Page 108 of Rejected By the Alpha King

Irene shook her head. “Two years, but you have to understand that we didn’t consider her missing. The process to become part of a coven is often a rigorous one. We assumed Amaya dropped out when she couldn’t pass muster and left the area.”

“Can you tell if her magic was drained before she was killed?”

“I can tell you that a wolf killed her,” Cam said angrily. “And I know of no wolf that can drain magic.”

I studied Emerson’s witch. She was the only one who hadn’t spoken up, and she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off the dead witch. There wasn’t horror or fascination written on her face.

It was completely unreadable.

Cam threw up her hands. “How can you tell us that we’re safe here when there’s a dead witch in the middle of the woods!”

“That dead witch was not in a group nor was she protected,” Maeve told her witch practically. “And I think it’s best if we call the hunt off.”

“I agree.” Raising my voice over the crush of wolves that were joining us, I pushed my power through my pack bonds so they would quiet. “Hunt is over. Please return home or to your stations. Guards that currently have no assignments tonight or tomorrow but are willing to pull an extra shift, see me.”

I glanced down at Anna. I didn’t want to leave her to walk to the house alone, but I also couldn’t ask anyone else to oversee the removal of the body. Saul still hadn’t arrived, Bridget was dead, and Jenson’s only priority was the protection of the witches.

“I will escort your mate to the house,” Maeve said, stepping forward. “I’d like to have a little girlie chat with her anyway. Her guards are welcome to follow.”

I glanced at Amelia who had already stepped up to Anna’s side. I didn’t want Emerson anywhere near Anna again tonight, but I couldn’t say that out loud.

“Thank you, Maeve. Jax, I’ll see you soon,” Anna said airily.

Before she could step away, I grabbed her arm and pulled her close for a rough kiss. “You go straight to our room. You don’t leave it, and no one but Amelia is to go in with you.”

“Did you think I would invite someone into our room?” She said coolly before she pulled her arm away and joined Maeve.

That was not what I meant, and we both damn well knew it. Anna had spent far too much time alone, and now I was worried she was going to get herself killed because she couldn’t follow directions.

49

Anna

It was another two hours before Jax returned to our room. I hadn’t bothered trying to sleep. I was too keyed up about the death and sat by the window watching for him. As he and several other guards walked toward the house, he glanced up at me and our eyes met. I could feel his anger through the bond.

His anger with me.

It was another half an hour before the door opened and he walked in. Fury vibrated from him, but I just kept my spot at the window and watched him calmly. “What did Saul have to say?”

“He says the wounds on her chest were likely fatal. There was enough blood at the scene to indicate she was alive when she was attacked. The problem is that he doesn’t see any defensive wounds or any blood splatter indicating she tried to get away. She just stood there, got attacked, and died,” he growled. “He’ll do an autopsy.”

“So a witch with no connections to any of the wolves just stumbled into your woods leaving no visible trail or scent and let herself be attacked without even trying to fight back?” I mused.

“Highly unlikely. Lunessa should take a look.”

“Except that Lunessa has disappeared. Irene said after their little experiment on Jenson, she headed back out into the woods, and no one has seen or heard from her all night.”

I had to assume that if a witch died in the vicinity, Lunessa knew about it. “You think Lunessa might have killed her?”

“And made it look like a wolf? It’s possible. What I do know is that nothing points to Emerson. Did he say something to you while you two were having your lovely little chat together?”

“Not about the dead body.” I told him everything that Emerson said and watched as he paced around the room. “I know you’re pissed that I even let him close…”

“Damn right I’m pissed.”

“He was going to find the time to talk to me, Jax! Might as well let him do it when I was literally surrounded by your guards. What was he going to do? Magic me away? Hello. Null here.”

“It doesn’t matter, Anna,” he snarled. “When I tell you not to do something, you don’t fucking do it. You knew I would be pissed. You couldn’t even meet my eyes when I smelled Emerson on you. I could feel your guilt.”

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