Falling For My Rejected Mate

Chapter 10

Caden

More than a week has passed since Carly began living with me. She has been heavily depressed since the tragedy of losing her parents, and for the last few days, she has barely spoken a single word. I was really worried about her for a while, but she seems to be doing better now. At least she is talking again, and while I know the pain from losing her parents will never go away, I’m happy she is trying to be social.

She is a powerful woman.

Funny and beautiful too.

I grunt as I set the barbell in place. There are footsteps coming down the stairs, and I dry my forehead on my wrist before sitting up on the bench press.

“Am I interrupting something?” Carly asks.

I smile. “Not at all.”

Carly smiles back. She is holding a tray of food, and he is what throws me off: even though I’m shirtless and pumped from working out, there is no reaction. She isn’t checking me out or biting her lip, or blushing. It’s unsettling. I swear Carly is the only woman in my pack that is immune to my charm.

What must I do in order to gain her attention? Work out even harder? I’m already f*****g huge, but perhaps I need even bigger muscles?

“Are you hungry?” Carly asks and interrupts my thoughts. She is still smiling while gliding further into the basement. “I made some toast and thought I would share.”

I crack my shoulders and flex my arms a little more than what is necessary because, let’s be honest: I got a bad case of butterflies. I might not believe in ever-lasting love, but Carly is on my mind twenty-four-seven, and I want her to look at me.

‘You also want her to want you as much as you want her…’

‘Shut up, Fenrir.’

He chuckles. ‘We both know I’m right.’

I swallow back my irritation and try to focus on how grateful I am that Carly actually made breakfast for me. My lips form a smile. “Thank you, Carly.”

“You’re welcome.”

I stand up to take the tray off Carly’s hands and lift an eyebrow when she finally looks at my abs and pectoral muscles now that they are in her face. It’s incredibly satisfying to have her ogle my body, and I hide a smirk. I’ve been going harder at the gym ever since she moved in with me, eager to make her see how fit I am. It might be ridiculous and pathetic, but I’m a sucker for her attention.

I take a large bite from the toast. “You know...if you want to do more than just look at my muscles, feel free to touch them. One of the perks of living with me is the daily petting times from nine to eleven.”

Her eyes widened into saucers, and I have to stifle a laugh. So this is how I make her embarrassed, huh? Interesting.

I take in her beet-red face, noticing how she seems to have difficulty swallowing. “W-what are you talking about? I wasn’t looking. I was just spacing out.”

I grin at her. “Sure.”

“It’s true!”

I tilt my head, unable to keep myself from chuckling. “Whatever you say.”

“I’m not lying, Caden!” She is laughing now, which makes me happy. Seeing her smile is like winning the lottery. Her eyes are puffy and dark from a lack of sleep, but she is gorgeous.

I take another bite of my food, not bothering to sit down as I wolf down the breakfast she gave me with one hell of an appetite. Because f**k me, Carly is talented in the kitchen. Even her simple toast tastes delicious.

“I really wasn’t checking you out. You have to believe me.”

Oh, are we still denying that? My lips twitch. Carly is funny, which is exactly why I feel the need to mess with her.

“If that is true, then why are you still standing here?” I ask in a challenging tone. I want to make her admit that she was totally checking me out.

“Because you’re wolfing down the food so quickly that I might as well wait for the plate.”

“Hmm... that’s true.”

Her eyes shimmer with her infamous mischievous sparkle. “I still don’t understand how you’re not fat. You have the appetite of a starving wolf, so it’s a miracle that you’re in such great shape.”

“Are you changing the subject?”

She giggles. “Maybe?”

“You little shithead...” I shake my head at her, but while my words are harsh, I’m amused. Carly is the only pack member that dares to talk to me like this. No one else would point out that I have a big appetite, except for my teammates, but that doesn’t count. We have known each other forever. I sigh. “Is it really that hard to admit you find me attractive?”

My words are meant to irk Carly or at least get her to blush or something. But to my surprise, she doesn’t bat an eye and smirks at me instead.

“Aww, poor Caden. Does it bother you that you’ve found a woman who doesn’t drool over the sight of your body? Is your ego bruised?”

“Very bruised,” I’m not lying and can confirm that it stings a little that Carly isn’t all over me. She is my mate, yet she is playing hard to get. It frustrates me. Though, I guess there is still a card I haven’t used yet.

“It bothers me that you’re set on pretending as if this isn’t what you want,” I gesture at my abs and body with a tiny smirk. “Because you and I both know what the guys look like in the books you read. Isn’t that right, Miss? Alpha’s regret?”

This time, her cheeks turn even redder than before. “How do you know I’m reading that?”

“I glanced down at your phone on the table yesterday and saw it.”

“Oh…”

“Mhm…” I grin, and she pouts at me.

“Wel…so what if I like abs?” She asks in a grumpy tone. “At least half the female population does. Abs are hot as hell.”

Now it’s my turn to pout. “Then how come you haven’t accidentally touched me while I’m sleeping yet?”

Carly rolls those beautiful pale blue eyes at me, but I can see that there is a smile tugging on her lips. Sadly, she changes the topic.

“So…Felix mentioned a birthday party for some twins when he was here yesterday. He said you were invited so...are you going?”

“No, that would be awkward.” Ah, Jennika and Jenna, two very nice werewolf women. Very...consenting.

Carly’s eyes narrow, and I suddenly feel like a deer caught in headlights.

“You slept with one of them, didn’t you?”

How the heck did she figure that out?

Panic settles in my chest, but I can’t show weakness, or Carly will get mad. I give her an easygoing smile. “Is that what you think?”

Her face pales. I don’t know how or why, but it’s as if she can read things on my face that aren’t even there. “Jesus, Caden! Did you sleep with both of them?!”

What the f**k?!

Carly is seriously a mind-reader!

I tilt my head. “Is that a crime?”

She blinks at me in disbelief. “Oh my god, so you slept with them both! I knew it!”

“Uhh...yes?” Is that a problem?

Her expression turns uncertain. “No...I guess I just...shit. I don’t know what I was thinking. I just sort of forgot that you’re you: Caden, the Alpha of my pack and one hell of a linebacker. Of course, you slept with both of those women.”

“Oh,” my face softens. “Were you hoping that I would be a virgin for my fated mate?”

Shit, have I ruined my chances with Carly because I’ve slept with other women? I honestly didn’t think I would ever meet my fated mate, and… I’m not really traditional either. Saving myself for my mate seemed like a stupid idea. I get why some people do it, but that just isn’t me. It’s basically the same as not having s*x before you get married.

“That’s not it,” Carly says. “I’m just curious how you made two sisters agree on having a threesome with you. Because let’s be honest: that’s probably what it was.”

“Foursome,” I correct her. “There was a third girl involved.”

Carly stares at me, more horrified than amused. “You had s*x with three girls at the same freaking time?”

I shrug. “More or less.” Why is she acting as if that’s strange? It’s really no big deal. They all wanted to serve their Alpha.

“I see...” Carly’s expression is judgmental when she looks me up and down with her searching eyes. “Was the s*x even any good?”

A dry laugh leaves my mouth. I’m finally done eating and set down the plate. “Okay, let’s end the discussion right here and now because you’re not going to like the answer.”

She scowls. “Oh, so that’s how it is.”

“Huh?” I blink and try to read her expression. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing important. I’m just suddenly reminded of why sleeping with you is a terrible idea.”

Her words are like a slap to my face, each word punching through my defenses. I usually don’t give two cents about other people’s opinions, but Carly matters to me, and she is looking at me like I’m disgusting.

I swallow thickly, and my voice comes out soft and low. “Would it really be that bad?”

“Yes, because I would prefer losing my virginity to someone who will actually remember my face in the morning. Now I understand I couldn’t possibly ask that of you.”

Ouch, why is it so painful hearing that Carly thinks that I’m a bad bet for the future?

“I would definitely not forget yours,” I mean it. She is my mate; how could I possibly forget her face in the morning?

Carly, however, doesn’t look convinced. “I bet you say that to all of your victims.”

I laugh and shake my head at her. “You’re so guarded with me.”

“Can you blame me?” She questions.” You’re you, and I’m me.”

I frown. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“That you’re popular and I’m not.”

Is she insulting herself again?

I feel my anger rising.

“Stop talking about yourself as if you’re worth less than me,” I snap, my patience finally wearing thin. “You’re beautiful, smart, and capable. You’re an asset to our pack, and you deserve more credit than you give yourself.”

Her eyes widen at my outburst, but before she can say anything, I continue, “And who cares if I’m popular and you’re not? Or that I’m the goddamn Alpha, and you’re the Omega? We are both werewolves. We have that in common. And besides, what is wrong with mixing things up a bit? Who says we can’t defy convention?”

She stares at me for a moment, almost as if she is seeing me in a new light. “You’re right,” she finally says. “I shouldn’t judge you based on your reputation or your past actions or on you being the Alpha. But I still can’t help feeling as if you and I are polar opposites. I think that even our friendship is strange.”

I take a step closer to her, invading her personal space. She is forced to lift her head to meet my eyes, so I lean down to close some of our height difference. She is so small compared to me, delicate, and so utterly precious. Angelic face. Soft brown hair that barely reaches her shoulders and huge blue eyes.

My heart melts as I look at her, and my voice goes soft. “You have to stop thinking so much.”

“How?”

I sigh when I see her thoughtful expression. “Haven’t I proven to you that we can be friends? Haven’t I made you laugh and smile a lot this past week?”

Carly’s eyes soften, and I know that I’ve managed to break through some of her walls. “You have,” she admits softly. “And I do enjoy spending time with you.”

“Then why not take a chance?” I ask, my voice low and husky. “Let’s see where this goes. If we don’t try, we will never know.”

She hesitates for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip before finally speaking. “Now isn’t a good time for what you’re asking of me.”

Oh, s**t, this conversation turned deep, but whatever, I’m all here for it.

“There might never be a good time,” I counter. “s**t happens all the goddamn time.”

“I know... I’m just...give me some time, okay?”

“Fair enough.”

I understand that Carly wishes to wait. She just went through something traumatic, and the last thing she needs is to date me or give me another chance or whatever. f**k. What was I thinking when I brought this up now?

Gah.

I’m such an i***t.

I really should learn how to keep my mouth shut. I have never had a serious relationship and I don’t believe in love so it’s great that Carly isn’t falling for my flirting attempts or agreeing to go out with me. Because I would ruin everything.

Why?

Because I don’t even know what I want from Carly. The mate bonds exist in order for werewolves to breed, but my brain?

My brain is confused.

I’ve never been a romantic guy, but Carly makes me want to go and buy flowers just to put a smile on her face. I’ve never felt like that before. I also don’t hate the idea of actually dating her and taking her out for dinner.

Holy crap.

Am I turning into a wimp?!

“Maybe a party would be good for me…” Carly mumbles.

I arch an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

“Mhm…it might help me get out of my own head.”

I smile. “Say less.”