Page 29 of Rejected By the Alpha

Chapter Sixteen

Davix

“There’s no sign of the River Pride Pack yet,” Matt said from beside me at Java Junction. “Rowen ran to their property’s borders this morning and spotted them training. Their alpha is hurt, and it seems like it’s taking longer than usual for him to heal.”

The door opened, and I snapped my gaze to it. “What’s his injury?”

“Rowen is still researching. We should know more soon.”

“We need to know more today. If they plan on attacking, we’ll have an advantage.”

“We already do,” Matt said, following my gaze to the door. “You waiting for some⁠—”

I dragged my gaze away. “No.”

“He’s waiting for his girl.” Silas snickered. “How’s she doing? Ember, right?”

A low rumble left my throat. “She’s not my girl. My sister wants me with her. That’s all.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Drop it,” I snarled. “Now.”

“Sure didn’t sound like that last night. Heard her gagging all over⁠—”

“Drop it!” I shouted and squeezed my eyes closed, attempting to get rid of the memory.

But I hadn’t stopped thinking about it all night. Ember had wanted me so fucking badly, was willing to do anything to feel me inside her. And I had to be fucking mated to her. My wolf wasn’t going to let it go.

No matter how hard I tried.

When the door opened again, my gaze jumped to it for a second time. A moment passed, and then Cade “The Reaper” Lucero stepped into Java Junction—a man I hadn’t seen in years now, still with that smug expression on his face.

He scanned the café and stopped when we locked eyes.

Instead of heading my way, he walked right up to Carl behind the counter and began his order. Matt growled beside me while Silas tapped a claw on the wooden table, his canines lengthening.

“Look who’s back in town,” Matt murmured.

“What the fuck is he doing here? On our territory?” Silas growled.

I drew my tongue across my canines inside my mouth, attempting to stay in control. But my wolf couldn’t stop thinking about how Hazel had said that Ember knew him.

How? Since when? What is he doing here?

After paying with his card, Cade stuffed a hand into his pocket and headed this way.

“What are you doing here, Reaper?” I growled. “Shouldn’t you be with Braveclaw?”

“Do you hate us that much because you’re on our watch list?” he asked, smirking.

“I hate you so much because you don’t help the packs in Black Hollows. You impose rules that hurt the wolves and pups in this region, and you don’t care. All you care about is power and influence.”

“You have your family to thank for that,” he said. “Braveclaw wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the curse on your pack.”

“Bullshit,” I growled.

He rocked back on his heels, a shit-eating grin on his face. “Find your mate yet?”