Rejected Mate

"I enjoyed this read!!!" - Noemi ★★★★★

"Nancy's take on shifters is totally different and a joy to read." - T. Dot ★★★★★

"This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster." -R.C. ★★★★★

"Full of emotion!" - Hilt ★★★★★

"Definitely worth 5 stars!" - P. Browning ★★★★★

"You will love this one! It is so good!" - Donna L. ★★★★★

"You're bleeding." She brushed back his fur and gently touched the skin around a long gash. "This wasn't from a fight, was it?"

He shook his head, the only answer he could give in his limited form.

She stared into his eyes. Not a hint of fear showed in her expression. She treated his dad and the other dominants with the respect owed them by avoiding eye contact. Never with Nic, at least not in private, but the rules were different around the other wolves. Riley had always understood the need for hierarchy among the members. In the pack's eyes, she was as low as one could be. In his, she was his equal.

"Shift and tell me why you decided to drag your sorry ass to my house. None of these cuts need my attention."

Not happening. Through his wolf's eyes, he felt nothing physical toward her. Only his memories reminded him of what it was like to love her. If he shifted? One whiff of her sweet fragrance, and he'd want to devour her.

On a huff, she pushed to her feet. She planted her hands on her flaring hips. "Fine, be stubborn. I'm in no mood. Go home and lick your own wounds."

Hannah straightened and dropped fisted hands to her side. "You're leaving?"

"Yes. Did you expect me to stay?"

"Actually, I did." Hannah stepped forward. "And I expect you to fight for what's yours."

Riley snorted. "If you're talking about Nic, what good would it do? He made his choice four years ago, and I'm not it."

"Nic made his choice long before that, and you're wrong. It was you."

She sighed. "Look, Hannah, I'm not going to argue with you. Nic loved me once. I don't question that, but he loves the pack more."

Hannah opened her mouth then closed it without saying a word.

"What?" Riley chuckled. "Not going to try and tell me I'm wrong?"

"Nic is under a lot of pressure to do what's right. It has nothing to do with loving you."

Riley rolled her eyes. How many times had she heard this argument? It had gotten old, and it never helped. "Oh, thanks. That makes me feel so much better."

"I'm not trying to make anything better for you. This is your fight, but I know one thing"—Hannah's voice took on a low growl—"you walk away from him, you're a fool."

"A fool? I'd be a fool if I stayed and watched Nic mate another woman." Riley stepped closer, anger vibrating within her, and glared at Hannah. "I'd be a fool if I stayed and had to deliver her baby. I won't do it, not for you or the pack. I won't stay and watch Nic live the life he should've with me."

Nic grabbed the pants and tugged them on. "I'm decent."

She snorted. "Since when? The Nic I remember was wicked and unrefined."

A smile tugged at his mouth. She'd always liked him a little wild. He wouldn't comment on it, though. It was best he kept his visit as emotionally unattached as possible. Fat chance of that happening, but he'd give it a shot. It was the only hope he had of surviving the next few minutes without giving in to the urge to push her up against the nearest wall and reclaim her body.

"I meant, I'm dressed."

Riley turned and swept her gaze over him. Her intense study lingered on the growing bulge in his sweats before she dragged her attention higher, skimming over his chest and leaving awareness in her wake. His skin tingled as if she'd licked him.

Her gaze finally collided with his. Desire simmered in her blue eyes. He waited for her to say something, maybe come to him. Touch him. She didn't. She merely watched him. The next move was on him.

He closed the distance between them until only a foot separated them. It was as close as he trusted himself to get. "I came to apologize."

Riley stared into his eyes for a long moment, then linked her arms around his neck. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"I think it's a wonderful idea. I've missed you."

Silence stretched. The tension between them built. Passion or anger—he wasn't sure how it'd end. He only knew it'd be explosive.

Life-altering.

Nic gripped the phone tighter and fought to keep his breathing even. He thought he'd been so careful around Riley to avoid giving away their involvement. "There's only one human female in our pack. She's a sweet girl. My age. I'm protective of her. Always have been."

"That I can believe. She is a pretty little thing, but that doesn't explain..." Rick's statement trailed off.

Nic's instincts flared. Here was the point Rick was trying to make, and if he had to lead into it, then it was going to be bad. "Explain what?"

"Why your little human has never been seen in anything but a turtleneck shirt or a scarf."

"Nic." She breathed his name against his lips, hoping he understand everything she couldn't say.

"Yes, Riley." He skimmed his parted lips to her ear. "I'm yours."

Her heart raced. "What are you saying?"