All Chapters of The Alpha’s Rejected Mate: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Early the next morning, I leave Mack snoring quietly as I slip out of the bedroom and make my way downstairs.Although I’m back in the sweats my father hates, I’m hoping I’ll have just enough time to apologize to Faith and then change before he emerges from his room. That his door is still closed is a relief. If he’s still sleeping, then I have more time, because I know he won’t come down until he’s showered and fully dressed.At the foot of the stairs, I hear Moses talking quietly, but since I’m not hearing a response at a volume to equal his, I’m guessing the female murmur is Lucy, his mate, and he’s speaking with her on the phone.Ivan and Helena are silent, which, at six in the morning, probably means my father kept them up late with some task or training exercise so they’re still sleeping.After stuffing my feet into my sneakers that I left beside the back door, I step out and instantly see that wherever Faith has wandered off to this morning, it isn’t to stand at the back of the

Great. Just great.I sit up in my seat and prepare to tell him exactly how this pack run is going to go, but Connall speaks before I can.“Why wouldn’t my son lead the run? He’s alpha here. A Raleigh through and through.”My father turns to lock eyes with Connall, and just like that, I’m forgotten.“Well, he’s a Winters, according to my daughter,” my father murmurs.Connall’s eyes narrow. “He was born a Raleigh. There’s no more able leader than a Raleigh.”I dart a glance at Mack. He has his mouth open as if he’s waiting for the first opportunity to cut in, just as I am. But before either of us can, Chris clears his throat, drawing all our gazes back to him.“Luna.” He inclines his head to me before turning to Mack. “Alpha.” Then he walks out of the kitchen without another word.“Bye, Chris,” I call out belatedly, still wishing he’d taken me with him.I’m beyond grateful that with two words, he put an end to Connall and my father’s squabbling, even though he’s proven himself to be the

“You’re not concentrating,” Adela murmurs.I peel my eyelids open and stare at her in disbelief because it should be obvious why I’d be having an issue with my concentration.We’ve long since moved from the kitchen to the backyard to begin my training. From the blue skies and fluffy white clouds overhead, today is looking to be another beautiful, sunny day. Ordinarily, I’d be so relaxed that I could take a nap out here, but relaxed is the last thing I’m feeling.With my father and Connall hovering behind me, busy playing their petty game of who’s the better alpha, concentration is impossible.After breakfast, Mack dragged his father away to tell him to stop antagonizing everyone. Since Mack made it crystal clear that if he was going to keep it up, he could just hurry up and leave, I’d hoped that Connall would stay away.I should’ve known it wouldn’t be as easy as that.Within minutes of me sitting cross-legged on the grass in front of Adela’s lounger, I heard Connall emerging from the

Jack squeezes my hand, drawing my attention away from the path we’re taking through the forest and back to him. “You said you wanted to talk, and you haven’t spoken a word since you dragged me from the house, which means it’s something you don’t want to tell me.”I try to work out the best way I can tell him about someone—probably his father, but most likely Faith—trying to kill me before breakfast. “No, I don’t.”“Is it about Faith? Or my da? Did he—”“No.” I pause. “Well, kind of. Your dad doesn’t like me.”That’s kind of an understatement, but true.“My father doesn’t like anyone,” Mack admits.“I think the way he feels about me goes beyond dislike.”Mack sighs. “You’re probably right. My mom—”It’s my turn to squeeze his hand. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I know it hurts you to talk about her.”“I didn’t even tell you my da was still alive. I think that’s a pretty big sign that we need to talk. Or, that I need to open up a little more.”We walk for several seco

I bark out a laugh. “You know, I’ve had the same thought about you.”He grins, and I grin back. But then my smile fades. “I do have to go.”His gaze sharpens. “But you won’t tell me why?”“I’ve told you why.”Slowly, he shakes his head. “Not everything, no. But you know I won’t push. If this is what you need, I won’t argue. You know that.”“I do.”“Maybe I’ll come and stay with Adela as well. I have a feeling I might want to after the pack run. It’s crossed my mind that we should just cancel it. What about you?”“Me too,” I admit. “But this is the Winter Lake pack and we go for a run every Thursday. I refuse to let my father spoil that.”His lips curve into a smile. “Nor mine. Come here, Luna. I have a sudden urge to kiss you silly.”I’m grinning as he hauls me toward him. But before he can press his lips to mine, a low growl that can only come from the mouth of an enraged alpha tells me that the fight between our fathers is back on.We both sigh as Mack raises his head. “Come on.”“Y