I was almost halfway through the thin diary when there was a knock on my bedroom door. I closed the precious diary, put it on the side, out of sight, and then went to get the door.
“You didn’t come back,” Eli said accusingly, his eyes slightly narrowed at me in mock anger.
“I figured since I missed a big chunk of the movie, it wouldn’t make sense anymore,” I told him with a shrug.
“Jade, I’m going to say this with your best interests in mind,” he began almost hesitantly. And Eli wasn’t one to hesitate usually. “Don’t get attached to the alpha.”
I was slightly taken aback at that statement of his. Was I that obvious? Did he catch us in the act?
“He’s the alpha,” I told him dismissively. “I’m just…”
I trailed off, at a loss for words. I knew that saying I was the plaything of the month wouldn’t sit well with him. But I preferred knowing where I stood. I wasn’t anyone special to the alpha, no matter if I started developing feelings for him or not.
“I just don’t want to see you hurt,” he said with a small smile.
“Thanks, Eli. I appreciate it,” I told him softly.
“How does pizza sound?” He then suggested. “We can go to Joe’s.”
“Sure,” I agreed readily, totally forgetting I was virtually on house arrest.
I grabbed my purse and my phone, and then left the room with him.
We were almost out of the door when Tyler appeared and asked us where we were headed. He then decided to join us.
I was giddy with excitement and could almost taste the freedom.
We barely made it a few steps out of the pack house when beta Luc stopped us, “And where exactly are you going?”
I froze and groaned. Spinning around and looking at him pleadingly, I wished he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it.
“We’re going to grab pizza at Joe’s,” Eli answered for us.
I knew the place. It was a mere 10 min walk from the pack house. It couldn’t be dangerous considering how close it was.
“Jade, you didn’t even care to inform anyone, did you?” Luc let out in a chiding tone.
“Well, my parents are on patrol duty today,” I deadpanned.
“I’m not taking any chances,” he said in response. And then, his eyes glazed over and I knew he must be mind-linking the alpha.
A minute or so later, the raven-haired green-eyed man who featured in all my fantasies appeared at the door. The way he carried himself, with confidence and incontestable elegance, should be illegal for it did things to me, to my insides, to my sanity…
“Jade,” my name rolled off his tongue easily. Only it wasn’t sensual caress, it was a chastisement of sorts. I had to fight a blush nonetheless.
I let out a “Hmm?” in response, not trusting my voice.
“Sneaking out? Really?” He crossed his arms on his chest, and I had to avert my gaze from his bulging biceps.
“It can hardly qualify as sneaking out. We left through the front door,” I squeaked out.
“Sure,” he rolled his eyes at me.
I could feel his gaze on me but I wasn’t brave enough to meet his eyes, considering we had an audience. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself, or of him.
“Luc will go with you,” he then announced matter-of-factly.
My eyes snapped up to his and I pouted, “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“You need protection,” he countered immediately, not missing a beat. “And I’m too busy to go with you myself.”
“And that’s where I come in,” Luc supplied in an amiable tone.
I grumbled a “Fine.”
Eli ruffled my hair and told me softly, “It’s for your own good, J.”
“Whatever,” I let out with an eye-roll.
And then, all four of us headed out.
** ** ** ** ** ** *
The pizza was great, and Luc was an easy to talk to as per usual. Tyler, on the other hand, barely said a few words through the meal. But then again, he was never the talkative one out of us.
But truth be told, I didn’t like the attention we were getting. Luc’s presence made it so.
I could only imagine the kind of attention we would have gotten had it been Alex who had come instead.
Luc said it was his treat when it was time to pay and I was quick to refuse.
“Don’t be like that, Jade,” he said dismissively. “We’re basically family now. We take care of one another.”
“But…”
“Had I known you were treating us, I would have gotten another one,” Eli cut in, chuckling.
“Still hungry?” I asked, flabbergasted.
He chuckled some more and then shook his head negatively, “Just joking.”
“Good,” I let out a phew. “Because I’m not sure your abs can handle another pizza.”
“Whatever you say, J.”
It wasn’t long before the beta, Eli and I reached the pack house.
Tyler, like many other members, didn’t live in the pack house, and thus had gone home from Joe’s immediately.
“The Moon Ball is fast approaching,” beta Luc said joyously as we were about to part ways. “Don’t forget to get yourself a nice dress, Jade.”
“The Moon Ball?” I echoed after him, puzzled.
“Many packs will be attending,” Eli told me. “It’s an occasion for us to mingle, celebrate the moon, but also to find our mates.”
I nodded in understanding.
As I went to my room, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had a mate at all. I had yet to manifest my wolf after all.
And then, my breath caught in my throat as I thought of the alpha.
What if Alex found his mate? Eli was right. I shouldn’t get attached.
I hopped in the shower, heart heavy, mind distracted. When I emerged from the bathroom, the man who always made me come alive with the simplest touch was sitting on my bed, waiting for me.
“Alex,” I let out breathlessly.
“Jade,” he said simply as he rose to his feet.
He took a step towards me and I took one back in apprehension.
He was definitely too intense for me.