Page 34 of His Rejected Fated Mate

“Alright, everything’s paid,” Riley said as he walked over. Troy scuffed behind him. “Only because you elbowed me in the neck.”

“Are you ready?” Riley asked, smiling at Janella.

She nodded, giving me another glance before sliding up. Troy tilted his head. “You good? You look like you’re sick.”

“I think I overate. Maybe shouldn’t have forced myself to finish the burger.”

He chuckled. “I think once you get in the car and relax, you should feel better.”

“I agree.”

We headed to the car, and my head seemed to be spinning with information. If we have sex, does that mean I would start to have visions? Would it help me at all?

The drive was quiet, and the music was set on a low volume. Troy hummed to the song, and I felt my stomach churning violently. As he pulled into the driveway, the words bubbled to the surface. “Why didn’t you tell me the bonding wasn’t complete?”

His head snapped to me, and he looked both stunned and confused. “What?”

“Janella told me. Why didn’t you tell me that?”

He sighed. “What exactly did she say?”

“That the bonding isn’t complete until you have sex.”

“That’s…” He didn’t finish. “That’s not entirely true.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that?”

He scuffed. “Because it’s a line in the sand, Elize. You were very clear about what you were willing and unwilling to do. Kissing and touching weren’t on the table, so sex sure as hell wasn’t.”

“If this is a faster way to get us to a solution, I think you should have informed me.”

He ran a hand over his face. “Elize, you can’t be serious.”

“I am. So.”

He blinked and then shook his head. “No.”

I couldn’t help but be a little shocked. “No?”

He nodded. “Yeah, no.” He opened his door, and my mouth just hung open. I quickly pulled myself out and hurried after him. “You’re seriously saying no?”

“Yeah, I am.” He opened the front door, and I followed him inside.

“You’re not even going to think about it?”

“It’s not necessary for us to do that, Elize. The bonding is connected, and that was what we needed.”

“But it could help us!” I snapped back.

“Or it could cross a line we can’t undo,” he snapped back at me. “I’m not willing to risk that.”

I stood frozen and felt my stomach dip. I didn’t understand. If he really wanted to do what was best for the pack, he’d agree unless he didn’t like me.

“I don’t understand why you think this is such an issue. We’ve done it before.”

He crossed his arms. “No, this is not the same as that.”

“Why? Because you cared about me back then.”