Rejected (Shadow Beast Shifters #1) - Jaymin Eve Page 0,131

Jaxson still being around for a short time after my father’s death.

“Why did he give up on his mission to stick it out with me?”

Torin’s face was set, hard and unyielding, the alpha in him shining clear as fucking day. “His father and mine got together and taught Jaxson a few life lessons. He almost didn’t survive, and if it wasn’t for my intervention, they might have killed him. They still managed to break something in my friend that day, and I haven’t seen it again until recently. His strength and will has returned with vengeance, and I doubt there’s anything in this world that could tear him away from you now.”

I sucked down a sob… No way would I cry in front of Torin. But this little story, one that was almost unbelievable and yet explained so much, was like a whole new dagger in my chest.

“What tangled webs we weave,” I murmured. “I had no idea Jaxson went through so much to try to save me.” It didn’t negate the shit he’d put me through, but it did help me understand, and that helped me somewhat forgive him.

Torin laughed, and in the same instant, leaned forward and wrapped his hands around my forearms, pulling me to a stop as he forced me to face him. “He’s not going to easily let you go. And here’s my proposition… I will fight side by side with him to win you over, and you can decide who is the best mate for you. I heard you before about choices being made for you, and I think I have enough to offer that I’ll gladly take my chances competing with Jax.”

My eyes were so wide now that I was genuinely worried about my eyeballs falling right the fuck out of my head. I’d never seen Torin like this—so open and vulnerable. Wearing his emotions on his face.

My disbelief must have shone through like a spotlight.

“I know I’ve done very little to convince you of this, but I’ve changed in the past year,” he said softly. “Got my priorities straight. Faced a few hard truths that I’d been shielded from in my youth. I’m not the same shifter or man you knew, Mera. I am many steps closer to being worthy of you. Just give me a chance to prove it.”

My wolf howled, and she wanted to take the chance because this was our true mate. The one who would complete our souls in a way no other ever could. But I didn’t trust this new Torin, no matter what he was saying. There was still so much unsaid, so many secrets, and I had zero idea what had happened to Dannie.

Not to mention, part of me was still waiting for Shadow to make his appearance. Maybe stupidly, but it was what it was.

Swallowing down my softer emotions, I pulled away from the alpha. “It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than perfect words, Torin,” I said shortly, my voice trembling despite my resolution to not be affected. “I’m also not the same shifter I was a year ago, and now, you’re going to have one hell of a job proving your worth.”

He smiled, and for once, it was not a smirk. “Challenge accepted, sweetheart. You’re going to be wooed like you’ve never been before.”

My heart fluttered again, but I shut that bitch down. We had a mission, and I would not be deterred from it, no matter what happened. Torin might have turned over a new leaf, but I had my doubts. Did a wolf ever really change their pelt? Would I be around long enough to find out?

57

My afternoon with Torin was enlightening, and honestly, if there hadn’t been many years of fucked-up history between us, I’d have been charmed as hell by the alpha of Torma. He did seem different: mature, calm, and intuitive. He’d done some real growing up since his father’s death had thrust him into the position of alpha, but I was apparently not a forgiving sort of chick, because my burning anger was still an endless pool he’d barely dented.

But I didn’t completely hate the day.

Torin had stayed with me right up until the end of dinner before excusing himself, saying he had pack business to deal with. I just smiled and nodded, not bothering to hold him up. This was a great sign. It meant the meeting was a go, and I just had to wait for Simone’s text. She’d sent one