The Rogue King's Wolfless Queen

Chapter 5: The Confrontation at the River

The mention of Killian’s name made Elena’s blood run cold. Her hands instinctively gripped the edges of Caleb’s oversized shirt.

Caleb noticed. His amber eyes darkened with a terrifying, protective fury. In one swift movement, he was right in front of her, his large hands gently gripping her shoulders. "Hey. Look at me."

Elena looked up into his intense eyes.

"You stay inside," Caleb said, his voice dropping into a low, absolute command. "He has no power here. I’m going to go handle this trash."

"No," Elena said, surprising herself as she grabbed Caleb’s bare forearm. His skin was burning hot. "I’m coming with you."

Caleb stared at her, his jaw clenching. "Elena, he rejected you. The mental bond breaking makes you weak near him."

"I don't care," Elena snapped, her purple eyes flashing with a stubborn fire. "He banished me. He doesn't get to hunt me down like an animal. I want to look him in the eye when he realizes he can’t touch me anymore."

Caleb stared at her for a long second before a wicked, proud smirk spread across his face. "God, I love your attitude. Fine. Put these on." He tossed her a pair of soft grey sweatpants Jax had left by the door.

Minutes later, they arrived at the roaring river that divided the Rogue territory from the BloodMoon Pack.

Killian was standing on the opposite bank, flanked by five heavy-set BloodMoon warriors. He looked furious, his dark hair messy, his chest heaving. But the moment his eyes crossed the river and landed on Elena, he froze.

More specifically, he froze when he saw what she was wearing. She was wearing a massive black shirt that clearly belonged to a high-ranking male wolf, standing right next to the legendary, terrifying Rogue King.

And Caleb’s arm was wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her tight against his side.

"Elena!" Killian roared across the water, his fists clenching so hard his knuckles turned white. "What the hell are you doing out here? And why are you dressed like that?"

Elena didn't flinch. She leaned into Caleb’s side, feeling his incredible warmth and strength. "I don't think that's any of your business, Killian. Didn't you banish me?"

"You crossed into Rogue territory!" Killian snarled, his eyes flashing a dangerous gold. "You're pack property, Elena! You know too many secrets about our internal medicine and layouts. I ordered you to leave the territory, not run straight into the arms of a bunch of filthy rogues! Get your ass back over this river right now!"

Before Elena could even open her mouth, Caleb stepped forward, shielding her half-way with his massive, shirtless body. His dominant Alpha aura exploded outward, hitting the river water so hard it caused ripples.

The five BloodMoon warriors behind Killian instantly took a step back, their faces turning pale. Even Killian choked slightly on the sudden, crushing pressure.

"Who are you calling filthy, little pup?" Caleb rasped, his voice cutting through the sound of the rushing water like a blade. "You're standing on my border, shouting at my Head Healer."

Killian's jaw dropped. "Head Healer? She's a wolfless cripple! She's a slave in my pack!"

"Then you’re a complete i***t," Caleb scoffed, letting out a dark, mocking laugh. "This 'cripple' just pulled pure silver poison out of my veins tonight. She did what your entire medical team couldn't do in a lifetime. You threw away a goddess because you’re too blind to see real value."

Killian’s eyes widened in shock. He looked from Caleb’s healed chest back to Elena. A sudden, ugly twist of jealousy and regret flashed across his face. The mate bond in his chest was screaming at him, furious that another male was touching what was supposed to be his.

"Elena, I am your fated mate!" Killian ordered, trying to use his Alpha tone to force her to obey. "I command you to cross the river!"

The Alpha command slammed into Elena’s mind, trying to force her legs to move. But before it could take hold, Caleb moved.

Caleb let out a deafening, monstrous roar that completely shattered Killian's command in the air. The sound was so powerful it made the birds scatter from the trees.

"She doesn't answer to you anymore, boy," Caleb growled, his eyes glowing a predatory, lethal amber. "You rejected her. The bond is broken. She belongs to the Rogue Pack now. If you or any of your mangy dogs step one foot across this water, I won't just kill you, I’ll march my pack into your village and burn it to the ground."

Killian trembled with rage, but he looked at Caleb’s massive form, then at the rogue guards instantly lining up behind their King with weapons drawn. He knew he was completely outmatched.

Killian glared at Elena, his teeth bared. "This isn't over, Elena. You're a traitor."

Elena looked at him, completely cold. "Goodbye, Killian. Have fun with Tanya."

With a final, furious snarl, Killian turned around and stormed back into the bushes, his warriors scrambling to follow him.

As the forest fell quiet again, Elena let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Suddenly, she felt Caleb’s hand gently lift her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

"You did great, sweetheart," Caleb murmured, his thumb softly brushing her cheekbone. His gaze dropped to her lips for a fraction of a second before looking back into her eyes. "Now, let's get you back inside. Tomorrow, your training begins. We're going to make sure that the next time you see him, he's the one bowing to you."