Page 25 of The Alpha Wolf's Pregnant Bride

“You seem to be in high spirits all of a sudden,” Jarrod remarks with a chuckle.

I turn to him and offer a wink, thinking how crazy I must have been just now to feel jealous.

Me? Cyrus Rudolph, jealous of my best friend?

It must be a classic case of being too stressed out.

“I just realized that we've been working our asses off these past few months.” I slap a palm on his shoulder, feeling the tension slip off my own shoulders. “It's time to let loose.”

Even if Cassandra Chikara is back on our turf, threatening to disturb my peace, I won't let her have any power over me.

I won't let the threat of the rogues disrupt my peace. Who does she think she is?

I won't let the temptress tempt me anymore.

Chapter 7 - Cassandra

The full-moon gathering during the peak of Fall isn't what I remembered it to be. I realize that it's been too long since I came back home.

Home.

It's such an unfamiliar word to me since I rejected this place as my home when I couldn't stand Cyrus anymore. Now that I'm back—my decision mostly based around wanting to tick the Alpha's time bomb—I can't help but wonder if I've made the right choice.

The chill in the air sends a shiver down my spine and leaves me regretting my choice of attire tonight, and I'm grateful that we broke away from another one of Cyrus's smear campaigns and made it to the bonfire.

It was a revenge dress of sorts, worn for the sole purpose of letting the Alpha eat his heart out after our little encounter last night.

The effect has been adverse so far. What I thought I glimpsed as attraction only turned out to be another attempt at making my life miserable.

Why shouldn't I be drinking?

Just who does he think he is?

Glancing over my shoulder, I notice the Alpha's eyes wandering around the meadow as if avidly avoiding mine. So I turn my back to the fire and grab the cup of homemade wine out of Dakota's hand.

“What are you doing?” she blurts when I gulp the contents of the cup, sighing when she glances over her shoulder. “Oh…”

I smack my lips together purposely when Cyrus's eyes lock on mine, the potent sweetness of fermented Californian grapes sliding down my throat. I'd become so accustomed to the mild fruitiness of sake that the boldness of the wine Luna Phoebe makes immediately spins my head.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself while the dizzy spell subsides, I push the empty cup into Dakota's hand. Cyrus narrows his darkening eyes at me, and I'm satisfied that I've rebelled enough to slowly turn back to the fire.

“What is going on between you two?”

“What?” I ask when the effects of the wine finally wear off. Being a werewolf means that our heightened body temperatures won't allow for the alcohol to last very long in our systems before burning out.

It only means that Cyrus is insane. Why else shouldn't I drink? It's not like this is a party, so the wine isn't laced with wolfsbane.

He's certifiably crazy.

“You and Cyrus…” Dakota clarifies.

“Oh, I should be askingyouwhat's going on between you and Jarrod…” I raise a brow.

Dakota blushes and turns her eyes away. “Nothing is going on, Cass. Jarrod's always been nice,” she shrugs. “It's just who he is.”

“Yeah, sure.” I roll my eyes. “He was obviously trying to flirt with you back there,” I giggle. “Didn't you see how he blushed when I pointed it out?”

Dakota huffs. “This isn't about me, Cass.” She folds her arms, adamant about changing the subject. “There's still something between you and Cyrus, even after all these years.”

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