Page 27 of The Alpha's Rejected Arranged Mate

Finn considered. “It will hold up against time, but diamonds are brittle. So, if we go with a diamond, we need something to hold the diamond in. Something that will protect it from destruction. Putting salt around the town will prevent demons from coming in, but Dukiel is smart to include the rogues. We can’t stop them the same way we would demons.”

Elin slowly got to her feet. “I need to speak with you for a moment, Finn.”

“Later,” Finn said distractedly. “We have a lot of work to do. And part of that work is to ensure the pack remains cohesive. I wasn’t smart about this. Can I count on your help, Seth?” he asked, turning to the old Alpha. Both viewed the other with suspicion but with the same sort of resignment. They knew it would be smarter to work together rather than continue fighting.

“Finn. Please. I need to speak with you,” Elin said again. Her wolf had gone quiet again, and the panic from earlier threatened.

He focused on her, startled. He opened his mouth but hesitated. Finally, he nodded.

Elin grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the dining room and back into the kitchen. It was still warm and smelled strongly of the pasta that was going uneaten in the other room.

“I don’t like how you’re talking,” she said in a low voice. “It sounds like you’re planning on using yourself as bait.”

Finn’s fiery eyebrows pulled together. “I am.”

“You can’t do that!”

“It’s the best way. I’ll have my talisman soon enough,” he reassured her.

“No. You don’t understand.” Elin pressed her fingers to her temples. “You’re putting yourself in danger. We should build fortifications and protect the pack rather than set traps.”

Finn shook his head. “The best way to protect the pack is to get rid of the threat. It’s the best way.”

“You could get hurt.”

Finn backed up a step. Emotion warred in his blue eyes before suddenly the shutters closed. “Why do you even care? I rejected you, Elin. I tricked you into thinking we could be mates and then told you we were just fucking. Then I turned around and forced you to be my mate. If anything, you should be glad to get rid of me.”

“That’s not going to work.”

Finn’s jaw clenched. “What isn’t?”

Elin threw her hands into the air. “You trying to push me away.”

“I’m not—”

“You are. But you’re forgetting something, Finn.” She stepped up to him, glaring directly into his eyes. “I didn’t sleep with you or agree to be your Luna because I hate you. I didn’t do it because I thought I’d change your mind. I did it because I care about you.”

“You shouldn’t.”

Did he really believe that? Elin stepped back, shocked. His voice was rough, as though he was stating the obvious. Did he really hate what he was so much? Did he think he was irredeemable because of something he had no control over?

“Stop caring about me,” he said, stepping away from her. “Just stop.”

It wasn’t his choice. Elin opened her mouth to tell him that, but before she could, alarms started to wail outside. She jumped. Finn tore back into the dining room, and she followed.

“What’s happening?” Finn demanded.

Seth’s expression was a mix of terror and determination. “The rogues are attacking.”

Chapter 13 - Finn

Finn’s wolf snarled in relief. All this talking and trying to hold in his aggression had finally found an outlet. He headed for the door, claws emerging from his fingertips. “Elin, stay inside.”

To his surprise, Elin jogged to his side. “You need your Luna to be seen.”

Finn stopped at the door. The alarms still wailed, but he held himself back. “We don’t have time to argue. They’ll target you. Stay inside with Rosemary and Seth.”

“You think we’re staying?” Rosemary asked.

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