Page 99 of Rejected By the Alpha King

I needed to start making a home for her so she would realize that we were stronger together.

“You have your assignments. Get some sleep. The next few days won’t be easy.”

We went our separate ways. Anna, I noticed, walked just a few steps behind me. Reaching back, I captured her hand and pulled her forward. She resisted just a little but then relaxed.

“You were resistant to other people knowing what you are,” I said in a low voice. “What changed?”

“I’m not used to living in a pack, but I know that trust and loyalty are at the very core of its success. Bridget’s betrayal is hard, and I can feel you hardening because of it. You need to trust them, especially if you want me to trust them. I needed to see if you could do it. If you could tell them about me.”

“You trust that I will keep you safe now?”

“I trust that we all have the same interest, which is staying alive,” she said absently.

That stung, but I deserved it and didn’t push her. We didn’t say anything when we returned to the house, nor did she say anything when she saw the figure waiting for us.

I squeezed her hand and deliberately kept myself between her and Emerson. “Go straight to our room,” I said quietly and kissed her temple. When I opened the front door, she practically fled up the stairs.

“I see she follows orders well,” Emerson said with a grin. “That must be nice.”

I stared at him for a moment, and the friendly grin dropped. “I suppose she’s filled your head with lies about me. I thought she might.”

“Why would she think of you at all unless she already knew you. She lived a very sheltered life as a rogue.”

Caught in his own lie, Emerson chuckled. “Very well. It’s not like you would talk to any of the others about this. We both know that they wouldn’t believe you. I never considered Dirk a friend, you know. He was a useful tool. Very useful, and all he wanted in return was to rub elbows with power. Fool thought he could be an alpha one day. He had the raw power, I would give him that, but he didn’t have the intelligence or discipline.”

“And when Dirk murdered one of my own?”

“I wasn’t there. Never saw it happen,” Emerson said smoothly. “I didn’t know of his extracurricular activities. He kept those hidden whenever I was around.”

It was a lie. A smooth one, but a lie, nonetheless. Even if Anna hadn’t already told me, I would have noticed it. “You knew him before he was an alpha. That information must have been useful.”

“You have no idea what that man could find out. I nearly had him killed myself just so he wouldn’t turn on me. Lucky you were able to take care of that business for me.”

“Why the charade? Why not just admit what you did? Nobody in this house became alpha without spilling blood.”

“And admit that I used a rogue?” Emerson shook his head. “My own clan would think less of me. We all think we’re better than the rogues because we can be part of a pack. That we’re more civilized. In the end, we’re all just animals. It scares most of them to think that.”

“And yet rogues disabled your vehicle?”

Emerson smirked. “I have no doubt that you’ve already given the order to some of your guards to investigate.”

“If they don’t come back alive, you won’t leave here alive.”

“Now, now. We are here to join forces against a growing darkness, are we not? We most certainly should not be threatening each other.” Darkly, he chuckled. “I certainly can’t be responsible for whatever happens to your wolves in rogue territory, now can I? Rest assured, I will be leaving here alive, and I won’t be leaving here alone.”

“You can’t have her.”

“Oh, but I can. I hate that you touched her first, but in the end, she will be mine. In fact, I’m willing to put very good money on it. Not only will she be leaving with me, alpha of the Blood Diamond pack, but your mate will come with me willingly. Of that, I have no doubt.”

45

Anna

After only a few hours of sleep, I slipped out of the house right after dawn. Jax was meeting with the other wolves for breakfast, but I didn’t feel up to looking at Emerson just yet.

And that made me ashamed. I was stronger than I used to be, and I’d faced down Marsh.

Emerson couldn’t touch me here, but just the thought of him conjured memories that made my stomach twist.

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