Chapter 23 Chapter 23
ZANE
I opened the door to my room and walked in, looking around at the clothes thrown everywhere, the towels on the ground, and the unmade bed. I had to act fast. Wait a minute…
I did a double take as my eyes hit the bed again. Kneeling on my bed in all of her naked glory was Mariah.
“Come play with me, baby,” she purred.
“Mariah, I thought I told you never to come in here again,” I growled. She got up and walked toward me.
“You didn’t mean it.”
“I’m actually positive that I did.” I walked away from her, picking up clothes on my way.
I made it to the little sitting area before she caught up to me. Mariah pushed me down on the chair and straddled my lap.
“You’re telling me that little nothing of an omega is enough? That she can do the things I can to you?” Mariah hummed seductively.
I glared at her.
“Mariah, that little omega is more woman than you’ll ever be to me. She’s my mate.”
I could see my words had stung, but Mariah wouldn’t back down. She ground her hips into mine, and I could feel my traitorous body responding to her.
Mariah giggled.
“I knew you missed me.”
I growled and grabbed her waist to lift her off.
“Hey! So you’re in for a real…”
My eyes widened as I saw Ella enter and take in what she saw before her. I knew exactly what it looked like. Before I could even respond, she was gone.
I pushed Mariah off and started toward the door before I was pulled back.
“Zane, don’t bother chasing after her. Stay here with me and take me in all the ways I know you want to. All the ways I know she won’t let you.”
I stopped, my eyes fighting the darkness.
“Mariah,” I growled.
“Get. Out.”
She whined and let her hand travel up my arm. I snapped away, grabbing her wrist and yanking her to the floor. I stood above her and summoned all the alpha presence I possessed.
“Mariah, if you ever so much as step foot in this room again I will have you exiled from this pack. Do I make myself clear?”
Mariah scowled at me, angry that she had no choice but to submit. She grabbed her clothes and put them on in a rush before sulking out of the room.
I stood in the middle of the room, frozen as I attempted to control my wolf. I knew I needed to be level-headed when I talked to Ella.
I took a breath and walked out of the room, taking a moment before entering hers.
“Ella?” I poked my head through the door before stepping in.
I jumped when I heard Ella yell at me. She was standing near her closet, fury in her eyes as she hurled a hairbrush at me. I ducked before looking back at her in confusion.
“Ella, wait!”
Ella glared at me before walking back into the closet.
“I don’t want to talk to you, Zane!” Anger dripped from every word.
“Ella, would you let me explain?!”
Ella emerged from the closet with an arm full of shoes. She cocked her arm back.
“There’s nothing to explain! Get out, Zane!”
I stood my ground. I was an alpha for heaven’s sake. I wasn’t going to be intimidated by this girl with a shoe.
“Ella, would you just listen?”
Shoe launched.
I ducked again, impressed with her aim. I shook my head.
“Ella, nothing happened.”
“That sure didn’t look like nothing, Zane. Get the hell out.”
“No,” I replied sternly.
Second shoe launched.
I stepped to the side and moved closer.
“Ella, she ambushed me in my room. I didn’t ask her to be there.”
“You’re saying a big, bad alpha couldn’t keep a little woman off his lap?” Ella scoffed.
I winced.
“Well, when you put it that way…”
Third shoe launched.
“Zane, just go! I knew this wasn’t going to work. I knew you just wanted me to forgive you so you could be alpha! She obviously has something more that you want.”
I growled in irritation. She wasn’t hearing me. I stepped toward her again.
Fourth shoe launched, this time connecting with my head. Ella smirked in victory.
“Would you stop that?!” I hollered as I rubbed my head. The girl had an arm, I had to give her that.
“Not until you leave me alone. I’m… I’m nothing.” I could see Ella’s resolve was beginning to crumble. Tears welled in her eyes.
I shook my head and looked at the floor.
“Ella…”
When she didn’t respond, I looked up to see her arm ready to fire another shoe, tears streaming down her face. It broke my heart, and I could hear my wolf whining, wanting to hold her and comfort her.
I decided to risk it and lunged forward. She attempted to throw the shoe, but I dodged it, grabbing her hand and pulling her close to me.
I cupped her cheek in my hand.
“Ella.”
She met my eyes, her fury now replaced by hurt.
“I promise you, you are not nothing to me.”
Her shoulders heaved and I pulled her to my chest, my cheek resting on the top of her head. After a few minutes, I swept her legs and carried her to the bed.
I kicked off my shoes and removed my shirt and crawled beneath the covers. I didn’t do anything, I just wanted to be close to her.
She took my hand, confirming that she wanted me near as well.