Page 33 of The Alpha Wolf's Pregnant Bride

“I’m glad you came,” I tell Dakota with an earnest smile. “I have something exciting to share.”

Dakota’s eyes light up, and color fills her cheeks. “Is it Jarrod?”

I smile cheekily and nod. “He finally decided to man up and admit that he’s into you,” I giggle, noting how bright Dakota’s cheeks become now.

She covers her mouth with her hand, bubbling with excitement. “Oh, my Goddess, Cassie! What am I gonna do?”

I take her hand and lead her to the sofa, guiding her to a seat and encouraging her to take deep breaths. “... That’s it. Just breathe. You’re gonna be fine.”

Dakota goes through a few more rounds of deep inhales and exhales before she’s calm enough to speak. “How am I gonna be fine, Cass? He’s the Beta of the pack…”

I shake my head slowly, placing both hands on each of her shoulders. “And you, my darling, are Dakota White. You’re beautiful and extremely smart. He’d be lucky to have you.”

With teary eyes, Dakota nods and thanks me by pulling me into a hug. “You know what? You’re right,” she declares, tilting her chin confidently. “I like this new you.”

I chuckle lightly, rolling my eyes. “This new me would have been nice to know nine years ago.”

Dakota quirks up a brow. “Would you have left then?”

I pout and shake my head. “Probably not. I would have stayed and made the Alpha’s life a misery sooner.”

Dakota and I share a laugh.

“How is that going for you?”

My laughter subsides as I consider her question, then shrug. “I don’t think it matters what I do or say. Cyrus isn’t a brick wall. He’s a metal pole.”

“He’s indestructible?” she muses with a sly grin. When I nod, she says, “Even metal can melt, Cass.”

I snort bemusedly at her observation. “I’m not starting a fire.”

Dakota shakes her head. “You wouldn’t need to start one, my friend. There’s already a spark…”

I stare at Dakota reproachfully. “There’s nothing there, D.”

“You keep saying that, but none of us buy it,” she sighs. “The Alpha clearly has the hots for you…”

“D!”

“It’s true!” she protests, squeezing my hand on her lap. “You know how when we were younger, we were told that boys only make fun of us when they like us.”

I can’t help but burst out laughing when Dakota wiggles her brows suggestively. “That piece of advice was misleading!” I defend. “And it’s childish. Unless the Alpha…”

“... Hasn’t grown up,” Dakota adds with a girlish giggle. “Goddess forbid he hears me,” she whispers. “But I truly think the Alpha hasn’t grown up. That’s why he makes no mention of a mate.”

“Shh! He’ll have your neck if he hears you speaking so ill of him.”

“Are you sure you’re not just defending your Alpha, Cassie?” Dakota muses.

I open my mouth to defend myself instead, wanting to call Dakota crazy for imagining that there are hidden feelings between the Alpha and me. The only feeling I do have is the resentment I’ve held onto for many years.

Then why does it bother me that he must be out there with Emily? Why do I always allow jealousy to stroke my ego when he’s the very reason I don’t care about men at all?

I never did, and I never will. It’s just… fun… to watch him lose his mind whenever I go against his orders. Or to witness the way his eyes gloss over with heated ardor when I’m dressed a little too provocatively.

It’s almost as if he can’t stand the sight of me flaunting these curves he hates so much. The body he’d admonished in the past is what I stroll in with pride that seems to irk him.

I press my lips into a tight line, confusion keeping my tongue barren. If there’s a spark between us, I hope it withers away and dies. I can’t allow Cyrus to hurt me. Again.

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