Sage
We drive to Kat’s pack, and I must admit, it isn’t like what I expect the pack to be like.
It is so much larger than Andrei’s pack and picturesque. The packhouse is a mansion, it has three stories and gardens, and looks like something out of a movie. Not a single thing is out of place, even the hedges are trimmed perfectly.
Andrei pulls over as a man walks out of the tree line, completely naked. He has dark hair and is athletically built, muscle on muscle, with serious Alpha vibes rolling off him.
His nakedness doesn’t bother me half as much as his presence. It makes me uncomfortable, and all I can do is wonder who the hell he is. And why is he running around naked? Okay, maybe that disturbs me a little, but only a little bit.
He is good-looking, but different from Andrei. The man has this weird clean look, despite the fact he obviously shifted from his wolf just now.
In contrast, Andrei is more get your hands dirty and hands-on type of man. He reminds me of someone who does hard labor. Andrei’s build is bigger, whereas this man has an eight-pack.
Andrei is too big for that, but still packed with muscle, and his body is hard like a rock. Andrei clears his throat next to me. He sounds a little awkward, but the sound is just enough to pull my gaze away from the man. The stranger suddenly stops and covers himself with his hands as he looks at the car.
“That is Ezra. Kat’s mate, eyes off,” Andrei scolds me.
My mouth falls open at his words. Shit, I didn’t intend to once again upset him.
Andrei growls, and this Ezra guy taps on his window. His hands are still covering his privates, and I do my darnedest to keep my eyes to the front.
I don’t understand why Andrei is angry. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to do anything or test his limits, all I did was wonder who the guy was. Okay, maybe I compared him a little to Andrei, but it isn’t like I am sitting here and claiming that the other one is better-looking or anything.
They are very different. Both are unique in their own ways, I suppose, but I prefer Andrei over any other man. Even if he can be scary as shit.
“Sorry, I didn’t see your car until the last second. You must be Sage? I’m Ezra,” he greets, making me look over at him.
I wave awkwardly, probably reminding him of a kid who just listened to the scolding of a lifetime. “Hi,” I mumble just as awkwardly.
Ezra smiles at me and looks back at Andrei whose jaw is clenched. What does one do exactly when someone is standing there naked? Not that it bothers me much, with werewolves nudity is expected, but I don’t fancy shaking his hand knowing it was just covering his junk.
“I promise, I usually wear pants. You just caught me coming home.” Ezra adds, and I nod, once again, forcing my eyes to focus ahead instead of on him.
“It’s fine, brother. Go get dressed and let Kat know we are here.” Andrei grumbles.
Maybe the other man thinks it’s just his usual self, since he nods and walks away. I, on the other hand, still believe I pushed a nerve by looking for too long, and Andrei will give me an earful of a lifetime.
I open my mouth, all but ready to apologize for whatever mistake I have made, but I don’t get that far, since Andrei calls out to the other man again. “Is Derrick here?”
“I don’t think so,” Ezra glances at Andrei as if that question is unusual, but quickly shrugs it off and adds, “But he said he was coming over.”
Andrei nods and winds his window up. Although I expect some sort of remark, Andrei’s tone startles me. “You shouldn’t stare, Sage. I don’t like you gawking at other men. Or at least have enough decency to avoid doing it in front of me. That’s the last fucking thing I want to see you do.”
“I wasn’t gawking, Andrei. He just appeared. I was wondering who he was.” I defend myself, hoping to god he will listen and drop this. Did I really do anything wrong? After all, I was just looking, not doing something he seems to think I did.
“For fuck’s sake, Sage, you were perving! Don’t try to deny it now that I have already caught you red-handed! You are sitting right beside me. Fuck!” Andrei forces the words through gritted teeth.
He is struggling to remain somewhat calm already, but as always, Sierra has to add her two cents. “He is jealous. Donnie just lost his marbles at me, too.” I roll my eyes. How ridiculous can men get? All I did was look at someone, and now, he’s losing his mind over this? Jeesh, anyone would look at someone who walks around naked, werewolf or not.
Andrei growls, making my eyes dart to him to find him watching me. His anger burns through the bond, simmering and bubbling like a pot of boiling water. “You know that is rude, right, rolling your eyes?” He snaps.
Honestly, I am shocked by his change in attitude.
I get that he has a right to be angry at me, and I don’t mind him sitting near and trying to hold back from lashing out, but this? It is a little too much.
Seriously, he can lecture me when we return to his home, but not now. Not when Kat and her mate can see or overhear us. Hasn’t Andrei humiliated me enough already?
The first day he brought her in I fell to my knees and begged her to take me away, but now, he’s making me feel like I need to repeat that experience. I don’t want to stay around Andrei when he is sulking or angry like this.
Once again, I must remind myself that he wouldn’t hurt me, but what if… What if he slips up and the unexpected happens? Especially when he is this angry.
“I wasn’t rolling them at you, but Sierra. She said you’re jealous,” I explain, doing my best to sound calm. To be fair, I want to become small and perfectly invisible. So much so that he can’t see me and force his anger on me.
“Of course I am, I just caught you perving on another man,” Andrei snaps at me again.
Yeah, as if I could ever notice every little thing he feels besides irritation or anger. Andrei has no idea how damn hard it is to read or understand his emotions. His temperament isn’t his ally.