Page 34 of Mate to the Alpha Predator

"It was indeed stupid of you." He looked and sounded absolutely calm, but she can see the banked anger in those amber-green eyes like a storm.

"The store is in New York City, I can show it to you!" She gasped, "We can book a flight there, it might take a few days but—"

He stepped back, severing all contact with her. "We leave for New York now. Come and show it to me." He is already walking out of the door before he was done talking, leaving her to follow.

"Wait! Now? But we didn't book any flight, how are we supposed to get there!?"

He swiveled his head behind him, "The private jet will take out. We don't need to book a flight."

"P-Private jet!?" Her eyes widened to unbearable degrees. Of course, she knows the man has money but a PRIVATE JET!?

So, why is he trying to make her life miserable because of one small ring? She swallowed the baffling question and followed him begrudgingly.

Licking her lips, she tasted him again, like a drug in her system. She shook her head. You have it bad for a man who looks like he'll have so much joy in him tearing you apart for his ring.

And what is that thing about his eyes? Did he put on a contact lens that changes color occasionally?

Two Hours Later...

'CLOSED DOWN'.

The bold sign at the door of the pawnshop almost had Ismena swallowing her tongue. Closed down?

She turned back and peeked at the man behind her. His face was blank, he only returned her gaze.

"H-Here. This is t-the place." She pointed hesitantly behind her.

"So, why is that sign at the door saying 'Closed Down'?" He crossed his arms, leaning back against the limousine they'd rode here, his broad shoulders resting on it.

Even the relaxed stance he took, screamed dangerous to her. "I have absolutely no idea, I pawned this ring two days ago. M-Maybe there was a mix-up somewhere, I'll just uhm... I'll just ask around."

His only response was a blink of that long black eyelashes, that's supposed to be illegal because no man is supposed to have eyelashes that are more beautiful than a woman's.

She turned around and gave the store a big once over, then, her eyes jumped to the stores across the road. A mall.

"Just a minute..." She crossed the road and entered the mall. Going straight to the counter, she smiled at the receptionist, "Hello,"

"What can we help you with, ma'am?" The woman was smiling too, but her eyes went behind her and her smile faltered.

Ismena felt his presence before she turned around, to see him standing at the door in all his frowning glory. She returned her gaze to the receptionist, still smiling to calm the woman's fears, "He's with me."

"Oh..." The woman lowered her voice, "Your man is very handsome. But he..." She trailed off, fear behind the smile.

"Looks like he eats children for breakfast and drinks blood when he's thirsty? I know that too." She whispered too in a mischievous voice, not bothering to correct the woman's notion about him being her man. Then, she raised her voice, "The pawnshop across the road? Do you know when it'll open?"

"Oh, that shop? It's not opening again, I believe. Didn't you see the 'Closed Down' sign at the door? Mr. Haggins has closed down, he even packed out from our district, according to his neighbors. I think—" she cut off suddenly when the man at the door growled.

The sound so animalistic, it scared the two women. They looked at him.

Wolfariane stalked towards the counter and banged his fist on it.

Both women jerked at the same time. "Ohmygod!" Ismena exclaimed, startled.

"Do. You. Have. Any. Idea. Where. He. Went. To?" He didn't shout. He doesn't need to.

"N-No, no, no, I s-swear it! I d-d-don't have an idea! B-But, I can write down his f-former address to y-you," the woman reached for a paper and pen, her hands trembling badly.

"You're scaring her to death!" The words tore from Ismena's throat before she could stop it.

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