Page 143 of Rejected By the Alpha King

I froze at the familiar voice and didn’t dare turn around. It wasn’t possible.

“Be nice,” Emerson admonished. “That’s my mate you’re talking to, and you’re a guest here.”

“No, you’re right. I’m sorry. I’d certainly ask you to do the same if you were in my territory.”

“Anna,” Emerson said gently. “I’m sorry for interrupting your work, but I wanted you to be able to greet our guest in person.”

Slowly, I turned around to see Kenzi’s wide grin.

Emerson continued. “She’s here’s to continue fostering an alliance now that she’s the new Black Diamond alpha mate.”

65

Anna

It took every ounce of energy not to scream. At her smug expression, I forced a slow smile and ignored the lump forming in my throat. “Congratulations,” I managed.

Did this explain why there was darkness in my mating bond? Jax had found a way to dampen it magically so he could be with Kenzi?

This was what I wanted. This was what was best for the pack. Best for him. This was why I left.

But damn it, I thought it might take a little more time to happen.

Kenzi’s eyes dropped to my necklace and she gasped. “Oh, how pretty! I’m going to have to tell Jax to get me one. I would look amazing in black diamonds.”

She would.

Popping on the barstool, she waved Emerson away. “Give me a few minutes to catch up with my old friend, will you?”

Emerson hesitated. “A few minutes. Anna doesn’t like to be distracted from work.”

“No. She wouldn’t. That bar was the only thing she cared about.” Turning her head, she watched Emerson walk away, and then she snapped her head and sneered. “Don’t you look like the prettiest of princesses with your expensive makeup and absurdly expensive jewelry. Jax would be disgusted if he could see you now. Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Mind if I take a picture? It’ll make him appreciate his choice of me even more.”

Whipping out her phone, she took a picture and cackled.

Leaning over the counter, I narrowed my eyes. “What the hell are you even doing here, Kenzi? You wouldn’t lift a finger to foster an alliance.”

“No, but I wanted to see you. Our mating ceremony was beautiful. Do you want to see the pictures?” She thrust the phone in my face.

Kenzi and Jax under moonflower arch. “Lovely,” I gritted out.

With a giggle, Kenzi turned it to Cindy. “Isn’t my dress just to die for? Of course, it didn’t stay on me for long. Oh, Anna, you’re going to love this one.”

She shoved the phone in my face again. Finn and Amelia dancing. Cute. “Oh, and this one?

It was such a magical night.”

I glanced at the phone. “I really should get back to work.”

“I could send these to you,” Kenzi laughed. “Have you and Emerson had your ceremony yet?”

“Next full moon,” Cindy jumped in. “It’s going to be beautiful.”

“So that’s two weeks? Maybe you should wear red. I heard blood’s a good look on you. At least, Bridget would agree.”

My blood ran cold. So Jax had told everyone that I killed her. Maybe it was to cover her treachery. Either way, it didn’t matter. I was never going back. He was more than welcome to use me as a scapegoat.

Emerson returned. “Kenzi, you’ll have to save the rest of your gossip for dinner tonight.

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