Dawson jumped out of the car, and I followed him. At the same time, Beta Dominic came out of the packhouse, carrying Bella’s phone. He was the one who answered the phone earlier when Dawson called.
“Fuck, man! You’ve found your mate! Is that her?” Trent came and hugged Dawson. His eyes were on me. A smile was on his face before his nose scrunched up while he was hugging Dawson.
A growl reverberated from his chest as the word ‘mate’ came out of his mouth, and I stood frozen in my spot as his eyes shifted back at me.
What was happening? Did he think I was his mate? My eyes widened as I stepped back before I heard a car door slam.
And the next thing I knew, Trent was rushing to where Bella was, pinning her body to the side of the car.
“Get off of me, you freak!” Bella shrieked as she threw punches at Trent’s chest. Dawson rushed toward them and took Trent away from Bella.
“She’s my mate!” Trent yelled at Dawson.
All eyes turned to Bella as she hugged my mother tightly.
“Bella, is Trent your mate?” Riley asked her in a warm voice.
“I don’t want him.”
Nadia and I gasped at the same time as my eyes shifted to Trent. I saw pain flash in his eyes, but it was gone in a second. He pushed Dawson away from holding him. His face was now void of any emotions as he walked near Bella.
“Fine. Let’s make this official. Give me your name.”
“No. No fucking way, Trent!” Riley growled.
Dad went in front of him. He laid his hand on Trent’s shoulder as he spoke calmly. “Calm down. Let’s talk about this.”
“Just give me your name!” His voice was calmer but firm as he talked to her, ignoring Dad’s words.
“Can we all calm down!” Nadia was about to stand between Trent and Bella, but Riley grabbed her waist and pulled her, placing her behind him.
“Bella Grayson.” Bella’s voice was shaking.
“Bella...” My voice was shaking too. I knew how Bella dreamed of a mate, but I had no idea what she was thinking at the moment. Does she really want to be rejected?
“She wants this. I’m not going to push myself on someone who doesn’t want me.” Trent snapped at everyone who was trying to stop him.
“Oh, Goddess! You’re just like Riley! Can you calm down?” Nadia was furious, but Riley was stopping her from moving from her spot.
“I, Trent Jefferson Adams,” Trent started, but before he could continue, Riley’s clenched fist was already on his jaw.
He staggered backward before he fell to the ground. Riley hit him hard.
Gasps and screams were all around me asI stood dumbfounded. My eyes zeroed in on Bella as she rushed in front of Trent, crouching, her back to him as she tried to block him from Riley, who was aiming for another punch.
“Stop, stop! Riley, please! I’m sorry! Don’t!” Tears poured down her face as her hands moved to her back, touching Trent’s legs, while he simply lay down on his back and let out a deep sigh, tightly clutching his jaw.
“If I hear another rejection coming from your fucking mouth, I don’t care if you’re family, I’m going to fucking kill you!” Riley spat at Trent before moving back and going to Nadia, checking if she was hurt, because Nadia had tried to stop him from lunging at Trent.
My eyes darted to my father. His chest was heaving and anger was written on his face, but Mom was holding him back. Bella was still guarding Trent, her chest rising and falling as she tried to stop her tears, her hands still holding on to her mate’s legs.
“Maybe we should let them talk.” I finally found my voice as Dawson came beside me and pulled me into his arms.
“No.” Both Dad and Riley said it in unison.
“I’m not leaving them alone until I have a guarantee Trent won’t reject Bella.” It was Riley.
“I won’t, unless she asks me to,” Trent replied, but he was still on the ground with his eyes closed and his chest heaving.
