Alpha Your Warrior Ex-Wife is Back (by Aurora Starling) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Claire’s POV

No, no, no. There’s no way in hell that Daphne, of all people, figured out my real identity. And especially not on the first day. I couldn’t let her know that she’d figured it out so I put more pressure on her neck.

“The name is Raven. Goddess, I feel bad for Alpha Gideon if you are going to be his Luna. How are you going to run a pack if you can’t even remember a single name?” I growled out and shoved her even more into the wall before backing away.

I watched with satisfaction as she sank to the floor, clutching at her throat as she gasped for breath. The guards took that moment to intervene, grabbing my upper arms to prevent me from going after Daphne again.

Out of my periphery, I saw Peter start to move in closer, but I subtly shook my head. I’d already caused enough trouble. I might even get fired because of it. But honestly, it would be worth it just to see Daphne like this.

Daphne finally climbed to her feet. When she’d finished coughing, she marched up to me and slapped me across the face. The pain barely even registered. Goddess, Daphne was weak. I couldn’t believe this was the she–wolf that had almost killed me.

“You bitch. How dare you attack me! I –” Daphne cut herself out mid–rant and cocked her head. Then a cruel smile crossed her face. “Gideon! Gideon, help!”

Tears that hadn’t been there seconds before began streaming down her face. I curled my lips back in disgust. My, my, my. Wasn’t she just the most perfect little actress?

Gideon rounded the corner at a run, but came to a halt at the scene that was before him. I’m sure it was pretty disconcerting. Daphne was in front of me bawling her eyes out, the guards had me trapped, and Peter…Peter waas leaning against the wall, cleaning imaginary dirt out from under his nails.

“What the hell is going on here?” Gideon growled and a trickly of his Alpha power came through. It raised goosebumps on my arms and I fought off the need to shiver. It had been a long time since I had heard that kind of bie in someone’s voice. Ivan rarely, if ever, needed to use it.

Daphne launched herself into Gideon’s arms. “Oh, Gideon. It was awful. She attacked me out of nowhere! I want her fired! I want her out of our pack lands right now! I never want to see her again!”

She buried her head into his chest and wailed. Her performance brought back all the memories of what life had been like when I was his fated mate. Of all the times he took her side over mine. I didn’t really think that this time would be any different.

Gideon’s green eyes landed on me and I met them, defiant. I was no longer a part of this pack. I was no longer Daphne’s whipping boy. I was protected by Prince Ivan himself. There was nothing these people could do to hurt me anymore.

Before Gideon could say a word, Leo suddenly appeared, running out of his classroom and placing his small body in front of mine in a protective stance. I couldn’t help but notice how weak it was. But I was still so proud of him for trying.

“NO! You’re not sending her away! She just got here and I like her. Papa, I heard everything. I know what happened. And Daphne’s lying,” Leo said, his lower lip trembling as he stood up to his father and Daphne for the first time.

Daphne’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly before the waterworks started again. “Look at what she’s done, Gideon. She’s turned Leo against us. She’s trying to drive a wedge in between Leo and his mother!”

I heaved out a sigh. “Look, Alpha Gideon. I won’t deny that I attacked your future Luna. But it was in self–defense. She tried to make me run her errands. I reminded her that I’m here strictly as Leo’s bodyguard. She said she wanted to teach me a lesson. I pushed her against the wall. And here we are. That’s it. That’s the story. But let me remind you that I’m here as a favor from Prince Ivan’s pack. I’m a Captain in his inner circle. I honestly don’t need to deal with this.”

As I explained, Leo was nodding his head emphatically. His show of support warmed my heart and it was all I could do not to take him into my arms.