Page 33 of The Alpha's Fated Bond

Whose Alex?

Does she want me to rip her head off? I can feel the tingling sensation in my arms as my desire to kill this girl on the spot intensifies. Where does she get off calling my mate “her Alex”?

Lily is the first one to notice my anger. She quickly grabs me by the hand and says in an overly bright tone, “How about we go outside and get some fresh air? Don’t keep us waiting, Alex. We have a lot to get done, and my time is very precious.”

Tossing in that last bit of disrespect for the heck of it, Lily nearly drags me out of there.

As soon as we pass the door, I burst out, “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Right,” Lily drawls. “What I should’ve done is let you make mincemeat of that poor girl.”

“Poor girl?” I glare at the witch.

She seems more amused than anything about the situation. “Did I saypoor girl? Well, shoot me dead. I meant thatbackstabbing tramp.”

“You’re smiling too much,” I grouse.

“Sorry,” she replies unrepentantly. “But you need to cool down. She’s Alex’s problem. He’ll deal with her if he knows what’s good for him.”

She chuckles at the last part.

It turns out that whatever Alex does say to Hilda has her storming out of the bakery in tears. She walks past me, and as she does, she spits at my feet.

Nathan, who is right behind her, growls, “Hilda! What the heck was that?!”

She flips him the middle finger, and Alex exits the bakery just in time to see her do so. “What happened?”

“She spat at Sophia!” Nathan looks insulted. “Are you going to let her get away with that?!”

Alex looks stunned by this revelation, and he stares at Nathan for a moment. He then looks at me. “Is that true?”

I silently point at the wet spot by my feet.

He closes his eyes, and disappointment is evident on his face. “I’m sorry. I’ll handle her.”

“Forget it,” I tell him. I don’t want him thinking about Hilda any more than he has to.

“She doesn’t usually behave like this. It’s so out of character for her,” Alex attempts, his voice strained.

Nathan scoffs but doesn’t say anything.

“Do you want to go after her, Alex?” I cross my arms over my chest.

He hesitates. “No.”

My hands lower to my sides in relief. My wolf feels appeased. Alex chose me over Hilda. I’ve never been an overbearing sort, and while I can tell that I’m being very possessive and controlling, I refuse to feel bad. The words “my Alex” are still ringing in my head.

She laid a claim to my mate.

The audacity! Even thinking about it has me getting worked up.

Lily pats me on the shoulder, causing me to look at her.

“Easy there.” Her voice is low.

She’s right. Why am I behaving like this? Alex is clearly not interested in that girl. Why am I taking her remarks so personally? No matter what she says, Alex would never choose her. He’s my fated mate.

He looks upset. And that makes me feel worse.

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