Page 29 of His Rejected Fated Mate

Elize scowled. “Why?”

“Because I promised you that we would protect them, and I’m doing so. This convent is part of my duties now, and I’m making sure nothing happens here while you’re gone.”

She stared at me for a beat, and I could see several emotions flash across her face. But she shook her head. “That doesn’t mean you put up cameras.”

I waved a hand. “Do you have a better idea? If so, tell me, and I’ll hop right on board. Anything. Any idea and I’ll take it.”

She opened her jaw but stumbled. She quickly snapped it shut and sighed, which told me she didn’t.

“That’s what I thought. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I was just finishing this.” I turned back to the camera and made sure it was secure before I came down the ladder.

Elize was glaring at me, so Ivan cleared his throat. “Hi, Elize.”

She looked at Ivan, seeming to realize he was here. “Oh, hi Ivan. I didn’t even realize you were there.”

He scrunched up his nose and gave her a sarcastic smirk. “If you two are done bickering, I’m freezing my ass off and would like to warm up.”

“Victoria made tea at the healing center,” I said, nodding my head just up the road. “I’ll meet you up there in a few minutes.”

“That’s where I will be.” Ivan practically ran off.

I watched the way she shifted on her feet as she hugged her middle. “What are you doing back here?”

“I came to help Victoria with some things. I also help some of the kids with reading.” She couldn’t even look at me, and I felt my heart twist up missing her. Being near her reminded me so much of what we had.

We used to laugh for hours. She would rest her head on my shoulder, and I could see all her walls just come down. Now, I was lucky if she didn’t glare at me with pure hatred.

I ground my teeth together, hating how Martin had screwed it up. Why the hell had he meddled in and pulled us apart just to force us together again? What was the point of it?

“So, are you done here?” she asked, seeming to shiver.

I nodded. “Yeah. Ivan and I were going to head back. Unless you needed anything.” A part of me hoped she did. A part of me wanted her to open up and ask for something. Anything. I would be willing to give it.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. Her eyes held no emotions as she held my gaze now. “I’m fine.”

My heart sank, and I nodded. “Alright, then I’ll grab Ivan, and we will be on our way. Sorry to intrude.”

Ivan and I headed back into the city, and I could hardly focus. I kept telling myself to give it time and that things would turn around between Elize and me, but now I was wondering if she’d moved on. Had she locked off her heart and let me have no way to find myself back in?

I had spent years wishing I could turn back time and fix things. I wished I hadn’t let Martin fool me into thinking I had no power. I knew I’d hurt her, but maybe I’d done too much damage, and she had already repaired herself.

Once we were back in Riverville, I went straight into Martin’s office and found him sitting at his desk. I shut the door behind me and walked toward the chair in front of his desk, grabbing behind it. I could feel my grip tightening and my knuckles turning white.

“Why? Why the hell did you do any of it?”

Martin raised an eyebrow at me, pulling his gaze up from his work. “Excuse me?”

“You are the one who told me to break up with her all those years ago. You told me I had no choice, or you were going to meddle in it. And here you are telling me I’m mated to her?”

Martin sighed heavily, as if I was wasting his time. “If you have a problem with being with her…”

I shoved the chair, and it slammed into the desk. The sound echoed around the small space. “I have a problem that you let me waste years away from her! I’m pissed that youfucking screwed up something that we had! I will never be able to get that back.”

Martin rolled his eyes. “You’re being dramatic, Troy. She’s just a woman. I think you’re letting your emotions get the better of you.”

I ground my teeth together. “Why are you suddenly allowing this? You were the one who broke us apart. Why do you want us together now?”

Martin sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I’m only agreeing to this because of what happened with Riley’s pack. You need a witch by your side so we can keep this pack together. Otherwise, trust me. She’d still be back in the convent.”