Page 63 of Rejected By the Alpha King

“Did he touch you?” I growled.

“No. My father wouldn’t allow it. I told you, he wanted me pure,” she laughed darkly.

“Anyway, that information doesn’t help you. How long has Emerson been an alpha?”

“Eight years.”

“That sounds about right. That was when my father promised me to him, and unlike Marsh, I think my father meant it. It was one of the reasons I ran to Wisteria Woods.”

“Did Emerson kill anyone? Does he have a red wolf?”

Frowning, she shook her head. “No, he’s grey, but I know who you’re talking about.”

“The red wolf? You know who that is?!” I nearly rose out of my seat. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Anna sipped from her beer and stared at me. “You didn’t ask.”

“That’s the wolf that took Cora. You know that, right? You’re still keeping so many secrets.”

“Maybe, but not this time. I didn’t tell you about the red wolf because I don’t know who he is. He never spoke to me, and I don’t know his name, but I have seen his wolf. Red like a fox and massive.”

“How long did he hunt and kill for your father?”

Anna shrugged. “For as long as I can remember.”

“And in all that time, you never learned his name? Never spoke a single word to him?”

Her hand shook. “No. He was the only wolf who scared me more than my father did.”

28

Anna

“Can you describe him to someone? Maybe work up a sketch of what he looks like?”

I didn’t like to think of the red wolf, but if he was still a threat, then I would do what I could to help. “He was the only one of my father’s friends who never seemed remotely interested in me. He barely looked at me, and it was one thing I could be grateful for.”

Jax got up and walked my way. I didn’t move a muscle when he turned my chair around and knelt at my feet. I swallowed hard. “Good thing I’m not in my panties, or I’d think you were about to take advantage of me,” I whispered.

“I don’t need to see you half naked to want you, Anna,” Jax said in a low voice. “I want you when you’re miles away. I’m here now to remind you that you’re my mate, and I will protect you. From everything.”

All because he was my mate. “Your wolf chose me, but your human half hates to even touch me,” I whispered. “So forgive me if I don’t swoon when you say things like that.”

“Oh, Anna. My human half does not hate to touch you. Believe me,” Jax whispered as his hand wrapped around my ankle. A shiver went through my body. “The mating bond consumes me, Anna. Wolf and human. Both sides want you. Need you. You hate it. Maybe I do too, but that doesn’t change things. You can’t stay near me and not be mine.”

“You won’t let me go.”

“You’re here with me now. You chose to stay, Anna. Face your fears and help me fight the future.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

As he stared up at me, I knew the answer. I also knew that I wasn’t going to tell him.

Instead, I stood and stripped off my shirt. Beneath, I had a tank top. “Does it matter? If you need me, Jax, if you want me, Jax, then you should take me. Tonight. Because you can’t lose your shit every time a male is near me, especially with the alphas coming. Especially with Emmerson coming. Do what you need to do, Jax.”

Groaning, he slid his hands up my legs, gripped the waistband, and pulled me closer. His eyes were hot with hunger.

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