Page 46 of The Enforcer's Rejected Mate
“Stop hitting on-” Thorne stops and then truly looks at me for what feels like the first time since the meadow. He opens hismouth and then looks towards the door with a frown. “Listen, Omega, what’s your-”
“Oh my gods, don’t tell me you don’t know her name! She reeks of you. Got your scent all over her and you don’t know her name? I thought you were raised better, Enforcer.”
I want to hide. Not because Clover just pointed out I’m covered in his scent but because she’s right. He doesn’t know my name. That’s when I realize no one does. No one asked my name in the meadows before we took off for Red River.
Thorne doesn’t look away from me. “Clover, I’m warning you. Tone it down.”
There’s a long-suffering sigh from the door slot. “Sheesh. All right, boss.”
I take a step back and pull my hoodie tight around me. Thorne isn’t an idiot. He tracks the movement. He doesn’t like what he sees if the jaw clench I see is anything to go by. I take another quick step away from him until I bump into the wall. Hard. I bounce forward and stumble, which is just the kind of reality check I need. And the fact that Thorne doesn’t know my name. It’s as much my fault as it is his though so I square my shoulders and do what I can to fix it.
“My name is Cordelia.”
Thorne’s jaw unclenches but he doesn’t look happy. Considering the range of emotions I’ve seen him display which have ranged from angry to furious, I’ll take the almost neutral look I’m now seeing.
“Cordelia?” he asks.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“You got a last name?” Clover pipes up from the door slot.
I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “No.”
“That’s so cool. Really chic,” Clover chirps.
Thorne sighs and looks heavenward. “Persimmons,” he says.
I tilt my head to the side and give him a confused look. Is he trying to give me a new last name? What in the seven hells is-
“Hurray! You’ve said the magic password. Wonderful, come on in,” Clover crows from the door slot before she slaps it shut and unlocks the door. The door swings open with a heavy groan. I’m not sure what to expect when the door opens so I stay put. It’s the right move. A second later a willowy blonde with long hair pops her head out with a wide smile.
“Hi, Cordelia! I’m Clover.” She shoulders past Thorne and holds a hand out for me to take.
I give Thorne a look. He looks…neutral still. So that’s good. I take Clover’s hand and shake it. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same here but Luna! You’re soaked.” She gives me a pitying look and then motions for me to follow her. “Let’s get you warmed up, yeah? I can’t believe he’s brought you here like this. Soaked through like you ran the whole way through the storm.”
“That’s because I did,” I tell her. “Well, we did.”
Clover’s mouth falls open before she gives Thorne a withering look. “I’m telling your Ma.”
For the first time Thorne looks something other than pissed or impassive. He raises his hands and gives Clover a look that can only be described as pleading. “Now Clover there’s no reason to overreact.”
Clover wags a finger at him. I have to dodge said finger when she whirls to scold Thorne. “Overreact? You think she raised you to bring us a female in this state? I can’t even believe you Thorne Frostbane. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”
I’m in awe of Clover. She’s a total badass. She’s a Beta from the smell of her and doesn’t look any older than me. She’s half the size of the Defenders that deferred to Thorne but she’s not one bit scared of the Enforcer. When I look at Thorne I see that he’s sufficiently scolded.
“You don’t understand the circumstances.”
Clover rolls her eyes and puts her arm around me. “I’ll tell you what I don’t understand, you big alphas that can’t even see to an omega’s needs. Not knowing her name, Thorne? Not cool.” She gives me a comforting squeeze. “Come on, Cordelia. I’ve got a pot of stew we can share and a warm bed waiting for you.”
“Where are we going?” I look over my shoulder at Thorne to see he’s following albeit a few steps behind us.
“The guest quarters,” she says. “Where we know how to treat visitors and newcomers right. I do apologize for my cousin Thorne. He’s always been this way.”
“Your cousin?” That kind of explains how she’s able to talk to him the way she is but still, I’ve never seen an Alpha sassed like this by a Beta. Family or not, the Frostclaw alphas would have lost their heads if a Beta mouthed off to them like Clover is. The Beta at my side turns and glares at Thorne over her shoulder.
“Yeah, that sorry stoic alpha is my cousin and he’s in for it when the family hears about how you turned up here.”
