Page 28 of Alpha's Rejected Warrior
The sound of elevated conversation echoes throughout the hallway leading to Xander’s study. They’re arguing. That’s not good.
“There was a dagger under his robes.” Rhiannon says in a frustrated tone. “I’m sure of it. They’re up to something.”
“Elder Stasio agreed that everyone would be unarmed,” Xander replies. “He understands the consequences if he defies that. There’s no way he’d risk everything with such a foolish move. Imagine how offensive it would be if we dragged Elder Stasio out here to search him and it turns out you were mistaken.”
Rhiannon scoffs. It’s a bitter sound. “Why don’t you trust me anymore? You know, there was a time when all I had to do was mention my suspicions and that would be enough for you to act. Does that mean nothing now?”
“This isn’t about trust. Rhiannon, I saw no sign of a weapon. I was trained just as you were. Don’t you think I would’ve noticed something like that too?”
Silence. I can picture her standing there with her arms crossed in angry defiance.
“Rhiannon, I’m just saying you might be mistaken,” Xander says calmly. “You are my right hand. Of course I trust you.”
“Do you? Ever since I dared to speak up in front of the Council—”
“We’re not doing this again. That’s in the past, Rhiannon.”
“Not for me!” she shouts. There’s a deathly stillness that follows her outburst. Then, she adds, her voice lowered, “Dammit. I am telling you something’s wrong, and you’re ignoring me.”
“I am not— Hey! Don’t walk away from me.”
I step away from the door just as it opens. Rhiannon stalks out into the hallway, nearly running into me. We stare at each other for a moment, but she rolls her eyes and keeps walking away. I follow.
“Are you all right?” I ask her. She doesn’t answer. “Rhiannon, stop. Talk to me.”
She stops and whirls on me. “Did you know that eavesdropping is punishable by death in some packs?”
That shuts me down. I just blink at her dumbly. “Is it punishable by death inthispack?”
“Ugh.” She turns away, moving swiftly down the corridor. “You are insufferable.”
I watch her go for a few steps before I decide to follow her again. She heads back to her quarters, right up the staircase. She enters, but leaves the door open. When I step over the threshold, she doesn’t protest.
I close the door behind me as she starts tearing off her gear, throwing curse words and her leather belt angrily across the room.
“I’m nothing to him!” she says. “That’s the worst thing. After all these fucking years, after all the shit we’ve been through, my word meansnothingto him.”
She’s spiraling.
“You’re not nothing” is all I can say.
Her head whips around to face me. “How the fuck would you know? You just got here. You don’t know what it’s been like for me.Iwas supposed to be his Luna.Wewere supposed to be together.”
So, that’s the burden she’s been carrying around, the chip on her shoulder. Of all the painful secrets I’d imagined lurking beneath that fierce exterior, unrequited love never made the list. Trauma, death, betrayal, family drama— sure. But not this. This formidable warrior woman, still bleeding from a wound no sword could reach.
The look on my face must give my thoughts away, because the next thing she says is, “Oh, don’t act like you haven’t heard the gossip about me. I was thrown away like garbage, all because the Moon Goddess chose Thea,yourThea, to be Luna.”
I don’t respond. This storm tearing through her right now needs to run its course. Her eyes water, and she utters little sobs.
“And you know something?” she says. “That’s not even what hurts the most. I accept his bond with Thea. Honestly, I do. Sheisamazing, and I can see how well they fit together. The Moon Goddess knows what she’s doing, as always.”
Tears start to roll down her cheeks. She sniffles, wiping her nose with the back of her sleeve. “I could be happy for them if it meant I still had a place here. I am Rhiannon of Lohalis, born of a very noble family. My parents made sure I was skilled in combat and well-educated. They prepared me for a significant role in the pack.”
Her voice starts to choke with sobs. “The moment I first met Xander, I knew I was going to be important in his life. All I ever wanted to do was serve my Alpha.”
“Rhiannon, you are serving him. You’re the Commander of the Guard, the Alpha’s second-in-command. You’re doing exactly what—”
“But they still treat me like I’m nothing!” She’s fully weeping now, not bothering to hide it. “I’m a joke. Mean-spirited whispers follow me wherever I go. I have to work twice as hard every day because if I’m seen doing anything else, it will be taken as a sign of weakness. Or worse, they’ll think I’m plotting my revenge against Xander and Thea.”
