Page 3 of Reject Him

Wayne raises an eyebrow. “Protective already? That sounds promising.”

“If only it were that easy.”

“What?”

“Getting her to feel the same for me.” She had dismissed him, damn it.

Wayne chuckles. “From what I hear, she hasn’t had good relationships in the past. That, and like most shifter women, they don’t like to leave their pack. This is her home. Give her time to adjust to you and the idea of something new.”

“I’m trying, man. I’m trying.”

“You only just met. Try harder.”

Logan turns back to the bartender and orders two champagnes. He debates about asking for the whole bottle but refrains from doing so. He gets the feeling that Eme isn’t one to drink as much as she is, and by bringing the whole bottle, it may rub her the wrong way.

“Are you coming back with me, or are you going to find someone’s bed to fill tonight?”

Wayne grins broadly. “You know me too well.”

Logan shakes his head. “Someday, you’ll find your own mate. Take it while you can, pup.”

Making his way back through the crowd, he keeps his eyes on Eme. She’s stayed where he left her. She stands alone, watching the people mingle, and she couldn’t look more beautiful. He can tell she’s graceful by the way she holds herself, and he can tell she’s kind by the way she observes everyone.

“Here you go,” he passes her the champagne, and she quickly takes a sip.

“That didn’t take long.”

“The crowd likes to part for me,” he jokes, though it is true. She guzzles her glass, and he sighs. “Is this nerves, or are you truly scared for tonight?”

She laughs without humor. “Scared about which part?”

So he had been correct in his thinking. “You don’t want to mate.”

She turns to face him. “No, but I’ll do what my father asks.”

He raises an eyebrow, trying like hell not to be offended. “Why?”

“Because it’s rare he asks anything from me, so I’ll do this for him, for this pack.”

“So this is strictly politics for you,” he growls.

“Purely.”

Something stings at his heart, and his wolf stirs inside him. “Do you-”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s get this over with, shall we?” She takes his champagne and downs it. Grabbing his hand, she leads him from the great hall.

What have I gotten myself into?