Chapter 9 - Riley #2
I sighed and rubbed at my eyes. “We have had a long week, Troy. I don’t know if either of us is going to be up for a party.”
He was quiet for a long second before his voice dipped. “You ripped my sister from her home. You owe me.”
I frowned. “Are you going to hold that over my head for a while?”
“Until you die.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I will ask her, but I’m not making any promises.”
“Make it happen, Riley.” The line ended before I could say anything. I sighed, as if I didn’t have enough on my plate.
The next morning, I caught Riley in the kitchen. She was making coffee as I came down the hallway. I could see she was cooking up eggs, and the kitchen smelled nice.
“You’re up early.”
“I wanted to get a jump on my day since you were the one who stayed out late again. So, I slept like a baby, and I'm ready to get back to work.”
“They have a lot of people now. Three of them went home last night. So, I don’t know if they will need you today.”
She paused. “Oh.”
“Which means your afternoon would be empty.”
She squinted at me. “Why did you say it like that?”
“Your brother called and invited us to a party at his place tonight.”
She scowled. “That sounds like something I don’t want to do.”
“I would agree, but you haven’t been home in four years, and I figure you might actually want to spend time with your brother.”
She scrunched her nose up. “Maybe, but not at a party.”
I moved closer. “Why not? Free food and drinks? And some music?”
She made a disgusted face. “Because it’s a party and I won’t know anyone.”
“But you would have time to talk with your brother.”
I watched as she chewed the information over. She sighed. “Fine, but I don’t want to stay long.”
“I can agree to that.”
The day went by fast, and we were heading over to Troy’s pack a little after two. Janella sat uncomfortably in her seat. She’d changed into a long green dress and pulled her hair back into a tight bun. I told her it was casual, but she was determined to dress nicely.
“You know you didn’t have to change.”
“I’d rather not look homeless when I go to a party. This isn’t my first day on earth.”
I snorted. “It's a midsummer party. I doubt anyone is going to be dressed up.”
As we pulled in, I watched Janella tense up. She swallowed as she looked around the space. We were parking in the parking lot of the park. There were balloons attached to trees and a large canopied tent put up. There were picnic tables out and food that filled them.
The space was packed with people. I spotted Troy talking with someone near the garbage.
“I spotted your brother.”
“Why are we here again?” She asked with a shaky voice. Her thumbs were rubbing together nervously.
“You want to spend time with your brother.”
She sighed and nodded her head. We headed out, and Troy spotted us as she walked closer. He smiled and walked over towards us. He pulled Janella into a tight hug.
“You look nice.”
“You didn’t tell us it was a picnic party.”
Troy shrugged, holding onto Janella. “I didn’t think it would matter.”
Troy glanced at me for a moment, giving me a nod. I knew that our friendship had been rocky since I dragged Janella back, but I figured it would settle back in time.
“You hungry? We have tons of food.”
“I could eat.”
“Yeah, I’m going to say hi to some people.”
Troy pulled Janella close and rubbed her head. “Food it is.”
“Stop it! You're gonna screw up my hair.”
She elbowed him as they started towards the food. I watched them walk, wanting to give them space. I knew how close they were, and I wanted them to be able to catch up.
I made my way around the party, chatting with some people. I glanced over at Troy and Janella every once in a while to see where they were. I could see the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke. Troy looked at his sister with a loving expression, and I could see how happy he was.
There were party games and kid activities. The space was busy, and yet my entire attention was on Janella.
She had that soft smile that she hardly gave me.
She waved her hands as she told a story, and every time she moved, my eyes looked her over.
The dress was flowing, but it outlined her figure nicely.
She had short, flowy sleeves and a low-cut front.
The cut wasn’t dangerously low, but it showed off her breasts nicely. It was tasteful.
And I couldn’t stop staring. She looked in her element. Even when they were talking to people, she didn’t look uncomfortable. I figured it was because she had her brother. She was always most comfortable with him.
Which wasn’t the case for me. My stomach clenched up at that thought. I shook my head and tried not to stare. I moved from my seat and decided to go watch some of the kids playing.
An hour went by easily, and I glanced at my phone. We still had a drive home. I looked around and frowned when I noticed Janella wasn’t with Troy. I found him throwing plates away and quickly scanned the space again.
I then spotted her at a table. She had her back towards me, but I could see someone sitting with her. It was a guy wearing a pair of nice jeans and a pressed shirt.
I felt jealous suddenly. I knew it was wrong, considering they were just talking. We didn't need a repeat of what happened out in the streets.
But I heard my wolf growling loudly as I stared at them. He was not as easy to calm.
He’s sitting with your woman. What does he think he’s doing? Doesn’t he know she’s taken?
I quickly shook my head and tried to clear the thought away. We were married, but it wasn’t like there was anything more. Janella and I weren’t friends. We hardly got along. I had no say in what she did.
But a part of me refused to make it that simple.
She’s yours. No other man should be looking at her like that. No man should be raking his eyes over her body like she's a meal. No man should be thinking about her undressed because you know that's what he's doing. He's trying to find a way into her pants.
I ground my teeth together, seeing the way he smiled at her. There was that look in his eye that he was interested. I watched Janella’s shoulder shake as she laughed. He moved closer, leaning into her space. I watched his hand reach up, brushing his hand over hers. Innocent but not entirely.
I was moving across the space. My hands curled into fists as I got closer.
“You know they are going to be playing some better music in a little bit, think you're up for a dance?”
Janella snorted. “I’m not a dancer. You should see me. I’m like Bambi. Weak legs. Two left feet. I'll take everyone out.”
The man’s smile grew.
I cleared my throat, stopping just behind Janella. I bent down, my chest pressing against her back as I placed my hand onto the table, hovering over her. I glared at the man, making sure to bare my teeth. He leaned back a little, looking a little shocked to see me.
“Enjoying chatting with my wife.” The words came out sharper than I intended. Janella stiffened underneath the guy, and I waved my hands.
“I was just talking.”
“Asking a woman to dance isn’t just talking. It’s flirting, and I’m not loving the idea of you trying to undress her.”
“Hey.” Janella turned, glaring at me now. “That’s not what’s going on here.”
“I’m not stupid. I know exactly what’s going on here. This little puppy is trying to find a way under your dress.”
“No, that’s not what’s going on.” The guy got up, waving his hands still. His face was red with embarrassment. “I’m not. I was just talking.”
Janella placed her hand on my chest. “Riley, you need to calm down. You're out of line.”
“I am calm.” I snapped.
“What’s going on?” Troy walked over towards us, looking between all of us, confused.
“You need to learn to control your men,” I growled.
Troy’s eyebrows went up. “Excuse me?”
“He was trying to feel my wife up.”
“Jesus, that’s not what was going on.” Janella pulled herself up. “He was just talking. We were just talking, nothing happened.”
Troy glared at me, and I watched as his jaw clenched together. “I doubt that’s what was going on, Riley. Tucker is very respectful.”
“You think I’d lie?”
“I think you're letting your anger get the better of you.” Troy moved closer. “And you need to calm down.”
“I think it’s best we just leave all together.
” I grabbed Janella’s arm and turned us.
I practically pulled her away. I felt my hands shaking with rage and knew Troy wasn’t wrong.
I needed to calm down. This was clearly the bond being out of whack.
But I couldn't. I felt it only growing worse as we walked.