His Plump Mate (Book 1: The 'His' Series) novel Chapter 575

Sinclair POV

He left. Of course, he left. Why would he want to be mated to me? Why would anyone want to be mated to me?

I laughed at myself bitterly. I just wanted to enjoy myself tonight. Apparently, the universe thinks I’m undeserving of a mate or just a relaxing night.

Everyone is looking at me and whispering to each other. It feels like my high school days all over again. Being humiliated in front of everyone, then hearing everyone around me quietly mock me.

I need to get out of here. I need air. I turned and walked out the double doors to the outside patio. I down my drink in one gulp and set the glass down. I sit down at one of the patio tables and take a deep breath.

Mali is quiet in my mind. She is hurt that our mate rejected us. She said Thor wanted us. It doesn’t matter, though. If the man doesn’t want us, there isn’t much the wolf can do.

‘Mali, if you want to leave me too, I totally understand. You don’t have to stay and live this kind of loneliness.’

‘I’m not leaving, Clair. But perhaps we should go back to Ironclaw. Let’s let him settle down. It can be easy, coming here and finding out he has a second mate when he was just widowed a few months ago, right?’

I mull the thought over in my mind. I guess she’s right. It must have come as a shock to him. I sighed. ‘Okay. I will tell Thalia and give Kaia a call.’

‘We will come back in a couple of days, and maybe then he will adjust to the idea of us being his mate.’

Mali sounds hopeful. I’m not optimistic. I saw the anger in his eyes. It was primary to the lingering terror.

I took a deep breath and then walked towards Thalia and Aiden. They both looked at me with sympathy in their eyes.

Aiden was the first to speak. “Sinclair, I’m sorry for my brother’s behavior.”

It doesn’t surprise me. No one has ever wanted me. Why would that change now? I put my hand up and shake my head.

“Aiden. Truly, it’s okay. He’s shocked. He’s grieving. I’m sure he wasn’t expecting to come back, and then suddenly have another mate.”

Thalia then spoke, “That doesn’t excuse his behavior, Sinclair.”

“No, but I understand it. Listen, I’m going to head back to Ironclaw for a couple of days. I’ll call Kaia in a few minutes. Let Adrian have a couple of days to himself and to adjust to the idea. I will talk to him when I come back,” I said.

“Sinclair,” he said, and pulled me in for a hug. “I’m sorry for Adrian’s behavior. It’s unacceptable.”

“It’s okay, Dad,” I said. I’ve gotten comfortable calling him Dad. He insisted on it, and honestly, it feels nice. I’m not so vain as to think he will choose me over his own son, though. “Adrian has been through a lot lately. He is probably in shock. I’m leaving for a couple of days so he can sort through his thoughts. Then he and I can talk.”

“Even after what he did, you are being kind to him,” Austin said. “I’m glad the Moon Goddess is making you a part of our family. You should be.”

Something in my chest swells at how accepting everyone in the family is. It’s a shame my mate isn’t, though. Figures.

I smiled and hugged him again. “I’ll see you in a couple of days. Maybe you can try beating me at chess again.”

He chuckled. “I swear, you are the only one who can beat me at that game. You have a brilliant mind.”

We said our goodbyes, and I went outside and got in my car. When I drove off the pack, I finally let go of the tears I’d been holding back.

I’m used to being unwanted. I’m used to being alone. But dammit, I didn’t think this would hurt so damn much.