Page 49 of Rejected Mate's Baby for the Alpha King

Rhyson

I could feel the panic around me, but I just arched an eyebrow at the man in front of me. “You gave your pregnant mate a flare gun?”

“Actually, I keep taking them away from her. She keeps finding more. I haven’t figured out who her supplier is. Honey, let’s not immediately murder the guests Lunessa just dropped off. You’ve been complaining about how she never visits.”

“I don’t like him,” Anna said as she rubbed her belly.

“Neither do I,” Maya said behind me. “But since he’s the father of my child, I would appreciate it if you didn’t shoot him.”

Anna’s eyes flitted to Maya, and she relaxed her arm. “Fine, but you really shouldn’t sleep with wolves you don’t like.”

“A lesson I’ve noted for the future,” Maya said smoothly. “My name is Maya. This is Rhyson. Dante. Nash. Juniper. Tessa. Paisley. And Duke is the wolf who is not going to tear out your throat.”

Turning my head, I looked as my second practically foamed at the mouth. I nodded at him, and he immediately sat down.

“Jax,” the alpha said smoothly. “Although you already know that. My mate, Anna. If you’re friends with Emerson, you’re not welcome here.”

“I’m not friends with him. I think he murdered my brother.”

Reaching over, Jax took the flare gun from Anna. “He’s been dead for six months. When did your brother die?”

“Two years ago in May.”

“And his name?”

“Marrow.”

Jax frowned but shook his head. “I’m sorry. It’s not ringing any bells. Do you know where he was killed?”

“Near the Ostiro Caves.”

“Ostiro Caves. I’ve never heard of it. Which pack was that near?”

“Summerset.”

“Summer…” Jax’s eyes narrowed. “You’re saying your brother was killed off the mountain, and you think Emerson did it. Perhaps you’re not aware, but all the wolves on this mountain are exiled by the king. No one is allowed to leave. To my knowledge, no one does.”

I clenched my jaw. “He was involved. He had to be.”

Or this whole quest was a waste of time. If this Emerson wasn’t involved, then I had nothing.

Anna sighed and rubbed her belly. “Emerson’s second-in-command is alpha now. If anyone knows of Emerson’s whereabouts two years ago in May, it will be him. We will call and ask if he’ll provide the information, but communications have been a little more unstable these past few months. I’m not certain he will give us any information.”

“You’re bleeding,” Jax said suddenly, and I turned. Maya’s arm was still bleeding where the witch had cut her. “I know how journeying with Lunessa can be. You need food and rest.”

“One question first,” Anna said. “Lunessa has been…difficult to pin down. She would not bring you here simply because you dropped Emerson’s name. Why did she really bring you here?”

“She wanted the whereabouts of someone named Sera.”

“Sera,” Jax snapped. “Are you sure? Why would you know of that name?”

“She was the one who pointed us in this direction. She said that if we came here and told her you sent us, you would speak to us.”

I saw Jax’s decision before he even made the move. When he reached for Maya, I was right there, blocking him. Knocking his arm away, I went to flip him over, but Duke roared my name, and I stopped just in time. The alpha moved fluidly, shoving me against the wall and wrapping his fingers around my neck.

His eyes turned gold as he stared down at me, and I saw a flicker of fear in them.

He knew I could take him.

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