She's Mine

~Houston~

“Do you like cake, Mr. Houston?” I have no idea how long I’ve been talking to this treasure, but I’ve enjoyed every second. It’s funny to say because I don’t really deal with the children in my own pack. I don’t know what it is, but something about this little girl is pulling me in, and Colby feels the same. 

“I do sometimes. It depends on the flavor. What’s your favorite cake flavor?” Zara stayed on the seesaw as we talked, and I kept my distance, sitting on a bench that wasn’t too far away. No matter how harmless this is, she’s still a lone child speaking to an adult man. I don’t want anyone to mistake what’s going on.

I’ve been watching her while we were talking, and something seems off about her. I can’t tell what it is, exactly, I just know that something is different than what it should be. I’m alerted to footsteps in the distance. My body goes rigid, and my attention is on high alert. I may not know this little girl personally, but I will defend her if needed. 

“Zara, baby, where are you?” That voice. Colby is at the forefront of my mind, waiting for her to show her face. I still don’t know what this fascination he has with her is, but I feel the same way. 

“I’m here, Mommy. I’ve met a new friend.” She steps closer, and warmth washes over me at the sight of her. It’s her, it’s Alayasia. 

“Oh, uh, I’m so sorry.” I look around, wondering who she’s speaking to. I look back at her, and our eyes meet. My stomach dips, and my legs feel weak. 

“Sorry?” I watch her move closer to her child, placing a hand on her back. 

“I’m sorry if she was bothering you.” Before I can respond, she bends down, facing Zara. “Why did you leave Mr. Ronnie’s office? He was looking for you and quite scared to find you gone. What have I told you about speaking with strangers, hmmm?”

“Mr. Houston isn’t a stranger, Mommy. We introduced ourselves, and he’s been keeping me safe.” She kisses Zara’s head and stands up. Her eyes on me are sending me into a tailspin. I feel like a nervous schoolboy, and I don’t know what to do.

“Thank you for keeping an eye out for her.”

“You don’t…” FUCK! Why the hell is my voice so high? It sounds like I’m a prepubescent. I clear my throat and don’t miss the ghost of a smile that appears on her face. “You don’t have to thank me. I was happy to get to know her. Zara is a wonderful little girl. You’re a lucky woman.” A twig snaps in the distance, and Colby lets out a low growl in my mind. 

“What’s going on out here?”

~Alayasia~

My breath hitches at the sound of his voice. My heart starts beating erratically, and I wish that a hole would open up under me and eat me whole. This is not what I hoped for, and he’s the last person who should have found me out here like this.

I grab Zara and secure her in my arms. I slowly turn to face Maxim, trying to ignore that my fated mate is sitting just feet away from me. “I thought you were home already, love.” For most, that would be a term of endearment, but for Maxim to say it, it was a biting remark that holds a lot of venom. 

“We… we were, bbbut, uh, we-”

“I held her up. I was asking her about the garden that I saw from the window. We got to talking and I guess lost track of time. Your daughter is a wonderful child, by the way.” I notice Maxim’s eye twitch, and that’s a tell-tale sign of pending problems. 

“Get her home, love. Now!” That ‘now’ was low and drawn out. That ‘now’ tells me that if I don’t get moving, I’m going to be facing death a lot sooner than I ever thought I would. I say nothing and turn away from the men. I hurry away, not wanting to leave, but definitely not being able to stay. 

“Bye, Mr. Houston!”

~Maxim~

First, she had the audacity to wear that barely there dress. Then I find her talking to that Beta from the Ironside pack! I swear this bitch has forgotten who I am because she’s playing a dangerous game. Is it any wonder why I keep her in the house at all times? 

I don’t even know why I’m so damn bothered. I guess it’s because Alayasia belongs to me and no one else. No one gets to speak to her or be in her presence unless I allow it. More so, I don’t want her to get any ideas in her head like she’s going to walk away from me or something. I may not have wanted her, but she’s mine, and I will be the one to walk away. It will never be the other way around. Besides, she’s bound to me until Axel gives me the word. He hasn’t said otherwise yet, so no one else is allowed to intervene. 

The Beta stands to his feet and takes a few steps toward me. He hasn’t said anything, just keeping his eyes on me. I’d love to punch him in the throat right now, but it would look bad if the hosting pack starts having issues with the visitors. “I’m sorry if I was out of line. I was really enjoying speaking with your-” I stand tall and steel my gaze. 

“Stay the fuck away from my family. You are a guest here and are only meant to attend the meetings and meals. Anything else is none of your business, and you’d do well to remember that.” I watch his jaw tick, and I know that he wants to say something. His fists are clenched at his side, and I wish he would come at me. I could use a bit of a physical workout, and he’d probably be a good one. 

“Excuse me.” He gives me one more look before turning on his heel and heading back to the packhouse. He’s scared as he should be. I’m sure he realizes that I could end him in a heartbeat. I let out a breath and turn toward my house. It’s time to deal with my ridiculous wife.