"Who are you?" I came awake with a jerk, disoriented and aching all over. 
A heavy male body lay beside me---we were both naked except for the sheet covering our bodies. 

I searched my memories of the night before, trying to figure out how I had gotten here while attempting to wrap the sheet around my body. I stopped when I realized I'd leave my bed partner totally nude.

I remembered myself saying over and over, "I'm your mate!"

I eased myself off the bed to look for clothes. I tried to be as quiet as I could so I didn't wake up the stranger. 

His scent was all over me, all over everything really. Rich and masculine, every time I breathed I felt as if I was being surrounded by the forest with hints of wood and a warm spice I couldn't name. I wanted to crawl back into bed beside him and never leave.

My wolf, Rayne, grumbled in my head, "We shouldn't leave! He is our mate!"

Rejected My Alpha Mate

"I think you really should let me put your hair up at least partially. In case, you know," Bella mimed throwing up, "It has been happening a lot lately."


I laughed easily because she was right. Morning sickness was troubling me more than expected. I still had dizzy spells and was forced to keep a tight check on my diet, but my whole life had changed in a week.


"Go ahead! I'll just sit here and pretend I'm at the salon."


Sitting on the couch, I turned so Bella could reach my hair. She and I were around the same size which had come in handy in the past when sharing clothes.


Our mothers had joked we only became friends to double our wardrobes.


I missed my mother terribly. Tears prickled my eyes and I sniffed at the sudden realization my mother would never see my child.


"Seriously? You're crying? You're going to give Salon Bella a bad name! Stop right this instant!"


Chapter 17