Rejected By the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #5)

38. Kaylee

38

Kaylee

Watching the cars of Shadow Moon drive away, I let out a sigh of relief and plop down onto the pack house steps. The last five days have been hectic, between creating a peace treaty with Alpha Jordan, showing our visitors around specific buildings, and trying to keep Alpha Jordan in check—especially with how his lust towards me was openly shown.

A few times, I had to break up a fight or two caused by Shadow Moon’s wolves goading one of my own, and I promptly sent the offending party to our prison cell for a night to cool off. Alpha Jordan was not happy when I did this, but Amelia and I told him to keep his wolves in check or leave. He grumbled and backed down after that, and on the third day of their visit, they did not cause any more fights. The only wolf that was willing to be friendly was Titus. I even invited the beta to a game of poker at my cottage, where Marco and I robbed him blind at the game, gaining just over three hundred dollars each.

Last night, we held an initiation ceremony to welcome the current group of Oak Fur wolves into the pack, as well as show the Shadow Moon wolves that we are growing. That Ivory Fangs is stronger than Silver Paw was and will fight back if they try anything ever again. It became a ‘welcome to the pack’ and a ‘good riddance’ party all in one, to celebrate our new wolves and say farewell to Shadow Moon.

“Ash called,” David states as he joins me on the steps. I lean against his body, feeling the familial comfort he radiates, and breathe in his scent.

“What’s the update on them?” I ask, feeling another headache begin. In two days’ time, Ash and Edison will return with the final group of Oak Fur wolves that will join our pack. Soon, I will have to face Lucas after almost three months since the rejection. Part of me is ready to lay into him, to demand answers while also kicking his ass for being an idiot. The other part of me is scared. He hurt me, kept secrets from me, and threw me away at the order of Ramos. So how could I trust him again?

“They will be back in two days.” David wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer to his side and giving me the familiar warmth my father used to give me when I was stressed or troubled. I close my eyes and relish in the comfort, while I weigh the implication of these words.

I only have two days before he comes.

“How is Amelia handling this news?” David groans at this and I laugh, already imagining what his answer might be.

“Let’s just say that nephew of ours is in for a beating from her,” he answers, pulling back to look at me. I catch the smirk on his lips and grin back, as a hint of realization fills his eyes.

“Make that a double ass-beating, because you deserve a chance to lay into him, too.” I find myself laughing again at this statement and wholeheartedly agree. When he comes, Lucas will just be a regular wolf, maybe even a warrior. It is up to me to decide if I want to forgive Lucas, or let the bond die for good and find a new mate. Of course, there is another option, and that is we can send him to an ally pack. But I have a feeling Amelia would want to keep Lucas here, due to him being family, and needing a second chance in a pack. That’s what Ivory Fangs is, a second chance to those in need. We haven’t just accepted Oak Fur wolves into the pack, but also rogues since our ascension as alpha and beta. Turning Lucas away would go against our pack’s beliefs.

“On another note, Simon and Ash hit it off, and I have a feeling Ash will be stealing him as a hunter,” David continues. I think back to my best friend, how his tall form made him fast when in both wolf and human form. He and I were trained by my parents on how to hunt, and could easily take down a large moose alone, or a bear when working together. His kills, like Ash’s, are clean and simple, and I think Ash made a good choice choosing Simon to become a hunter.

“Since I have two days before they come here, can I take those days off until they arrive?” I inquire, getting a nod from David.

“Amelia actually sent me to tell you to take a few days off. You did good in dealing with Alpha Jordan and his advances, and Amelia and I both agree you need a break.” I smile at David’s praise and instantly hug him. These two days I will spend lounging in bed, reading, or even just baking. I can prepare a room for Simon, and have my sworn brother move in with me until he finds his mate, and everything will be fine. Well, as fine as things can be.

Deciding to start my break now, I tell David that I will see him tomorrow for family dinner at his house, and rise to my feet. He tells me to enjoy my time off as he stands, waving at me before heading back into the pack house. Excited to be off pack duties, I open up the pack link as I start the trek to my cottage.

[I am taking the next two days off. Don’t bother me unless it’s an emergency,] I link to everyone, as I wave to packmates that tell me to enjoy the rest.

[If any warrior or hunter bothers me, you will spend some time in the infirmary,] I decide to add, before shutting off the pack link. Leaving the central part of the pack territory, I follow the small footpath through a clearing, towards the other side of the territory where my cottage is. The sun is warm on my skin, the air filled with the scent of wildflowers. I might go into town later and grab some supplies, to paint the day away tomorrow with how beautiful the clearing is.

Reaching the forest, I follow the familiar path along a creek toward my cottage, spying my lilac bush before I reach the front door. Suddenly, the birds stop chirping and the forest around me grows silent. Feeling a sense of danger, I turn to face the path I just came down only to be slammed against the sturdy door of my cottage. Before I can fight back, a needle is driven into my neck, and I am injected with some unknown liquid. My body quickly becomes heavy, and my vision starts to blur. Every part of me feels weak, and that’s when I realize what was injected into me. Wolfsbane. Opening the pack link once more, I feel myself slowly falling into unconsciousness. With the last bit of my strength, I reach out to the link and send one message before darkness takes over.

[At cottage. Help me.]