Rejected My Alpha Mate

3 Years Later

"Happy Third Mating Anniversary!"

Tyler didn't reply to me as I mind-linked him. I knew he heard me all the same. As my mate, he couldn't block my messages even if he didn't choose to reply to them.

"Please come home right after work today. I'm preparing a special surprise to celebrate the occasion. You'll love it. I promise."

I could feel a spark of interest from Tyler's side of the bond though he remained silent.

Most females would have been at least a little concerned if their mate refused to respond to them, but I knew my situation wasn't ordinary.

I was the offspring of an omega father from a lower pack who had blackmailed my alpha mate into accepting me by faking a pregnancy.

The fact I hadn't known if I was pregnant or not at the time didn't matter. I had said I was pregnant; I wasn't. It was a lie. It was a lie I told for money.

Money Tyler Wright had given me to pay off my father's gambling debts in order to save my younger brother from kidnappers.

No one cared what the money was for though.

All anyone cared about was the lies I had told to get money from a mate who had been surprised to find me in the first place.

Tyler could have loved me, I think, if I hadn't told my father's lie. I had been drugged on our first night together as mates; I didn't have clear memories of my first time making love. I thought Tyler had been gentle with me. Generous. Kind.

It was hard for me to think of Tyler before I met him in his office. He'd been closer to a stone statue than a man as he listened to me ask him for money. His cold expression had never changed as he'd written me a check in the amount I named.

Every experience since then had been the same: an exchange of something for something else.

Tyler touched me when he needed release. Tyler spoke to me when he needed me to respond verbally to a question. Tyler gave me money to ensure I had no reason to talk to him.

Our mating was colder than winter in the Arctic Circle.

I twirled as I set the table for our mating anniversary dinner. My skirt flew out around my legs and I laughed like a girl again though I was a college graduate with a degree in Music Theory. I felt as if I were dancing on air as I hummed a tune I had composed myself as part of my thesis.

Tyler had not attended my graduation even though I had completed my studies on the Dean's List.

to make Tyler proud of me. I would never be able to erase the grudge he

the covers over the plates to keep the heat in, I moved to open the bottle of

the most luxurious part of the meal. Tyler preferred simple foods which I had learned from his household staff rather than from him directly. All the years we had spent together felt as if they were melting away as I poured two glasses of

I picked up a glass in each hand and offered one to Tyler

eyes flickered to the bottle on the table. I knew he only took the glass from me because the wine was his favorite

you want

surprised. I couldn't

been given few reasons

this anniversary as our last together."

wine than was socially acceptable, Tyler drained his glass before reaching for the bottle to fill it again. I drained my glass and accepted the refill

that what you're after? You want your own house? This mansion isn't good

shook my

was very good

table. Tyler finished his as

the friction of his suit rubbing against my

I was touch starved and my body yearned for his as my wolf, Rayne, nearly howled

as our tongues danced with one another in

a smile before heading for

he have me close while his personal hatred of

You always want it on 'special occasions' so

it would only upset me and possibly send Rayne into a frenzy of need to please

almost felt sorry for his confusion. He really had no

start. I do want something. I want my own home. You're right about that, too. What you're wrong about? You're not going

me back to him. His mouth fell on mine to start kissing me again and he used his free hand to grab my ass,

Tyler had been the one who wanted things that way,

I let myself give in to the feeling of my body crashing against his, drank in his wine-flavored kisses and pretended it was passion we shared instead of alcohol, and I buried my fingers in his thick hair which he

have loved

was strong and young and I was in remarkable health for all I was the daughter of an omega. I was an excellent match to his Alpha physique no matter whether he

blouse, palming my whole breast in his hand over my bra. Our mouths devoured each other as we lost control of our bodies. I didn't consciously spread my legs, but I came back to myself as I felt him reaching for my panties

his chest to get some distance between us and Tyler raised up to take off his suit jacket. He opened the bedside table to grab a foil condom packet; I shook my head as I stopped him from opening the

Rachel? What is