Page 69 of Rejected By the Alpha King

Her expression softened just a little, and she followed me inside. “I need a shower,” she muttered.

It was no wonder. We went straight from sex to a bloody vision. Hell, I needed a shower.

“Go ahead and take one. I need to make some phone calls.”

After a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes, she headed up the stairs, and I instantly felt her absence, like something had just been pulled away from me. Running my hands through my hair in frustration, I looked up at the top of the steps.

I needed to distance myself from her. I had the most powerful wolves coming to my doorstep in a matter of days, and the last thing I needed was to split my focus. None of the other alphas were mated, although I suspect at one time, Maeve had been mated. Maybe the others had as well. They just didn’t announce it.

We loved our power. To mate with someone was to share.

Focus would be on Anna. It wasn’t just because we were mated. Her father’s actions had put a spotlight on her, but as my mate, it was my job to protect her. That meant split duties.

The more I needed her, the harder that would be.

I shot off a few texts and started up the stairs after her. After stripping off my clothes along the way, I joined her in the shower. There was fear in her eyes when she whirled around, but I just turned her back and took over massaging the shampoo in her hair.

“You haven’t said what you want from me yet,” she said hesitantly, her voice echoing off the shower’s walls.

My cock stood at attention. “What do you mean?”

“When the other alphas are here. Do you want me out of sight? I have plenty to do at The Fanged Smile, so that will keep me busy. Should I stick close to Irene? Finn and I can be an extra level of protection.”

“You’ll stay with me,” I growled.

Her body tensed, and I continued to wash her hair in silence. So much for trying to find some fucking distance.

Finally, she cleared her throat. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

I wanted to push back. She was my mate, and her place was by my side. “And why is that?”

“Because at some point, they’re going to see how you really feel about me, not to mention how your pack really feels about me. I don’t know much about being an alpha, but I know that any time you show weakness in your leadership, others are going to exploit it. What’s done is done with the mating bond. I think you should use it to your advantage to show your strength.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“That you are able to navigate this situation with the same ease that you lead your pack.”

“Our pack,” I said automatically and turned so I could rinse her hair under the water. My gaze was steady as I met hers. Warm water ran down my hands as I massaged her scalp. “Are you suggesting that I tuck you away again?”

“No. I wouldn’t be safe,” she whispered and averted her gaze. “When we first greet the alphas, I can be there along with Jenson, Bridget, and your council of elders. I should eat with you, and…sleep with you, of course.”

“Fine, but you do not leave this house without Finn. I mean it, Anna.”

“That will not be an issue.” Slowly, she put a hand on my chest and raised her eyes to meet mine. “I have a feeling you didn’t enter the shower just to wash my hair.”

“No.” There was no hiding my hard cock, but she didn’t make a move to step closer or do anything about it. “But I think sleep might be a better option.”

Her hands dropped, and she reached for the washcloth. Without a word, she started to scrub herself. The mood had shifted, or maybe I was just now realizing that we weren’t getting back what we had before we visited the witch.

The vision flashed before my eyes, and my skin felt sticky with blood again. I’d killed as a wolf. I’d killed as a human, but I’d never felt that twisted anguish in my gut. I’d never killed and felt such regret before.

This was what Anna carried with her every time she closed her eyes. When she showered tonight, she wasn’t just washing off the day. She was trying to wash away her own history.

When she emerged from the bathroom, she was fully dressed.

“Sorry,” she murmured. “I didn’t expect to see you in the bed.”

“Where else would I be?”

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