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He was the alpha I’d seen at the bar with Jasper – the one who'd been fingering that human woman outside. It was Marrok, the odd alpha that no one wanted to be around.
Panic flared within me as he approached.
“Why are you following me?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. If he sensed my fear, it would show vulnerability on my part.
His dark eyes locked onto mine. “You’re supposed to be mine, Ruby. Years and years ago, remember?”
“Err, no, absolutely not,” I retorted, anger overtaking my fear. I touched my belly protectively. “I’m mated, as you can clearly see. So you better back off.”
He sniffed the air, then inspected my neck with a predatory gaze. “Why haven’t your pack marked and claimed you yet?” he asked, his tone unsettlingly calm.
“None of your business,” I snapped, walking backward now. His eyes flashed with fury, but he resumed his creepy smile.
“I’ve been waiting for this day. For so long,” he said in a softvoice as I looked around desperately for help. There was no one nearby, and I cursed myself for walking far just for some damn candy.
“Stay away from me!” I screamed, but Marrok’s hand clamped over my mouth, silencing me. My heart raced as I struggled against his grip, stark terror rising within me.
23
Wayne
“When can you start?” I asked Jasper. I didn’t feel good about hiring him at all, but we needed help urgently with painting the new houses that my team was building for growing packs. We knew he needed a job since Ruby’s father fired him, so I gave him a call.
“Right away,” said Jasper.
“I don’t want any trouble with Ruby, got it?”
“Why haven’t you marked her yet?” asked Jasper in that arrogant way of his- nose in the air. I wanted to fucking hit him right there, but I held myself back.
“We’re taking things slow with her,” I said. “Unlike some alphas, I want her to actually fall in love with me.”
“That’s fuckin’ stupid,” said Jasper, shaking his head. “She’s already pregnant, and she’s probably wondering why the hell you didn’t make that move.”
“Hey, I’ll do what I want withmyomega,” I growled. “Why don’t you sign this right here, and we go on our ways?”
“Yeah, sure,” said Jasper dismissively, signing the piece of paper with an angry scrawl. “I released Ruby so that you could protect and mark her as a pack.”
“I don’t want to tell you to fuck off since you’re my employeenow. So how about I show you the houses that need to be done?” I said, ignoring the subject.
The truth was that Ruby was still heartbroken over Jasper. I knew that fact even though she tried to hide it. She hadn’t rejected the idea of me marking her, but I wanted to do it after she gave birth and was confident about us as a pack.
I walked Jasper around the block, showing him the houses that needed painting.
“These houses need a fresh coat,” I said, pointing to the row of worn cabins. “I trust you’ll get the job done.”
Jasper nodded curtly. “I’m ready to start anytime. And I’ll keep things civil around Ruby, don’t worry.” My jaw clenched at her name on his lips. Jasper cocked his head. “But really…why haven’t you marked her as yours yet, Wayne? It’s not like you to wait and sit around.”
Annoyance flared in my chest. “I want her to be certain first. Bonding is permanent.”
“You’re putting Ruby at risk by leaving her unclaimed.”
A growl rumbled in my throat. “Stay out of it.”
Jasper raised his hands and fell quiet, getting the message. I walked him around the property, pointing out the scope of work, both interior and exterior. But as we wrapped up, uneasiness pricked under my skin.
Something felt off.
“Listen, we’re all done here, and you know what to do,” I said. “I’m going to call it a day.”
