Claimed by the Alpha - Lia Davis Page 0,16
led her past her son and through the tunnels. When they reached the exit, Luna turned to Tanner, giving him a scowl of her own. “You do not have the right to tell me who I chose as a mate. So get over your issues and get to know who your uncle truly is before you judge him for what his bastard of a brother did.”
“Luna!”
Rafe glanced up in time to see Sasha, rushing forward. The two females hugged, then Sasha frowned. “You’re hurt.”
Rafe gave Tate and Elise a nod in acknowledgment. Elise watched him out of concern. He noticed the female didn’t even glance at Luna. It was considered disrespectful to ignore the presence of an Alpha, no matter what territory they were in.
Turning his back on Elise, he watched his mate and the Ashwood Falls Healer. Sasha met his gaze and offered a smile. That gave him hope that the female would see to it that her mate—Rafe’s nephew, Tanner—would see reasoning soon.
Luna waved her off as she limped toward the truck parked a few yards away, ignoring Sasha’s order to let her heal the ankle. When Rafe caught up to Luna, she said, “You’re not carrying me, so forget it.”
He chuckled. “If I really wanted to, I’d throw you over my shoulder.”
She snorted. “And get your ass kicked.” She glanced at Tanner, “Where is Jon?”
“He, Hayden, Christa, the twins, and Alec and Rhea will be here later tonight.” Tanner stuffed his hands in his pockets while watching his mother limp to the truck. Turning to Sasha, Tanner asked, “How bad is it?”
She shrugged. “Not too certain without examining it, but she’s in a lot of pain.”
“I’ve been in pain before, stop talking about me like I’m not here.” Luna, who was still barefoot, misstepped and growled.
Rafe was there in an instant and picked her up with one arm under her knees and the other around her waist. Luna scowled at him, and he said, “Asking for help and having someone to protect you doesn’t make you weak.”
Tanner jogged ahead and opened the truck passenger door. Rafe put Luna in the seat and framed her face. “I’m your mate. It’s my job to protect you and support you. I don’t want to be Alpha, never have. But I will put my foot down when it comes to your safety and wellbeing. We clear?”
Her wolf flashed in her green eyes, and her sensual mouth curved in a smile. “Crystal.” Then she kissed him.
His cock hardened and he deepened the kiss, temporarily forgetting about the others outside the tuck. The clearing of a throat broke them apart. Luna giggled while Rafe kissed her forehead, then closed the door.
When he turned, Tanner was a foot from him. Rafe crossed his arms and waited for the hotheaded wolf to say what he had on his mind.
“You hurt her, and I’ll kill you.” Then Tanner moved to the Jeep a few feet away.
Sasha sent him an apologetic look before rushing after her mate.
Tate motioned to Tanner and Sasha. “Elise and I will ride to the cabin with them. I’ll fill them in on the plan.”
Rafe nodded, and Tate started walking to the Jeep. When Elise didn’t move, Tate growled, “Elise.”
Scowling, the female followed Tate.
Rafe chuckled and climbed into the Truck just as Luna said, “I’m glad I don’t have to ride back with her.”
“I didn’t see it until now. I guess because she’s not my mate and I knew who my mate is. I ignored her advances.” He stared out the windshield.
Luna placed a hand on his arm. “I know it’s not your fault. Does she know about the mating dance and that she could die if she messes with a claimed male?”
He chuckled. “She should. She was raised in a pack until mutants destroyed it.”
“Oh.” Luna got quiet for a long while, and Rafe decided to let it go. Elise knew what would happen if she messed with a claimed male. So the female was on her own.
Just Rafe knew what would happen to him if he didn’t set a boundary with Elise. He’d be sure to do that as soon as they got back to the cabin.
“We are going to need a bigger cabin,” Luna said when they parked next to the camp area.
The scents of more of her wolves drifted in the air. Tanner said they’d get there later, but Luna wasn’t complaining. She opened the door to jump out of the truck, and Rafe was there before she could.