Rejected By My Serpent Mate

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In the hierarchy of the Serpent-shifters, a male who has tasted the intimacy of a mate finds it nearly impossible to walk away. Its a biological tether, a soul-deep obsession.

But my mates younger brother had been harboring dark, twisted designs on me long before the ink on our contract was dry.

I never imagined that after being bought for a staggering price at a high-end auction and brought back to the Serpents Reach, I would actually fall for the man who claimed me. Even less expected was that I would bear his children.

For our kind, conception is a rare miracle. Yet, in one breath, I defied the odds and laid three healthy eggs, eventually hatching three perfect, tiny serpents.

But the man who once looked at me with a possessiveness that bordered on insanity now wore a face carved from ice.

To be honest, I regret it, Jeffrey said suddenly. His voice held the temperature of a winter grave.

I looked up at him, my heart stuttering in my chest. I didnt understand.

His gaze raked over my bodylingering on my breasts, still full from nursing, and the soft, feminine curve of my hipswith a cold, clinical scrutiny that made me feel naked in the worst way.

If I hadn't been trying to spite Lydia back then, I never would have brought you here. Now that I look at you, youre just... ordinary. A common female with nothing in her head but the instinct to breed.

And my Lydia... His voice softened with a trace of tenderness he never offered me. Shes suffered so many years of heartache because of my pride.

The blood in my veins felt like it was turning to slush. My eyes burned, the sting of tears threatening to spill over.

I forced myself to speak, my voice a mere thimble of sound, reminding him of the bond. I told him he couldn't leave methat his nature wouldn't allow it.

Jeffrey didnt even flinch. Instead, he looked almost manic as he began detailing his plan to bring his "golden girl" back to his side.

He spared me one last look of pure Revulsion, as if I were a piece of furniture that no longer fit the decor. If it weren't for that body of yours, do you really think Id have looked at you twice?

But don't worry. You gave me heirs, so I won't throw you to the wolves. My brother doesn't have a mate yet. When Beau returns, youll be moving into his quarters.

...

Are you certain you want to transfer the legal guardianship of your mate to your brother?

The clerk at the Tribal Registry looked at Jeffrey as if hed grown a second head. He glanced at memy curves prominent and healthyand then at the woman shivering in Jeffreys arms. Lydia was gaunt, frail, looking like a gust of wind might shatter her.

Once this is filed, you cant undo it without the consent of the other male. Its a permanent severance.

Jeffrey didn't even look at me. He just scowled. Of course. Just hurry it up. Lydia just got back and shes overwhelmed. I need to get her home and settled.

The clerk let out a sharp breath of annoyance. He struck Jeffreys name from my record and replaced it with a new one.

I was now legally bound to a man named Beau.

Fine. When your brother gets back, send him in to provide the blood-seal, the clerk muttered.

Jeffrey was too busy tucking Lydias head into his chest to care. Tomorrow, he tossed over his shoulder.

When we stepped out of the Registry, I stood alone on the pavement. The wind was biting, but it was nothing compared to the void opening in my chest.

I watched Lydia pout, her voice a high-pitched whine as she scolded Jeffrey for "abandoning" her years ago and buying "that woman" right in front of her.

Jeffrey cooed to her, his heart on his sleeve, before finally remembering I existed. He glanced back. I must have looked pathetic, standing there in the cold with my thin coat wrapped around me.

He hesitated for a second, something flickering in his eyes, but it died before it reached his lips.

The silence stretched until I broke it. Do I have to move out today?

Jeffreys brow furrowed. You don't have to be in such a rush

Your name is Ivy, right? Lydia interrupted, her eyes narrowing as she cataloged every inch of me with blatant envy. I remember you. The 'Prize' of the auction.

She let out a harsh, jagged laugh. Men are so predictable. They love the tits and the ass. But honestly, aren't you embarrassed to walk around looking like... that? If I were that top-heavy, Id never leave the house.

She looked up at Jeffrey, her eyes brimming with fake tears. Jeffrey, you actually like that kind of thing, don't you?

Jeffrey panicked instantly, desperate to prove his devotion. Who told you that? Its repulsive. It makes my skin crawl.

I went rigid. My eyes went hot.

Repulsive?

The man who spent every night winding his serpent tail around me, whispering my name into the crook of my neck as he took me again and again? The man who wouldn't let me go until I was breathless and trembling?

That was what he called repulsive.

Lydia smirked, tucking her arm through his, looking at me with a sickening kind of pity. Don't be upset, Ivy. If Jeffrey hadn't bought you, youd still be in a cage. You should thank me. If I hadn't picked a fight with him back then, there never would have been a vacancy for you to fill.

I looked at Jeffrey. He didnt defend me. He didnt even look me in the eye.

Right, I whispered, the word tasting like ash.

Seeing that I was too broken to fight back, Lydia lost interest. She started tugging on Jeffreys arm, demanding they go home. He smiled at herthat soft, doting smile that used to be mineand let her lead him away.

After a few steps, he called back over his shoulder, Ivy, since youre so eager to go, go ahead. Move your things.

Then, as an afterthought: Dont take it to heart. Were still family.

Family.

Yes. We were still family. Except I was no longer his mate. I was a hand-me-down for his brother.

The moment we reached the house, Lydias facade crumbled. She stormed into the master bedroomour bedroomand began tearing through my things.

She threw my clothes into the hallway. She found the pair of grass-woven rings Id made for our anniversary. She found the silk protection charm Id spent weeks sewing, the one Id hidden under Jeffreys pillow to keep him safe on his hunts.

Id worked so hard on the stitching. Every thread was a prayer for him.

Now, it was under her heel, ground into the dirt.

I stood there, paralyzed, watching her move like a hurricane through the home I had meticulously built, piece by piece. Jeffrey stood in the doorway, watching. He didn't stop her. He just gave a helpless, weary smile.

He caught my eye and said casually, Just let her have her moment. I owe her this. Shes had a hard time. If she breaks anything, Ill buy you a replacement.

My throat felt like it was closing. I shook my head. No... its fine. It wasnt anything important anyway.

Jeffrey paused, a flash of irritation crossing his face, but he said nothing.

Outside in the yard, there was a row of vegetables Id planted. Jeffrey used to complain about the dirt, saying we could just buy whatever we needed. But I wanted something of our own. Hed grumbled, but one night, I caught him secretly building a small cedar fence around the sprouts to keep the rabbits out.

Now, Lydia marched right over the seedlings. She ripped my lingerie off the drying line, shaking it with disgust.

You actually hang these outside? Are you trying to advertise?

She dropped the lace to the muddy ground and stepped on it.

Jeffrey let out a short, surprised laugh. His eyes were fixed on Lydias fiery spirit, completely oblivious to how pale my face had become.

I instinctively hunched my shoulders, feeling a crushing sense of shame for my own body for the first time in my life.

Lydia wasn't done. She scouted the yard until her eyes landed on the wicker basket in the corner.

It was a beautiful day. Id brought the basket out so the hatchlings could sleep in the sun instead of the stuffy nursery.

Panic spiked in my chest. The babies are in there! Don't

Before I could finish, she reached for the handle, intending to hurl it over the fence.

I didn't think. I lunged forward.

But I was too late. Lydia, startled by my sudden movement, stumbled back. She let out a sharp cry as she lost her balance.

In a blur of motion, a dark shadow streaked past me. Jeffrey caught her, pulling her securely into his arms.

The basket tumbled.

The three tiny serpents, curled together in their fleece blankets, rolled out like fallen fruit. They were so small. Too small to even make a sound when they hit the grass.

Only the eldest, slightly larger than the others, let out a thin, pained hiss as he woke.

My babies!

I dropped to my knees, frantically scooping the three of them into my arms. They were trembling, their tiny tails lashing out to wrap around my fingers for safety. The eldest had a scrape on his tiny head, a bead of pale blood welling up.

I couldn't breathe. The pain in my chest was physical.

Jeffrey had been closer to the basket. If he had wanted to, he could have caught it. He could have saved his children.

But he chose Lydia. He watched his own flesh and blood hit the ground and didn't even blink.

In the quiet hours of the night, when we were tangled together, I used to wonder if this was love. I told myself his possessiveness, his intensity, his constant need for me... that it had to mean something.

In this moment, I finally realized how wrong I was.

I looked up at him, my eyes red and my voice shaking. Jeffrey, please. Im begging you. Don't let her touch anything else. Ill pack. Ill go now. Ill take everything and I wont leave a single trace that I was ever here.

Jeffrey went still. He slowly released Lydia.

The hatchlings were still hissing at their father, their tiny voices full of hurt. They wanted him to tuck them into his scales like he used to.

But before Jeffrey could speak, Lydia burst into tears.

Jeffrey! Do you feel sorry for her? You do! You care about her and those... those things she produced!

I knew it! You say shes repulsive, but you cant let go!

Jeffreys jaw tightened. Lydia, I didn't

You promised youd take me away! she shrieked, tears streaming down her face. And instead, you bought her at an auction for a record price. Everyone laughed at me for six months. They said I was delusional, that a man like you would never want someone like me.

No one would buy me after that. I had to wash clothes, chop wood... I did the filthiest work. One winter I had a fever for seven days. I laid in the dark thinking of you, waiting for you to come for me.

And you? Were you busy holding her? Had you already forgotten me?

She collapsed against his chest, her fists thumping weakly against his heart. Jeffrey... we can have babies too. Ill give you so many... just stop looking at her. Please.

I watched Jeffreys rigid body slowly melt. He looked away from me, away from his bleeding son, and gently wiped the tears from Lydias face.

Don't cry. Ill do whatever you want, okay?

The hatchlings watched their father, their cries growing weaker. They nudged my fingers with their small snouts, their black, obsidian eyes reflecting my own shattered face. They seemed to be asking: Why doesn't he see us? We're hurt. Why won't he look?

I couldn't give them an answer. My face felt frozen.

I stroked their tiny heads, forcing a bitter, broken smile. Its okay, my loves. Mamas got you.

I lowered my head and started picking up my ruined belongings. Things fell out of my trembling hands as fast as I could grab them. I kept picking them up. I kept dropping them.

Scalding tears hit the dirt and vanished.

In the background, I heard Lydias voice, sweet and demanding. I want you to build me a new bed! I won't sleep where you laid with her.

And dig up those vegetables. I want flowers there. And that fence? Its hideous. Tear it down.

Jeffrey looked toward the garden. His gaze lingered on the green sprouts for a heartbeat. He looked at me, then turned back to Lydia, resting his chin on the top of her head.

Anything you want, Lydia. Anything.

Over the next few days, I moved into Beaus quarters. He had been away for so long that the place was thick with dampness and dust.

I managed to clear a small corner, layering my old clothes over some dry straw to make a nest for the babies.

The humid night wind drifted through the window, carrying the cloying scent of flowers. Jeffrey had dug up my garden and replaced it with Lydias favorites.

The hatchlings were restless, huddling against my chest. They were heartbroken. Since the day they hatched, their father had never ignored them like this.

I leaned down, pressing my lips to their cool foreheads, my eyes stinging.

Outside, the sound of Lydias muffled giggles and Jeffreys low voice drifted through the walls. I rolled over, pressing my hands over my ears.

Then, a sudden, violent crash echoed from the main house.

Jeffrey, no! Stop! Don't touch me! Im scared, please!

Footsteps thundered across the porch. My body went taut.

A second later, my door was kicked open.

Jeffrey stood in the doorway. His eyes were a glowing, predatory green, fixed on me with a terrifying intensity. His gaze slid from my face down to the swell of my breasts, partially exposed by my loose tunic.

I knew that look. It was the look of a male in his heat.

In the dark of our old room, he would pull me into his lap, his tail coiling around my waist, claiming me over and over until the sun rose.

He was in his cycle.

I instinctively scrambled back toward the corner.

Seeing me recoil, Jeffreys teeth ground together with an audible snap. He looked furious, though he probably didn't even know why. The primal urge of the beast was screaming in his blood, drowning out reason.

To his lizard brain, there was only one truth: I was his mate. And no one else could have me.

As Jeffrey lunged forward, I shook my head violently. No! Jeffrey, stop!

My rejection seemed to burn him. He stopped in his tracks, looking at me with a wounded, confused expression.

Don't look at me like that, I thought. Youre the one who threw me away.

I wont do this...

Before I could finish the sentence, he had me. He pinned my wrists above my head with one hand, his strength effortless and suffocating.

Suddenly, a sharp hiss cut through the air.

The eldest hatchling was struggling to stand. He used his tiny tail to prop himself up, putting his miniature body between me and Jeffrey.

I could feel him shaking. His eyes were wide with terror at the sight of his fathers half-shifted, monstrous form, but he didn't back down.

He bared his tiny, undeveloped fangs, letting out a fierce, desperate hiss of warning. The other two woke up and scrambled to join him, three tiny creatures no bigger than my palm, standing in a row to protect their mother.

Tears flooded my eyes. Babies, no... get back...

I tried to reach for them, but Jeffrey held me fast.

His mind was gone, lost to the fog of the heat. He reached out to swat them away, his large hand catching the eldest. The little snake thrashed, lashing his tail.

No! Jeffrey, let him go! You're hurting him! I screamed, my nails raking across his forearm, drawing blood.

Jeffrey growled, an animal sound, and tossed the hatchling aside.

The tiny body hit the far wall with a sickening thud and slid to the floor.

My baby!

I felt like my soul had been ripped out. My eyes went bloodshot with rage. Youre a monster! Hes your son! How could you throw him?!

Jeffrey blinked, a momentary flicker of clarity returning to his eyes. He looked at his hand, then at the huddle of shivering scales in the corner.

But the heat was a tide that wouldn't be stayed. His gaze locked onto me again, his hand moving to my throat, his voice a slurred, guttural mess.

Ivy...

Just then, a scream pierced the room from the doorway.

What are you doing?!