Page 6 of Rejected Alpha Mate

Swallowing what’s left of my pride, I drink my shot, the alcohol burning my throat just in time for Donna and Tobias to rejoin the party. If I’m supposed to behave tonight, I’ll have to keep my eyes down as the party proceeds, and everyone grabs a plate to get meat off the grill.

But Donna’s presence is overwhelming; she’s everywhere, the sweet, soft scent of lavender choking me and taking my appetite with my dying spirit. It’s getting harder and harder to breathe the same air as she does without looking once her way.

I know it’s for the best, but I hate it, my skin crawling with the dire need to just meet her eyes, even once. But I have to be careful.

“I’m gonna be practicing in the city,” I hear her telling the others, and something inside me dies.

Donna won’t be returning to Nightmist.

Why does that feel so unsettling, like I’m losing her even if I have no right to call her mine?

“I’ll also be in the city, so Donna won’t be alone,” Tobias tells them in a reassuring tone that sets me off.

My hands curl into fists at my sides, fueled by the jealousy coursing through my veins. My blood becomes hotter than ever, boiling, about to burst at the seams of my human body to unleash the wrath of my inner wolf.

Why does he get to be so close to her? Why does his arm brush against hers every time his body jerks with laughter?

It’s not fair. This isn’t how it should be.

Crushing my empty disposable plate and discarding it in the trash can beside the dying fire, I grab another beer from the cooler and march toward Donna. I can’t pretend like she doesn’t exist, like her mere presence doesn’t affect me in unfathomable ways.

“I’m glad to hear that, Tobias,” Dominic says appreciatively. “I’ll have one less thing to worry about if I know my sister won’t be alone out there.”

Donna bites her worrying bottom lip before plastering a smile on her face for her brother’s sake. My eyes narrow as I gauge her discreet reaction.

Is Donna staying in the city to stay out of Dominic’s way?

Maybe I’m reading too deeply into it, but I know Donna well enough to know that she cares too much about her brother.

And now more than ever, with the threat of the dark lord looming over our heads, Dominic has his plate full, just like the rest of us.

Donna probably doesn’t want to add to his worries. And here I was thinking that she was staying in the city to be with Tobias.

I throw my head back and take a huge chug of my beer, hoping the cold drink will cool down my nerves. But as it flows down my throat, I hear Donna bidding the group good night, and quickly straighten my neck to look at her.

“I’m exhausted, guys,” she says with a frown, appearing to keep her eyes glued to her empty plate. “I think I’m gonna head to my tent for the night.”

“Me too,” Tobias chirps in, too eager, too excited for someone claiming to be tired. “Graduation day was hectic as hell.” He stretches his arms over his head. “I’m just as tired.”

“Want me to show you to your tent?” I step forward quickly with the offer, prompting Donna to look up and meet my eyes.

There’s an unmistakable glow in her dark brown orbs, like the earth opened up and revealed every secret of the universe to me.

“That won’t be necessary, Nicholas,” Tobias interjects, rudely interrupting the moment. “Santo already showed us where our tents are.”

When Donna tears her eyes away, I blink and readjust my vision, turning them on Tobias with a snarl building in the back of my throat.

“You sure you can find your way, Toby?” I ask with bitterness on my tongue, as if his name is poisonous.

“Yeah, don’t worry, Nick,” the damned boy smirks. “I’m not that drunk. Neither is Donna.”

“Hmph,” I concede with a short nod, irritation simmering through my bloodstream. Watching the two of them walk toward the resort’s luxury tent area out of the corner of my eye, I grunt when they’ve disappeared out of sight.

“Everything okay with you, Nick?” Dominic asks as he observes my face curiously.

I sniff and straighten up, realizing I’ve emptied another bottle.

“You have any of the good stuff on you?” I ask Dominic, desperately craving something stronger than alcohol, to loosen up my nerves. Alcohol burns out too quickly, and the only thing intoxicating for our kind is wolfsbane in lower doses that aren’t lethal.