The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 114

Rowan

POV

It's been two days of staying put in this blasted hospital wing after that little b***h Stacey tried to poison me. No matter how apologetic Amber was about it, it didn't change the fact that she'd tried to kill me while I was already pretty much on my deathbed. Not to mention I'd ingested King Stefan's blood, turning me half-vampire. I half expected to have red glowing eyes and a pointy tail but that hadn't resulted. Instead, I felt relatively normal, except for a slight craving for meat, which to be fair, was something I had as a shifter as well. "She's in the dungeon now Rowan, she can't get to you," Amber said quietly, leaning forward in the hospital chair she was sitting on and regarding me steadily.

It didn't make me any less angry or annoyed. What kind of security did this castle have, for someone like Stacey to be able to slip through its guards and poison me? It was seriously lacking in security I thought disgruntled. King Stefan stayed where he was, leaning against the doorway, looking way too casual for my benefit. He was nonchalant. "Yes, I've had my people throw her in the dungeon for now" he agreed "until such time as the baby is born. Then, she will be executed" he promised me. "What about the baby?" asked Amber sadly.

King Stefan shrugged. "We will replace it a good home, don't you worry about that. There will be plenty of people wanting to raise the child."

I sat up in the hospital bed, very aware of the gown I was wearing and frowned. "When can I get out of this blasted bed" I groused and saw Amber hide a smile. King Stefan merely glowered back at me. A doctor came waltzing through the curtain as if to answer my question. It was an attractive female doctor, with long auburn hair and big brown eyes, large spectacles and she wore a white doctor's coat. Her name tag read Dr. Jameson.

"How are you feeling today?" she asked in a chirpy voice, going to my side and beginning to take my blood pressure.

I eyed the doctor grumpily. "I feel fine, when can I get out of this bed?" I huffed. After all, I had initially been told that I needed to spend one night there and it had been two days! I was growing restless, and bored and I wanted to discuss things with Amber, without the King present preferably but I didn't like my chances of that.

The doctor arched an eyebrow at me. "Well," she said slowly, checking my pulse "all your vitals are normal and the poison seems to have exited your system, so you can leave when you feel up for it."

Now that was more like it, I thought to myself smirking. I began to climb out of the bed and King Stefan averted his eyes while Amber blushed and looked anywhere but at me. I glanced down and hastily wrapped the gown tighter around myself.

"I think I'll organize some clothes for you" Stefan muttered, glancing at Amber "do you need anything sweetheart?"

She shook her head. I could have celebrated right then and there. He was leaving me alone with Amber. I couldn't believe my luck. He was either extremely trusting or an i***t. It was difficult to tell.

"Don't take too long" I called out, Stefan shooting me a dark look before he walked over to Amber and pecked her on the forehead right in front of my eyes.

"I'll be back soon" he murmured and then left. I wondered why he didn't mind-link his people and then realized that maybe he just didn't want to spend any longer around me then he had to.

He disappeared with one last backward glance over his shoulder, his eyes narrowed on me before he was gone, the doorway empty of his presence.

"So," said Amber quietly, fidgeting and wringing her hands together "how are you really feeling Rowan?"

I moved around and stretched experimentally, showing off my body to her as she flushed. "I feel really good," I told her honestly "a lot like my normal self."

"So no bad feelings about the whole vampire blood thing?" asked Amber tentatively, biting her lip. God, she was so adorable! I wanted to kiss those plump lips of hers and it was taking everything in me to maintain some semblance of control. "So no bad feelings about the whole vampire blood thing?" asked Amber tentatively, biting her lip. God, she was so adorable! I wanted to kiss those plump lips of hers and it was taking everything in me to maintain some semblance of control. I shook my head. "You did what you had to do," I said quietly "and you saved my life doing it. So thank you, Amber, for everything you've done for me."

"What are your plans now?" she asked, leaning back in the chair some more.

I was thoughtful. I knew I probably had no chance of getting Amber back but I couldn't ignore the longing inside of me or the way my wolf was desperate just to be with her. I couldn't walk away, at least not without trying. Sure, King Stefan seemed like a lovely fellow, but Amber was mine first I thought a bit viciously to myself.

I couldn't help myself. I turned around and stared at Amber, feeling my breath quicken and my hands become slightly clammy from nerves. I reached out with one hand and stroked her cheek lightly, her own breathing hastening, her lips parting in invitation. I let out a small growl as her eyes fluttered closed and then, I leaned down, grabbing hold of the back of her neck with one hand, keeping her still, my lips pressing against hers. She let out a small gasp and then moaned, as my tongue dived inside of her mouth and began to caress hers, sparks flying between us and tingles running down my spine. I felt my c**k twitching in arousal and deepened the kiss, taking her roughly, possessively, as she kissed me back just as hard, responding in a way I hadn't even dreamed of. It was like pure heaven, feeling her lips against mine and I couldn't stop myself, Amber finally being the one to break free, a guilty look on her face.

"Rowan" she breathed, her cheeks a rosy hue and her eyes twinkling "we can't do this. I'm with Stefan now."

"But look how you just responded to me, Amber. Do you honestly think that we're not meant to be together?"

"I'm in love with Stefan," she said quietly, still looking immensely guilty "not you Rowan."

It stung but I wasn't finished yet. "My mark is still on you" I growled, pointing to the nape of her neck and watching as she reached up a trembling hand to touch it "that means that I'm still bonded to you." "My mark is also on her" cut in a furious voice, King Stefan arrived in the doorway. He took one look at Amber's guilty expression and exploded, throwing the clothes he'd brought me right in my face. "I'm so sorry Stefan" Amber began and Stefan held up his hand, eyeing me with contempt.

"Don't apologize" he sneered "I'm betting that Rowan was the one to kiss you first. You just couldn't help yourself, could you?" he demanded heatedly.

I said nothing, merely stared at him as he folded his arms across his chest and glowered.

"I kissed him back Stefan" Amber blurted out, holding a hand to her mouth and looking about to cry.

Stefan stared at her stonily. "You kissed him back" he repeated with a voice dripping with malice "how could you Amber?"

Amber stared at the ground looking miserable. "I don't know," she said in a small voice "it's all so confusing. I'm in love with you but I'm drawn to Rowan as well. I don't understand what's happening to me."

I had a fairly good idea. She was a unique wolf after all, from what I'd heard. Thanks to Clarissa I now knew all about Amber's wolf and how special she was. It made sense that she would have multiple mates but I daren't speak aloud about it. Stefan looked like he wanted to rip me to shreds as it was.

"I think I know what's going on" cut in a voice and we all swiveled our heads to stare at one of the eldest-looking vampires I had ever met. He looked like a cheerful fellow, with a round face and a huge grin on it, his eyes sparkling with good humor. He made his way inside.

"You must be Alpha Rowan," he said kindly to me and I nodded, still gripping my hospital gown to myself tightly so I wasn't showing anything off I shouldn't be.

"I am," I told him "and you are?"

"Forgive my bad manners," said the elderly vampire "but my name is Elder Gerald and it's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you" I muttered, not sure what else I should say.

"This is all well and good but what are you doing here?" asked Stefan calmly "elders don't generally concern themselves with hospitals."

Elder Gerald laughed. "I don't like hospitals" he agreed "but I thought I would make an exception this one time. I wanted to meet Alpha Rowan, the shifter you defeated in a fight and who almost died in his hospital bed due to poisoning."

Stefan blanched. Amber just looked perplexed but happy to see the elder which meant she was familiar with him.

"Yes well," said Stefan with a helpless shrug "it couldn't be helped. Now, what did you mean by you know what is happening to Amber?"

Elder Gerald looked taken aback. "Well I thought it might have been a tad bit obvious," he said looking a bit astounded "your mate is mates with Rowan as well. She has multiple mates. I can't make it any clearer than that," he said with a bit of a sigh. "No, that can't be right" argued Stefan "she rejected him for heaven's sake."

Elder Gerald stared at me. "Am I right in assuming you didn't accept the rejection?" he asked.

"You would be right" I confirmed heavily.

He nodded to himself. Stefan looked pissed. Amber looked nervous and Clarissa thankfully was missing for some strange reason. I wondered where she was.

"So multiple mates," said Elder Gerald again, with a look at Stefan I couldn't interpret "you might not want to face the truth but it's right here in front of your face. The question is, whether you are able to share her or not. Of course, she could always reject Rowan again but I do have to ask you to consider this. By being mates to a shifter and a vampire, she could open doors to each race being more accepting of the other, which is something that you have always endeavored to do, King Stefan."

King Stefan fell silent, mulling his words. Amber looked insulted. "I don't want to be shared like I'm some sort of prized possession" she snapped at Elder Gerald, who raised an eyebrow at her tone of voice.

"Then reject one," said Elder Gerald breezily "but isn't it interesting how his mark" he pointed to me "has remained all this time? Rejection and all?"

We all looked at Amber's neck where the two tattoos rested side by side, one of a wolf and the other one of a crown or tiara depending on how you looked at it. Amber lightly touched it again. I followed her every move.

"What you do decide, will affect the kingdom, so I suggest you choose wisely child" Elder Gerald told Amber, patting her on the arm like she was a small child. He began to shuffle out of the doorway, leaving all of us staring wide-eyed at each other.

"I um need to get out of here" Amber stammered, glancing between the two of us and blushing bright red. I opened my mouth to object but she was out of the door before I could utter a sound, leaving myself and Stefan together.

"We need to talk," I told him grimly as he came further in and plonked himself on the chair "because I have no intentions of giving up Amber and something tells me you feel the same way."

"I guess we need to come up with some kind of solution then," Stefan said with a scowl "because I'm in love with her and I'm not giving her up."