Rejected by My Alpha Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Asher’s POV

Raven’s turquoise gaze flicked to me. “I guess I’m not most people.”

I moved in closer, trying to ignore the scent of wildflowers teasing my nostrils. My wolf wanted to play with the female. He wanted to tease, toy with, and bite. That was inconvenient. And he would just have to deal with disappointment.

My gaze raked over Raven’s face, studying it, ready to grasp any tiny reaction. “Why are you so hard on yourself?”

Defiance flickered in those captivating eyes. “I’m not naturally strong, not born dominant. It means I have to work ten times harder than anyone else to get that way.”

My brows lifted in surprise. The first two statements weren’t exactly a shock. As fiery as Raven was, I knew her wolf wasn’t dominant. But that last revelation? That was interesting.

“And why do you need to be that way?” I asked, my voice smooth as silk, trying to lull her into an honest answer.

Raven lifted her chin. “So I don’t get dead.”

I chuckled, the sound breaking free without my permission. “Not getting dead is as good a goal as any.”

Her lips twitched. “I am partial to breathing.”

Gods, those lips. They were stained a deep shade of pink as if she’d been eating berries in the forest all day, and plump as if she’d been kissing for hours. Who knew? Maybe she and Nox had been doing just that in the early hours of the morning. He’d certainly looked pleased with himself when he exited her room.

My back molars ground together as jealousy flared. Fast on its heels came annoyance, then anger.

“Again,” I gritted out.

Raven lifted her bow and nocked the arrow as if she’d been doing it for months instead of minutes.

“Wait,” I commanded. She stilled, and I stepped in closer. Fuck. I was drowning in sage now. My fingers grazed her elbow. The skin was so soft. But I saw hints of those scars peeking out from under her tee.

I swallowed hard, trying to focus. “Lift your elbow. You form one long line. See?” I traced my finger from her elbow to her knuckles, keeping my touch featherlight.

Raven sucked in a breath, her head turning, and her gaze colliding with mine. Suddenly, a new scent teased the air, one that had my wolf growling with pleasure. Her need. I could smell it clear as day, and every part of me wanted more.

“Shoot the arrow,” I growled.

Her head jerked back to the target, and she let the arrow fly. It hit center mass.

“I think that’s enough for today.” I stalked off without another word, too afraid I’d end up fucking Raven against a tree if I stayed. I’d likely get a blade in the back as a thank you. But some part of me wondered if it’d be worth it.

Nox’s POV

My fingers flew across the keyboard, but amid the sounds of typing, my ears were trained for any signs of movement. Any hint of Raven.

Ezra had informed me that she’d gone target shooting with Asher. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to leave the two of them alone with weapons was beyond me. And I needed proof of life, stal.

The floorboards creaked in the hallway, and my fingers stilled as I listened. Footsteps grew closer, and I turned to see Kael in the doorway. Surprise had my brows lifting. When we weren’t on a mission, he usually spent his days at the club, catching up on work. “You’re home?

One corner of his mouth kicked up. “So are you.”

“Raven,” we said at the same time.

“She’s addicting.” Kael muttered.

I couldn’t argue that point. I’d held her all night, and it still wasn’t enough. “She’s target shooting with Asher,” I informed him.

Kael’s entire body tightened. “She’s what?” he barked.

I winced. “Apparently, she wanted to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow.”

“Who thought it was a good idea for Asher to be her teacher?” Kael snarled.

I shrugged in answer, not wanting him to kill the messenger. A second later, his voice filled all our pack mates’ heads. “Asher, if anything happens to her, I will make sure you suffer.”

A huff of annoyance sounded in response. “Relax. Your delicate little princess is just fine.”

“Says the cat daddy whose pussy rules his life,” Dexter shot back.

“What. Did. You. Just. Call. Me?” Asher snarled.

“Enough,” Kael demanded. “Asher, you will make sure Raven returns to the house unharmed in all ways.”

“Whatever,” he snapped and then threw up a mental shield to block us all from his mind. Kael could’ve broken through, but it would’ve been an

invasion.

“That went well,” I muttered.

Kael sighed, scrubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately. It’s like he’s at his worst.”

“She affects him,” I said quietly. “It stirs up all the betrayal and mistrust he’s experienced over the years. And it doesn’t help that we still don’t have a plan for Shadowpine. Not to mention the mages are still circling.”

A muscle in Kael’s cheek began to flutter. “Any movement lately?”

I shook my head. “As far as I can tell, it looks like the mages retreated and went home.”

Kael shifted his weight before speaking again. “And Shadowpine?”

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