#9 The Lonely Rogue

Caspian

“My first mate died seven years ago.” I said and her eyes went wide,

“I’m….I’m your second chance mate?”

“You are. Sabrina, my first mate, was killed by rogues.” I explained and realization lit up her face.

“So, you hate rogues now. What a surprise when your second chance mate ended up being one.” She frowned.

“Yes, but that’s not why I’ve been….distant.” I spoke quickly.

“No?”

“No. It…I didn’t, I don’t think I deserve another mate since I couldn’t protect my first one.” I mumbled, looking at the ground.

“That’s…..” She started but pressed her lips together, unable to finish her sentence.

“Stupid, I know, I’ve been told.” I chuckled humorlessly.

“No, I was going to say sad.” Her voice caught my attention and I looked up into her comforting eyes.

“You were?” I wondered.

“You know, I have my own reasons, too.” She said and I blinked in surprise.

“Reasons for what?” I inquired.

“For wanting to reject my mate.” Her words cut through me like a knife, “I always planned to reject him.”

“Wh….why?” I was barely able to ask.

“Who would want to deal with a rogue wolf and all her family’s drama? It’s easier to reject someone before they have the chance to hurt me. Besides, I’m happy living out my lonely rogue existence with the humans. I don’t need a pack or a mate.” Her face grew hard and stern as she spoke.

“You’re not a rogue.” I argued.

“I’m as good as. Packless, rogue, what’s the difference? Either way, I’m nothing.” She said venomously. I grabbed her hand,

“You are not nothing.” I replied passionately, “Stop saying that.”

“Sorry, your highness, but you haven’t exactly treated me like something all this time.” She glared at me.

“Don’t.” I closed my eyes.

“Don’t what?” She spat.

“Don’t call me that, please. Don’t call me your highness, your grace, King, Alpha, none of it. I’m just Caspian to you.” I opened my eyes and they melted into hers.

“I don’t understand, what kind of trick is this?” She whispered.

“It’s not a trick, I swear, Junie. I know I’ve given you no reason to trust me, I know I haven’t treated you how I should. I don’t deserve you, but….I can’t stay away from you anymore.” I confessed in a weak voice. She blinked at me, staying silent.

“If you want to reject me, I’ll…..I’ll let you finish this time and I’ll accept it. If that’s what you really want, I’ll do it.” I forced myself to say.

“What….what do you want?” She stuttered.

“I want you to give me a chance to prove to you how sorry I am and how important you are to me. I promise, Junie, if you let me, I’ll be every ounce the mate you deserve. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I leaned towards her, moving as close as she would let me so I could drink in her scent.

“I won’t make it easy.” She said and I shook my head in disbelief,

“I wouldn’t suspect you to.”

“I won’t leave my job, my school, or the human realm. Not yet, anyway. You’ll have to prove it to me here, on my terms.” She demands.

“Anything you want, Junie.” I couldn’t believe my ears. Was she actually giving me a shot?

“And you owe Cole for any chance I do decide to give you. He’s the only reason I’m considering this. He won’t shut up about how good of a man you really are.” She rolled her eyes, sounding annoyed.

“I’ll kiss Cole to show him my gratitude.” I agreed and a small smile crept across her face.

“I’d pay to see that.” She laughed and I couldn’t help but swoon over the sound.

“Mine! Mine! Mine!” Jess purred.

“He also says that your wolf is a better man than you are.” She dug the knife in deeper, causing Jess to bark with joy.

“Ha!” He laughed at me.

“Jess won’t let me ever forget that you said that.” I sighed and she smiled again.

“Good.” She shrugged.

“I want you to know, Junie, that I would never ask you to give up your education or your job.” I said, having been bothered by what she said earlier.

“You wouldn’t?” She looked genuinely surprised and I realized that I was an even bigger jackass than I thought.

“No, never,” I adjusted on the bed so I was facing her, “I respect a well educated, working woman. And, I understand that your home is here. All of that is up for discussion.” I said.

“I wouldn’t expect that from you.” She replied honestly.

“I know and that’s not your fault. I’ve been a real asshole.” I grumbled at myself.

“Yes.” She replied curtly and I chuckled at her response.

“I know that I’m not easy, Junie. I’m hard headed, curt, emotionless, and uncompromising. I’m going to have to work very hard at opening a line of discussion for us and perfecting myself. I won’t say that we won’t fight or have our struggles.” I said and she nodded, taking in every word I said.

“Has Cole told you anything about me?” She asked, seeming to change the subject.

“Well, yeah, he said some things.” I answered and she started laughing,

“Then, you know that I’m stubborn and grumpy, too. Cole keeps telling me that he thinks we’re perfect for each other because you need a dose of your own medicine. I’ve been trying not to take that personally but, apparently, I should have.” She smiles.

“Cole has a big mouth.” I rolled my eyes but I was enchanted by her smile, “So, do we have a deal?” I asked hopefully. She sighed loudly,

“If by deal you mean will I let you grovel for my attention, then, yes.” She teases me and I fawn all over her.

“Sounds good to me.” I grinned.

“Oh, we also need to help out Jett and Viv. That situation is painful.” She adds.

“I’m not so sure I’m the best person to give advice on that matter.” I point out.

“Oh no, you’re not,” She blurts out, “But, you do speak Jett’s language. Cole says that he’ll listen to you so you have to tell him to dig the stick out of his ass.” She said,

“Yes, ma’am.” I agree diplomatically and she rolls her eyes at me again.

“Oh, stop.” She waved her hand dismissively but she was blushing bright red.

“Also, I’d like to put more security on you.” I said and she started frowning again.

“I think three wolves is enough.”

“Obviously not.” I observed her condition.

“I went outside alone, I won’t do that again. Besides, I thought my father and Reid were at Cypress.” She said,

“They are in the dungeons. Alpha Avery is going to question them some more about the rogues and then call me to deal out their punishment.” I replied.

“They are the only threats against me.” She said,

“Unless they told the rogues something about you and they think you’re a threat.” I said, giving her pause. She decides to ignore me and asks another question,

“What is their punishment going to be?”

“Well…..if I have it my way, they will be executed.” I admit.

“Why?” She asks thoughtfully.

“They attacked you.” I didn’t understand her line of questioning.

“Yes, and I’m just me. Their daughter, that’s it.” She nearly spit the words at me. I quickly shook my head,

“No, you’re not. You’re my mate and my future Queen Luna.” I stated plainly and her face went white again.

“Oh,” She paused, “I guess there’s that.” She said under her breath. I chuckled at her,

“Yes, there’s that.” I echoed.

“Isn’t it up to you?” She returned to my original statement.

“It’s up to both of us. They attacked you.” I answered.

“I don’t care.” She answered quickly, “I want nothing to do with them ever again.” Her voice was cold and stern.

“Maybe you’ll feel differently once you’re healed and have time to think about it.” I offer, not wanting her to regret an action she can’t take back.

“No, I won’t. Do whatever you want.” She answered stubbornly.

“Alright, we don’t have to worry about that now.” I said, deciding to change the subject, “You just need to focus on getting better.”

“I want to go home. I’ll heal better there.” She said, standing up again.

“Cole said you and the doctor’s agreed to stay the night in the hospital tonight.” I said, watching her move towards the door.

“I was delirious then. I’m in my right mind now. Where are my clothes?” She said, looking around.

“They were probably ruined by the accident.” I said.

“I’ll leave in this.” She threatens me with her persistent gaze. I stood up abruptly, noting how her backside was basically exposed in the hospital gown.

“No you will not. I’ll have one of your friends get you some clothes.” I said, flinging open the door and yelling for the girls.

Vivian and Sophie agreed to go get her a new outfit and, in the meantime, we would arrange for her release against medical advice.

“You know, I met your sister.” Junie said as she changed behind the medical curtain.

“My sister?” I asked in surprise.

“Yeah, when you and Jett left for whatever you did in Louisiana, she came to the bar to meet me.” She explains.

“I told her specifically not to do that.” I sighed.

“It’s alright, I liked her.” She peeked out from behind the curtain with a sly smile. I caught a glimpse of her bare shoulder and Jess howled in my head. Man, we had to get it together, it’s just a shoulder.

“Of course you do. She’s a little spitfire, just like you.” I chuckled. Junie’s beautiful laughter followed her out from behind the curtain.

“You flatter me, Alpha.” She purrs.

Oh, Goddess help me.