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I’m about to politely decline, but then my wolf perks up in recognition as a familiar scent hits my nose, the bond between us straining in my chest.
Javi clears his throat as he comes up to the bar on the other side of me, his eyes darting between the two of us. “Hey, Lo, who’s your friend?” he asks in a low, threatening tone.
“Javi, this is Rex,” I say flippantly, tossing a thumb in his direction.
Rex boldly steps in closer to me, placing a hand on the small of my back as if he’s trying to stake a claim. My wolf immediately recoils at the touch of another man, but I derive a sick sense of satisfaction at seeing the golden swirl of Javi’s own wolf in his irises as they flicker down to the placement of Rex’s hand, so I don’t immediately move away.
Temporary insanity: I seem to be full of it today.
Javi’s gaze darts up to mine, the raw possessiveness behind it unmistakable. “What are you doing?” he asks, the rasp of his voice so low that I barely make out his question.
I shrug a shoulder nonchalantly. “Just hanging out.”
He stares at me for a moment longer, and I lift my chin in defiance, wanting him to eat his damn heart out. I know I’ve gotten to him when I see my own hurt and rage reflecting back at me so plainly in his own eyes that it makes my wolf sit back and whine, but I still perpetuate the charade, turning away and throwing up a hand to wave the bartender over.
Javi abruptly leaves my side, and though I want nothing more than to turn around to look for him, I don’t. I do, however, slide further away from Rex, thanking him for his offer to hang out, but telling him I’m here with my friends.
By the time I get a drink and return to the table, Javi’s nowhere to be seen. The rest of my friends are engaged in conversation, barely noticing the way I’m darting my gaze around nervously as I set my drink down and retake my stool.
Avery leans in beside me, nudging my arm with hers. “He left.”
“What?” I ask, blinking.
“Yeah, said he had to go take care of his girl,” Sloane pipes up. “She must be really sick.”
You can say that again.
My gut twists uncomfortably, a wave of nausea hitting me. I reach for my phone on the table, and when I pick it up, I find a text message waiting for me on the screen that makes my stomach bottom out.
Javi:Come outside. Now.
24
I’m trying really hard not to wolf out right now.
My skin is prickling with the urge to shift, my inner animal way too close to the surface for comfort. I’m not a guy who’s easily rattled- in fact, I’m not sure anything in my life has ever provoked such a strong reaction before- but seeing that fucker try to stake his claim over my mate just tipped me over the line of sanity.
She’smine. MINE.
I’m vibrating with furious energy as I type out the text message to Lo, pacing to the corner of the building and slumping back against it as I await a response, breathing deep in an effort to calm myself down.
I have no idea what’s gotten into her, but there’s a big difference between playing it aloof so her friends don’t pick up onsomething between us and letting another guy hit on her right in front of my face. I could tell there was something off about Lo from the moment I sat down, and that scene up at the bar all but confirmed it.
The exterior door to the bar bangs open and I jerk my head sideways to see my girl strutting outside, dressed to kill in a crop top and mini skirt. She looks around for a moment before her blue eyes lock with mine, her wavy blonde hair bouncing as she starts marching angrily in my direction.
I turn away and head around the corner as I listen to the sound of her footsteps following behind me. It’s too risky to do this out in the open, considering someone could walk out at any moment and see or hear us. That’s the reason I lead her all the way around to the back of the building before finally stopping and turning around, folding my arms tightly over my chest.
“Wanna tell me what the hell that was?” I demand, trying to remain calm even though the bite to my tone betrays my agitation.
“I don’t know, Javi, wanna tell me what the hellthisis?” she fires back, shoving her phone in my face.
The screen is lit up, displaying a picture, and my brow furrows when I realize what I’m looking at.
“That’s me and Cheyenne,” I mutter in confusion, gently pushing her arm down to lower her phone so I can see her face. “I’ve already told you about her.”
“You told me about yourfriend, but this looks like a little more than friendship, dontcha think?” Lo snaps, throwing her phone up again.
I snatch it out of her hand, grasping it so tightly that it’s a wonder the screen doesn’t crack under the pressure. “I already told you we’re just friends,” I grit out through clenched teeth, shoving the phone back at her. “Is this why you let that guy put his hands all over you as if you don’t belong to me?”
