Rejected by the Alpha

Chapter 12 - A verdict

I didn't feel that I knew Archer well enough to know what he would do next. I was a virtual stranger to him compared to Edward, his general and Natalia, his luna. I felt I was asking a lot of him to believe me over them but all I had was the truth. After a short pause that had felt like hours Archer turned to address Edward and said, "Edward, I know what you're like. You don't respect women but this went too far. It seems you're lucky to only have a broken hand. You're a werewolf. It will heal. But know this, if you touch another woman without consent again, I'll strip you of your title as General and banish you from this pack."

Edward balked, "don't you think this is a bit extreme? I mean if this is about her having been your destined mate I didn't realise it would matter to you so much after you rejected her-"

Archer interrupted him, "I can't say I'm happy about that side of things, rejected or not, but that's not what this is about. Any woman under my protection has the right to defend herself against unwanted s****l advances. That's at the very minimum. What I would prefer is that they don't have to." He sighed, "But what I want right now Edward is for you to get out of my face. "

Edward looked surprised. "But Alpha.."

"I said go," Archer repeated.

Edward slunk away like a scolded puppy. He met my eyes briefly as he left but quickly looked away.

Natalia looked a little shell-shocked and that worsened when Archer suddenly said, "You too Natalia"

"What?! But, honey..."

"I said leave Natalia," he repeated sternly

"But what about Lena? Shouldn't she leave with me and we can continue -"

"No," Archer said. "Given what's happened I'd say Lena has served her punishment. She's released from her service to you Natalia."

I could tell Natalia wanted to object but there didn't seem to be much she could say. In fact, Archer didn't seem to be in the mood to listen to it even if she did. He seemed to have made his decision and was uninterested in objections.

Natalia reluctantly left and she too met my eyes as she did so. Her eyes were filled with venomous rage and I knew this wouldn't be the last time she tried to cause trouble for me.

When we were alone Archer approached me, wiping the blood off my lip with his thumb. I was already feeling rattled and I had to remind myself how to breathe. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'll survive," I replied.

He nodded looking satisfied. "You should change out of that ridiculous tunic, it's been annoying me all week."

"You think it's been annoying you," I replied. "Do you know how itchy this is?"

He smirked, "Then go change. You can use my private bath. I'll get someone to collect clothes from Rayn for you."

"You mean your ensuite?" I asked

"No, this is different. It's one I use when I want to relax... when I have the time to relax that is," he added bitterly. "Judith can show you."

"Okay," I said and as I turned to leave, I realised that my mood had lifted and I felt distracted from what had happened by focusing on the tunic. It was likely why Archer had mentioned it. This made me pause and I placed my hand on Archers upper arm. "Thank you for believing me," I told him earnestly.

He looked at me from the side of his eye and raised a brow, "Don't mention it," he replied casually.

I hesitated before saying what I said next but his reaction to me getting hit made me feel I had to tell him.

I dropped my eyes to the half waxed floor as I spoke, "You know, I'm sure you already know this but.. some things like this tunic was a personal thing, something only I was asked to wear but Natalia hitting me... It... It wasn't any different to how she treats the maids."

"I see. Thank you for telling me," was all he said in response and then, "Now go find Judith Lena and try to relax. I'll speak with you another time."

Later, Judith was leading me down the halls when she said, "There has been rumours about you."

We didn't look at each other as we spoke. Judith was a few steps in front of me. "I don't doubt it," I replied. "What are they saying about me?"

"They say you tried to seduce the General Edward , " she said.

"I did not," I replied simply, feeling myself tense.

"Some say you're trying to seduce the Alpha. That's what the Luna has been heard saying anyway."

"Also incorrect," I said but I relaxed because the accusation felt less insulting.

"The Alpha has not allowed another person to use his personal baths before," Judith replied meaningfully.

I looked at her back, "Is that so? I suppose he must just feel sorry for me. He seemed to think it would help me relax."

"I think it should," Judith replied as she paused to unlock a door. I was taken aback when I entered. Archer had called it his private bath but it was more like a mini spa. There was a sauna to my left, a steam room to my right and there, at the end of the room was a huge in ground hydro-pool that spanned the whole width of the room it was stunning. The room had low blue lighting and all that could be heard was the white noise of the water bubbling up. It was warm and peaceful.

"I'll bring in your clothes for you once I receive them," Judith said. "I've sat aside a large towel on the shelf there for you to use once you get out."

"Thank you Judith," I said.

After Judith left I used the steps to walk down and into the pool. As I lowered myself down fully into the water, I felt tension melt from my body. I sighed as the warm water hugged my body and rocked me into a peaceful calm. I grabbed some of the soap from it's spot in the wall and scrubbed myself clean with it. I felt as though I was scrubbing the week off, all the days cleaning, answering to Natalia, calling her luna... And lastly, I tried to wash Edward off from my body, scrubbing hard at where he had touched me. When I finally felt clean again, I relaxed and it wasn't long until there was a faint knock at the door. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest as I worried about who it could be.

A voiced sounded from the other side of the door.

"It's me, Rayn," She said.

I relaxed at the sound. "Come in!" I called, making sure the water and walls of the pool were providing sufficient cover for me.

I then watched as Rayn entered holding a set of loungewear for me. She sat it on the shelves. As I looked at her questioningly, she shrugged. "They wanted to bring the clothes back to you themselves but I was far too curious about whatever drama had taken place. I'm now even more curious about why the Alpha has let you use this place." She looked around herself with a hint of wonder. "It's beautiful," She said.

"It is," I agreed. "But it had a steep price."

I proceeded to tell her everything that had happened. She listened thoughtfully, sitting with her back against the wall and her right side facing me. She frowned when I finished. "I knew Natalia was a stone cold b***h but that's low even for her," she said.

"I.. I didn't know if Archer would believe me," I admitted.

"Well... I'm glad he did. It's Natalia's birthday tomorrow you know."

"Trust me, I know. I could even tell you what colour the cake is. Do you not think it's all a bit in bad taste? Like, I thought we were at war."

"Even people at war need distraction Lena," she replied. Then she got onto her feet and dusted off the front of her trousers. "Well, I'll see you back at home because my bum is numb sitting on this floor and you're still naked so I should give you space to finish up and get home."

"I'll see you at home Rayn, thanks for checking on me," I told her as she left and in response, she smiled and nodded as she closed the door behind her. Tomorrow was going to be hell.