Ella’s POV
I turned to Kevin, apologizing to him with my eyes. He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair, shook his head and exhaled in frustration. Asides that, he didn’t do anything else and I was relieved that he decided to trust me.
He wasn’t going to do anything rash regardless of what happened here. He had left control in my hands and I was immensely touched. The Kevin I knew wouldn’t have done that easily. I knew it must have been a struggle for him to let go of control and cool off when he wanted to rip everyone to pieces and I appreciated that.
“You should understand him, my lord.” I said, moving closer to him. “He feels annoyed that I’m here with you. I’ve been trying to tell him to move on ever since we were here. That is why I’m here.”
“You are?” The count asked, his voice ringing with disbelief.
“Of course. He had to stop clinging to the past and know that I now belonged to you.”
The count’s chest puffed up with pride. “He should know that you are mine.”
“I guess it’s hard for him to accept that. Can you forgive him, my lord?”
The count shrugged. “I think I can do that. I understand how hard it would be for a guy to accept that a beautiful woman like you is no longer his.” He smiled, rubbing his finger on my cheek.
He waved at the bodyguards surrounding us to move back.
They bowed and moved back. I sighed as I watched them go.
I heard Kevin growl but I didn’t think the count did. His eyes hardened as he looked at us and I subtly shook my head as I stared at him, warning him to behave.
“She is mine now.” The count sneered at Kevin, pulling me closer to him to drive the point home. “Back off.”
“I’m so glad you found me, my lord. I was already getting tired of telling him to let go of me in his heart.” I smiled at the count, placing my hand on his chest.
I knew I was driving Kevin crazy and didn’t stop staring at him, begging him to play along.
The count laughed. “I think I love the sound of you calling me lord. I feel like I have gotten closer to you. It sounds better than you always calling me sir in an indifferent tone.”
Kevin growled again and I knew we had to leave now. If he lost control now, all my efforts would be ruined.
I purred as I placed my head on the count’s chest and played with the button on his suit. “Can you take me home now, my lord? I’m tired.”
“We should go.” The count agreed. He turned to Kevin. “Did you hear that? She belonged to me. Home to her is where I am so stop clinging to your ex like a fool and let her go.”
“Can I talk privately with him before we go?” I asked the count. “So he doesn’t come back again and cause a scene like this again.”
The count thought of it and nodded. “I guess that makes sense. I don’t want to argue over what is mine again with another man.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at the count, pretending to be enraptured by him.
His eyes sparkled with warmth and I knew I had him totally fooled. “You have five minutes. I will be waiting for you at the gate.” He said and departed, leaving me alone with Kevin.
“It seems like you have learned how to seduce a man perfectly.” Kevin lashed out the minute we were alone.
His words didn’t hurt. I knew he was jealous and angry. “I had to do that. It’s a huge risk for you to fight here.”
“You could have said something other than your ex. I’m not your ex.”
I chuckled. “I know. You are not my ex. You are my mate. Would you have wanted me to say you are my lover? He would have killed you right there on the spot. What then is the point of trying to protect you?”
“What do you want to tell me?” He sighed.
“I want to tell you to not blame yourself too much. I forgive you for rejecting me five years ago. I also want to protect you as much as you want to protect me.”
“I know.” He sighed. “You are too kind-hearted, Ella. I know you wouldn’t like to witness a fight. The thought of that must have been distressing to you. I’m sorry I didn’t think of that before I tried to start a fight.”
I wanted to pull him into an embrace but knew the count would have his eyes on us.
I shook my head. “No. I didn’t do all that to protect you because I was trying to avoid a bloodbath. I want to protect you because I love you.”
Tears filled his eyes and he gasped in surprise. “You do?”
I smiled at him. “Yes, Kevin. I forgive you and I love you so don’t do anything stupid.”
“I will try.” He said, giving me a boyish smile.
I smiled back at him. He seemed better than he was minutes ago. It was a good decision to tell him how I felt about him.
“I’m now a slave and can’t leave with you like this. I can’t become the Luna of the pack while I carry the mark of a slave.”
“I understand.” He nodded. “We will find a way to make it work without violence so you can leave here. I will get rid of that mark and make you mine in a honorable way.”
He smiled. “I think I can be patient now that I know how you feel about me.”
“I will see you soon, Kevin. I have to go before the count comes here to get me.” I said and waved to him.