Page 70 of Alpha's Rejected Warrior
Even as I’ve made that promise, I feel the walls going back up around my heart. Whatever I thought I had with Rhiannon, it’s over, and there’s no way I can start fresh at Kortan. It’s time to accept reality and move on.
I’ll push through a few more days of this madness for Thea.
Then, I can go back to Creek Falls and pretend none of this ever happened.
Chapter 27 — Rhiannon
Everything has changed in only a day. It’s been twenty-four hours since I sent Ethan away with that performative detachment, and now his absence eats at me.
He’s taken all his meals with Thea since then, instead of joining me and the other guards. He finds a way to slip out of the room when I enter and avoids the common areas so we don’t cross paths. During this morning’s training session, he positioned himself where Branson and Conan could instruct him, never seeking my guidance. His easy laughter with them cut through me like a blade whenever I heard it. Meanwhile I sit here drowning in silence.
This is what you wanted. It’s better this way.
There are no more distractions from my duties as Commander, no complications that could destroy what little respect I’ve managed to sustain after my outbursts at both Xander and Lady Gemma.
Focus on clearing Jayme’s name. That’s what matters.
My thoughts keep circling back to the seers’ visions of Blackroot. Lady Gemma’s extensive knowledge of Lycan history might illuminate connections we’re missing, but I need Ethan’s analytical mind to catch details that could slip past me.
My wolf perks up as I head toward his quarters, eager and alert in a way that embarrasses me.
Traitor.
Every logical part of me screams to turn around, find another way, but I know that failing to use every resource available wouldn’t be fair to Jayme.
Keep it about the investigation. Nothing personal.I rehearse in my mind how to frame this professionally as I reach his chamber door.
“No, Marko,” Ethan’s cheery voice carries through the partially open door. I freeze with my hand raised in mid-air to knock. “I won’t need all of this. I’m leaving after the summit anyway.”
“Such a shame, sir,” replies Marko, one of the chamber servants. “You seem to have settled in well.”
Ethan chuckles. “On the bright side, you won’t have to worry about mending my shredded training clothes again. I swear you Lycans can tear fabric just by looking at it.”
“I’ll miss the challenge, sir. Your clothes kept my stitching skills sharp.”
“It’s been a nice change of scenery, but it’s time for me to go home.” He speaks as if he’s discussing the end of a weekend getaway rather than a permanent departure.
Go home? He’s leaving us.My wolf tears through my chest with a howl so raw it burns through every nerve. She claws at my ribs, furious, frantic, as if she could physically stop him.He’s abandoning us.
I shut my wolf down hard, locking her protests behind mental walls until her howling fades to a muted whimper.This changes nothing. It’s what we wanted.
I give two sharp raps on the door, and push it open without waiting for permission.
Marko startles, then bows quickly. “Commander.” He clutches folded clothing against his chest and scurries past me out the door, leaving Ethan and me alone.
Ethan doesn’t even look surprised to see me standing there. “Commander.”
“So, you’re leaving.” The words escape before I can stop them.
He turns from the window, his expression emotionless. “After the summit, yes.”
“Without telling anyone?”
“I told Thea.” He leans against the windowsill. “Plus, wasn’t that the plan all along? I won’t have a reason to be here after the summit is over. Thea’s the only one who cares anyway.”
The casual dismissal drives straight through me. “The only one whocares?”
“Come on, Rhiannon.” His voice hardens. “You’ve made it pretty clear where we stand. Professional distance. Mission first. Right?”
