CHAPTER FIGHT ONE
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CHAPTER EIGHTY ONE
Talia’s POV
“I stopped caring about Jason the moment our bond ended,” I told Nolan firmly. “To be honest, I think I really stopped caring when I realized that he agreed with how Viki felt about me.”
Nolan turned away from me and focused on his drink. “You’re too kind to an ungrateful fool like him,” he said after a pause.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“After that kind of insult, I’m surprised you didn’t at least have him beaten,” Nolan replied.
He had no idea how much I had thought about it and how hard I had worked to take the higher road. Before I could say anything more, a tall Alpha approached us. He was the one Della had wanted me to talk to. Up close, he was even more handsome.
“Excuse me, would you like to dance?” He asked politely, extending his hand.
I hesitated for only a second. What harm would it do if I danced a little? I reached for his hand, but Nolan’s grip closed around mine instead. I hadn’t even realized he’d turned back around from the bar.
“She already has a partner,” Nolan said flatly.
The Alpha glanced between us before replying, “I thought she was alone.”
“You thought wrong,” Nolan snapped.
The Alpha gave a stiff nod and stepped back awkwardly, retreating quickly into the crowd. Even after the Alpha had
gone, Nolan still hadn’t released my hand. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my mind from wandering.
“Um… do you want to dance, then?” I asked carefully.
“I can’t.” He muttered.
“What do you mean you can’t? Don’t tell me you don’t know how to dance.”
“No, I’ve had too much to drink. Take me to the lounge,” Nolan said as he stood, finally letting go of my hand.
Why did he need me to take him there? Nolan knew exactly where the lounge was. Maybe he really was drunk.
“Fine. Follow me,” I muttered, leading him out of the hall and into the corridor. The music faded the farther we got. My mind started racing. What if he wanted to talk to me alone about what happened in the library? I would not be able to handle the humiliation if he brought it up now.
I was about to ask if he was making up an excuse to leave the party, when I froze and my jaw dropped. Nolan bumped into me, causing me to stumble forward. He caught me before I fell.
“Why did you stop?” He asked, irritated and I pointed to the corner in front of us.
There, in the corner, Della was locked in a kiss with Marco. One hand was on her waist, the other behind her neck, deepening their kiss. Della’s leg was hooked on his waist as she clung to him,
Nolan cleared his throat and Della gasped when she noticed us. Marco released her, and she quickly tugged her dress down.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” she stammered, then winced. “Well… it is what it looks like.”
1/3
CHAPTER BIGHTY ONE
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“Explain. Now,” Nolan growled.
Marco opened his mouth, but Della blurted out first, “We’re mates.
“Mates?” I repeated, stunned.
Della nodded quickly.
“How long have you known?” I asked.
“Since my birthday party. I didn’t say anything because I wasn’t sure if we were going to accept each other,” she said, rushing her words.
It all made sense. I remembered how Della acted when she saw Marco for the first time. I never would have
thought they would’ve ended up being mates.
“You kept this from me?” Nolan demanded. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought Nolan was offended that Marco didn’t tell him.
“I was going to tell you. I just…” Marco began.
“Marco! You should have not kept this from me!” Nolan yelled.
“Alpha, just let me explain,” Marco pleaded.
“You will come with me. Now,” Nolan snapped, cutting him off.
Marco moved to obey, but Della grabbed his arm. “No! You don’t get to order him around, not like this.”
“I think you’ve forgotten, Della, that Marco is not part of Silverfang. He is my Beta,” Nolan shot back.
“You’re being unreasonable! Our bond is none of your business!” Della argued, stepping forward.
“Della, calm down,” I told her. I could feel Nolan’s aura pulsating. Even though I hated to admit it, Della was out of line talking to Nolan like this.
Nolan’s glare hardened before he used the Alpha command, “Marco. Now.”
Reluctantly, Marco pried Della’s hand off his arm. He whispered something in her ear, kissed her forehead, and then followed Nolan down the hall.
I stayed silent as Della watched Marco disappear.
“The bastard!” she finally exploded, spinning toward me. “Can you believe him? Acting like Marco belongs to him!”
“You have to understand,” I said gently. “Marco swore his allegiance to Nolan when he became his Beta. By not telling him immediately, he may have violated his oath.”
“He wasn’t hiding it from him! He just didn’t know if I’d accept him until tonight,” Della said desperately.
“Start from the beginning. Tell me everything.” I pressed.
“At first, I was furious. He ignored me at my party, and didn’t even acknowledge the bond. I thought he didn’t want me. I even hoped he’d reject me so we could both move on,” she confessed.
“But he didn’t. No matter how mean I was to him, he kept trying. I started to realize he was everything I didn’t know I needed.”
2/3
CHAPTER FIGHTY ONE
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“So the argument tonight…”
“I was upset because he wanted to wait to reveal we were mates. He was worried about how Nolan would react. I should have listened. I shouldn’t have pushed him to claim me.” Her voice cracked; tears brimmed. “Now Nolan’s going to tear us apart. I can’t lose him, Talia. I just can’t.”
“We’re not going to let that happen, Della.”
I pulled her into a hug, my chest tight with her grief. I couldn’t let her suffer the same loss I had endured.
“You won’t lose him. I promise. I’ll help you, no matter what Nolan says. If he tries to interfere, he’ll have to go through me first.”
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