Page 79 of His Rejected Fated Mate

He’s dangerous.

They will need to look for a new Alpha soon.

I could hear the door open, and I could smell Elize as she walked in. I wanted to move toward her and pull her into my arms. But another part of me wanted to hurt her. I wouldn’t risk it. I forced myself to stay still.

I heard her soft footsteps as she stayed by the door. I listened to her voice, trying to let it ground me. I kept thinking of the time we shared together. Her soft smile and how she would blush. I thought of how warm she felt in my arms and how she smelled. God, I missed her scent.

You know that you two are never going to last. She’s a witch, and you’re a shifter. You can never trust her.

I listened to her voice crack, and I knew she’d been crying. I could hear the raspiness in her voice. The type of raspy that comes from sobbing for hours.

You should use her to get free. You know she would help you.

“Troy,” she whispered my name. “I lov…”

But she didn’t finish. I could hear the scream from outside, deep into my room, that silenced her. I pulled my gaze up from the ground to the wall.

I needed to hear her finish her sentence. I needed to hear those words. My body was moving all at once. I turned and took her in. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked pale. I could see the glaze in her eyes when someone was losing hope. I forced my body to stare at her rather than moving.

We locked eyes, and I prayed she knew I was still here. I was trying. I just had to get myself free. I just didn’t know how to.

But her eyes looked hurt as she grabbed the door and hurried out. The door shut behind her, and I was left alone.

She doesn’t love you, Troy. She would have stayed if she did. She left you just like she had before. Nothing has changed.

No, that wasn’t true. This wasn’t the same as the past. I knew that. I knew that deep into my bones.

Then why are you still here? If your love for each other was really meant to be, why did you still not have control?

I sat numb, not even sure how much time had gone by. My head was a blur between sleeping and listening to the darkthoughts repeat over and over in my head. I didn’t have energy anymore.

I tugged at the chains, hearing them click against each other. I stared at the door, aching for her to come back. I just wanted to see her and listen to her voice.

Even sleep wasn’t helping. I had nightmares about hurting Elize. I watched myself kill her over and over with my own hands. It came in different scenarios. I would chase after her in the woods in my wolf form and slaughter her. I’d find her in our bed and shove a pillow over her head.

I rolled over and stared at the ceiling. I went back to counting the ceiling tiles. Then I felt something wash over me like a cold bath. Shiver rolled down my entire spine, and that grasp of the darkness seemed to simmer. I could breathe suddenly, and I wondered why. Was I fighting against it better?

But I knew something wasn’t right. I felt that connection with Elize wavering, and that scared me more than anything. If it wasn’t using its dark magic on me, did that mean it was using someone else?

I pulled tighter on the chains, pain ripping over my wrist. But I didn’t stop. I yanked with all my energy and heard the snap of the chains give way.

I fumbled a few steps forward, catching myself against the wall. My head spun as I focused on the door. I could feel something stabbing me in the heart, and I knew something was happening to Elize. I had to go to her no matter what. I stumbled forward, grabbing at the door and pulling it open.

I stepped into the hallway, and the bright lights burned. I pulled a hand up to block the light. As my eyes adjusted, I was being stared at by a handful of nurses. They all looked shockedand horrified to see me. I scanned the room and spotted the front door.

You’re free. You should murder them all. They all have to pay.

“Troy,” a voice spoke up, and Ivan was standing across the hallway. His eyes were wide as he cautiously took a step toward me. “Troy, get back in your room. We’re doing this for your own good.”

If I went back, I’d never know what happened to Elize. It could be too late.

I looked at the front door, and he took a couple more steps toward me. His hands went up. “Troy, don’t make me use force. Come on, I know you’re still in there somewhere. Think about this. Do this for Elize.”

I was doing this for Elize. I knew I wouldn’t make it on foot. Troy would catch me within a few feet. I’d have to shift. It was the only way I’d make it to her. I allowed myself to shift, and Troy started yelling as he charged down the hallway toward me.

I turned, bursting through the door and out onto the street. Screams erupted around me as people jumped out of my way, but I ignored them, following the pull.

I ran like my life depended on it. I was going to go home, but that wasn’t where I felt she would be. I headed for the woods, and the pull was guiding me to Riley’s pack. My wolf growled, violently wanting the shade of blood. I could hear others hot on my tail, and I knew I didn’t have time for a screw-up. I couldn’t stop for even a moment, or I’d be too late.