Pregnant After Rejected by My Alpha Mate

Chapter 4

　　Paige’s POV

　　I took a deep breath and wiped the tears from my cheeks after dropping the coffee I was making. My right hand trembled uncontrollably as I struggled to hold back my sobs. My heart pounded with anger and frustration. I couldn't even make coffee anymore - I had completely lost the ability to do what I loved most. Despite surgery on my wrist, I still couldn't use it normally. I felt utterly useless and worthless.

　　Tiana whined pitifully in my mind, “We can't even do this simple thing anymore. ”

　　Unable to contain my emotions any longer, I broke down crying. Slowly sinking to my knees, I stared at my shaking right hand. This was so unfair!

　　The memory of my former mate’s smugness only fueled my anger. How dare he show his face to me again? First, he rejected me and filed the mating bond dissolution papers. Now he claimed he wanted me back? The audacity was both laughable and infuriating.

　　Tiana, whimpered in distress. Though our mate bond was severed, the pain of that connection still lingered. I could feel her longing to reconnect with Noah's wolf, despite the rational part of me knowing it was a terrible idea.

　　"Paige!"

　　I lifted my head to see Alex rushing towards me. His familiar pine scent wrapped around me as he pulled me into a comforting embrace. I buried my face in his chest, allowing my tears to flow freely. "I-I can't make coffee, Alex. I can't use my hand anymore."

　　"Shh, calm down," he soothed. "What happened? You were doing better for the past four months. Why the sudden breakdown?"

　　I let out a choked laugh. Alex cupped my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine with concern as he tried to wipe away my tears. But they wouldn't stop falling. He let out a worried hiss. "Paige..."

　　"I won't let him fool me again," I said, my voice trembling with barely contained fury.

　　Rage flickered in Alex's eyes, his protective instincts as both family and pack member flaring. His jaw clenched angrily. "He came here?"

　　I nodded. "I don't understand him, Alex. He rejected me pushed me away. Now he wants me back."

　　"No!" Alex growled. "No, Paige!Don't you dare give that bastard another chance."

　　I bit my bottom lip and shook my head vehemently. "I won't let him fool me again, Alex. I promise."

　　He pulled me in for another hug. "Why did you even come here? I told you I'm already looking for a part-timer to work here. You need to rest and take care of yourself, Paige. This isn't just about you anymore. You have a pup to think about now. Remember that."

　　I pressed a hand to my swollen belly, where my pup kicked restlessly. My cousin was right. I had to prioritize my health and the well-being of my unborn pup. My pup was all that mattered now.

　　When Alex and I got home, I went straight to my room and opened the envelope Noah had left at the shop. I let out a sardonic laugh after reading the agreement inside. He wanted me back and was offering compensation for the "damages" he had caused.

　　It was unbelievable. I couldn't decide if he was truly that naive about matters of the heart or just plain stupid.

　　Tiana would pace restlessly in my mind, whining for her mate. I had to constantly remind her that Noah had rejected us, that we were better off without him. But the deep part of me - the part that recognized him as my true mate - ached for his presence.

　　"Paige, take a look at these resumes," Alex said as he saw me coming down the stairs. He handed me four applications - three from female college students and one from a male high school student.

　　I glanced at him curiously. "Can they make a decent cup of coffee?"

　　He grinned and nodded. "Yeah, I was pretty impressed with their skills actually."

　　I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "I told you it's fascinating."

　　"You'll have to teach me someday, lady," he teased.

　　I shook my head fondly and turned my attention back to the resumes. "Who do you think would be the most efficient?"

　　Alex's eyes narrowed in thought. "Hmm, I'm leaning towards Hazel and Froilan."

　　A high school student and a college student. I nodded in agreement. "I'll call them tomorrow to set up training."

　　"Sounds good. Oh, by the way, Mom wants us to have dinner at a restaurant tonight."

　　"Aunt Precy?" I asked, momentarily confused.

　　Alex rolled his eyes. "Who else would my mom be, Paige?"

　　I swatted his arm playfully. "Very funny, Alex."

　　He chuckled and pinched my cheeks affectionately. We were still bantering when someone entered the house. It was Ares, the eldest of the three brothers, his forehead creased in its usual grumpy expression. While Alex was the easiest to get along with and Achilles was the quietest, Ares had always been the most temperamental.

　　"Bro, what's wrong?" Alex asked as Ares collapsed onto the couch, loosening his tie with an aggravated sigh.

　　Ares looked at me, his frown deepening. "My boss fired me, saying he doesn't want to get on the wrong side of business magnate Noah Hanson. Goddamn it!"

　　Noah could be so ruthless when he wanted to be. I had no doubt he was retaliating because I had refused his terms.

　　I clenched my fists, meeting Ares' gaze. He glared at me, clearly reading my intentions. "Don't you dare meet him, Paige. Leave this to me."

　　I couldn't allow my family to face trouble because of me any longer.

　　---

　　The next day, Alpha Noah's house.

　　The maid looked shocked to see me but quickly ushered me inside. She informed me that Noah was in the backyard, and I made my way to the pool area.

　　There he was, swimming laps in the infinity pool without a care in the world. The sight of him so relaxed and carefree after ruining my life and my cousin's career made my blood boil.

　　"Noah!" I called out.

　　He resurfaced, a smug smirk spreading across his face as he caught sight of me. He pulled himself out of the pool, water cascading down his muscular frame. I forced myself to look away, hating how my heart still raced at the sight of him.

　　"Well, well. If it isn't my honey," he purred. "Miss me?"

　　I threw the folder containing his agreement at his chest, wiping the smile from his face. His brow furrowed as his jaw clenched.

　　I let out a bitter laugh. "You think I'll let you fool me again? Dream on, Noah. Our mate bond is broken. I'm over you!"

　　In a flash, he grabbed my waist and pulled me against him. The cold water from his skin seeped into my clothes, but I felt feverish. Tiana stirred within me, responding to the proximity of her mate despite my protests.

　　He looked down at me, slowly licking his bottom lip. "I don't believe you, Paige. You were so devoted to me. There's no way you managed to move on in just four months."

　　I tried to push him away, but he caught me off guard with a fierce kiss.

　　I gasped against his mouth, and he took advantage, deepening the kiss. His tongue pushed past my lips as my knees weakened.

　　His grip on me was like iron, making it impossible to resist. Tiana howled in triumph, reveling in the contact with our mate. But the rational part of me screamed in outrage. How dare he! After everything he'd done, he thought he could just kiss me and make it all better?

　　He pulled away after a few seconds, taking a step back. "You still taste the same, little she-wolf. Don't you miss my kisses?"

　　"I hate you!" I spat, though the words lacked conviction.

　　He shook his head. "You will never hate me, Paige. Not in this lifetime or any other."

　　Tears rolled down my cheeks, but I quickly wiped them away. I wouldn't let him see how much power he still held over me. "I hate you in this lifetime, and I'll hate you in another life, Noah. I will never come back to you. You rejected me. You chose power and politics over our love. Keep your wealth. Keep your popularity. I can live without you, Noah."

　　I saw how his jaw clenched at my last words, but I didn't care. I turned my back on him and started walking away.

　　As I left Noah's mansion, I felt a shift within me. Tiana whimpered, mourning the loss of contact with her mate. But for the first time since our rejection, I felt her agree with my decision to walk away.

　　This might not be the last time we would see each other. But I swore to myself that this would be the last time I cried for him. I had to be strong - for myself, for my unborn pup, and for the future I was determined to build without him.