Page 2 of The Alpha's Envy
We fit together perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle.
Her heavenly scent surrounds me, and I have to grit my teeth to stop the growl of possessiveness bubbling up inside. Everyone’s eyes on her have my wolf on edge. She’s ours, and the desire to steal her away is strong. It’s a battle to remain professional and not give in to the primitive urges threatening to break my control.
Gripping her tighter, I meet the eye of Alpha David Reynolds and nod.
“It is. She’s my mate,” I confirm with pride, my chest swelling with the idea the moon goddess saw fit to give me such a treasure.
Hearing the words out loud and the gasps that follow from around the room snaps me out of my daze. This is real. I’ve found her at last.
“I’m Marie,” she supplies helpfully with a soft laugh, planting one hand on my chest and wrapping herself around me.
My wolf calms, his protectiveness eased by her confident claiming of me, telling the entire room that she’s now spoken for.
Seeing how Marie has plastered herself to my body and hearing the low steady rumble now coming from my chest, David sighs heavily, casting a concerned glance at his luna.
“Graham won’t be happy,” he mutters. Scrubbing a hand over his jaw, he looks concerned.
Marie tenses and blinks up at me, suddenly some doubt shining in her eyes as the meaning behind his words hits home. A quick look around the rest of the table tells me he’s not the only one worried about how his son and future heir to the pack will react.
“You came here with someone else. You’re here with Graham Reynolds.”
I have no right, but jealousy burns my gut. A ferocious snarl passes between my lips as I push my mate behind me.
Marie is mine. No other male may even touch her.
“No, I came here with my parents,” she clarifies carefully, holding my gaze to ensure I can see she’s being truthful. My wolf calms a little. “But we have been on a few dates.”
Reynolds will never lay eyes on her, let alone touch her, ever again.
“Obviously, that’s over now,” she assures me, and again, the tension in my shoulders eases a little.
Marie’s fingers twist into the back of my shirt as she pokes her head out from behind me.
“I’ll speak to Graham, Alpha Reynolds. Obviously, neither of us would intentionally hurt your son, but we can’t help fate. Thank you for your understanding.”
Dark lashes rest against her cheek as she looks down, giving the alpha and his family the respect they deserve.
Pushing to his feet, he shakes my hand but his face is grave. Alpha Reynolds has been in charge of his pack a long time. I’ve asked him before why he doesn’t retire and enjoy his golden years, but his tense demeanour confirms my suspicions.
The next generation in the Reynolds’s household might not be ready for the job yet. That’s probably why he’s not here. If his control is poor, being surrounded by strong alphas who love to jostle for dominance is a recipe for disaster. If they sensed a lessthan solid temperament, they’d taunt and poke at him until he snapped, just for fun.
“Congratulations, Jonathan.” His words are genuine, but the undercurrent of concern is unmissable. “I fear this will not be the end of it, though. You have a true gem here; one my son will not give up willingly. Watch your back.”
Dread slithers down my spine at his warning. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was afraid of his own son. No father would say such a thing about their own flesh and blood to another alpha unless they really meant it. But as Marie strokes her hand up my stomach and to my chest while gazing up adoringly at me, it’s hard to care about another male right now.
He’s not here tonight. And even when he does show his face, it won’t change anything. I know she’ll be worth whatever trouble Graham Reynolds sends my way.
2
MARIE
Alpha Reynolds’s words have unsettled my mate, but when I stretch up and place a gentle kiss on his cheek, he snaps out of it. Instantly, a broad grin erupts on his handsome face. When I attempt to move back, unsure how he feels about public displays of affection, he takes my face in his two hands to stop me from pulling away.
“That felt good.”
Leaning down, he wraps one hand around the back of my neck, and with the other, brushes his thumb along my jaw, then gently over my bottom lip, the appreciative rumbling in his chest gets louder.
“Marie, my mate,” he whispers reverently, our lips ghosting against each other as he speaks. “I’m never going to get tired of saying that.”
