99 - Kennedy


    "I''m honestly not sure how I''m supposed to help you find your mate,” I said cautiously, trying to keep him talking long enough for my team to pick up the trail. "But I don''t understand why you need both Ryker and me involved." I added, hoping to buy some time. "And, by the way... Dirk here still hasn''t even told me your name. Your servants clearlyck basic manners when ites to formal introductions."


    Thatment earned me a sharp p across the face,pletely out of nowhere. I staggered sideways, my vision shing white spots as a burning pain radiated from my cheekbone. It felt like it might be fractured. Slowly, I managed to push myself back up into a sitting position, cradling my left cheek with my hand.


    "I''m no damn servant, you little bitch," Dirk spat venomously. "I''m a warrior."


    “That''s debatable,” I muttered through clenched teeth, the words slipping out from the right side of my mouth. “Just so you know, you''re going to lose your arm for that." I tried to keep my voice steady and calm, though inside I was bracing for whatever mighte next. Dirk''s face twisted with rage, looking like a cartoon character ready to explode.


    He raised his arm to strike again, but before he could, the unknown alpha grabbed his wrist firmly and shot him a warning re. "I don''t want a war here," he said quietly but firmly. "And if youy another hand on her, that''s exactly what you''ll get. Count yourself lucky if you walk away with all your limbs intact."


    Dirk''s furious gaze shifted to his leader. "She''s your prisoner. Why are you taking her side?"


    “Because an alpha kills for their mate," the stranger replied coldly. "You''ve already hurt her more than once tonight, causing her pain and suffering."


    "How else were we supposed to get her here?" Dirk snapped back. "I didn''t see you out there risking your neck for her."


    "I have to keep things organized here," the alpha answered, his tone low but firm. "You''ve messed up so many times, I''ve had to make sure the others stayed hidden and taken care of. We can''t afford to move again. Don''t you understand that? Finish the job so we can finally move on with our lives. This has dragged on long enough. I need my mate. We need our Luna. And I can''t do that without them." He gestured toward me.


    "Can someone get me some ice for this?" I asked, pointing to my throbbing cheek. "I don''t heal like you guys do." I desperately wanted Dirk out of the way so this alpha could finally tell me what he really wanted. This couldn''t be as simple as “hand over your mate and we''ll let you go." Dirk clearly wasn''t privy to all the details.


    "Dirk, take a walk and cool off," the alpha ordered. "I''ll see if we have something for your face, Kennedy."


    "Luna..." I corrected sharply.


    "I apologize. Luna Kennedy." Without another word, he shoved Dirk out the door, still barking instructions to my guards as he did. When he returned, he opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.


    "What''s your name? I''m not calling you ‘alpha''—I already have one of those. And since I can''t feel your aura, calling you ''Alpha'' before your name is going to be difficult, but I''ll try."


    "My name is Alpha Finn."


    "Alright, Finn. Now, what exactly do you want from me? Dirk isn''t the brightest, and it''s obvious he doesn''t have the full picture."


    My cheeky tone earned me a small smile from Finn. "I can see why you''re a Luna, even as a human," he said with a hint of amusement. "How about I get you that ice, and then we can talk?"


    I rolled my eyes and shifted to get morefortable on the hard ground. This time heughed as he left the tent.


    I was exhausted, hungry, and ufortable, but I didn''t trust anything they might offer me to eat or drink. Who knew what their real ns were? And no matter how badly I needed rest, I wasn''t going anywhere near Dirk''s pile of filthy rags. I needed to get out of this cramped, dark tent.


    The entrance shifted, and I thought Finn wasing back with ice—and maybe even a suggestion to tie me up outside by the fire. Anything would be better than this dank, smelly ce. But when the face sneering at me wasn''t who I expected at all, I wasn''t even surprised.