Page 140 of Rejected By the Alpha King

“And yet you’re ready. How fortuitous.”

My stomach rolled. Had he hoped to catch me dressing? To sneak in while I was still showering?

To catch me asleep?

“You promised me that you would not enter my suite without my permission.”

“I knocked. It’s just dinner, Anna. After all this time, I thought we’d progressed past the fear.” Moving to the small dining table, he pulled out a chair. “Mate.”

“Just because you say it, just because you’ve lied to your pack or forced your pack to say it, does not make it true, and we both know it. I will never be your mate, Emerson, and honestly, I would think you’d honor your wolf a little bit better.”

He snarled, but only for a moment before he schooled his features. “You aren’t ready. I understand. It will take time for you to mourn the loss of your previous mate. Or perhaps you are still hoping that he’ll come rescue you. I have time.”

“Time for what?”

“Time for you to understand your new reality. Come. Eat with me. Tell me about your day.”

That Emerson had time bothered me. Was there some sort of looming deadline I didn’t know about? Slowly, I took my seat and thanked him. “Dinner smells great.”

“Shrimp Alfredo. One of your favorites, isn’t it?”

It was, something I had only discovered since living with Jax. It was definitely not something that Emerson should know. “What a wonderful surprise.”

The most incredible chef in the world couldn’t have made the meal palatable for me at that moment, but I’d forced myself to twirl my fork in the fettuccini while Emerson poured more wine. It was another one of our rituals. He’d serve me alcohol and I’d never touch it.

For half an hour, I forced myself to have polite conversation. I answered his questions, asked a few of my own, and tried to not vomit every time he smiled at me.

“Dessert?” He asked as he removed the silver cloche to reveal a decadent chocolate cake.

“No thank you.”

“Then I have a surprise for you. Don’t move.”

I was in no mood for surprises, and I tensed as he got up and walked around the small table behind me. “I know you’re having trouble thinking of me as your mate, but you must admit that I’ve giving you a good life here. You’re treated well. I hope you realize that we are not like Black Diamond. We welcome you. You have a home here, a position, and a voice.”

I didn’t turn around. “And a lock on the door.”

“That is for your safety, Anna. You know that.”

“Why do I need to be locked in if your pack is so welcoming?”

“They are eager for you to pledge yourself to me.” His knuckles brushed the bare column of my neck, and I struggled not to flinch. “Accept me as your alpha. Accept Blood Moon Pass as your pack, and the rest will come.”

Something heavy nestled between my cleavage, and I looked down. On a delicate gold chain was a red ruby pendant in the shape of a crescent moon.

Then, I felt his power swirl around me. It was unmistakable. Suffocating. He had to be pulling on all his pack bonds to make it happen. “Pledge yourself to me, Anna. Give yourself to me.”

His fingers traced down the chain and dipped between my breasts. Without hesitation, I grabbed the knife, sliced at his arm, and was immediately on my feet.

“Bitch,” he roared and backhanded me. I fell against the table. Dishes crashed to the ground, and he pinned my arms down. “You will be mine!”

“Never of my choice, Emerson. Never of my own freewill.”

Swearing, he pulled back just a little and plowed his fist into my jaw. I hit the floor hard.

Spitting out blood, I looked up at him. “You’re right. The hospitality here is unmatched.”

“You will be mine,” he growled.

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