Page 51 of Rejected By the Alpha King

Cocking my head, I studied him. “I’ve told you her story. Not the details, of course, that’s her story to tell, but enough that you know she is not her father.”

“And Parker’s death? You forced him to take care of her for years, and then he managed to find a gun and blow his brains out.”

“That’s on him,” I said shortly. I didn’t want to talk about Parker. I couldn’t forgive him for leaving me.

“You wanted my opinion,” Jenson said shortly. He knocked his hand against the locker and shook his head. “I don’t know what to think. She’s complicated, Jax. I’m with you. I’m always with you. You know that.”

“I do, and I appreciate that. I’m going to get a quick workout and a shower. Then I want you to call a meeting. Several, in fact. The hunt for the traitor begins.”

23

Anna

It had only been a month, but The Fanged Smile was a disaster. Chairs had been smashed to bits. The inside and outside walls had graffiti. The liquor wall was completely empty. It broke my heart to see her like this. She’d been my prison. My chance at an identity. My torment.

Now she was just mine, and she was a mess.

“One of the guards told me that there was some rebellion while Jax was gone. One or two employees didn’t like it when Jax killed the manager,” Finn said as he walked up behind me.

“What did he do anyway?”

“Tried to rape me,” I said flatly as I turned around. The frustration in me eased a little. It was good to see him. “I’m not well-liked here.”

He gave me a tight smile. “I gathered that, too. Turns out the happy couple you played in Wisteria Woods was a lie.”

“Did you volunteer to guard me, or is this a shit assignment for the new guy?” If Finn hated me now, I wanted to know.

“You and I are more alike than you think, Anna. I volunteered. I hope you don’t mind.”

He smiled, and I couldn’t help but give him one in return. “You want to impress your new pack. Befriending me is not the way to go.”

“Then maybe this isn’t the pack for me,” he said simply and looked around. “So what are we doing here?”

Blowing out my breath, I glanced around the restaurant. “Throwing out the spoiled food, checking to see if there’s any money left in the safe, taking stock of the broken furniture and appliances. Then we’ll see if anyone in the pack is desperate enough to work for me, and try to re-open for business.”

“Oh? Is that all?”

Snorting with laughter, I made my way through the dining room. “I asked Jax if I could see you when we returned, but he said you were in training.”

“Hmm. There were challenges. Gauging how strong my wolf was. I endured more fighting than when I was a rogue in a violent territory. When the fight was over, they’d grin, clap me on the back, and tell me how well I did. Being part of a pack is different as an adult than a child.”

“I wouldn’t know. You’ve had more experience than me.” Damn it, the kitchen had been pristine when I left. Whoever had vandalized it left half-eaten food on the counter. It reeked.

“I thought you were here for years.”

“Yes, but I stayed here. I had a room upstairs. I kind of miss it now.”

“You stayed here? Like, only here? Didn’t that drive your wolf mad?” Finn asked in disbelief.

“My wolf is a little different than yours.” Even now, she curled and stretched inside me. Ever since we’d returned with Jax, she’d been content. With her mate. She was even asking to run with him.

I hadn’t allowed it. For years, I’d protected her. Now, I couldn’t convince her that Jax was still our enemy.

And she was mad at me.

“So you want to get the place open out of vengeance?”

Running my hands on the dusty chopping block, I frowned. “I know how it sounds. I’ve got mixed feelings about this place as well, but at times, it has been my sanctuary. My only sanctuary.”

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