Page 72 of Rejected By the Alpha King

Apparently I did now.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kenzi. I’m Anna, although I’ve found that I need no introduction,” I said with an easy smile as I reached out my hand to accept the application. It was a power gesture. We both knew she was never going to work for me. “If you have time, we can talk about the position since you’re here. Just don’t tell everyone. I don’t really have time to do a bunch of interviews while the other packs are coming to visit.”

The smile remained frozen on her face as she sat down. “I imagined Jax would have you working to get your restaurant back up while they’re here.”

“Part of me would love that. I’m not much for politics, but I’m learning.” I glanced over her application. “Kenzi, this only has your name on it. I’m going to need a fully filled-out application before I can consider you. What position were you interested in?”

“Don’t play dumb. We both know why I’m here.”

Leaning back in the chair, I tossed her application aside while she leaned over the desk.

Finn tensed, but I held up my hand. “I really don’t, so why don’t you just tell me.”

“He’s your alpha, but I’m guessing that’s not what you meant.”

“Mine,” she hissed. “I’m going to be the one standing next to him. I’m the one he trusts.

The one he’s been grooming to be by his side. While you were hiding in this backwater little bar, I’ve been the one warming his bed, making him lose control.”

Lie. Even if I hadn’t heard the tinge of desperation in her voice, the tell-tale sign that she wanted her words to be true, I had Jax’s confession. The one made out of fury and frustration in the cave, when he looked at me and thought I might belong to someone else.

He hadn’t fucked anyone since becoming my mate three years ago. No one but me.

“The mating process can be difficult,” I said, not unkindly. “You would not be the first person hurt when someone they want bonds with someone else. I’d sympathize with you, except we both know you just lied to me. He hasn’t fucked you.”

“He should be!” Kenzi snarled, and I saw the wolf in her eyes glow. Inside me, my own wolf snarled in challenge.

Interesting. She was the more dominant wolf. Everyone in this office knew it, but my wolf would challenge her anyway if I let it.

All to defend my bond with Jax.

A bond nobody wanted, least of all us.

“Probably,” I said in a low voice. “But he’s not, and you coming in here and trying to intimidate me isn’t going to change that. I’ve heard your name attached to his. Kenzi and Jax. Cute. The whole pack wants you to be his, but it’s not up to them. It’s up to Jax.

Maybe he’ll choose you. Maybe he won’t. I don’t have a lot of control over that, but I will point out your piss-poor timing. We are about to host the most powerful wolves on the mountain. You should be supporting Jax as your alpha, and instead, you’re here throwing a temper tantrum.”

Slowly, her face spread into a cold smile, and I nodded. “I see. Your timing isn’t poor.

You’re doing this on purpose. Stir up trouble in hopes that Jax will realize that I’m no good. I think, what he’s going to see, is that you’re willing to put your own interests first, rather than that of the pack. That’s not really leadership material, is it?”

“I’m going to kill you,” she snarled.

The bell rang in the dining room again, and Finn bared his teeth. “Hello,” an unfamiliar voice called out. “I’m looking for Anna.”

Kenzi straightened. “It’s about time.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Did you bring reinforcements?”

“Not at all. It won’t take long for Jax to remember what you did. That’s Parker’s son waiting for you. He’s going to want to know why you drove his father to suicide, and then he’s going to demand an audience with Jax to find out why he allowed it.”

Fuck me.

32

Anna

Dean Hewitt had his father’s eyes.

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