Chapter 26
Ethan''s POV
I do not like Alpha Lucien. I am doing my best to remain cordial and professional because this alliance
would be very beneficial for us, but so help me, this guy is getting on myst nerve. Upon meeting
Scarlet he was overly flirtatious. Now, every time I spot him, he is either eyeing her or talking to her.
He''s even touched her multiple times. Maybe I''m being possessive, after all it has only been her hand
or back, but in the werewolfmunity most know it is in bad taste to touch another person''s mate.
Werewolves are inherently territorial and possessive over their mates, especially those that have Alpha
blood in them.
As I spot the servers on their way out, I instantly go up to Scarlet and guide her away, even though I
know we will be sitting with the Silver Shadow Alpha. We reach the table and I pull out the chair that is
seated to the right of the head of the table. She smiles at me gratefully and slides a hand down to
smooth out her dress as she sits down and I push her in. Lucien approaches as I am taking my seat
and remarks, "Alpha Ethan, you have outdone yourself. The food smells divine. I can''t wait to dig in."
I force a smile at him as he sits in the chair to my left. "Only the best for our guests," I assure as tes
are set before us with small portions of several of the restaurant''s best sellers.
"Oh yes! I find that the Crescent Moon Pack has been quite weing. Going above and beyond to
please me and my pack. I do look forward to negotiating new terms with you for our alliance," he
gushes before taking a bite of his grilled beef filet. He lets out an exaggerated moan as he looks at me
and then Scarlet. "Absolutely delicious!"
"I''m d you have found everything to your liking," I remark as calmly as I can, despite that I seem to
be getting more and more agitated.
"Most definitely. Even the lovely Scarlet has been most gracious," he replies before shooting her a
toothy grin that makes me want to punch him in the face. I can''t decide if he''s simply trying to make
friendly conversation or if he is trying to stir up trouble.
"I think he''s putting on an act. I think he wants our mate," my wolf insists with a growl.
I look over at Scarlet who seems to be oblivious to the heinous undertone that I am picking up from our
illustrious guest. Unless she is just better at faking her dislike than I am. If that''s the case, she''ll
certainly make an excellent partner in pack negotiations. "Even if she''s buying this shit, she won''t do
anything with him. We can trust her," I insist to my wolf.
"It''s not her that I don''t trust. It''s him," my wolf answers back grimly. I only smile and nod at Alpha
Lucien''sment, not wanting to fuel whatever he is trying to aplish. I''m only half listening while
having a conversation with my wolf anyway. Unfortunately, he takes this as an opportunity to continue.
"Yes, she has agreed to pose for me so that I can have a featured piece for my art exhibit."
That instantly draws my attention back to him. My hands clench the utensils I''m holding as though they
are around his scrawny neck. I struggle to keep myposure as I turn to look at Scarlet with
narrowed eyes. Her magnificent violet orbs are wide and her red lips hang agape as though she has
just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
"Oh, did she now?" I ask, my gaze not leaving her face and my voiceing out in a harsh, even tone.
She quickly closes her mouth and smiles tightly as she reaches out a hand to ce over mine. It''s like
she is trying to reassure me, calm me. She turns to face me and uses a sugary sweet voice as she
responds, "Yes. He was worried that he didn''t have anything that would work and asked me if I would
be his next subject. He''s even letting me have sixty-percent of the profit for whatever it sells for."
"And why do you need that kind of money?" I question, continuing to control my anger to the best of my
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