The Rejected Mate novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: The Alpha's Offer

Nobody moved for a long second.

Rufus Braithwaite looked at his son's bare chest, then at the torn slip, then at the quilt she had thrown over the muddy rug.

"Well," he said, very pleasantly. "Out, both of you. Before you put a crick in your necks."

Willa stepped out of the wardrobe with her chin up.

Caelen came out after her, and he did something she had not expected.

He let his shoulders sag.

He dropped his eyes to the floor, and when he spoke it was in the flat dead voice of the rite.

"Father. I'm sorry. I couldn't stay in that cellar."

"I know, son."

"The fever. It's worse every hour I'm away from her."

"I know that too."

Rufus crossed to the window and drew the curtain aside.

A dozen enforcers stood about in the garden with their arms hanging.

"Thank you, gentlemen," he called down, mildly. "You may all go and have your breakfast."

The men dispersed.

Rufus let the curtain fall.

"Sit down, Miss Ashdown," he said. "I don't intend to be cruel."

She sat on the bed, because refusing would have made her look afraid.

He took the chair by the window and stretched out his legs.

"Let me tell you how I see it," he said. "A young man's body knows his mate."

"It won't be reasoned out of it, and neither will his wolf. I was foolish to shut him in a cellar, and I'll say so."

"Is that an apology?" Willa said.

"It's an observation. My son runs a fever when you're gone."

"He breathes like a man at rest when you're here. I could use that."

He smiled.

"Until the mating, you'll stay in this room, the two of you. My men will be on the door for your own comfort."

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