Page 17 of Pack to the Wall

The casual mention of her handler's control made Zev's blood boil. His fingers curled around the edge of the table.

"We have several guitars on the island," he offered, fighting to keep his voice level despite the protective rage coursing through him. "Professional quality. You're welcome to play any time."

The brilliant smile that lit her face made his heart thunder against his ribs. Genuine happiness looked spectacular on her—nothing like the practiced smiles he'd seen in social media posts.

"Really? I'd love that." Excitement danced in her eyes. "I have so many half-finished songs in my head with nowhere to put them."

"Your own music? Not the produced pop they've been releasing?"

Chrissy nodded, suddenly animated. "I wrote 'Daddy's Girl' in an hour sitting on my back porch. It's simple yet raw. But the label keeps pushing me toward overproduced tracks with lyrics I barely relate to."

Zev leaned forward, genuinely fascinated by this glimpse of the real woman. "I'd rather hear one honest song from your heart than a hundred manufactured hits."

The blush that spread across her cheeks was intoxicating. His wolf preened at having caused it.

"Careful," she teased, "keep talking like that and I might mistake you for a decent guy."

"I'm no saint," Zev admitted with a wolfish grin that showed just enough teeth to make her pulse jump visibly at her throat. "But I do recognize authenticity when I see it. It's rare in your world."

"And common in yours?" Zev watched Chrissy's eyes sparkle with interest as she spoke across the candlelit table

The emerald sundress she wore perfectly complemented her bright green eyes, and the neckline dipped just low enough to reveal the swell of her breasts—a distraction his wolf kept eagerly drawing his attention to whenever she leaned forward.

"When you're Alpha, people can't hide much. You develop an eye for truth," he said, enjoying the way her pulse visibly quickened at his words again.

His wolf rumbled with satisfaction at the reaction, sensing the attraction that crackled between them. It had been building all evening, electric and undeniable.

"So, what does your Alpha eye see when you look at me?" Chrissy challenged, her full lips curving into a smile as she sipped her wine.

"Someone who's been caged for too long." Zev leaned forward, his broad shoulders shifting under his black shirt. "A songbird who's forgotten she has wings."

A blush crept across Chrissy's cheeks again, and Zev inhaled deeply, capturing her sweet scent tinged with arousal. His wolf growled eagerly, though Zev maintained his outward composure despite the primal need to claim her that surged through his blood.

As the server returned with their chocolate soufflés, Zev's mind returned to his earlier conversation with Olivia. The pack was growing restless. They'd play along for now—closing off an entire section of the resort for a human stranger—but their patience wouldn't last forever. Each hour that passed heightened their unease about having someone with Chrissy's high-profile history on their secluded territory.

Sooner rather than later, you need to claim her publicly, his wolf insisted.Tell them she's our fated mate. Their Luna.

And when Olivia had described the bruises she'd glimpsed on Chrissy's arms during their spa day today—revealed when her makeup had washed away in the hot springs—Zev had nearly lost control. The evidence of Leslie's physical abuse had made him want to shift and hunt down both her and Marty immediately. Only the knowledge that Chrissy needed him here had kept his rage in check.

"What's on your mind?" Chrissy asked, noticing his sudden intensity. "You look like you're plotting someone's murder."

Zev's jaw tightened. She had no idea how accurate that assessment was.

"Nothing important," he lied, then changed course, unwilling to further deceive his mate. "Actually, I was thinking about what you've been through. Someone should pay for the way they've treated you."

A shadow passed over her face, but she quickly covered it with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Zev's wolf snarled at the mask she'd clearly been forced to wear for months.

"I'd rather focus on now." She took a bite of her dessert, closing her eyes briefly in pleasure. The small moan that escaped her lips sent heat rushing through Zev's body. "This is amazing, by the way."

"I'll inform the chef," Zev replied, his voice rougher than intended as he fought for control. "Though I'd rather hear more about these songs you haven't been allowed to write."

Her entire face lit up, the shadows instantly banished. "Really? Most people just want to talk about what celebrities I've dated."

"I'm not most people," Zev stated flatly, leaning back in his chair with alpha confidence. "And I'm far more interested in who you actually are than who they've made you be."

The look she gave him—vulnerable, hopeful, yet still cautious—made his protective instincts flare. He would destroy anyone who ever hurt her again. The depth of this feeling after just days of knowing her should have worried him, but his wolf recognized the truth his human side was still processing. She was his, and he would rearrange the world to keep her safe.

"In that case," Chrissy said, setting down her fork, "I should warn you I might talk about music all night."

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