Page 95 of Alpha's Rejected Warrior
“Commander.” His voice stops me. “Whatever you decide, decide quickly. Time grows short, and choices delayed become choices stolen.”
I glance over my shoulder, meeting Mahal’s gaze with a brief nod before exiting.
The door closes behind me with a soft thud, sealing away the seers’ chamber and its impossible truths. Autopilot guides me back through the courtyard.
My fated mate is human.The absurdity of it almost makes me laugh. Almost.
The fortress walls feel closer than usual as I walk, each shadow holding potential threats to a future I can’t even imagine yet. Guards salute as I pass. They have no idea their Commander just learned her destiny breaks every ancient rule we’ve held sacred.
Part of me wants to find Ethan right now, tell him everything. The other part, the Commander, the protector, knows better.
First, we stop Holden. Save Jayme. Get through the summit. Ensure the safety of the pack.
Then, I’ll figure out what to do about the human who somehow became my intended.
Tomorrow, I’ll question Haron with Ethan and I’ll pretend this knowledge doesn’t burn through every thought.
Tonight, I just need to survive knowing that my life will never be the same.
Chapter 36 — Ethan
When we get to the infirmary, we find Haron sitting by her father’s bed. She’s still a little paler than usual. Her bandages have been replaced with fading bruises and cuts. Her white-blonde hair is pulled up and away from her face. She’s wearing her traditional ivory-colored Shaman robes, her delicate arms bare and resting in her lap as she sits quietly.
It’s only for a moment that Haron doesn’t notice us. She’s looking over at her ailing father as he lies there, his eyes closed, his complexion an ashen, ghostly pale.
I clear my throat, and she looks up at us. The smile she gives us is a polite one. The kind of expression that’s only given to visitors as a reflex. I don’t imagine she’s experiencing anything that would remotely resemble joy.
“Commander,” she says. Her silvery voice comes out muted. “And Ethan. You’ve come to pay my father a visit.”
“How is he?” I ask, keeping my voice gentle.
Haron’s eyes glisten. “He still hasn’t woken since the attack.” Her fingers twist in her lap. “Olcan says the wounds are severe. He says he doesn’t know when — or if — he’ll recover.”
The raw pain in her voice catches me off guard. Whatever role she played in Holden’s scheme, she clearly didn’t anticipate this outcome. It’s clear that her father’s condition has blindsided her completely.
“I’m sorry about your father.” Rhiannon’s words carry genuine sympathy, but her posture stays rigid, her demeanor professional. She’s already shifting into interrogation mode. “Actually, we came to speak with you about what happened to him.”
She shakes her head. “I wasn’t there. I was asleep in my room when my father was attacked.”
“We know. We need to ask you some questions all the same. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.” Rhiannon glances toward the door. “Perhaps we could walk through the gardens? Some fresh air might do us all some good.”
Haron hesitates, her gaze lingering on her father’s still form. Then she nods curtly. “Of course.”
We leave the infirmary and make our way through the fortress corridors in silence until we emerge into the gardens. The scent of herbs and late-blooming flowers hangs in the air, a stark contrast to the sterile, alcoholic smell of the infirmary.
For a few moments, we continue walking in silence. Haron keeps her hands clasped in front of her, her ivory robes trailing behind her like a wedding train. Rhiannon sets the pace, unhurried but purposeful, and I fall into step beside her.
Finally, Rhiannon says, “I’m not sure how much you’ve been told about what happened, but we believe your brother is responsible for the attack on your father and on you.”
Haron blinks, then knits her brows together. “That’s ridiculous. He would never do such a thing. Besides, he wasattacked too. How could he be responsible for a wolf attacking him?”
A series of emotions plays out on Haron’s face — confusion, defensiveness, a guarded reluctance — but I can’t tell if she’s just protecting herself or actually shocked. It’s time to shift tactics.
“Do you know why I’m here, Haron?” I ask. “Why I’ve been at Kortan during the summit?”
“I’ve heard rumors,” she says vaguely. “They call you Truth Seer.”
What the fuck are you doing?Rhiannon glares at me.
