THORN IN MY FLESH

ARE YOU QUALIFIED?

Alonso switched through the channels on the television in his office. Reginald attack and rescue was now the breaking news across the realms.

Several reporters and cameras were already gathered outside the club taking pictures and Flora had spent the entire afternoon rejecting interviews from newspapers and TV stations, while Alexis led the team meeting with the law enforcement and other lycan authorities concerning legal matters.

He heard a knock on the door and found Flora standing with several files in her hands. He groaned as she placed them on his table.

'Anotherlawsuit?' He asked.

'Even better. Repair cost estimatations from various contractors for the damages on outer building,'

'Thank heaven, if I have to deal with another lawyer today. I'll barf,' he said, extending his hands to receive the the files.

'Send the bill to my office. I will bear the cost for all the repairs. Its the least i could do for all your troubles,' said a deep voice behind them. Alonso and Flora turn around to find Rafe standing there.

He had taken off his tailored suit, tie, and cufflinks and rolled up his sleeves to his elbow, exposing his muscular arms. His pony tail had been released, letting down his brown shoulder-length hair. Flora looks at Alonso, waiting for his instruction. He nods at her, and she walks out, but as she passes by Rafe, he hands her a black card and tells her to call the number. She bows to him and walks out.

The room becomes silent as both men look at each other. Rafe walks in and sits in front of Alonso. The room is filled with Alexis' scent mixed with the scent of tears and made his lycan whine

.

'Do you need anything, your majesty,'Alonso asked.

'Reginald is stable enough to be moved to a hospital now. I will be taking control of his transfer and will require the attending doctors reports as well as the healers,' Rafe responded.

'That will be arranged, and his mate?' Alonso asked.

'Is not my concern. She is not a lycan and therefore not my responsibility, ' Rafe responded.

'No wonder she dumped you,'Alonso mumbled.

'What did you say?' Rafe growled

'He said you will not move my client until I am convinced of his safety,' Nicarra said, walking into the room. Rafe closed his eyes in frustration and listened as she sat o a nearby sofa.

'So I hear you plan to move my client? Where exactly is he been moved?' Nicarra asked.

He exhaled loudly and rolled his chair to look in her direction, but caught his breath upon sighting her. She had taken off her turtle neck and was wearing a white female singlet over her high waist jeans. The singlet has a deep cut in the front, showing

ng some of her cleavage and her creamy arms, which she kept rubbing. Her beautiful red hair was tied in a loose bun, and she had a pair of gold rimmed glasses placed on her nose. He gulped audibly.

'Why don't you cover up? You're obviously cold.' He asked

'I am not your concern,' she retorted but had a jacket flung in her face. She scowled in Alonso's direction, and he responded in a tone that left no room for argument as he stood up and walked out of the room.

'Put it on, it's cold, and the last thing I need is you falling sick. I just had you back,'

Rafe almost got up to rip the jacket into shreds as he watched her wearing it.

'So like I was saying...'she said, looking at Rafe.

'You will not be representing Reginald,' Rafe said to her

'Says who?'Nicarra questioned

'Reginald is a lycan and will be defended by a lycan defence,'Rafe continued.

'Like they defended him last night?' Alexis responded.

'What you you know about politics and diplomacy? My fathers council and I spent the better part of yesterday trying to convince the vampire crown to stop hunting Reginald Do you think your barrier is the only reason they stopped attacking?'

'It doesn't matter what I think. All that matters is proving that Reginald is innocent.

'

'Are you even qualified to represent him?,' he spat.

'Passed the lycan bar two years ago, youngest in my set. Passed the vampire bar as top of my class, one year before. I've been practising ever since, and I am yet to lose a case,' she responded.

'You may have a good track record, but I just got information that you and the crown prince were once very close, which puts you in a position of conflict of interest. How do I know you aren't working with them now?' He asked

'Then the easiest course of action would have been to watch the vampires rip Reginald and his mate to shreds . Maybe even take a few pictures and sell it to the press. And unless you are hiring me, which you are not. I will not explain my relationship with Conrad.'

'Oh, so you're on a first name basis with him,'

'My relationship with prince Conrad has nothing to do with you or the case at hand. If you have nothing else to discuss, I need to speak with Margery,' she said, standing up feom the sofa.

He stood up angrily and asked, "Why are you being so stubborn? I am trying to keep you safe ,'he asked

'My safety is no longer your responsibility. We rejected each other in case you have forgotten,' she responded.

He grabbed her and pulled her to him, startling her. His amber eyes shined gold as he stared down at her, breathing aloud.

'Everything i have done is to protect you, Alexis,' he said in rough husky tone.

'You are not the first royal who has tried to convince me using those words. I didn't believe him then, and I don't believe you now,' she responded

'Oh, I can be quite persuasive,' he said, and kissed her roughly. Sparks ignited between them and spread like wildfire. Rafe locked the door . her back ro the couch.