Page 103 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

“And how many people have you used it on?” he questioned.

Her voice trembled as she turned away, finding no words.

Marcus exhaled sharply.

Aubrey studied him. “You don’t trust me.”

“I don’t trust people who use power to control anything,” he said plainly, not sugar coating. “But I’m betting on you.”

“We all are,” he added.

His words settled between them like a blade.

Marcus ran a hand through his hair and turned away a little. His mind wandered to the mission, the council, and thedark forces that had infiltrated them again. To Athena. To Riley. And if all of this ever came to an end, to the life they might have.

If it ever could.

He glanced back at Aubrey. “We’ll train again tomorrow,” he said. “Same time.”

Before he gestured for the guards he had assigned to her to return her, she gave him a silent nod.

And the weight in Marcus’s chest persisted as he made his way back toward camp, the first chill of the night rubbing against his skin.

Victory was no longer about who had more magic. So, he would do all he could to utilize all their sources to win this fight.

***

It was late at night when Marcus finally finished work for the day. Exhausted, he had decided to return to his resting chambers, but somehow found himself standing outside Athena’s cabin, his fingers curled loosely around the edge of his coat.

He told himself that his legs had just carried him there and that he hadn’t intended to come. However, it had seemed as though he was being drawn closer and closer to an unseen thread of worry and longing with every minute that went by.

He hesitated for a long time outside her door. For the night, the camp had fallen silent. Only the soft crackle of a dying fire nearby and the rustle of wind through the trees had disturbed the silence that had descended upon the grounds. Over the wooden doorframe, his fingers lingered. The porch steps were palely lit by the moon. He held up his hand and finally gave one knock.

He knocked again when he received no response.

Had they fallen asleep? He wondered.

The door finally opened with a creak.

With her hair in a loose halo around her shoulders, Athena stood there wearing a long shirt. Her features were pulled by sleep, but as soon as her eyes met his, they became sharp and surprised.

“Is everything all right?” she inquired softly.

He gave a nod. “Yes. I was nearby and wanted to check in on how you’re doing. Riley as well.”

She moved aside to let him in, shutting the door behind them without posing any questions.

“Riley is asleep. It’s quite late, you know,” she explained.

He nodded his head. “Oh.”

He looked toward the window and decided to leave when a rumble of thunder broke through the stillness, indicating the approach of a storm.

“I should probably go then,” he murmured.

“Okay,” Athena nodded, moving toward the door gingerly.

“I would let him know you—”