“Alpha?” Mila innocently. “I don’t see Frankie Anderson around.”
Adrianna looked at him, at Mila, and then at Julianna. “Who is this?”
“This is Mila Georgescu, one of our newest recruits.
“I don’t recall seeing her application.” Adrianna glared at Mila. “How did you get here?”
“She was a last-minute addition,” Julianna said. “She showed up and asked to be part of the training group.”
“Surely every Lycan in New Jersey should have a chance at this opportunity to serve the Alpha,” Mila said slyly.
“And she’s kind of amazing,” Julianna admitted sheepishly. “She kicked everyone else’s ass.”
Mila laughed and tossed her hair. “It was nothing, and you’re far better than me, Julianna.”
“But you didn’t tell me the part about you being in The Family.”
Mila’s demeanor changed. “I know the reputation our organization has with you.” She gave a small sniff. “I … I don’t want to be part of that anymore. Besides, being a woman, they treated me so badly. The men especially …” Her voice trembled. “Please, I need to get out of that situation. I just want a fair chance. A new start.”
Julianna’s face softened. “Of course you’ll get it.”
“Julianna—”
The younger Anderson glared at her sister. “I’ve already decided she’s in.”
“But I haven’t approved it,” Adrianna countered.
“And you’re not Alpha yet. Mama is. And I’m going to talk to her directly,” Julianna threatened.
“Why—” Adrianna shut her mouth unceremoniously. “Can we talk in private, please, Julianna?”
She stood up. “Fine. Let’s go in the study.”
When the two sisters left, Darius grabbed Mila by the arm and dragged her out the door, not caring at her protests.
“Darius, if you want to be rough, just say so,” Mila cooed. “I like it rough.”
“You may have fooled Julianna Anderson, with that ‘give me a fair chance’ act, but you can’t fool me or Adrianna,” he said, hauling her across the porch. “I know why you’re here.”
Mila rubbed at her arm. “Oh, are you on a first-name basis with the future Alpha now?” She laughed. “So, why do you think I am here?”
“Anatoli sent you, didn’t he?” His teeth gnashed together. “Why?”
“Why do you think?” she spat. “Anatoli is not pleased with your silence.”
“I’ve only been here three nights,” he said. “What does he expect me to find out in that short time?”
“Oh? And how have you been spending those nights?” She sidled up to him. “Between the legs of that would-be Alpha? Tell me, Darius, what could she possibly offer you that I can’t?”
“Mila, stop this. Go home and never come back here.”
“Has she bewitched you?” She pressed up against him and reached up to stroke the hair at his temples. “Should I tell Anatoli how—”
“What’s going on here?”
He pushed Mila away as soon as he heard Adrianna’s voice. “Nothing.”
“Just reconnecting with an old … friend.” Mila tossed her hair back. “It’s been sooooo long since I’ve been with my Darius—”
“Mila, go home!” he roared. His wolf’s rage bubbled at the surface. “Now.”
Judging by how all the blood had drained from Adrianna’s face it was too late. And Mila knew it. She patted him on the chest. “I’ll see you later, Darius.” She sauntered back into the house, slamming the door behind her.
“It’s not what you think,” he said. But how was he to explain all this to Adrianna, without incriminating himself as a spy in the service of The Family?
“I don’t care about your friends.” Her voice was cutting and cold. “You’re free to do what you want. And who you want.”
“Adrianna.” He placed himself between her and the door when she tried to go back inside. “She’s nothing to me. No matter what she may have implied.”
“You have your business,” she said, sidestepping him. “And I have mine.”
“What does that mean?”
But the only answer he got was the door slamming in his face.
Damn women.
The brief glimpse he had of a happy, contented Adrianna was gone. Instead, it was replaced by a cool, indifferent woman who didn’t even look him in the eye. He drove her to work, as usual, but she didn’t speak to him at all. She didn’t even come into the kitchen that morning, and he felt like an idiot waiting there with a steaming cup of coffee and the box of fresh pastries he bought this morning from the bakery in town.
He waited for her outside her office the entire day, but she didn’t come out. Before he could think to get her some food, a delivery man arrived with a brown paper bag. Giselle took it into her office, and when he attempted to enter, he had a door slammed in his face again.
“Miss Anderson?” he called when she blew past him as she left her office. “I’ll get the car if you want to wait—”
“No need,” she said curtly. “I’m not going home with you.”
“You’re not?”
“I have plans.”
Plans?
“Dinner plans,” she said. “In fact—”
“Oh, good,” William Blakely said as he walked into the reception area. “I was hoping I wasn’t too early.”
“Not at all,” Adrianna said. “You’re just in time.”
“Good,” he said, flashing her a warm smile. “I was glad you agreed to have dinner with me tonight.”
“Well, it was a good thing that you were in town for business,” she said, returning his smile. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy the food at Petite Louve.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Darius curled his hands into fists at his side. “Miss Anderson,” he said, carefully watching his tone. “Will we be staying later than usual?”
“I’ll be staying to have dinner with William,” she said coolly. “You can go home.”
“I cannot—”
“I’ll take her home. Don’t worry, she’ll be safe with me.” The Alpha put his hand on her lower back and guided her out.
Jealousy fueled his rage and coursed through his veins. So, Adrianna agreed to a date with the Philadelphia Alpha. Was it a reaction to Mila last night or was she genuinely interested in Blakely?
It would certainly serve her right if he did go home. Maybe he should go back to the compound. He
