Page 56 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
“You have no idea, love,” Roman, the largest of the three replied.
Roman called her the endearment politely, but she liked the look of anger that darkened Dominic’s face when he heard it.
The big man pulled out a map and spread it on the table. “Now we go get it. Tonight.”
“All of us,” Dominic added, surprising her. “Your magic will be useful getting past the wards.”
Luna narrowed her eyes. “So I’m useful now?”
Everyone kept quiet then, their bubbly mood dying down. Marcus cleared his throat and muttered something about checking equipment before slipping out. Roman didn’t bother with an excuse, and without a word left Luna alone with Dominic.
“I have never said you aren’t useful,” Dominic said once they were alone. He ran a hand through his black hair, frustration evident in his posture. “But you needed time to train.”
“And you think I’m ready now?” Luna challenged.
“I think we’re out of time.”
Their eyes locked, and for a brief moment, Luna’s mind went where it shouldn’t, remembering his touch in the car, the heat of his mouth, the way his hands had—
Stop it.
“Fine,” she said, ending the stalemate. “When do we leave?”
***
The abandoned warehouse loomed before them in the night sky. Luna shivered, sensing the dark magic that pulsed within those concrete walls.
“You feel it too,” Kieran commented beside her. His unusual green eyes scanned the perimeter with practiced ease. The tracker had joined them an hour before departure, bringing with him an arsenal of specialized weapons.
Luna only nodded.
Dominic approached, his movements silent despite his size. “We go in through the east entrance. Adrian has disabled the alarms. We have fifteen minutes before the backup system kicks in.”
Luna studied the four men surrounding her. Dominic, their commander, stood tall and imposing. Marcus, with his charming smile that never quite reached his eyes. Roman, with his massive frame, and Kieran, the tracker, seeming to blend with the shadows themselves.
These were alphas—leaders, predators, the most dangerous wolves of their kind.
“Stay close to me,” Dominic said, his voice low as he addressed Luna. “If anything happens—”
“Lord Commander, I can handle myself,” she interrupted. “I’ve been training, remember?”
Was that a smile she saw?
“Just don’t do anything reckless.” He ignored her taunt.
They moved as toward the building and Luna followed Dominic through the east entrance. The smell of dust and mildew filled her nostrils as they navigated through narrow hallways.
“Here,” Dominic whispered, stopping at a heavy metal door. Ancient runes were carved into its surface, glowing faintly in the darkness.
Luna placed her palm against the door, feeling the buzz of magic beneath her fingertips. She closed her eyes and focused, drawing on the power that had awakened within her. The runes flared bright blue before fading entirely.
“It’s open,” she whispered.
The door swung silently inward as Dominic pushed it. There was only a pedestal in the middle of the tiny room beyond. It held a big, leather-bound book with symbols on the cover Luna had never seen before.
“Is that it?” she asked.
“Yes,” Dominic moved forward cautiously. “The grimoire of the ancients. It contains knowledge about all supernatural beings—including how to control them.”
