My Rejected Mate

Chapter 4

DAMON'S POV

For a moment, neither of us moved. Serena stood in front of me, one hand pressed against her injured shoulder. Blood had soaked through part of her sleeve.

My wolf stirred.

Mate.

The word came so clearly that I almost looked around to see who had said it. I didn't. I already knew. Growing up in the Cross Pack meant learning about wolves long before you were old enough to shift. We were taught what to expect when our wolves awakened, how pack bonds worked, what happened when an Alpha's wolf recognized another wolf as a threat.

And mates were part of those lessons too. The signs were different for everyone, but there were things that were impossible to mistake. The pull, the heightened awareness, the instinct to protect, the feeling that someone mattered before you had any reason for them to.

I had always assumed it would feel obvious. I hadn't expected it to feel like this. Serena caught me staring.

“Are you going to say something?”

I smiled. “I was trying to think of something intelligent.”

“And?”

“Still working on it.”

She laughed. There she was. The same woman from Ashville. Except now I knew exactly who she was. And somehow, that knowledge hadn't changed the way I felt when I looked at her. If anything, it made it worse.

Serena glanced toward the arena.

“You fought like you had something to prove.”

“I did.”

“To who?” I looked at her.

“My father.” She raised an eyebrow.

“That sounds exhausting.”

“It is.” She smiled weakly. Then her eyes moved from my face to my ribs.

“You should get that checked.”

“I've had worse.”

“That doesn't mean you should keep collecting injuries.”

“Are you worried about me?”

She looked at me. For once, she didn't have a sarcastic answer ready. “Maybe.” Something warm settled in my chest. My wolf reacted again. I took a breath.

“I was worried about you.”

Her expression softened.

“I noticed.”

“When you got cut.”

“You looked angry.”

“I was.”

She smiled faintly. “Why?” I almost told her. Because something inside me had reacted before I'd even understood why. Because seeing her bleed had felt wrong. Because my wolf had wanted to tear apart anyone who had hurt her.

Instead, I said, “Because you shouldn't have been hurt.” Yeah, that was dumb even for me.

She held my gaze. Then she looked away. “I've been hurt many times, it’s not new.” There was something behind those words, something she didn't say. I wanted to ask but she had already spent enough of her life being questioned. So, I didn't.

She looked back at me. “I thought you were going to pretend you didn't know me.”

I frowned. “Why would I?”

“Because I'm a Sterling.”

I took a step closer. “Does that make you a different person?”

“No.”

“Then why would I treat you like one?”

She smiled. “That's a surprisingly good answer.”

“I have my moments.”

“Don't get used to the compliment.”

I laughed. She looked toward the crowd again. “Your father won't like this.” I knew exactly what she meant. I looked at her.

“But you don't seem very worried.”

She shrugged. “I've spent most of my life worrying about what my family thinks of me.” She looked back at me.

“I don't want to start doing it for someone else.” There was something almost daring about the way she said it. I smiled.

“You're not very good at being afraid.”

“I am.” She paused. “I just don't like letting people know.”

That made me smile. “I knew there was something I liked about you.” Her eyes narrowed playfully. “Only something?”

“I'm still making the list.”

She laughed. Then the laughter faded. We stood there quietly. The noise of the competition continued behind us, but it felt distant. I didn't want this moment to end and neither did she. She looked at me.

“Damon.”

“Hmm?”

“If our families weren't...”

She stopped. I waited. “What?” She shook her head.

“Nothing.”

“No. Finish it.”

She smiled slightly.

“If this competition didn’t hold, would you still want to see me?”

The question caught me off guard. I didn't need to think about the answer.

“Yes, always.”

She watched me carefully.

“Even knowing who I am?”

“Especially knowing who you are.”

Her expression changed and I stepped closer.

“I don't know what this is going to become, Serena.” Neither of us knew what the rivalry would do to us. Neither of us knew what our families would say. But I knew one thing.

“I don't want today to be the last time I have with you.” She looked at me for a long moment. Then she smiled. “Good, because I don't want it to be either.”

My heart kicked. She reached for my hand and I let her take it. Her fingers slipped through mine. My wolf went still. For a few seconds, I forgot everything else. The competition. Our families. My father. All of it. Just Serena. She looked down at our joined hands. Then back at me.

“I think I would choose this.” She squeezed my hand. “You and me.”

I stared at her. She gave me a small smile. “Over whatever stupid rivalry our families have been carrying around for years.” Something in my chest tightened. She meant it. And suddenly, the decision didn't feel complicated at all. I wanted her too.

“I'd choose you in a heartbeat.”

Her eyes met mine. She smiled. Not the teasing smile she'd given me all afternoon. Something softer. Something that made me want to pull her closer.

Someone called my name from across the grounds. I looked over. One of the Cross Pack members was waiting for me.

“We're leaving.”

I looked back at Serena. She was still holding my hand.

“Will I see you again?”

“You will.”

“When?”

“I don't know yet.”

She laughed. “Very reassuring.”

“I'll find you.”

She studied my face. “I'll hold you to that.” I smiled. Then she let go. She started to turn away, then stopped.

“What?” She didn't answer. Instead, she stepped closer. Her hands came up around my neck, and before I could say anything, she kissed me. It was warm and soft, nothing like the hungry kiss we'd shared in Ashville. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer. For a moment, I forgot where we were.

I didn't want to let go. Not when she was in my arms. Not when everything between us suddenly felt so easy. When she finally pulled back, she stayed close, her forehead almost touching mine.

“I really will see you again, right?”

I smiled. “You will.”

She gave me one last look before stepping away. This time, when she let go of my hand, I felt it. I watched her walk away. My wolf followed her until she disappeared into the crowd. For the first time, I didn't have to wonder what I wanted.

I wanted Serena.

I just hadn't figured out how much that choice was going to cost me.