Page 22 of Her Arranged Alpha

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He smirked. "I would disagree."

I chewed on my cheek.

"I thought a mating ceremony would be better because it's smaller. Fewer people."

He wasn't wrong about that, but there were still a lot of people here. Some from Frank's pack and some from his. I scanned the crowd for my sister but didn't find her.

"You look beautiful."

My eyes snapped to him, and my heart skipped a beat at his soft words. He offered me a smile, and I could see it reached his eyes. He meant what he was saying.

I hated the softness in his gaze. It was the opposite of someone who kept me locked up in a room for days.

"Thanks," I said, looking away.

"I'm looking dapper myself." He tugged at his tie, looking smug. "Don't ya think?"

I blinked, processing his words. "Did you just compliment yourself?"

He nodded. "Well, you didn't, so I thought at least one of us should acknowledge that I look good."

My mouth just hung open slightly, unsure of how I was supposed to process this. What was I to say?

He took a drink from his glass and then pulled his jacket off. I watched the way his white undershirt clung to him, and as he tossed his coat over his shoulder, I watched the way his muscles moved.

Heat pooled low, and I crossed my legs, trying to think of anything else.

He held a hand out. "A dance?"

I frowned. "I don't dance."

He smirked. "Neither do I, but the guys are all watching us and waiting."

I looked across the room, finding that the guys were all watching us. They all wore smirks, seeming eager to see how this would go.

He pulled me up, and I followed him onto the dance floor. I was surprised when Maddox pulled me close, his hand on my waist while his other was on my upper back. His heat hit me quickly, and my stomach twisted up again.

I inhaled slowly as he turned us, his feet moving slowly so I could keep up. I tried to breathe normally, like this closeness wasn't stirring up something deep inside me. My wolf growled eagerly, and I felt hot all over.

As we spun, Maddox talked. "Now that we're married, we should find some even ground."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why, keeping me locked up isn't part of your plan here?"

He frowned. "I did that because you kept trying to escape. That won't be a problem because I'll be able to sense it."

I rolled my eyes, looking away from him. I scanned the crowd, taking in faces I did know and faces I didn't. I still couldn't spot my sister.

"We may not be friends or get along well, but I still want you to feel comfortable in my pack, Jillian."

"Are those words yours or Frank's?" I asked, suddenly angry.

Maddox's jaw clenched. "I'm not trying to fight, Jillian. I'm being serious."

I didn't like it. I didn't like how considerate he was sounding right now. Like he hadn't just destroyed my life, if I didn't stay angry, I would forgive him, and I couldn't do that.

Before I could say anything, someone cleared their throat next to us. I looked over my shoulder and found my sister Lila standing just behind us. She was wearing a simple red dress, holding an uncertain smile. Her hands were clasped together nervously as she looked between me and Maddox.

"I don't want to ruin this moment, but the song has ended, and I would love a dance with my sister."