Page 7 of Alpha Bride

I growl; it’s low, but Ryan steps back. “Drop it. I’m in no mood. I’m heading back for the visitors from the mainland,” I snap, and walk away, leaving Ryan to finish up with the other betas.

I love Ryan, almost like a brother, but if I have to answer one more question involving Emily, I’m going to rip someone’s throat out. It’s bad enough I’ve had Callum on the phone more times in the last two weeks than in the previous two years, clearly at the request of his mate Ava, looking for reassurance about Emily. It’s starting to piss me off that they think I can’t handle this situation without some kind of group effort. Callum’s backed off a bit, but I know Ava will have him coming backaround—if I didn’t love my new sister-in-law so much, we’d have a problem.

The truth is, I haven’t seen much of Emily. But that is deliberate, because every time I do, it’s clear whatever she did to bewitch me before is still strong. And I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing how she affects me. Claiming her on nothing but impulse was bad enough—I just couldn’t handle the thought of another male touching her.

That’s the same reccurring thought that has plagued me for the last two years; her writhing beneath another man, clinging to him the way she did to me, as he fucks her. I know how promiscuous witches are—even more so than shifters, if Aiden’s experiences bedding every witch he comes across are anything to go by. If I’d sensed Aiden had been with her, I’d…

I grip the steering wheel, trying to fight the red mist that threatens to descend at the mere thought.

I need to get a grip on myself before this meeting with Nolan, the alpha from a mainland pack we trade with. We’re on reasonably friendly terms—or rather, as friendly as differing packs generally get—and I’ve met him a few times, but we mostly communicate via email. However, it appears they’ve been having problems with rogues using their ports to come to the island. He’s been hearing a lot of talk about Malik and wants to sit down to discuss it.

After weeks of little progress, I’m ready to entertain a rare outsider’s perspective, hoping to glean something of use for our fight against Malik and his rogues. Nolan will be arriving in an hour or so, and we’re hosting him and his betas for a pack lunch. On the surface, it’s all about trade, but underneath, I sense this is as important to Nolan as it is to us. The local witches willbe there to discuss potential protection for their ports, which means Emily will be there.

Living under the same roof is near torture, but I manage to avoid her where possible. Early morning and late night patrols with the border guard, pack meetings held at the hall instead of my home office, and generally taking every excuse to stay busy rather than deal with the witch currently occupying my house. Because when I do have to face her, I’m either completely thrown by her mesmerizing beauty or filled with rage because her presence is a constant reminder of how weak I am. My wolf is of no use; he’s constantly pushing me toward her. He’s more than happy to take her as his mate. He’s driven by a mixture of desire and the mating ceremony, and is probably still bewitched. He’d be happy to take her in all ways—but I know better, and I’m not falling for it. Not again.

I pull up the drive and sit for a moment, watching the house. It seems quiet, and I can’t help but hope Emily has already left. I need to change and get my head right before this meeting without her presence distracting me. It’s not lost on me that I shouldn’t be hiding from my own mate, especially a witch, when I’m an alpha. But at least I know what I’m dealing with.

I head into the house, noticing immediately that the security system is still inactive, which means…

“Oh, you’re here,” Emily states, freezing by the kitchen island as soon as I walk in. She looks strangely at home in my space, the warmth of the sunlight filtering through the tall windows and highlighting her long red hair.

“Well, it is my house,” I snap, tearing my eyes away from her before they linger too long on her beautiful face, with her pale skin, perfect pink lips, and her curvy figure clad in her long dark blue dress that dips provocatively between her breasts.

Her scent hits me, and I close my eyes for a moment, trying to focus on anything but how it makes me want to sink into her. My wolf practically claws to the surface, and desire coils in my stomach. I grit my teeth as I try to push him back down.

"I'm going to change," I say gruffly, heading upstairs. I walk away, hoping she will just let me go, but I sense her following me immediately and spin around.

For just a second, I think I see some vulnerability in her features, but it’s gone before I can be sure, replaced by her usual nonchalance. “Should I wait for you?” she asks. “To go to the meeting together?”

“Why?” I snap before I can think. She just looks so damn beautiful, and I want to get away from her before I do something I might regret.

“Because I’m your luna, and—” she begins quietly, but I cut her off.

“Everyone knows that’s a sham, so I really don’t give a damn what you do,” I say, storming away from her before she can say anything else that might crack my resolve. Does she want to be luna? Does she think she’ll get more power over me that way?

From my room, I hear the front door open and then close.Good. I need my head in the game for this meeting, so I don’t get distracted by her sorcery.

I move quickly, changing into my jeans and a black T-shirt, before heading downstairs again.

I can feel her presence hanging heavy in the air around me despite her absence. It’s practically tangible as it seems to brush against my skin. She’s always with me, despite thedistance I try to put between us, and that just makes me want to explode. But I can’t ever let her see it.

I walk toward the pack hall and see Ryan and Kris waiting for me outside. They nod at me as I approach, acknowledging my alpha status for this meeting with another pack as they fall into line behind me. We head into the hall together, the scent of anticipation and excitement filling the air as we prepare for this important meeting with Nolan’s team.

Once inside, I immediately see Emily laughing with some shifters, including Nolan, who is watching her like she's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. Fury boils up inside me at how effortlessly she seems to use her magic on these fools, while all I can do is struggle against my own damn wolf's desires.

I clear my throat loudly as I approach, making sure everyone’s attention is on me.

“Welcome,” I greet Nolan, a little more abruptly than I intended. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

Nolan shakes my hand and smiles broadly, flashing his canines. He’s relaxed—or at least he’s determined to project an air of calm befitting an alpha. I realize he has no idea who Emily is or her ability to bewitch. He’s just another victim of her fake charms, and I shouldn’t let her affect these talks.

I nod, turning toward her. “Do you mind, Emily?” I say, dismissing her.

She chuckles breezily and puts her hand—actually puts her hand—on Nolan’s arm and says, “Of course, we can catch up later,” before walking away with a sway of her hips that neither of us misses.

The wave of desire that hits me nearly sends me reeling and is only matched by my deep sense of irritation. I take myseat at the head of the table opposite Nolan, trying to ignore the way Emily’s scent fills the room and the way her laughter still rings in my ears. The meeting begins, but all I can think about is getting away from here and finding some peace from this constant torment.

As we discuss business matters and potential alliances, I catch glimpses of Emily out of the corner of my eye, her eyes flickering towards me occasionally before flitting away again. It’s infuriating how she seems so carefree and unaffected when I all feel is this constant longing with my wolf permanently on edge.

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