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Grabbing the man by the back of his shirt, I pull him back and press him to the wall, out of the view of the rest of the dining room.
With barely restrained rage, I hiss in his face, “Who are you? And where have you just been?”
Belle’s scent is faint, carried on his clothes, but it’s there. My mate.
This man, this stranger, has been in her presence - recently, too - while I can’t even get her to answer her damn phone. She’s mine!
Some sort of realisation seems to cross his features and instead of cowering under the weight of my anger, he squares his shoulders, glaring at me defiantly.
“I’m not telling you a damn thing.”
The seconds tick by while I focus on not ripping the guy’s head off. Eyes squeezed shut against the urge to kill this man, who, rationally, I know has only been in brief contact with Belle; her scent is so faint.
Sucking in a deep breath, the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Her delicious aroma is suddenly becoming stronger. Closer.
My growls and snarls subside, and I slowly unwind my fingers from the front of his shirt; afraid to turn around, like if I move too fast, this chance will slip through my fingers.
Belle is here. My mate is right here.
“Which house? I know she’s here! Tell me right now or I can’t be held responsible for what I do next.” Will trembles and I’m vaguely aware that he’s probably a decent guy who just doesn’t know what’s really going on, but I’m too selfish to care. “Tell me, right now, please,” I beg.
“Fuck. Number 10,” he mutters. “Don’t be a dick to her!” Shouting after me, his words barely register, though I’m aware he’s not too far behind, as I rush out the door and jump down the steps. Taking off a sprint, my heart pounds. She’s here. I’m so happy at the prospect of seeing her that I’m not thinking straight, and all attempts not to draw attention to myself are completely forgotten.
Looking up, I see the house and come to an abrupt stop.
Mate.
Standing in the doorway, she’s about to pull the door closed behind her. She’s frozen in place, and I wonder how long she’s been there, waiting for me to come. She must have sensed my presence just like I sensed her.
Belle’s glossy brown hair swings around her shoulders as she turns, and I move toward her, ready to pull her into my arms.
Except the look on her face isn’t one of happiness.
Her friend slides away, slipping down the steps and out of our way. Looking at me like she fears for my safety, and her own, as I come closer, and closer still.
Belle vibrates with something that I’m struggling to read. Her wolf is right there in her eyes, and I feel her reaching out to mine. And yet…
The other male finally catches up and skids to a stop beside me. When I snarl at him, Belle narrows her eyes at me and growls a warning.
She’s pissed off. And I think it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
14
BELLE
“It’s okay, Will.”
While his loyalty is much appreciated, he obviously doesn’t realise it’s about to get him killed. Will is sweet and kind, the perfect mate for Liv, and his job as a driver for Lucia is respectable; but he’s no match for Ethan. And a wolf kept from his mate quickly becomes a dangerous animal.
“You sure?” Will doesn’t take his eyes off Ethan, but he’s gone as white as a sheet, and I don’t think Liv would forgive me if her mate were to be torn apart protecting me from mine.
I couldn’t quite bring myself to tell her that it was my mate who has me this twisted-up, though I’m sure she suspects it now, after seeing this.
“I’m sure. Ethan, calm down.” Ethan slows his breathing and blinks, those striking blue eyes reappearing and piercing straight into my soul as his wolf fades from his eyes. My knees shake just being this close to him, but I try my best to hide my reaction. I am a warrior after all.
“Belle…” he whispers, his expression a mixture of anguish and relief as he moves toward me. His instinctual reaction to the bond’s pull is to come to me, to touch me; but I’m determined not to be enslaved by it. He hurt me. Raising a hand, I step back and his face contorts in pain as I reject his embrace. For a moment, I think he’s going to grab me anyhow, and I start to panic, not wanting to cause any more of a scene.
“You don’t have to talk to him,” Liv says from the yard, standing beside Will and watching our interaction closely.
