Rejected by My Alpha Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Dexter’s POV

Raven lifted the murky green concoction to her nose, ,her sharp inhale making those striking turquoise eyes narrow. “If this is roofie juice,” she said, voice dripping with warning, “I’ll chop off your balls.”

“Noted,” I said, plucking the glass from her fingers. “Though I’d miss them terribly.”

The first sip hit my tongue like a punch to the throat-earthy, bitter, with an aftertaste reminiscent of wet dog. My gag reflex kicked in hard. “Christ, that’s foul,” I rasped, wiping my mouth. “Tastes like death’s gym socks, but I promise it’s clean.”

For the first time since we’d met, something like amusement flickered across Raven’s face. She downed the remaining liquid in one impressive gulp, her expression twisting in disgust. “That might be the worst thing I’ve ever tasted.”

“Wait until you try my friend’s coffee,” I muttered, turning back to the stove. The skillet hissed as butter melted across its surface, the rich aroma

already battling the herbal stench lingering in the air.

Raven watched my movements with the intensity of a sniper assessing a target. “You’re awfully confident for someone who just served me

swamp water.”

I flipped the spatula with a flourish. “Self-awareness isn’t humility, darling. My grilled cheese could end wars.”

“Or start them,” she countered, but there was less bite to it now.

The quiet that followed felt heavier than it should have. Raven’s fingers tapped an uneven rhythm against the countertop, her gaze distant.

“Trust me, luv, you’ll love it.”

When she spoke again, the words slipped out like an escaped prisoner-

“I don’t trust anybody.”

There it was. The raw nerve beneath all those carefully constructed defenses.

I knew that particular brand of isolation too well. “Safety in solitude, right?” I said lightly, flipping the sandwiches.

For a moment, something flickered in her gaze-a fleeting hunger deeper than physical need. “Only person you can truly rely on is staring back

in the mirror.”

The conviction in her voice sent an unexpected pang through my chest. I thought of my brothers-Nox with his endless scheming, Kael’s quiet intensity, the killer duo’s chaotic energy. Five idiots who’d walk through hell for each other without hesitation.

“Sometimes you get lucky,” I said carefully. “Find people who’ll take bullets for you.”

Raven’s laugh was hollow. “Sometimes those people load the gun.”

The bitterness in her words sent my wolf surging forward with a snarl I barely contained. That protective fury shocked me-normally my beast eyed attractive women with wary suspicion, thanks to past betrayals. But this? This was different.

As the sce

Ad and melted cheese filled the kitchen, I realized two things:

ne had shattered this woman.

roke her trust would answer to more than just an Alpha’s wrath.

Rejected by My Alpha, Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna?

7.4%

Chapter 20

I clung to one comforting fact-no mating bond had sparked between us. No electric connection, no flashes of destiny. Just good old-fashioned attraction that I’d need to address… preferably soon.

The grilled cheese landed on Raven’s plate with a satisfying crunch. “Eat,” I ordered.

She rolled her eyes. “What is it with you locals and your damn orders?”

That had to be a dig at Kael. Nobody else in Duston had the audacity-or the death wish-to boss her around.

I watched like a hawk as she took the first bite. The moment the flavors hit, her eyes fluttered shut, a sinful moan slipping past her lips. “Holy

hell, this is incredible.”

Every drop of blood in my body rushed south. I was absolutely going to burn for the images flooding my mind-Raven beneath me, making those same sounds for entirely different reasons.

“Told you I was the best,” I managed, voice rough.

above me,

The tension had drained from her shoulders, the herbal remedy working its magic. For the first time since we’d met, she looked almost… at ease.

That fragile peace shattered when the kitchen door flew open with a bang.

“Goddamn it, Dex, do you have my-”

Asher stood framed in the doorway, his icy gaze sweeping over Raven like a predator assessing prey. The air thickened with tension as his

nostrils flared-catching her scent, no doubt.

Every muscle in my body tensed. Of all the pack members to stumble in now, it had to be our resident assassin.

“New friend?” Asher’s voice was deceptively calm as he stepped forward, his movements liquid and lethal. His focus zeroed in on the subtle

bulge at Raven’s waist. “She’s armed.”

Raven didn’t flinch. Just set her sandwich down with deliberate calm, her fingers inching toward her blade.

The standoff lasted three heartbeats before I stepped between them. “Asher, meet Raven. Joe’s new bartender.” I emphasized the last word-a

silent warning.

Asher’s smirk didn’t reach his eyes. “Bartender. Right.”

The unspoken challenge hung in the air like smoke.

Raven’s POV

The moment the stranger entered, my wolf reacted in a way that made no sense-Lena practically perked up, as if greeting an old friend rather than preparing for a threat. My human half remained coiled tight, every instinct screaming danger despite the warm spice of cinnamon and

cloves clinging to the newcomer.

Before I could reach for my blade, iron fingers closed around my wrist.

Mistake.

I broke the hold with a sharp downward strike, sliding off the stool into a defensive stance. The kitchen suddenly felt too small, the air thick

with tensi

(0)

12:11

Rejected by My Alpha, Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna?

7.6%