THORN IN MY FLESH

I REJECT YOU!

Rafe sat in the car, giving updates to his father via phone. He was so engrossed in the conversation that he didn't notice Alexis until the wind carried her scent. His lycan, which had been silent and brooding, stirred in his head.

'What is it?' Rafe asked

'Mate is here,' his lycan responded

'That's not possible. She is sleeping with that lover we saw her with last night. I can't believe you convinced me to go looming for her. That is the woman you wanted us to abandon the kingdom for? She moved on and found someone else almost immediately.' Rafe lamented.

'Mate is not like that. We were her first, "his lycan retorted back, making Rafe sigh.

'Listen', his lycan said, and they both kept quiet, listening to the surrounding sound.

'Its good to see you again Conrad, you look well,' they heard Alexis say. Rafe stepped out of the car, looking in the direction of the voice. He saw Alexis looking beautiful in black turtle neck and a pair of jeans talking with prince Conrad, who was clearly looking at her with longing. He slammed the car door and stormed towards their direction while his lycan growled in his head.

'Open the barrier,' he growled at her, gaining her attention.

'Prince Rafe, this is Alexis Thorn. She is an old acquaintance of mine. Alexis, this is Rafe Woodland, crown-prince of the shifters and Reginalds brother,' Conrad said.

Alexis was speechless upon seeing Rafe. Her eyes were fixed on his handsome face as her emotions stirred within her.

'Open the barrier Alexis' Rafe ordered again, not looking in Conrads direction.

Finding her voice, she asked, 'And why would I do that?'

'I wasn't asking,' he growled.

'That doesn't answer my question,' she responded

.

'ALEXIS!' he roared, but she stood before him unafraid

'The barrier will remain until I am assured that it is safe for Margery Woodland and her unborn child. However I am willing to let both princes through to confirm the physical state of her husband to put your minds at ease, until you make a decision concerning him' Alonso said while Alexis bowed and walked back into the club. Both princes nodded, and Alonso opened a portion of the barrier to let them through before closing it again. He took them up a fight of staircases into a room on the upper floors, which had been converted into a makeshift hospital. Roger could be seen unconscious on an operating table. Margery was by his side, holding his hand while several witches were working hard yo save his life. Four witches stood at the four corners of the room, chanting in latin while others carried out the physical operation.

'He was badly beaten up and lost a lot of blood. The healers say, given the condition of his injuries, it was his will that kept him alive, a lesser man would have died,' Alsonso said to the princes.

'Will he not survive?' Conrad asked

'We are doing our best to ensure that doesn't happen? I have sent word to my mother, and she says she is willing to lend us the aid of her best military doctors and have them teleported here to assist if permission is given,' Alonso responded.

'I permit,' Conrad said almost immediately, but Rafe stared at his older brother, who looked pale and lifeless.

'Your highness?' Alonso 6 at Rafe, who nodded.

'Make the call and have the doctors teleported here immediately, lean on the power of the sirens if you have to. Alonso instructed Flora, who flew away to make the necessary preparations.

"I wish to stay here till the doctors come out,' Rafe said to Alonso

'As you wish your highness however the sun rises in about ten minutes and the wall glasses aren't sun proof. I will need to take prince Conrad to a safer place in the VIP section built for night walkers, "Alonso replied.

'Thank you. And what about my men?' Conrad asked

'I have an annex building not far from here. I will inform the staff there of your men's arrival. They will be safe there and all of their needs catered to,' Alonso responded.

'You have matured Alonso, it is good to see. Your father would be proud of the man you are,' Conrad responded

'Please don't tell him. I have a reputation to maintain and love it when he threatens to use me for lightening practice, "Alonso responded, making Conrad chuckle.

'Lead the way,' Conrad said to Alonso, and the mage took the prince to the safe room while Rafe sat on a chair looking at the operating room. He heard his phone ring and picked up the call. He had a conversation with beta Robin, and they exchanged information on the situations within and outside of the barrier. Rafe heard a female voice call his name and turned around to see Margery standing before him.

'What do you want? Haven't you done enough? he growled at her, shocking everyone in the vicinity.

'My brother lost everything because of you! He is in that room fighting for his life because he was too stubborn to see that your mate bond was a burden! You are the burden in his life that ruined him! You better pray that he survives because if he doesn't, you will need more than a sanctuary to shield you from my wrath!', he finished. He turned around to leave but was met with a slap to the face. He faced his aggressor with golden eyes and a deep growl and found Alexis standing before him with tears in her eyes.

'How dare you?' Rafe growled. moving closer to her, but Alexis stood her ground until their faces were only inches apart.

'How dare you?!', she responded with her voice raised. 'She is your brothers pregnant mate. She just watched the brutal beating of her husband , nearly to the point of death, and never left his side for a second. How can you stand there and say such horrible things to her after everything she has been through?' Alexis continued pointing at Margery.

'This doesn't concern you,' Rafe said to her.

'Doesn't it?' she responded

'Stop testing me Alexis,' Rafe said, grabbing her arm

.

'You only care about your brother and his losses, but what about her? What about what she's endured for choosing to stay by his side? Has that ever crossed your mind?' Alexis asked

'And why should I care about a woman who broke my family apart? Who stole my brother from me and made him a topic among fools, a laughing stock, and now easy prey for vampires to attack at will, "he snapped

'You blame her like she stole him,' Alexis stated

'She did!' Rafe responded

'Your brother made a choice! He chose her! He chose love over power, and last night, she proved herself worthy of the sacrifices he made for her. Their love is what I chose to protect, and I am willing to give up my life if need be,' she replied.

'ALEXIS!' He roared upon hearing her words.

'The one thing you did say that I totally agree with is the fact that the mate bond with a lycan is a burden, one I do not wish to bear. I reject you Rafe Woodland as my mate!' she finished, and the entire room went silent with shock. Rafes lycan receded deep into his mind while Rafe dropped her arm. He responded through gritted teeth as he struggled to control his emotions and prevent himself from shifting.

'My father was right, fated mates are only good for one thing' and walked angrily past her. Alexis closed her eyes upon hearing his words, trying to fight back her tears.

'Not a word of any of this must leave this room.' she heard Alonso order behind her as he took her hand and led her to his office while Margery was taken to a room to rest.