Rejected by My Alpha Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Dexter’s POV

“And where exactly are you going to find them?” Kael asked. “You saw that last one disappear into a cloud of smoke just like I did.”

Asher’s back teeth ground together. “I can track him. I just need time.”

“You need a trace,” Kael pressed. “And there isn’t one if he disappeared into another dimension.”

Asher stalked to the window as if he could make the dark mage appear by force of will alone.

“We need to do some research. Find out how we can drain the power they get,” Kael went on.

But his words halted as a snarl pierced the air. No one braced for attack because the sound had a distinctly sexual tone.

“Jesus,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair and tugging on the strands.

The ringing of a phone brought me back from the edge-an edge where I was tempted to charge up the stairs and join Raven and Ezra. Fuck.

Asher pulled his cell from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “I need to take this.” He stalked out the doors, slamming them behind him. More like he needed some air. Just like the rest of us.

Kael stared after him. “It’s not good for him to deny who she is to him. Not good for his wolf either.” He turned that stare on me. I read the judgment in it.

I fought the urge to squirm. Because I knew I’d fucked up. I just didn’t know how to get past the wall that would live between Raven and me- between me and any mate.

Mate.

Fucking hell. I’d found my true mate. A gift so many never got. And I was wishing it all away.

But even as I thought that, I knew I couldn’t wish Raven away. Not how she gave me shit and could kick the asses of men four times her size. Not

her kindness or ferocity.

“Trust doesn’t come easy for me,” I rasped.

Kael moved closer, clapping me on the shoulder and squeezing hard. “I know. But it should be a comfort that it doesn’t come easy for her either. Maybe you two can find it together.”

Footsteps sounded, and we all turned toward the entryway. Raven and Ezra appeared, freshly showered and dressed, but I could still scent the sex clinging to them. And I’d never seen Ezra look…lighter. Happier.

Raven shifted from foot to foot as she scanned the room nervously. Ezra pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s okay,” he whispered to her.

Raven swallowed hard. “Everyone’s okay?”

Kael smiled gently at her. “We’re all good.”

“I’m not.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. Raven’s gaze cut to me, and I saw worry in her eyes. But I was already moving. “Can we talk?”

Raven’s POV

My heart hammered against my ribs as I stared at Dexter. I couldn’t read his expression, and there was none of his typical mirth or playfulness. Everything about him read: guarded.

I steeled myself and nodded. “Okay.”

Dexter didn’t touch me, just gestured for me to follow him across the hall and into the kitchen. A heavier sensation settled into my stomach with each step I took, all sorts of scenarios taking root in my mind. The worst involved Dexter rejecting me for good.

My wolf bared her teeth at that. Her solution was to simply bite him so he was ours forever. But it wasn’t that simple, and I’d never someone’s choice-their free will. Because it had been done to me too many times to count.

I crossed to the island, leaning against it in case I needed something solid to prop me up.

Dexter cleared his throat. “Your stomach. Is it okay?”

take

away

For a second, I thought he meant the heaviness there, but then I remembered the wound. I lifted my tee to reveal my belly. The usual scarred flesh crisscrossed my stomach, but this injury was hardly deep at all. It would fade into nothing. Even now, it was little more than a red line.

Dexter’s blond brows pulled together in confusion. “That’s too fast. How-?”

“The mating bond.” My voice dropped. “I was, um, close to Ezra, so it healed faster than normal.”

Dexter’s lips twitched. “Close, huh? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

I choked on a laugh, but my cheeks heated.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, luv. It’s natural that you want to be with him. With all of us.”

My gaze lifted, taking him in. Memories of the past few weeks with Dexter drifted through my mind. His kindness with my migraines, how he cooked for me, how he made me laugh. “And what do you want?”

Dexter stared at me, pain flashing in his green eyes. “I swore I’d never be in another relationship.”

“Another?” My voice cracked as I spoke the word, jealousy flooding me.

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