Chapter Eight
Alex
I yanked Delaney’s hand out of my pants and whirled around to face her. I knew my eyes were amber. The heat of my body trying to fight the change and punish the new omega was surprising. I usually had control, but watching Zee run from the room had made the control snap. I took a deep breath to try and calm down, and then, still holding her offending hand, I drug Delaney to the hall that led to the restrooms. I had her against the wall and my face inches from hers in seconds.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I seethed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just dancing with you and Tegan,” Delaney’s look of feigned innocence made me furious. A snarl ripped out of my throat and she finally seemed to understand that she had gone too far. She whimpered and bared her throat to me in a show of submission
“You weren’t dancing Delaney,” I growled, “You think I can’t smell the scent you left all over me? I’m not your mate Delaney! I’ve told you before I don’t want to mate with you. Your jealousy of Zee has got to stop now. I swear I should be sending you home to your father.” Her eyes shot to mine, and I could see the shine of tears in them. She searched my face, silently begging me to change my mind. I wasn’t sure which decision she wanted me to change, but I knew I could never mate with her.
“I don’t want to send you home,” I watched as her body relaxed a little and she nodded at my words, “but you need to stop this. I don’t know what Zee is to me yet, but it has nothing to do with what you are to me. You’re a pack mate, I’m your alpha. I also like to hope you are my friend.” With that I released her hand and went in search of Zee.
I scanned the bar quickly to be sure Zee hadn’t returned. I caught Jackie’s eyes briefly and she shook her head at me. I caught Zee’s unique scent of forest and citrus and I followed it. She was once again in the alley behind the bar. This time she didn’t look embarrassed by anything. She was standing with her fists balled at her side and her brown eyes flashing. When the door closed, she narrowed her eyes at me, like she dared me to speak. I opened my mouth to explain and she pounced on me.
“Why did you even ask me out?” she poked her finger in my chest, “You took me on a perfect date. It was like you could read my mind. You’ve been up here every night. Our date this morning! I thought just maybe you’d be a good guy. Then you show up here with this red-headed viper that has been treating me like shit all night while she rubs against you like a cat in heat!” Her cheeks were red, her breasts rose and fell with each angry breath, and I could hear her heart beating fast in her chest.
“I came back that second time because that first night I saw you I thought you were gorgeous,” I started slowly so I could be sure she listened to me, “I asked you out that second day because you were fearless and sexy. And I’ve been back every night since because our first date was perfect, just like you said. This morning was amazing, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Delaney is a friend, but also a responsibility. Her father trusted me to take care of her. I can’t turn my back on her, but she is nothing more to me than a friend. I can promise you that. She’s just jealous of you.”
While I spoke, Zee relaxed against me a little. Her fists unclenched and she pressed her palms against my chest. Her breathing was still heavy, and her heartbeat still thrummed, but I could smell the beginnings of arousal in her scent. She was gazing up at me with her lips parted. Her little pink tongue flicked out to wet them.
I groaned and pulled her to me, pressing my lip to hers much rougher than I had planned. She gasped and I took advantage, invading her mouth with my tongue. I licked at her teeth, the softness of her inner cheek, and the hard palate of the roof of her mouth. Her tongue tasted me as well in more tentative flicks. Her little hand wound around my neck and she tangled her fingers in my hair. When she gave a light tug, I couldn’t fight back the growl. She pulled back and looked at me in surprise.
“Did you just growl?” Zee breathed, and then she pulled my head back down before I could form an answer. She nipped my bottom lip and then soothed it with her tongue. I loved the feel of her soft body pressed against mine. I ran my hands down her sides and around to cup her firm ass. Her scent was filling my mind and I could feel my control slipping. I couldn’t do that here, not without warning her about my being a werewolf. I pushed her back gently, breaking our kiss.
Zee looked hurt, and it made me regret my move. I wanted to explain to her, but I
