Page 10 of His Rejected Fated Mate

“You owe me an apology.” I crossed my arms.

He nodded. “I do. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to go down like this. But this is a good thing, Elize.”

A part of me wanted to believe him, but things weren’t connecting, and I didn’t like it. There was more to this story, and I wanted to know what it was.

“I don’t believe you.”

Martin looked shocked. “What?”

I had always believed in Martin growing up. He had always been at my side and encouraged me. I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt me, but he had.

“I know you probably didn’t mean to do it this way, and that you’re thinking about what was best for the pack. But you could have handled this differently. I’m your niece, Martin. I’m not just someone. I’m family. I didn’t deserve to be caught off guard like that. And you know my history with Troy. You should have handled this better.”

Martin frowned. “Elize, I promise…”

I waved a hand, cutting him off. “I’m too angry to have a conversation with you. So, just take me back home.”

He frowned. “Elize, we were going to go get food. Let’s get food and discuss this.”

“No.” I snapped. “Take me home. Either you take me home, or I will walk, but either way I’m leaving.”

I heard footsteps and turned to find Troy stepping out of the meeting room. He looked between us, seeming unsure of what to do.

I turned, shoving the door open, and stepped outside. I could hear Martin behind me, but I ignored him.

The drive home was quiet, and neither of us spoke. I was fuming for the entire drive. I was mad at my uncle and Troy. I was mad at myself. I couldn’t believe that I’d agreed. But I couldn’t help but think about the convent. If what my uncle was saying was true, and dark magic was being used against them, I couldn’t ignore it. I couldn’t let my emotions stop me from doing what was best for the convent.

They opened their arms to me when I needed them, and I couldn’t let anything happen to them. I wasn’t sure about what was happening, but I knew that the convent came before anything else. I couldn’t let anything happen to them.

When Martin brought me there, I met Victoria. She was an old woman who showed me the ropes. She was married to Charlie, who was like a second father to me. Everyone welcomed me in with open arms, and I’d never felt so loved.

As we pulled into the convent, Martin turned to me. He sighed softly. “Elize, I was just doing what was best for everyone. You believe me, don’t you? I would never do anything to hurt you.”

I nodded. “I believe you. But that doesn’t wipe away what happened.”

“I’m sorry, Elize. I really mean it. That wasn’t how I wanted today to go.”

I swallowed. I looked toward the buildings, taking them in. I knew he meant well. “I know, Martin.”

“Good.”

I got out and headed up the stairs toward my apartment. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. I stared at my apartment to angry to be home. I needed to talk to someone.

So, I turned around and marched myself back downstairs. I turned and headed into the small healing center. I found Victoria sitting at the small table, filling containers. The small bell above the door rang, and she turned. Victoria’s glasses were placed on her nose as she tried to focus on me.

“Hey, Victoria.”

“Elize, what brings you down?” She smiled as she fixed her glasses and wiped her hands on her apron. Victoria was the spitting image of an old lady in a small shop. We had on a long dress and a green apron. Her gray hair was pulled up and held by a pin. She curled it every night. She’d told me she always put herself together to always look good for Charlie.

“Can I talk to you about something?” I walked over, grabbed a seat next to her, and pulled it open. I sat down and swallowed. “It’s a little personal.”

“Of course, sweetie. What’s on your mind?”

I rubbed my hands together. “Martin came to chat with me, and I took a trip with him back to the pack.”

Victoria’s eyebrows went up. “You went back to the pack? Willingly?”

I shrugged. “I was tricked into it. He said we would just have lunch, but we ended up going to city hall.”