Chapter 16
Travis
Once Jessica was securely in my arms, I walked her to where Sammy was waiting, “Take
her home.”
“Wait! Please don’t leave me alone!” Jessie sniffled and clung to the lapel of my suit jacket. I stared down at her fingers, annoyed I’d have to ensure her nails didn’t puncture holes.
“I can’t leave right now, Jessie. I have to deal with Rue, and then I have my camp to run.”
Jessie’s chin wobbles. I pray she doesn’t start crying because it’s annoying, and I always end up having to clean way too much makeup out of my clothes. She begins to whine, “Will you come over later to check on me?”
Every cell in my body screamed no, but I was the cause of her life problems, so I felt obligated to grit out a yes. Jessie grinned and nuzzled my shoulder-so much for not needing a dry cleaner. I looked back at Sammy and handed her off to him. Sammy gave me an annoyed look. Jessica was high maintenance, and he hated dealing with her in any capacity, but I needed to address the issues at hand. With a grumble, he threw her over his shoulder and took her to my car. Her protests were high-pitched and scraped my eardrum.
I strolled back through the crowd to Rue. Her face was a combination of disbelief, anger, and annoyance. I usually don’t intervene in petty female disputes like this, but Jessica was under my protection until my debt to her was repaid. So I stood before her and made a demand I really didn’t want to: You need to apologize to Jessie.”
“Jessie?! You can’t be fucking serious right now?” Rue looked taken aback.
I sighed, wanting this to just be done and over with, “Yes, Rue. I expect you to apologize to Jessie for harming her. She is under my protection.”
“Of course that conniving bitch is,” Rue scoffed. She ran her fingers through her raven hair and I felt my fingers twitch with the desire to do the same. I put my curiosity on how they know each other to the back of my mind, along with my outrageous desires. Why did this woman hold so much of my attention every time we met? Rue lets out a defeated
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sigh, “Listen, Alpha Heir, I’m not going to apologize because I have nothing to apologize
for.”
“I saw you shove her down.” I point out. I have to bite my cheek to keep the amused smile from my lips when Rue shoots me a ‘you can’t be serious’ glare.
“Your girlfriend fell down on her own. I barely touched her.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I wave dismissively. “But you did still shove her.”
“Because she was spouting bullshit and digging her tacky as fuck nails into my skin. I’m not going to sit by and subject myself to someone harming me.”
I glanced at her bicep and could see the half-moon marks that were slowly healing, “Regardless, you hurt her and should apologize for it.”
Rue let out a frustrated sound. “You know what, Travis. If you make me apologize to that
waste of space, then I’m going to resign.”
I gaped at her. My dick twitches with the way my name erupts from her lips. Is this woman crazy? Losing her job over nothing but an apology. Didn’t she realize that she won’t be able to supp,ort her son if she doesn’t have a job? Luna’s request to ensure her daughter is taken care of echoed in my mind, and I sighed, “You will address me as Alpha
Heir or sir.”
Her lip spasmed like she wanted to bare her teeth, but I smirked unrepentantly, “Don’t worry about the apology. I’ll make sure that Jessie stays away from the training ground so you will have no reason to interact.”
Whispers ripped through what was left of the crowd faster than I realized, as everyone was so shocked that I didn’t punish Rue for the obvious disrespect she showed me. I just shrugged and made a shoo-ing motion for the crowd to disperse. “Sammy will be a while, so please go start the training for today.”
Rue nods and glances warily around. I don’t move; I just watch her to prolong our time together. As everyone started meandering away, Rue’s phone rang. She looks at the caller ID, her face lighting up after she reads it. The smile was so bright I thought my heart would stop for a second. This was the first time I’d seen her smile and wondered who put it there. A possessive feeling emerges, making my wolf huff, but I force it away by roughting my hand through my hair. Now was not the time to have these thoughts. She
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Chapter 16
looks up at me apologetically, “Sorry, sir, I have to take this.”
I jerk my chin, giving my permission, but she is already answering, “Hey, James!”
James? My wolf raised his haunches. Was that the boy’s father? Or maybe Rue’s lover? She said she didn’t have a mate but could have a partner. My wolf growled. I could only hear her side of the conversation, “No, we are settling in just fine; thanks for your support and the moving truck recommendation. They delivered everything, including the new car, right on time.”
“Yes, He loves the new school and finally made a friend.” She must be talking about her son. They were close enough friends to chat openly about her son’s life, which only added heat to my already burning jealousy.
Shit, was I jealous? I shouldn’t be envious of this unknown man in her life because I had no claim over Rue.
“No way! I can’t wait to see you!” Her smile spreads across her face, dancing in her eyes, “I don’t know, James. I really am a terrible dancer. Are you sure you want to have my two left feet there as your date?”
“Okay. I’ll go with you to the Alpha Heir’s Ball.” She giggles, and I’m lost in it for a moment. The way her voice bobs up and down is like a melody. Did she say Alpha Heir Ball?”Yes, I will wear something presentable, but I’m not wearing heels.”
Another round of giggles, “Talk to you later.”
When Rue hangs up, she realizes I’m still standing there. The happy, carefree laughter and smiles disappear instantly. My wolf silently whimpered for me to do something to bring them back. Instead, my Adams apple bobs as I assess her. She smiles shyly, “I’m sorry about that. I’ll head to get ready to teach class now.”
I watched her go with a strange mix of emotions, none that I let surface. I couldn’t control my emotions within, but I’d never let any show. Revealing your thoughts and emotions was a weakness for an Alpha. It could mean life or death for yourself or your pack, and I would never allow myself to be that weak again. I shook my head to rid it of the memories from my childhood.
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Wolfless, Fateful Encounters
