Page 4 of His Rejected Fated Mate

He gave me a look and tilted his head. “You’re not even interested? Don’t want to see what it looks like?”

I rolled my eyes. “I was there for Christmas. I know what it looks like.”

That and I didn’t need to take in any changes. The pain from my past was enough to keep my mind from thinking about it. I didn’t need to see where everyone ended up or where he might have landed.

I shook my head, stopping myself from thinking about it. I didn’t want to think about him or anyone from there.

He sighed. “Elize, I am grateful that you feel at home here. I’m happy you found a plate you belong to.”

I crossed my arms. “I feel like there is a but coming.”

He smirked. “That’s because there is. You are young, and I want you to branch out. I don’t want the convent to be your only life. I want you to have a big, bright future.”

I tapped my fingers on the table. I looked around my apartment. It was more of a loft. There was a bed pressed against the left side with a curtain hung up to give me privacy. There was a small kitchen that was in need of fresh paint. I was gifted this table and the couch that was just across from us. It wasn’t a lot, but it was mine.

“Some people need a lot of things in their life to make it sound like it was great, but I enjoy the simpler things.” It was true. I’d grown to love coming home to this little space. I enjoyed what I did, and I didn’t feel the need to do anything else.

Martin gave me a soft smile. “I know you enjoy the simple things, but you’re also telling me you don’t miss having a burger joint down the road or going to the movies? You don’t miss branching out and trying new things? There isn’t a lot here, Elize.”

I chewed on my cheek, and Martin knew he had me. “I’ll grab you tomorrow morning.” He pulled himself up, and I frowned.

“I didn’t say I was going.”

Martin waved a finger. “We can go to the movies. We can get some ice cream and take in the nice weather.”

I scowled at him. “Martin, you aren’t playing fair.”

He turned to my front door and pulled it open. He frowned when the door stuck halfway. I tried not to cringe as he looked at me.

I smiled. “Character.”

He shook his head and stepped out. I watched him shut the door, and I groaned. I leaned onto my table and rested my head down.

And my mind wandered.

Growing up, I tried to hide my witch side. I was always warned that members who didn’t shift were never welcomed into the pack. Things weren’t as terrible as they could have been, considering Martin was a council member, but they weren’t easy.

I was always avoiding anything that would bring me attention. I didn’t go to parties or join sports. I went to school and went home. I felt like I was just floating through life, but things weren’t as terrible as they could be.

I saw how other witches were treated, and I didn’t want that to happen to me. So, I kept my head down and just survived.

Everything changed when I met Troy. He was well-liked and athletic. He was on the school council, and everyone knew who he was. He wasn’t like other jocks, and he was polite.

We met in the auditorium. I was sitting in the back, reading a book, trying to avoid lunch. I was just ending a chapter when I heard the doors open in the front. I sank into my chair, watching as a group of people entered. They were laughing and joking as they walked inside. Their voices echoed around the empty space, and I swallowed, suddenly nervous.

I watched as they walked across the front of the stage, heading toward another door. But one of them stopped. “You guys go ahead. I forgot my backpack.”

I stared at him, knowing I knew his name, but my mind seemed to glitch. I chewed on my cheek and watched as he turned. But he froze as his eyes landed on me.

He tilted his head and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “What are you doing in here?”

I swallowed and shrugged.

He started up the stairs, and I felt my heart skip a beat as he got closer to me. And then it hit me. Troy.

His brown eyes softened as he took me in. His light blond hair was combed back, but it was already starting to fall free. He was wearing his football jersey and a pair of nice jeans. He stood relaxed. “Do you always come in here during lunch?”

I nodded. “It’s quiet.”