My Promised Rejection (Olivia and Ace) novel Chapter 71

Hudson POV

I make my way through the pack house with my men close behind me. We haven’t been formally introduced to the pack yet but no one has approached us or made snide comments. When I woke up this morning, Waylen was giving me a headache with his pacing. Every time I asked him what his problem was, he would retreat to the back of my mind. The only thing that made sense is he is worried about Ace, Della, and Olivia, I can’t say I blame him. I’m worried too. I just found them and I’ll be damned if I let anyone or anything hurt them, including that b**ch Cassandra.

Ace’s Lycan is strong. He is born of a Royal Lycan and an Alpha’s daughter. She wasn’t treated like one but that’s exactly what Lorraine was. I know that Olivia was chosen to be Della’s guardian for a reason but it doesn’t stop me from worrying. If Cassandra could wipe out the Lycans with a few wolves she is far stronger than we realized.

Della is powerful but she is still a little girl. She hasn’t had time to practice using her powers or to truly understand who she is. Now that we are here in the pack, I plan on working with her every day, but that has to wait until we get Evelyn back. As we make our way to the dining room, I smile when I notice Liam sitting at the Alpha table with Ebony in his lap. They must have needed a break. They have been hold up in that room since we arrived.

A wave of sadness washes over me when I remember the first time Lorraine accepted my touch. She wouldn’t allow my mark, but being with her strengthened our bond. Had that b**ch and the council not orchestrated the attack, I know she would have come to accept our pairing completely. I would have made her believe that it was me that wasn’t worthy of such a beautiful with an equally beautiful soul.

“Hudson, are you alright,” Becca asks and I smile. “Fine, just happy to see my old friend enjoying time with his mate,” I say, taking the seat next to Connor. The lightness of a few moments ago is gone just as quickly when Xavier walks into the dining room. He looks like he didn’t sleep at all last night and I can’t say I blame him. I don’t know what’s worse. Knowing you’ll never see the woman you love again or wondering if you will.

“Connor, is there any word from the scouts,” he asks, his voice low. “No, they’ve searched the area around the coven and found no trace of mom’s scent. We both know that it’s unlikely she is keeping mom in the coven.

Even so, we won’t be allowed to just walk through whatever barrier she has in place. If she isn’t in charge of the damn coven, she is of a high rank Xavier. We have to be smart with,our next move,” Connor says.

My mind automatically goes to the barrier that Cassandra placed around the mansion. I recall stepping through it without any resistance while I held Della in my arms. Before I can think more about it, my granddaughter’s squeal has me smiling as she runs toward the table. Ace and Olivia follow behind her. “Connor, we have to get her back. I can’t lose her or the pup. Please,” he says, sounding every bit as broken as he looks.

I watch as Olivia moves around the table and comes to stand next to Xavier. He looks at her and tears roll down his cheeks. “I know she hurt you, we hurt you, Olivia, but please help me bring her home. The goddess chose you to be the guardian wolf because you are so strong. Stronger than either of us ever were. I know you don’t believe me, but I’m sorry for the pain I caused you and Charlie. I shouldn’t have been so worried about my own feelings or your mother’s feelings. You deserved better from both of us, he says.

“He hurt our pup” Waylen growls. I smile to myself that my beast has claimed my daughter–in–law as his own pup. “None of that matters, Xavier. The only thing that is important right now is bringing Evelyn home,” she says. She reaches out her hand and squeezes his forearm before she goes to take her seat next to Ace. Della is still bouncing around from person to person until she comes to stand next to my chair.

“Grandpa, Amethyst said to tell you that Nana Evie is in the last place you were truly happy,” Della says before she makes her way over to Olivia. My heart starts to pound against my chest. I look around the table and my eyes meet Connor’s. He tilts his head as if he is studying me. He goes to open his mouth, but just as quickly his eyes glaze over. I watch his body stiffen and Waylen again starts to pace.

When Connor’s eyes return to normal, I see fear and anger swirling in equal measure. “Everyone needs to go to my office now. No questions,” he says. He rises and grips Becca’s hand. Everyone follows behind him in silence. When we finally reach the office, it becomes very crowded with the eleven of us inside. “Hudson, do you and your man plan on staying in the pack,” Connor asks. His question startling me.

“Honestly, I was never one for theatrics. I want to sit in that chair and let me be the first thing they see when the door is opened.” A knock on the door has us all looking in that direction. I expect the door to open and that ba**ard Augustus to step inside, but instead it’s a beautiful woman with long strawberry blonde hair and curves for days. What the hell is wrong with me? I haven’t so much as thought of another woman since I found Lorraine.

Her eyes meet mine and the scent of honeysuckle engulfs me. I feel like I can’t breathe. A word I never thought I’d hear again is practically whispered into the air as she drops her gaze to the floor. “Mate” she says just as Waylen growls the word in my head. Before I can take a step closer an a**hole I hoped to never see again steps into the doorway close to my mate. I fight the urge to growl, not wanting them to know she is important to me. That she is mine.

His eyes meet mine and I revel in the fear I see staring back at me. “Amber, will you take Della to the kitchen for some icecream. I’ll come find you when we’re done,” Olivia says. She scoops Della up and moves around the three men ensuring she keeps space between them. “So the rumors are true. The mighty king has returned,” Augustus says. This time I don’t stop the low growl that escapes me. “Yes, I have Augustus and from what I’ve learned we have much to discuss.”