Rejected Mate: The Alpha Shifter Collection

He’d been the one to organize all the necessary materials, and after seeing what the pack was having to deal with, he ordered for them to pack it all up and send it right back.

Pulling out his cell phone, he began to dial the number to the supply company when Lana came rushing onto the site.

“Alpha, you’re needed. We don’t know what to do.”

“What is it?” He hung up his cell phone.

“It’s Constance. She was reading to the kids and collapsed. She is screaming in agony. I’ve got the library closed, and the kids are safe. She didn’t hurt anyone, but I think … I think she’s dying.”

Gage took off, aware of his son following close behind him. He picked up speed, using all of his strength to sprint in the direction he needed to go. Fear for Connie filled him. Last night after they had made their conditions, he had felt another step closer to making her his.

He couldn’t lose her.

The wolf in him demanded he change, to get there faster, but he wasn’t going to scare her.

Within minutes, he arrived at the library with Tanner hot on his heels.

“You will stay outside.”

“No, I’ve got to go inside. I’ve got to help in some way.”

Gage growled. Some of the pack had come close to the library. He didn’t need his son testing his authority right now.

Connie’s screams filled the air.

“You cannot help.”

“She is my mate!”

Gage grabbed his son’s shirt and pulled him close. “You gave up that right when you rejected her. You will not help here. You will only hurt her. She doesn’t need a mate right now. She needs an alpha. I know what is going on with her. Do you?”

Another scream filled the air.

Tanner went pale and shook his head.

“Then stay the fuck back.” He let go of his son and stepped into the library.

The energy within the room was off the charts, and as he went past the reception desk, he saw her on the floor, writhing in agony. Sweat covered her flesh that was exposed. Some of the clothes she’d been wearing had torn off.

He understood this.

It was rare to have late transitioners, but not uncommon. His grandfather had prepared him for all manner of problems.

Connie had turned once since she was eighteen. Her control wasn’t as good as his or Tanner’s.

The full moon was not for a couple of weeks, but her body, her wolf, the emotions of the past few days, it all had started to take its toll. The wolf within her wanted out. He sensed the wolf, and she was a strong little thing.

“Help me,” Connie said. “It hurts so much.” She closed her eyes, her back twisting at an odd angle. With her fighting it, she had to be in more pain.

He went to her side, putting his hands on either side of her body. “I’m here. I’m here, Connie.”

“It hurts so much.”

“I want you to breathe.”

“I’m not pregnant,” she said, laughing, which turned into another scream. “Fuck! Make it stop.”

“I cannot make it stop. I can help guide you to stop it.”

She whimpered, curling up into a ball then going onto all fours. “I can’t do this.”

He put his hand on her back, and the wolf snapped, bending Connie almost in two. Unable to watch, Gage wrapped his arms around his woman, holding her close as her body threatened to split in two. The wolf within her recognized the alpha, appreciated his scent, and slowly calmed down, but Gage wasn’t fooled. This wolf wanted out.

“I … I scared the kids. I was reading and I was fine.” She sniffled.

“The kids will be fine. We will deal with them.”

“I’m going to get fired again.”

“No, you’re not. You’re going to focus on your body. On your wolf. Think about what she wants.”

Connie sniffled. “I know what she wants.”

“What does she want?”

“You’re not going to like it.”

“Tell me.”

Connie sighed, resting her head against his chest. “She wants you to fuck me.” The wolf rocked against her center, threatening to spill out.

This was always a risk.

A rejected mate, seeing the potential threat of expulsion, would latch onto him, wanting him to pick her. His wolf wanted her, but he craved Connie’s acceptance over his beast.

“You’re the one in control, Connie. Tell me what you want.”

She moaned. “For all this pain to stop would be pretty good. I wouldn’t argue with that. Being fucked by you sounds like fun.” She laughed then groaned. “I don’t know if this is the pain or the wanting sex, but I’ve got a confession to make.”

“What?”

“I have had the biggest crush on you for the longest time.” She chuckled and then winced again. He tightened his hold on her as her body gave way to another spasm. They were stronger because of her wolf.

He needed to get her out of the library, to the forest, guiding her into a transition. Without the full moon, she was going to be exhausted and sore tomorrow, but this was what was needed.