Page 30 of Reject Him

He doesn’t say anything because it’s true. Though some days he wants a life that didn’t come with all his responsibilities, other days, he can’t imagine not being in charge. “If the rogues take over . . .”

“I know.”

“We can’t have that.”

“I know.”

“This is serious.”

“I know!” Eme yells. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and tries again. “It’s why we need the alliance.”

“I won’t have you mate with me simply for an alliance.” And he means it. He doesn’t want to push for something she isn’t ready for, and though they only have a few days until the week is over, he’ll be patient. All of this isn’t worth it without her true, unwavering acceptance. He thinks more of her than that.

“Thank you,” she says quietly. “I know that’s asking a lot from you.”

Just then, Doctor Grace pokes her head out of the exam room. “Logan, he’s awake.”

Logan takes hold of her hand and stands. Together, they calmly follow the doctor back into the room. Clark still lies on the table, sweat beading his forehead. His mother and father are on the other side of the table, towering protectively over him.

“Clark?” Logan calls. Clark’s glassy eyes swivel to him. “Do you remember what happened to you? You collapsed.”

Clark nods. “The last thing I remember is the celebration,” he says in a weak voice.

“Do you remember why?” Logan prompts.

Clark looks away and flexes his jaw. He stares at an anatomy poster on the wall.

Logan sighs. “We all know what happened, Clark. There’s no need for you to explain further, but I cannot allow wolfcalm into my pack.” Clark flinches at the word wolfcalm. “I need to know who you bought it from.”

Clark says nothing, so his father coaxes, “You have to tell him, Clark. You have to.”

Just then, Wayne walks in. “What did you find out?” Logan asks him.

Wayne leans against the wall and crosses his arms with a glare. “The others didn’t have any. It was just him.”

Clark says nothing, so Eme steps forward. “You’re not going to get into trouble, you have my word.”

Logan looks at her sidelong. He had planned to have some sort of consequence for such reckless behaviors, but apparently, his future mate has spoken.

The young teen wets his lips and finally looks over, but he doesn’t meet Logan’s gaze. Instead, he peers into Eme’s eyes. “It was a joke.”

“What was?” Eme whispers.

“Buying the wolfcalm. At first, it was a joke.” Wayne huffs, and Eme shoots him a look. Clark continues, “I was dared to buy it. Mom and Dad had given me more money than the others combined, and I thought – I thought… We thought it would be fun. I never intended to use it, but I thought just this once…”

Viola sobs into her son’s shoulder while Eme slowly sighs. “It’s okay, Clark.”

“No, it’s not okay,” Wayne and Jim say together.

Jim captures Clark’s gaze. “You have to promise me you’ll never use it again.”

“I will. I do. I promise.”

“You could have died, Clark,” Wayne interjects. “You could have left your parents without a son.”

“I know,” Clark says in a small voice.

“Is there any left?” Logan asks after letting the parents have a moment to fuss over their son.