Rejected My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 11

Rachel POV

"Come quickly. I'm sorry, but we need to get you in there as fast as possible."

Adam had never touched me before. I focused on the feeling of his hand wrapped tightly around my upper arm as he pulled me out of the cab.

He had a grip on me strong enough to bruise. I wouldn't have been able to get away from him even if I'd wanted to run off.

I was glad I'd prepaid for my rideshare because I didn't even have a chance to say 'thank you' to the driver.

"What's happening?"

I felt panic rising as Adam towed me into Moonrise Entertainment by my arm. He was a man on a mission; I had no idea why he was in such a hurry.

Adam shook his head, "Your father has been here for over an hour now. He stopped being reasonable---a while ago."

I heard Patrick's voice before I saw him.

"I am your father-in-law! You've been fucking my daughter for three years! You owe me!"

I felt sick to my stomach as embarrassment swept over me: my father was making me sound like a whore.

"Why are you all just standing around? Don't you know who I am? I can have you all fired!"

Adam didn't respond to my efforts to tug against his hold; I stood close to Patrick before I was ready.

"You!" Patrick yelled, spittle hitting me in the face as he shook his finger at me, "I take care of you all your life and this is the thanks I get? Your rich Alpha thinks he doesn't owe your poor old omega father anything. Tell him to give me my damn money!"

The only comfort I had was knowing Tyler wasn't in the lobby.

Our partially severed mate bond let me sense him enough to know he wasn't close. Knowing Tyler? He was probably still in his office on the top floor, expecting all his subordinates to clean up the mess for him.

My whole body felt hot. I knew I was blushing all over from humiliation and I hated myself for reacting and Patrick for putting me in this situation.

Why was my father so terrible? What had my mother ever seen in him? I wished I could talk to her even if it was only one more time.

"It's his money, Patrick! Not yours! Not mine! I already told you I don't owe you anything. I didn't think I needed to tell you Tyler doesn't owe you anything either, but clearly you need it spelled out for you."

Fire exploded across my cheek. I fell backward only to be caught by Adam before I could hit the floor.

"Omega scum," Adam growled, his wolf sounding far too close to the surface.

I knew I should be at least a little scared of a werewolf close to losing control right behind me, but I wasn't afraid.

Adam wouldn't hurt me no matter how roughly he'd grabbed my arm before.

Adam was trying to protect me---since my father had slapped me across the face hard enough to rattle my brain. I could taste blood in my mouth from where my teeth had cut into my cheek.

Guards closed in around Patrick and restrained him by his arms. I was surprised by how fast they responded. Why hadn't they just done this already?

Adam ordered, "Take him out to the street and let him go. If he's smart, he'll get out of here while House Wright is still being generous."

I straightened up, smoothing my hands down my dress as I tried to get myself back under control.

"Why are you letting him go?"

Patrick stopped fighting the guards to look at me with his mouth gaping open like a fish. He started to sputter curses at me and I turned my back on him to focus on Adam.

"If he were anyone else, if he weren't my father, what would have happened to him for this kind of---thing?"

"He'd already be in police custody," Adam answered.

"Then call the police. This man has no right to be here. He should probably thank you for the safety of a prison cell. I imagine there are debtors looking for payment from him. They won't be able to reach you in jail, Patrick. That's payment enough I think."

"You dare! I swear you will live to regret this! You can't do this to me, you little slut! I'm your father! I'll always be your father!"

His voice trailed off as the guards dragged him out of the lobby onto the st. A police car appeared only moments later making me believe Adam had only been waiting for permission to have Patrick picked up.

What kind of trouble was I bringing to Tyler's place of business?

I had to wonder if it was my fault. Patrick wouldn't have been at their office if not for me. As an omega of a minor house, Patrick would have never been brought to the attention of the main house of Moonrise Pack.

The Moon Goddess had strange values. Tyler Wright and I couldn't be more different. Our families were complete opposites and so were we.

Rejecting Tyler as my mate was the right thing to do. I brought him trouble he didn't need and he brought me pain I didn't deserve.

We were all wrong for each other. No matter what fate said.

"Are you alright, Madam Rachel? I can escort you up to Tyler's office if you feel you need to lay down. That bastard hit you hard."

"No, Adam," I waved him off, trying to keep my horror hidden at the idea of seeing Tyler after fighting with my father, "No need! I'm just fine. I'll take a walk. Enjoy the sun and get some fresh air. Hopefully you won't have to call me again."

Adam mumbled something to me as I backed away from him before rushing out of the building.

I needed to put some more distance between myself and Tyler. The last thing I wanted was Tyler trying to play hero to me after I'd been attacked by my own father.

Fresh air also sounded good for my nerves. I felt shaky from the confrontation and knew my hands were trembling at my sides so I fisted my skirt to keep them still.

I knew there was a small park not far from Moonrise Entertainment. I'd sat on the benches there many times in the early days of my mating, working up my nerve to bring Tyler his lunch.

Finding an empty bench, I took a seat and tried to remember how I'd felt in those days.

Hopeful. Excited. Confident.

I was full of dreams for our future as a mated pair and now I couldn't bring up even a shadow of those feelings when I thought of Tyler. I don't think he had ever wanted me outside of that first night in the bedroom at LUST.

My phone buzzed from an incoming call and I answered without thinking or checking the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Tell your father that can't happen again."

Tyler sounded angry enough to kill. Good. I felt angry about Patrick myself. We were on the same page as far as my father was concerned.

"It won't. I told the guards to call the police and left instructions he had no business at Moonrise Entertainment. He will be arrested immediately if he tries again."

"I was told he was taken into custody today."

"He was," I explained, "Adam had the police pick him up as soon as his feet hit the sidewalk. You shouldn't have to worry about my father in the future. He won't have any reason to come near you or your pack holdings as soon as you accept my rejection."

I heard Tyler breathing on his side of the line; I knew I had struck a nerve by reminding him of the hanging rejection.

"You're certain you want this rejection?"

For a moment, I wanted to ask him why I wouldn't want a rejection from him after three years of misery.

"I am."

Tyler said, "Fine. Tomorrow morning. 11 AM sharp at the garden of Our Blessed Goddess."

I wasn't surprised he hung up before I could respond: Tyler was used to giving orders then having them obeyed. He didn't ask permission for anything from anyone. He'd ordered me around our entire mating.

The joke was on him because I was the one who wanted this order more than anything else.

I was going to be free! I found myself smiling so hard it made my cheek hurt.

"Damn you to Hell, Patrick. Why did you have to hit me so hard?"

I was clearly cracking under the excitement if I was talking to myself. My face felt hot to the touch and I knew I'd have a bruise for a while until my healing factor kicked in.

Bella would loan me some concealer so no one would notice at work. I stood up to make my way to her apartment and everything went black.