The Rebel
Chapter 26

“Your partner? I asked, my mask showing for a few seconds before I covered it.

I cleared my throat, asking him to be clearer.

“I don’t… Understand Alpha…”

He looked up, putting the papers aside and giving me his full attention.

His gaze was contemplative and I felt uncomfortable.

“You have been rejected, your wolf is no longer there for you and I desperately need a mate. More specifically, I suggest you pretend to be my partner. »

I looked at him in disbelief. He has just met me, how can he offer me something like this without even knowing me.

“Pretend, you say? »

He raised an eyebrow, bringing his face closer to mine.

“Yes, pretend, unless you want to be my mate for real.” »

I shook my head no, giving him an incredulous look.

” But why ? And why me? I’m sure the female wolves must be dying to be your mate. I’m just… A nobody. »

He just looked at me. Those gray eyes were hypnotizing and mesmerizing.

” I have my reasons. And your second question? »

He got up from his seat and approached me.

I immediately looked down at the ground.

Standing in front of me, he grabbed the armrests of my seat and lowered his face.

His breath hitting my face.

Suddenly, I felt a grip on my chin and he lifted it to stare into my eyes.

“Your eyes remind me of someone.” Someone so close and yet so far from me…”

“Does he remember me? Shit ! It’s impossible ! He can’t recognize me, otherwise my plan will be ruined, which is already the case to a large extent. »

I looked down and he backed away. Crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“I…I don’t know you,” I said awkwardly and he didn’t say anything while I felt anxious on a whole new level.

” Maybe yes. Maybe not. »

“Five minutes is all I can give you to think,” he said, looking out the window with his back to me.

And with his hands in his pockets.

“A yes will land you in the comfort of a big bed, delicious food and hospitality. Whereas a no…”

He stopped and I hardened my gaze at his back.

“A no will land you 6 feet under.”

Dead. »

I thought he would give the choice between a night in comfort or a night in the dungeons. Damage, he fell directly to death.

No torture? Nothing ?

My dungeon tour option was once again ruined.

Damned man!

Why can’t he do just one thing that’s in my plan.

I wanted to laugh at his threat, but I pretended to be afraid.

“You… You… Can’t kill me…”

He looked at me over his shoulder.

He was clearly indifferent.

“You know more than a stranger, when you should know that I don’t welcome thugs.” Death is the only other option, miss. »

I can’t accept being his partner. It’s ridiculous.

So let’s test its limits.

I remained silent, showing that I was deep in thought when in reality I was starting to get bored.

Let’s see how he plans to kill me, because the gray-eyed boy I knew would never lay a finger on a girl, let alone kill her.

He was just trying to scare me into accepting his proposal.

“Where is… Your mate? I asked, his body became stiff. It must be bad, otherwise he wouldn’t have had such a reaction.

He clenched his fists and turned around.

And I immediately looked down.

Obedience, fear, timidity.

I have to keep pretending, guys.

“You’re just going to pretend.” You don’t need to know about her. »

Logically correct, but emotionally, no.

His anger seems to flare just by hearing his name.

“She… Will blame me if I…”

“She won’t,” he said finally, looking at his watch and tapping the teak wood office table.

“5 minutes have passed. What is your decision, miss? »

I remained silent. I don’t know why, but I started to hate that word “companion.”

But, he asks me to pretend. What could be his reason?

“I need to know the reason first. Why… Why do you need me to pretend. »

He seems irritated. He moved closer, his eyes boring into mine, and I backed away, trying to look scared. My tied hands doing a shitty job of keeping him from getting any closer.

“I don’t owe you any explanation and I don’t have time for your game of twenty questions. »

My back hit the wall and he came closer, placing his hands on either side of me.

” All right ? » He seemed really angry.

“Calm down, man. »

“Answer me directly, miss. Yes or no ? »

I looked up this time and his eyes softened. But, the anger they contained did not diminish.

He recognized my eyes, but did not recognize me.

“No,” I said as I stared at him and saw him clench his jaw and that already perfect jaw line became more refined.

He’s handsome, I have to admit.

But deadly too.

“Your mate. She’s dead, isn’t she? ”, I asked.

The fire in his eyes ignited and he exploded.

His eyes darkened and the beast within him took control.

Before I knew it, his eyes turned as dark as coal and he grabbed my neck, strangling me.

Shit !

His grip was steel and I could already feel the heaviness in my lungs.

” She is not dead ! She hasn’t left me! You lie ! »

He started screaming and I almost felt sorry for him.

Almost.

Because you see, if I don’t stop him, I’m going to join his dead partner very soon.

So I ended up doing it.

I stopped acting.

Straightening my waist and placing my hands on his wrist, I began to apply pressure.

My eyes narrowed as I stared into his dark eyes.

I heard a crack, almost broke his wrist, but he didn’t stop.

He became fierce with me.

However, his grip loosened a little and I could now speak.

It’s enough, I have to do it before I hurt him more or rather he kills me.

“Calm down, buddy. Is this how you welcome an old friend? »

And that was all it took.

His eyes changed color.

From black to gray, then back to black and finally stabilizing at gray.

He let go of me the next second and his beautiful eyes widened to look at me.

“Vera?” he asked and I smiled at him, responding with my usual insolence.

“The one and only. »

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Fifteen minutes later, This boy hasn’t stopped apologizing.

I sighed, placing both palms on the table, trying to get his attention.

“I could have hurt you… Damn, how could I?” How did I not recognize you? »

“Forget it, man. »

“No!” You can forgive me, but how could I… F**k! You can hate me…”

“Kane! I called his name for the first time, slapping my palms on the table, and he looked up at me.

Finally.

” It’s not your fault. I was acting. »

And he made a face, moving his head to the side.

“Yes, that’s what I understood, otherwise the fearless girl I knew would never have bowed her head to anyone, much less to a man. »

And I smiled. He knows me very well, but not completely.

“But Vera, why were you here? Did your partner really reject you and turn you into a wanderer? Or wait, I know better.

You rejected him. Is not it ? “, he said in disbelief.

I smiled again, not knowing how to respond.

“Well, theoretically you can say that. »

And he moved his head in disbelief. A small smile on his lips disappeared.

It was just replaced by a sad look.

A few seconds passed when his next words completely changed the aura of the room.

“I heard about your father.” »

And I felt a pang in my chest.

“Have you heard from him?” They say he was very seriously injured in the battle with the Redblood pack, and is near death. »

My silence gave him the answer and he held my hands which, I realized, were now balled into fists.

“Vera?” I know what he did to your mother was wrong, but that was his wolf side… Double marking is hell, Vera. »

“You should go see him sometime.” He cares about you. Believe me,” he said and I stood up. I felt guilty. The news that he had been in a coma for a few months was known to almost all the wolves, but I did not visit him.

I didn’t have this idea.

“It’s in the past, Kane. Let’s give up. »

“But…”

I stood up to turn around and he got the message.

Dropping the subject.

“What are these accusations about your pack?” Don’t tell me you’re involved in this. »

He looked down and I approached him.

“Kane?” Tell me,” I said and he managed to look up. I know that look. Tired, devastated and helpless.

“We have a very big problem emerging, Vera, but no one knows it. I saw it with my own eyes and believe me, it’s not a normal wolf. »

I leaned against the table, looking at him in confusion.

A wolf ?

” What do you mean ? Who is it ? »

“A few months ago, I learned that bodies had been found near my northern border. But when I saw them…”

He looked up, helplessness evident in them.

“They were young females, Vera. Only aged between 16 and 20. Raped and killed so brutally… I can’t even describe it. I couldn’t sleep for days after seeing that…”

I felt my heart drop into my chest, why? How ?

How did I not know about this.

“Every full moon, when the wolves are weak and vulnerable. He attacks villages along the northern trail, kidnaps them, and a few days later the girls are found dead. »

I felt adrenaline rush through me. The fire of desire to kill this bastard burning inside me.

“I’m trying to stop him. I’ve lost men, but catching him is impossible. I do not know what to do. »

“Besides, the council thinks I’m doing this. Our pack being closed and the worst, she is the target of these baseless rumors. Rivals are spreading this news so that our seat on the council will be questioned and we will be excluded. »

Now I understand. These tricks are not new, everyone knows what all rivals can do to degrade a pack.

“I’m so confused these days, Vera. I do not know what to do. »

I put my hand on his shoulder. As he rubbed his temple, tired and drained.

“Here I am, brave boy. Don’t worry,” I said and he half laughed at the nickname I gave him all those years ago.

“Still with that nickname?” I no longer have this courage, Vera… I have seen females die in front of me… My pack is collapsing… And yet I can do nothing. »

“You will always be my brave boy, Kane. The one who saved me when I was about to die,” I said and he looked at me. I would like to give him a hug right now.

He looked so devastated and sad.

“When is the next attack planned?” I asked and he looked at me, shocked.

“You can’t, Vera. You’re only human. This man is a psychopath, Vera. I never allow females on this mission, we have seen its savagery and believe me. »

“No woman can survive him. »

If only he knew. I crossed my arms in front of my chest. I smiled at what he said.

I have to meet this bastard. And no one will stop me.

“No woman, you say? And then the Rebel? “, I asked, And that’s when he stood up in shock. He looked at me in disbelief and held my shoulders.

A little hope lit up in his eyes and I could see that this is what he wanted.

He trusts the Rebel.

“Rebel?” You… Do you know him? Will he help us? he asked and I smiled, nodding at him.

Kane couldn’t believe me, he hugged me and I went stiff for a second.

” THANKS ! Thank you very much, Vera! I don’t know what I would have done without you! he said and I finally patted him on the back.

Brave Boy was a disaster right now, if only he knew who he was kissing.

“I’m here now and I’m going to make sure no one gets hurt again.”

Get ready Alex, we’re leaving for our best mission tomorrow. »