Page 26 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
“Someone more…visibly dangerous, I think.” He shrugged. “Not a curvy librarian with sad eyes.”
Luna snorted. “Sorry to disappoint.”
“Oh, I’m not disappointed,” Marcus tilted his head. “Just curious why Dom’s so rattled by you.”
Before Luna could respond, heavy footsteps approached, and Dominic loomed behind Marcus with a thunderous expression. “I said to check on her, not chat her up,” he growled, his voice low and threatening.
Marcus raised his hands in a mock surrender. “Just making conversation, boss.”
“Out,” Dominic said, and Marcus followed with a final questioning look at Luna.
Once Marcus was gone, Dominic entered the room, shutting the door behind him. The air between them crackled with tension.
“What was that about?” Luna asked, attempting to seem casual.
“Nothing,” Dominic replied curtly. He gazed at her empty plate. “Good. You ate.”
“Didn’t want to disappoint you,” she said sarcastically.
Dominic clenched his jaw. “This isn’t personal, Luna.”
“Oh, isn’t it?” Luna laughed at his sincere tone.
“I’m following orders,” he said, pacing the small room like a trapped animal. “The Council—”
“The Council can go to hell,” Luna interrupted, rising from the bed. “And you can take the next flight after them.”
Something in Dominic snapped. In two quick strides, he was in front of her.
Luna’s breath caught in her throat. This close, she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
“I think we both stopped caring about my feelings six years ago,” she whispered, her voice steadier than she felt. “When you called me an abomination and kicked me out of the only home I ever knew. So you can cut the bullshit and stop pretending like you actually give a shit about me or my current situation.”
Pain flashed across his features, so briefly she almost missed it. “I did what I had to do.”
With a gentle yet scathing tone, Luna remarked, “You’re not the man I thought you were. You’re just another soldier who obeys orders without question, mindlessly.”
Dominic narrowed his gaze dangerously. “You have no idea what you’re talking about”
“Don’t I?” Luna challenged, suddenly tired of tiptoeing around what was happening. “I am aware that your group hunts witches just like me. I am aware that you bind our powersby forcing us into marriages. I’m not sure why you never questioned it or considered the possibility that you might be on the wrong side.”
Dominic released her abruptly, as if burned. “There is a lot you can’t understand.”
“Then make me!” Luna exclaimed, grabbing his wrist before he could retreat. The moment her skin touched his, a spark of magic jumped between them, and they both froze.
Dominic shook his head. “Get ready. We move you to the ritual chamber this evening.”
Luna’s heart sank. “Dominic, please. Don’t do this.”
“Get some sleep. Tonight will be…difficult.”
With that, he left, the door locking firmly behind him.
Luna sank onto the bed, her mind racing. She had less than twelve hours to figure out a way to escape, or she’d lose a part of her forever.
***
The time came too quickly. When Dominic came, accompanied by Marcus and another man—taller, with dark brown hair and striking green eyes—Luna was perched on the side of the bed, ostensibly calm despite the panic brewing in her stomach.
