Page 2 of Alpha's Rejected Warrior
“Commander, we need to talk,” he says, his voice serious but low enough that Akila won’t hear from the bedroom. He’s intimidating to look at, with his low brow and strong, square jaw, but there is a softness in his eyes as they narrow with concern.
I cross my arms. “About?”
“Your outburst at the Council Meeting yesterday.” His dark eyes hold mine.
“My ‘outburst’ was completely justified,” I say. “I disagreed with a tactical decision. That’s my job as Commander.”
“You were insubordinate.”
It’ takes enormous effort to keep my voice calm. “Alpha Xander was being unreasonable and wasn’t listening to me, so I raised my voice to be heard.”
“You shouted at our Alpha, Rhiannon.”
My jaw tightens. “I lost my temper. It happens. And this stupid errand is my punishment.”
“I know you. This isn’t about a disagreement over tactical decisions.” Branson pauses and lowers his voice further. “You and Alpha Xander were mates for such a long time. Weallthought you’d be his Luna.”
I don’t like where this is going.“Don’t.” I turn away from him, not wanting to have this conversation.
But he continues. “It’s completely understandable if you’re upset, especially now that our Luna is expecting a pup.”
Heat rises in my face. “This has nothing to do—”
“Doesn’t it? Tell me you’re completely over Alpha Xander choosing Luna Thea. Don’t lie to me.”
My wolf snarls beneath my skin, hackles rising at being cornered and having our pain exposed so plainly. “I’m handling it!”
“By picking fights with our Alpha?” He shakes his head. “That’s not handling it, Rhiannon.”
I hate when he’s right. I take a deep breath, regaining control. “You know I have the utmost respect for our Alpha and our Luna. I would gladly lay down my life for either of them. My outburst had nothing to do with their relationship. I just lost my temper for a moment, but now I’m fine.”
He studies me for a good minute. “You deserve happiness too, you know.”
Hmph. . .happiness.
“What I deserve is irrelevant.” I reach past him for the purple box. “What matters is what the pack needs. And right now, they need a Commander who follows orders and completes her missions.”
I flip open the box to check inside.Photos, check.
“Now, help me find the other things so we can get back to real work.”
My fingers freeze on the lid of the purple box as the hair on my arms stands up. My wolf stirs beneath my skin, ears pricking up at a sound too soft for human hearing: footsteps that stop at the front door.
Every muscle in my body locks up as I hear the quiet slide of a key in the lock. Luna Thea said her apartment would be empty.
“Someone’s coming.” I cut a sharp look at Branson and drop my voice to nothing, setting down the box.
No time to warn Akila. I gesture for Branson to hide, though I don’t know where someone of his size could hide in such a tiny place. I duck behind the couch just as I hear the sound of the lock click and the door creaking open.
A rush of scent hits me that makes my mouth water almost instantly. Cinnamon and musk, unmistakably human male, with undertones of coffee and other foods I can’t quite place. Oddly, my wolf doesn’t bristle with aggression but instead perks up with... interest?
The scent is rich and grounding, like something that belongs near a fire. I take a moment to breathe it in. My wolf pushes forward, eager to catch more of him. I force her back.Why does he smell so... alluring?
I’m distracted by the scent until the sound of struggling erupts through the apartment.
“What the—” the human shouts.
I peer over the couch just in time to see Branson catch the intruder in his massive arms, trapping him in a bear hug. I consider drawing my sword but recall that he’s only human. Branson hasn’t bothered drawing his blade.
