Page 12 of How to Lose a Pack in 10 Dates

“Huh. That’s weird, because Cam actually invited me to the pack house tomorrow. I was hoping to talk to him about it here, but... guess I’ll save it for cocktails and emotional intimacy night.”

Wes freezes, then practically vibrates with rage.

“Cam doesn’t understand what you’re capable of,” he snaps. “And Jace—he’s a walking erection with no survival instincts, so of course he’s all in.”

I gasp. “Wow. Jealousyandimplied slut-shaming? You really know how to make a girl feel wanted, Wesley.”

“Get real,” he growls. “I told them both thatyouare a terrible idea.”

“What a glowing endorsement,” I roll my eyes. “Keep talking dirty like that, and I’ll think you missed me.”

He slams his hands flat on the table and leans close. His presence hits hard, all heat and dominance and the same scent that once made me forget every coherent thought I ever had.

“I’m not here to endorse you, Aimee,” he says slowly, his voice dark and unraveling. “And I’m not here to play games. I’m here to make sure my brother doesn’t get hurt. He’s not like me.”

“I know,” I reply sweetly, batting my lashes just toreallypiss him off. “That’s why I like him.”

His jaw locks, and something dangerous flashes in his eyes.

“I don’t know what sick little plan you’re cooking up, but Iknow you, and I don’t trust you,” he says. “You want chaos. You want control. You want to get under people’s skin until they snap.”

“Funny,” I hum, tilting my head. “That’s exactly whatyou’vebeen trying to do since you walked in here.”

He looms impossibly closer, his huge arms braced on either side of the table, caging me in. His eyes drop to my neck, and the way his pupils blow wide makes my pulse kick in warning.

I can sense it: the way he wants to pounce, to take, tobite. His scent is wild and uncontrolled as it blooms around me, and I know it’s twisted, but it feels good knowing that I still get to him, that I can twist him up with a few words and a wicked little smile.

“If you think you’re going to waltz in, screw with my pack, and walk away clean, then you can think again.”

I raise my glass of water in mock-toast. “Cheers, then. To the walk-in, the screw-up, and theverydramatic exit.”

His growl deepens, vibrating through the table along with my body.

“If you go through with this,” he grits out, “whatever fallout happens—don’t expect me to protect you. I’ll bring you down myself before I let you drag them through your mess.”

I press my lips together to stop from grinning. It barely works.

“God, I missed your romantic side,” I sigh.

He’s still glaring at me like he’s deciding whether to storm out or drag me out by my throat. My scent blockers are working overtime, but they can’t stop the weight of history between us—the pull of it, the hunger, the bond he chose to ignore.

“Are you done?” I ask lightly, because I think we both know how I've won this round.

His deep blue eyes linger on my mouth before he straightens, stiff and furious and looking very much like he's barely holding it together. He doesn't bother to answer me as he turns around and stalks away, all clenched jaw and rigid shoulders, every inch of him radiating alpha displeasure.

“See you tomorrow!” I call after him.

I sip my water and smile to myself.

He didn’t even stay long enough to order a coffee, never mind anything to eat. Didn’t even sit down again after standing.

Total. Victory.

Chapter Four

Wes

She still smelled like trouble.

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