Chapter 7
Chris’s POV
I helped Vivid pack her belongings the same day we struck our deal. Her goodbye to her parents was lackluster at best. They patted her on the back and wished her well. They didn’t even question our sudden relationship. Her father didn’t even give a fake “if you hurt my daughter” speech. Did anyone care about this girl?
‘We do.’ Rock reminded me. I smiled to myself. We always have. Since we saw her gorgeous blue eyes on the playground, we’ve always cared. To cherish and protect. She might not have seen it the same way, but I was always there. Too bad she let that snake into her garden.
The first time I realized what a pile of shit he was, it was in the locker room after gym class. He was bragging that he had seen her shirtless after they’d gone swimming and going into detail about what he’d seen. I’d found an excuse to start a fight and he’d ended up with a black eye. Of course he’d told Vivid I’d attack him for no reason and she’d chastised me the next time she saw me.
It was worth her anger to stop him from telling people about what should be seen by me. And not him. No one but me. She was my girl. She just never knew it. And now? She was officially my girl.
There was no denying our kiss. I knew it was her first. It was mine, too. I had saved it for her. And I was glad I had. Living together, holding hands, kissing. It wasn’t manipulation but I was certain she’d fall in love with me, like I’d fallen for her years ago and then I’d be able to claim her with my mark. And we’d be able to start our life together Zeke-free.
Except for him being our Alpha. But that’s a discussion for another day.
“Chrissssssssss. Hello in there!”
“Sorry, Vivid, what was that?”
“I asked what’s for dinner at our new place. I was thinking about making Mediterranean fish to celebrate. What do you think?”
I grinned. “Sure. That sounds great, mate.”
Rock howled. ‘Mate.’
‘Soon.’
Vivian’s POV
Moving was a lot quicker than I thought it’d be. Chris already had everything I needed. I just had to grab clothes, some…well, just clothes. Anything that held memories were memories of Zeke I didn’t want. Chris had borrowed a truck to load my stuff and we only needed one trip to finish the process.
Once we were done and the boxes were laid out in the living room, I looked around the apartment, bare of knick knacks and decor. “You really do live like a bachelor.”
“It’s almost like I am bachelor.”
“You’re just the funniest person ever. So I know we didn’t discuss this before but sleeping arrangements…”
“We’ll need to sleep in the same bed. If the pack isn’t smelling us on each other, they’ll know something is up.”
“Can’t I just wear your shirts?”
“That’s too obvious. You know it’s the easiest solution.”
I nodded. “Okay. Just don’t put your crusty feet on me.”
“And don’t you cuddle up to me when you get scared of the dark, pup.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. He swooped in, kissing me. Sucking my tongue into his mouth. He walked me backwards until my back hit the counter of the bar behind me and he placed his hands on either side, caging me in. He deepened the kiss, his tongue meeting mine. The taste of him was intoxicating.
Before I could decipher what he tasted like, he pulled away. “Figured if you were going to stick that tongue out, I’d give it some kissing practice for the big day tomorrow.”
I looked up at him, my lips swollen. “I…”
“You’ll get used to it.”
He bopped me on the nose and stepped back, turning to start moving boxes. My life had never been more confusing.
The next day, we walked hand and hand to training. When people saw us arrive, they howled in acknowledgment and respect, then carried on with training as normal.
After training, we once again joined hands and walked to breakfast and went to the mess hall. There, howls greeted us. Any time a warrior was ready to mate, it was a big deal in the pack house.
The howling must have awaken Zeke because he came rushing out, robe clutched around him, and Samantha soon after him. When he saw Chris and my hands, he froze. “What is this?”
“My mate and I came for breakfast.”
“Mate?” Zeke puffed his chest up. “I see no mate of yours. That’s my mate.”
Chris didn’t back down from Zeke’s Alpha aura. “You rejected her. The entire pack saw it. Meaning she’s free to be mated to anyone.”
“I forbid it.”
“Zeke!”
Chris and Zeke turned towards me, seeming like to forgotten I was even there. “I forbid it, V. He’s a bully who is just trying to use you to get back at me. Don’t let your anger at me blind you.”
I glared at him. “Don’t call me that. And you don’t know anything about him.”
“I know enough to know he’s using you. He’s tormented you for years.”
Zeke grabbed my hands, his eyes pleading. “Please don’t do this.”
“Please let go, Zeke. My mate and I would like to get breakfast.”
Zeke growled, his eyes burning red, as he snapped at Chris. “You’ll pay for this.”
Chris smirked at him. “Of course, Alpha Zeke. Of course.”
With that, he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me towards him, kissing me on the forehead. “Come on, Vivid. They have the yogurt you like.”
Did Chris know what yogurt I like or was that just for show? I followed him and looked back over my shoulder to see Zeke’s glowing red eyes following us.
We were playing with fire.