Page 11 of Wolf Traded
He keeps control just barely and slows as he comes to a clearing that smells like her. Her scent drenches the area and I notice a small cottage nestled among the trees. It has to be her home. Her scent is too strong here for it to be anywhere else. It makes me wonder. Why does she live out in the middle of nowhere? Why isn’t she closer to the town?
A flash of a memory comes to me. Her dress that was destroyed with claws. Her mentioning her family helping with the flowers and the food. It’s no wonder why she doesn’t live closer to them. They treat her like dirt. My wolf growls low at the thought and I curse the sound echoing in the wind.
His attention snaps to the window as the curtain moves and it’s just the distraction I need to take back control and run into the woods. I don’t think she saw us thankfully. I blow out a relieved breath. That was closer than I like. My wolf is grumbling and growling in my head but I keep careful control of my wolf and run through the forest I don’t think she saw me but I can’t be too careful. Especially, after Grayson’s threat.
“Where have you been?” Angela’s voice cracks through the stillness as I make my way back to the tree where I left my clothes. I shake my head not wanting to show my beta that I lost control of my wolf and was seeking out a wolf who is practically mated already.
I shift quickly. I know I’m naked but I’m a shifter and we don’t give a shit about nudity. “My wolf took over and we went for a run.”
“Right. You howled. Why?” She’s getting a little too comfortable in her position if she’s questioning everything I do and I glare at her. She holds my stare for the briefest of seconds before averting her gaze. Forcing her submission doesn’t make me feel good but if anyone in this pack hears my beta questioning my movements, I’ll be seen as weak. Grayson will think I’m weak. That is something I will never let stand. My wolf growls low and the rumbling in my chest makes Angela whimper.
“Do not question me again.”
“Yes, alpha.” She bows her head in submission but the words are spit out through gritted teeth. She’s a strong beta maybe even stronger than Grayson but she knows when to submit even if it goes against her nature.
“Why were you looking for me?” I ask as I pick up my pants and start to dress.
“I heard something last night but didn’t think anything of it until now. It’s not our pack to police you know.” She shrugs clenching and unclenching her fists.
“What did you hear?”
“I heard two women giggling and then glass breaking at one of the local shops. When I went to see what was happening a red head climbed in the window and then forced the door open from the inside. Grayson obviously doesn’t have control over his pack if they are vandalizing property in his own pack.”
I curse wondering if it was the same redhead that came up to me before scurrying away when she found out who I am. It would make sense. “The seamstress shop was vandalized last night but the only thing ruined was Jara’s mating gown.”
“What the fuck? Those evil little bitches aren’t strong enough to challenge her to her face so they go behind her back? We need to get out of this place these wolves are toxic.”
“Not until after the ceremony. My gut is telling me that it’s important we stay.” Angela knows better than anyone to trust my gut.
“Fine, but if I see that crazy redhead I can’t guarantee I won’t punch her in the face. You don’t do that sneaky shit we’re fucking wolves.”
I nearly grin. I know just from her outrage without her ever meeting Jara that if she were mine Angela would protect her with her life. “You’re not to punch anyone. We will let their alpha handle them.”
“I can’t challenge her?” She asks hopefully.
“That would hardly be fair. If she is who I think she is, she is no match for you. Nothing but a pack whore with delusions of grandeur.” I don’t think I have ever seen Angela pout before but she is.
“Fine.” She huffs out a breath and starts moving back toward the town. I follow her silently knowing that we have mere hours before the mating ceremony. My gut is telling me I need to stay even if it will piss me off to watch Jara mated to that ass.
A giggle sounds close and I watch as Grayson leads the same red head into a small house with his hand on her lower back whispering something I can’t quite hear into her ear. I take a look at Angela who’s eyes widen a bit in shock and wait for them to enter the small house before walking on silent feet around the side and leaning against the wood next to the window.
“Are you still mating with her?” There’s a sneer in the woman’s voice that has my hackles rising.
“I can’t put it off any longer and no matter how many things we did to try and get her to postpone. It didn’t work. She still wants to have it today.” I can hear the frustration in his voice.
“So reject her, Grayson. She’s not good enough for you anyway. Don’t you love me?” I nearly scoff but just barely hold in the noise. Who the hell does this girl think she is?
“Look, me being mates to Jara doesn’t change anything between us.” His tone softens and I roll my eyes. He really is a scheming fuckwit.
“You want me to be your whore for the rest of my life whilesheis alpha female?” She yells and Grayson shushes her with a growl. “No, if you ever loved me at all you will reject her Grayson. I won’t sit by and watch you with her begging for small scraps of your attention.” There’s a thump and I imagine she’s stomping her foot like a toddler.
“If I reject her, her whole family will be disgraced. I can’t think of another way out of this.” He sighs clearly frustrated.
“Well, I guess you have made your choice.” I can hear the hurt and finality in her voice and move around the house to leave not understanding what I was thinking lurking in the shadows in the first place.
I’m on the main road halfway down the block when I hear the door slam and look over my shoulder at Grayson with a raised brow. He smirks and the disgust I feel for the alpha only grows in this moment. What a slimy bastard going to hook up with a pack whore on his mating day. I need to watch that one. I have a feeling he’s more of a schemer than I thought.
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