Page 103 of Rejected By the Alpha King

My wolves had returned safely and found no evidence of rogue wolves being anywhere around the area. No scents or prints. Not even of Emerson and his crew getting out to piss, as he had claimed.

I’d spent a good hour mulling that over and came to the only conclusion that made sense. If I told him the truth and called him out on the lie, he would simply say that I was covering up the incident.

And around we would go, pointing fingers at each other and making it difficult to trust anyone long enough to come together and face off against the darkness.

I was not going to play his game.

“They did not pick up a trail, but they did find some scents. I already have another team on the way to try and track it to see where it leads.”

Emerson narrowed his eyes. “Rogue scents?”

“What other scents would they be tracking?” Maeve snapped. “Rabbits? The rogues are not our current problem, so next time, I suggest you travel with more care.”

Good old, Maeve. I almost cheered.

My phone beeped, and I glanced down. It was a text from Anna. Irene wants to try and kill Jenson after dinner to see if he can shift. Any problems with that?

Well, that was one plan.

As long as Jenson is on board.

It made sense. If Bridget had found a way to implant some kind of dormant spell in us, she’d choose Jenson as well.

“Problem?” Emerson asked innocently.

“Not at all. Confirmation,” I said smoothly. “I’ve discovered how Irene was kidnapped and taken from my territory.”

Everyone sat at attention, and I chose my words carefully. If I painted Bridget a traitor too soon, word would spread. Instead, I focused on Dean. “A werewolf I granted rogue status to several years before. He was familiar with my territory, and he still had family here. A member of my guard, who will be punished, admits to letting him in under the guise of visiting with his father.”

Maeve stood. “Where is this wolf now?”

“Dead. He was killed last night.”

Emerson showed no sign of having known Dean was dead or any remorse.

“How?” London demanded. “How was he killed?”

“My mate. He’d grown infatuated with her and returned to try to kidnap her as well.”

“A killer indeed,” Maeve murmured. “And the evidence you have that he is the culprit?”

“He confessed it to Anna. I’ve had people going through the security logs to corroborate it. I suggest you all make calls to your own security. Dean was an easy mark.” My heart twisted even as I said it. “He requested to go rogue because he didn’t get along with his father. I granted it, and I assumed he was happy. Apparently, he still needed to be tied to someone, even if it meant betraying me. I suggest you all think of anyone who is familiar with your territory who might match that description.”

Maeve and London paled. They both had people in mind.

“In the meantime, there’ll be a hunt tonight. All the wolves are invited to join, but you’re welcome to leave your own guards with your witch if you choose.”

“A hunt.” Maeve’s eyes sparkled. “That sounds splendid.”

I didn’t see Anna again until after dinner was over, and by then, I was nearly jumping out of my skin. With everything going on, I needed to see her. Needed to see that she was safe with my own eyes.

As soon as she entered our room, I snarled and enveloped her into a hug. She stiffened for a moment and relaxed. “Everything all right?”

“I just needed to touch you,” I said gruffly. “You didn’t text at all at dinner.”

She held a finger to her lips and then handed me a bag. “Hang a piece of wood on each of the four walls.”

I did as she instructed, and she relaxed. “Sorry, they’re soundproofing wards. Irene thought that if I touched them, I might…well, you know. I couldn’t text at dinner because the witches were there. Apparently, there’s a spell to hear digital communications? She doesn’t know that any of the witches had activated it, but she wanted to be safer than sorry. Jenson is fine. Irene stabbed him in the leg, with a little too much enthusiasm, I might add, and he was able to shift just fine. We had Saul there, just in case. And I managed to get Lunessa and Irene in communications. Amelia and I didn’t find anything where Bridget and Dean are buried.”

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