Chapter 15

Zayne's Pov

She looked radiant. Astonishing.The dress clung to her skin, highlighting the parts of her that had filled out within the past five years. Whatever she'd done to her hair worked. The jewelry glinted off her smooth neck and her makeup, Flawless.

I'd never seen her this way before.

No, I had. She'd always liked to dress up. Wearing heels around the house, walking past me seductively. She'd dress up, tease me until I couldn't take it anymore. Tease me until I grabbed and flung her over my shoulder while she squealed with pleasure.

I'd tear the clothes off her while she giggled uncontrollably. I'd ravage her till the sun went down. And went up again.

The first two years of marriage had been blissful.

What the hell happened?

Stupid question to ask. I happened.

She threw her head back in laughter at some joke Jack whispered in her ear. My fists clenched together and I stopped myself before I crushed the glass in my hand. I didn't want to draw attention to myself Any more attention than I was already getting that is.

I caught the giggles and sultry stares from various women in the room but it was something I was used to at this point I had eyes for only her.

She was so enthralled by Jack she forgot all about me. She was gesturing as she said something now, her hands moving energetically as she tried to speak above the music.

I thought about the best way to make another move. I just needed Jack out of the way first. Maybe when he stood up to go refill their drinks.

He did get up. But not to refill their drinks. I watched him help her up and escort her to the middle of the room.

For a dance?

His eyes shone as he asked her for a dance. My skin crawled as I saw him slowly bend low and plant a kiss on the back of her hand.

A growl rumbled deep in my chest as my wolf thrashed wildly in jealousy.

A party goer's head snapped to me in confusion as he heard the growling. I turned to him, my eyes simmering with rage and he scuttled away quickly, muttering to himself in confusion.

They were slow dancing now. His hand stayed on her lower back. In a respectable place, like a proper gentleman. Still, it irritated me. He had no right touching her like that. No one did.

I couldn't bear to watch them any longer. I needed to find Elias and get the hell out of here.

“Where are you.? We need to leave." I said to him through the Beta link.

It took him a moment to answer but his voice filled my head shortly after,

“Already? Ok . I'm in the parking lot. "

My stride was impatient as I went down the stairs, taking it two at a time. Elias was waiting for me by the entrance.

He was leaning against the wall and stood up straight when he saw me.

“Is something wrong?" He asked, his brows furrowing in concern.

" No. She got distracted.” I walked past him and put into the parking lot with him following close behind.

" Distracted? By what?”

" More like who. Do you know where Jack Tinsel lives?” I asked as we strode to my car.

" Mayflower Estate. Not far from here. Why?” Elias answered.

“Might need to pay him a visit."

Elias didn't ask why, the look in my eyes gave him a clue. I watched this eyes widen and then narrow,

“This visit wouldn't happen to have anything to do with him staying away from Marissa would it?"

" It might come up. But I was serious about buying the company.” I looked up at the four storied building. “It'll be tough getting him to sell but every man has a price."

“Alpha…." Elias trailed off, seeming to struggle with gathering his thoughts. “You promised you were going to take things slow." He said finally.

“And I am. But I can't do that if there's competition looming."

"Competition?” A look crossed his face briefly and then he sighed. “It’ll raise questions. We were supposed to keep a low profile.”

" And we will.” I said firmly in a tone that let him know I was done with the argument.

“Alright.” He sounded resigned. " Speaking of keeping low profiles, I picked up a scent a few minutes ago. Two minutes before you called me.”

“A scent?"

“Yes. A Wolf."

I raised my brows, “You told me there were no wolf packs in this town. It's one of the reasons you chose here for Marissa."

“Yes. And I'm picking up a werewolf scent for the first time. I saw something move in the shadows. The scent was there for only a brief second but I'm sure of it.”

I expanded my senses, trying to pick up as many scents in the environment as I could. As Alpha, my senses were sharper so I should be able to pick up any scents Elias lost.

Wet soil, meat sizzling on a fire, cooling car engines, new leather seats, apples rotting away somewhere, soiled laundry, old socks, Viagra pills, copious amounts of hair gel and sweat . Mostly sweat and other irritating bodily fluids.

But no werewolf scent.

“I can't pick up anything." I informed Elias.

“Maybe he's long gone. I'll keep an eye out.”

" Yeah. And you need to stick around to drive Marissa home. Make sure you drive her home. I don't want Jack spending any more time with her than is necessary. “ I instructed.

" Yes, Alpha. “ He bowed slightly.

I got in the car and drove off. I headed for the hotel first but took a different turn and headed for the party again.

I dropped the subject to get Elias off my back. But no way in hell I was going to compete with a human for Marissa's attention.

Jack needed to step out of the picture one way or another.

I went in search of Jack Tinsel's home.