugh.

Cole’s face twists.“You don’t know her.”

Daniel looks at me.Not possessive or uncertain.Just letting me decide how much of myself I want to share.

I turn back to Cole.“He knows enough.”

“Does he know you were denied because Rowan believed your wolf was weak?”

The room tilts, and Daniel goes dangerously still.

Cole’s smile returns, cruel and satisfied.“Does he know Rowan had doubts long before the ceremony?That everyone did?You were always soft.Always too emotional.Too needy.Too human in all the wrong ways.”

My hands shake, and I fucking hate that they do.I hate that a man I don’t even respect can still find the old bruises.

Daniel’s hand appears beside mine on the counter.Not touching but close, just offering support if I choose it.I stare at it for a moment.Big, scarred, and steady.I place my hand over his and the bond warms instantly, not taking away my pain but standing inside it with me.

I lift my chin.“Rowan denied me because he was a coward.”Cole’s smile falters.“He wanted a mate who made him feel powerful,” I continue, voice growing steadier.“A mate who elevated him.A mate who made the pack clap and bow and whisper about bloodlines.I was never a woman to him.I was a title he didn’t want once he decided it didn’t shine bright enough.”

Cole’s jaw locks.“And you know what?”I lean forward, smiling now.“Thank the Goddess.”His eyes narrow.“Because if he had claimed me, I would have spent the rest of my life trying to become small enough for him to tolerate.Instead, he broke the bond, and it hurt like hell.It almost destroyed me.But then I left, and everything changed for the better.I built this bakery.I found my wolf again.I found myself.”

My fingers tighten around Daniel’s.“And now I have a man standing beside me who wants me because I’m me.Not because of what I can give him.Not because of a pack.Not because of a title.Not because fate dragged him here by the balls and told him to behave.”

Daniel makes a strangled sound, and Maisie coughs loudly, failing to hide her laughter.

I keep going.“So you can go back to Rowan and tell him this from me.He had his chance.He wasted it.I’m not a consolation prize he gets to reclaim now that his pride hurts.I’m not leftovers, I’m not broken, and I’m not his.”

Cole’s face darkens.“You think this is over?”

“No,” I say sweetly.“I think your time in my bakery is over.”

He looks at Daniel.“You can’t protect her forever.”

Daniel smiles then, but it’s not his warm smile.It’s all feral wolf.All teeth and promise.

“I don’t need to protect her from you,” he says.“She just handed you your ass while wearing an apron.”

Maisie sighs.“Team Handyman.”