Chapter 221
Chapter 229
Bradley POV
I tried to keep my cool as Summer stood next to me, her presence tugging at me in ways! couldn’t deny, couldn’t resist.
All my life, I was used to girls swooning over me, but Summer was different. Despite the fact that she was my mate, the way she carried herself, her kindness, her strength, it all just drew me in. I couldn’t help but feel a need to protect her, to keep her safe, but also to be close to her. The mate bond was growing stronger with each passing moment. My woll was getting restless. Today, it was difficult to keep him grounded because I had a lot to do While the contestants were at the hospital, I took the opportunity to do a plethora of things.
The evening had started with a bam. Summer won the first contest, which wasn’t surprising. The judge wasn’t looking for donations. We had a lot of money already. He was looking for something different, and Summer provided that,
With everyone congratulating Summer for winning her first Luna trial, I could see she was bearning. Mom and Dad left with Tammy, and I escorted her toward the dinner venue.
“I can’t believe I won,” she said quietly, clearly overwhelmed.
“You earned it,” I replied, my voice a little rougher than usual.
It felt right to be here, beside her, and for once, I didn’t care about anything else. The dinner party, the people around us–it all faded into the background as we started talking. I tried to focus on the conversation, but my eyes kept drifting to her. She was so beautiful, so much more than the usual girls I’d encountered. Everything about her made me want to pull her close and never let go. And my wolf purred in agreement.
But when Alpha Damon approached her with that smile of his, I felt something tighten in my chest. Even Summer cringed as he approached.
I hated this bastard, and I didn’t like the way he looked at her. He made me uncomfortable, like ants crawling beneath my skin. I hated the way he seemed so interested in Summer. He was too smooth, too polished for my liking, and the fact that he was the Alpha of the Crimson Howl pack didn’t help.
“You did great, Summer!” he said with a lopsided, leery smile. “Who would have thought, a human–that you would win the first contest? ”
Summer pursed her lips in a tight smile, shifting closer to me. So I did what I wanted to. I placed my hand at the small of her back in a clear show of possessiveness. Bite me.
As Damon congratulated Summer, I stood there, trying to keep my cool. But the feeling of possessiveness I couldn’t shake started to rise in me. I didn’t like how she smiled at him. I couldn’t deny the jealousy bubbling up inside me. I was waiting for him to touch her, and then I would have a reason to
muder him.
“You did great, Summer,” Damon said with a smile. “I can see you’re going places p>
“Thank you,” she replied, her voice soft and modest.
She was kind, too kind, and that made me want to protect her even more, But before I could even think about it, I was ready walking her away from there. Much to Damon’s surprise. But I felt Summer relaxing under my touch. The tension in my chest slowly began t ast sat next to her at the dinner table. I glanced over at her, and she smiled, a little unsure of herself. That smile did things to me. Like my cock was semi–hard.
I made her sit at a table, and walked to get food for us. “Wait here,” I said as a command and she nodded. Like a good girl.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the poor little maid who’s trying to act like one of us,” Daisy’s voice rang out across the table, dripping with sarcasm.
I clenched my jaw, but I didn’t respond immediately. I knew Summer wasn’t going to take that lying down, and I didn’t want to make things worse. But Daisy wasn’t going to let it go.
“Daisy, ” she said, her voice icy, “Mind your words p>
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” she mocked, her voice full of sweet venom,
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Chapter 229
“ You don’t have to be rude,” she snapped back. “I don’t deserve your crap p>
Daisy chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, please. What are you going to do, win the next contest with your humble act? No one i looted.
My temper flared, but I didn’t let it get the best of me. I was done letting people talk down to Summer like she was nothing. So I walked to the table feeling my fangs slipping out.
“You need to stop,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
Daisy’s smirk faltered slightly, but she wasn’t backing down. “You’re being too soft on her, Brad. Don’t you see? She’s nothing but a pawn in this whole thing. Laura is the main contestant p>
That was the last straw. “Shut up, Daisy,” I growled, standing up from the table, my alpha aura spilling. “Don’t you dare talk like that again
The whole room had gone quiet by then, and I could see the others looking at us, waiting for someone to break the tension. Daisy’s face turned pale, and she didn’t say anything. “I–I’m sorry, Alpha Bradley,” she apologized.
I sat back down beside Summer, trying to ignore the fire burning in my chest. Daisy had crossed a line, and I wasn’t going to let her get away with it
“Sorry about her,” I said, trying to soften the moment.
Summer shook her head. “It’s not your fault p>
“They’re jealous,” I said, reaching over and giving her hand a quick squeeze. “Don’t listen to them. You’re better than all of them p>
She smiled a little, and that smile made everything else seem so insignificant.
As the dinner went on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was changing between us. Every time she looked at me, I felt like we were getting closer, like the distance between us was shrinking.
When the meal was finished, I walked her back to her room, still feeling the pull between us. The attraction was undeniable.
“I’ll see you later,” I said, my voice low as I leaned in, hoping she would allow me to kiss her cheek.
She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. “Thanks, Alpha Bradley, ” she whispered, her voice soft and full of warmth. Her lips parted, and I allowed myself
to kiss her.
Fuck. Now I was so hard that my cock strained against my pants. How was I going to spend the night? Summer blushed a delicious red.
And then she turned and walked into her room, leaving me standing there with a mix of emotions swirling in my chest.
I closed the door, and as I walked back to my own room, I couldn’t help but wonder if I could stay away from her any longer.
AD