Page 53 of Alpha's Rejected Warrior
I nod, helping her walk as we head back toward the main gate.
Conan’s expression darkens. “If the Shaman are behind this—”
“We don’t know that yet,” Rhiannon cuts him off. “We can’t jump to conclusions.”
“Whoever that was tried to kill Ethan,” Conan argues. “The Shaman are in Kortan for the first time in forever. First Haron is attacked, and now this. It can’t be coincidence.”
The guards at the gate hurry forward the second they see Rhiannon’s condition, rushing to help. She waves them off, insisting she can walk, but I don’t let go of her.
“Tell Dr. Olcan we’re coming,” I say to one of the guards, and she sprints ahead to alert him.
Rhiannon smiles through her pain. “I still find it funny that you and Luna Thea call him ‘Doctor.’ He’s a healer, not a doctor.”
“It’s an Outer Lands thing,” I chuckle.
She winces as we take another step, and I tighten my grip around her waist, pulling her closer to my side. She leans into me a little more, her body relaxing against mine for just amoment before she catches herself. Our eyes meet, and a look passes between us that says everything we can’t.
Conan’s brow ticks up, and he smirks. I half-expect him to make a smartass remark, but he keeps his mouth shut.
“We need to tell Xander about this,” Rhiannon says. “But I want to be there.” Conan nods, but she glares at me. “Don’t tell him without me.”
“Yes, Commander,” I reply.
Dr. Olcan rushes out to meet us, taking in Rhiannon’s injury as he ushers her inside. I try to follow her into the infirmary, but she holds up her good arm to stop me.
“If this is related to Haron or Jayme. . .” She trails off before she can finish the sentence. “Find Branson. Ask him about Jayme. We need answers before someone else gets hurt.”
“But—”
“Ethan, please.” Her eyes soften.
Conan’s hand lands on my shoulder. “I’ll stay with her. I promise I’ll let you know if anything happens.”
I nod, pushing down my concern for Rhiannon as I watch them disappear into the infirmary.
Chapter 20 — Ethan
My hands won’t stop shaking. The image of that blade coming at me keeps replaying in my mind. How close I came to death. If Rhiannon hadn’t moved so fast...
The realization hits me like a bucket of ice water.
I’m completely vulnerable here. No super strength. No healing abilities. No heightened senses to warn me of danger. I’m just a useless human, surrounded by apex predators and their enemies.
Rhiannon could’ve died because of me.
I lean against the cool stone wall, trying to steady my breath. Adrenaline is keeping every nerve on high alert. The fortress suddenly feels alien and hostile. A place where I don’t belong and never will.
“Mr. Langley.”
My father’s name jolts me upright. I turn to find Councilwoman Thora gliding toward me in the hallway. Her silver-streaked hair is pulled back in a severe bun.
“Councilwoman.” I nod.
She approaches with silent steps, hands clasped behind her back. “I heard about the incident. How fortunate that Commander Rhiannon was there to intervene.”
“Yes, she saved my life. I’m very grateful.”
Thora’s lips press into what might pass for a smile, but her eyes remain cold. “It’sunfortunate, though, that the Alpha’s second was injured protecting an outsider.” She leans in slightly, her voice dropping. “They’ll tolerate you, for now. But don’t think you’ll ever truly belong to our pack.”
