Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

James POV

It's exhausting.

These parties. These people. This crowd.

And especially this rat faced Elijah.

When he intentionally kissed Linda's hand, I wanted to rip his lips off. I knew that he wanted a reaction out of us, and he succeeded in his little tricks.

I was only seconds away from lunging and killing him off. Somehow, I was thankful for Michael's interference otherwise the outcome would have been terrible. Especially after I saw Linda's faint flinch.

Damn it.

I rubbed my face and tried to focus on what the surrounding people were saying. I was stuck in a conversation with the sons of Alphas.

Michael had been taken away by Alpha Elijah and dad was nowhere to be seen. Linda had gone, independently, to meet people. Apparently, she did not want to have anyone around her or guide and introduce her to new people. 'It would feel awkward.' She had said. Like I care.

I was reluctant at first, but then I realized she was right. At least, she was trying to settle in. And making efforts to know our world. I did not want to ruin it for her.

Linda had told me that she only agreed to attend this event, if she was not introduced as our mate. This deal was made between Michael and her, secretly.

To be very honest, it had pinched me, but I suppressed the feeling deep within me. I had plastered a smile on my face and nodded in encouragement to her.

Right now, I was doing the same. Absentmindedly, I nodded my head at whatever the surrounding people were saying.

All of a sudden, I heard a voice and everything around me filtered out.

“What is a human doing at a party of wolves?” A guy's voice asked.

“Exactly what you are doing here. Meeting people and having drinks.” A familiar voice said. My eyes shot towards the scene. Linda and Nate, Red Royal pack's next Alpha, were sitting on stools and flirting with each other.

My whole attention shifted towards them. I wanted to stride over there and smack his head on the table but held myself back. I stayed back and listened to their conversation.

Nate chuckled at Linda's word.

“Right. How much of a big fool I am?” He said. Very. I answered it in my head.

“So want to dance?” He asked and I had enough. I strode over to them, leaving the group and their stupid talk behind.

I came up behind Linda, who looked like she was finding a way to politely reject him. Good for her, I came for her rescue. I placed a hand on her back.

“Of course, she would dance.” I said and Linda turned to look at me. I smirked at her then looked back at Nate.

“But with me.” I said. His eyes widened when he saw me. He stuttered at first, looking between me and Linda, but I ignored him and extended my hand to Linda.

“If you may.” I said and bowed a little. Linda smiled at me and placed her hand in my hand. I led her to the dance floor. I placed a hand on her waist and with another I grabbed her hand, pulling her to me. The song was a bit faster for my liking thus I looked behind Linda, at the DJ and gave the guy a look. He got the hint. He dimmed the light and played slow — soft music for us to dance on. Mirror ball's light reflected Linda's figure, and we started moving in a slow rhythm of the song.

I looked down at her while she stared back at me with her head craned because of our height difference.

“So I left you alone for a few minutes and guys are hitting on you already?” I asked her. She shrugged a little with a smile. I took a step forward, and she took a step backwards. Then she took a step forward, and I took a step back in rhythm.

“I was just trying to have fun. It's not my fault.” She replied. I hummed and frowned a little like I was thinking hard on something. I spun her around with my hands still on her waist and pulled her back to me, moving side to side with her. Likewise, I enjoyed her closeness. Not only that, but I let her go and moved back to our previous position.

“Actually, it is your fault. You are looking too damn beautiful for any guys to resist. I would have hit on you too.” I said. She blushed and lowered her eyes. I smirked at her reaction over my simple compliment. She took a step forward, and I took a step back in rhythm.

“I'm not looking that beautiful. You are just buttering it up.” She said. I spun her around a few times and pulled her way closer to me than before, which made her gasp. I leaned towards her and exhaled a warm breath on her ear before whispering,

“Oh, I would definitely butter you up.” I said as I traced my finger lightly on her bare shoulder to her arm.

“And eat you up all night.” I said. I felt that she had given up the control of her body and was letting me move her.

Carefully, I placed a gentle kiss on her bare shoulder. When I felt that she did not flinch back and pushed me away, like I had expected from her, I continued whispering in a low husky tone and feeling her up.

“You will be my sweet little treat.” I said before moving up from her shoulder to her neck. I kissed her between the neck and shoulder.

It went smoothly, so I decided to continue my acts.

“And I know that you will taste like honey. Yum...” I said and moved up a little on her neck and kissed her. This time, her hand clenched on my hand, and she heaved out a shaky breath.

“And you will like everything. Everything, I would do to you.” I said before placing a kiss right beneath her ear. Unconsciously, she leaned closer to me and craned her neck to give me more excess. I smiled at her actions.

“Just you and me.” I said and kissed her ear this time. I felt her swallow hard before calling out my name.

“James...” She said breathlessly. When I moved to kiss her on her lips and hit the score, the surrounding lights suddenly turned on. It was too bright for a second that it brought us back from whatever the trance we were in.

When she looked up at me, I saw haze and lust in her eyes. All of a sudden, she let go of my hand like she was electrified and backed away and looked around us frantically to check if anyone was watching us doing whatever we were doing.

“Umm... I have to leave.” She said and left in a hurry. After she left, my wolf picked up a scent and sniffed it deeply. Out of nowhere, my wolf growled in passion and tried to break out of all the barriers I had created to keep him in control.

Because he smelled something tasty.

It was the smell of her arousal.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. Trying to savor the taste of her smell. I shut my eyes and let out a stifled growl. My eyes opened and looked for the person who had turned the lights on. Who ruined the moment between me and my mate.

When I looked for the person, I saw the person I dreaded the most.

Michael.

He was looking in the direction where she just had left. His eyes were as bright as mine. It had flames that were dancing around in it. He looked like he was on fire. His chest was heaving like he had just run a marathon.

And the lust was clear on his face.

His eyes found me and I gave him my best mocking smirk I could muster.

He walked towards me in hurried strides. I prepared myself for his punch but instead of punching or fighting with me, like I had expected, he strode past me. To where Linda had disappeared a few minutes ago.

I let out a low laugh. He was so jealous. He needed to get his jealousy under control otherwise it would leave him to some serious consequences. Maybe he did not know but his jealousy was one of his biggest weaknesses.

I shook my head and walked to the bar. I asked the bartender to make me a drink.

Furthermore, I enjoyed my drink while thinking about what must be happening between them.

For quite a few hours, I roamed around talking to people without having a topic or aim.

All of a sudden, I felt the urge to pee, so I decided to take care of it. I walked towards the bathroom. I finished my business and washed my hands. Then I walked out of the bathroom. For some strange reason, I took the long route and decided to go the other way. I walked leisurely, looking around when I heard a faint sound. A heavy breath and a low, “Help me.”

It was Linda's voice. I followed the voice and ran in the direction it came from. I arrived at a bedroom whose door was locked. All of a sudden, I heard a muffled scream and I threw the door open.