<b>Chapter </b><b>46 </b>
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The karaoke was over but the night wasn’t. Not by a long shot. My blood was thrumming, my body loose and warm in a way I’d never experienced before. I was alive. I was free. And for a few blissful hours, I’d forgotten all about Alexander and all my problems.
Until he walked in and ruined everything.
I’d spotted him the moment he stepped through the door, his red hair and impable frame impossible to miss even in the dim light. But I quickly turned away, pretending I hadn’t seen him at all.
For the next hour, I pointedly kept my back to Alexander, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me look his way. Instead, I focused on Molly, on her stories, on the way she made my sides stitch fromughter.
By my fifth Blue Hawaiian, the room was spinning pleasantly, and I couldn’t remember thest time I’d felt this good. This free. Maybe never.
“Hey,” Molly said, leaning in close so I could hear her over the music, “want to get some air? It’s getting stuffy in here.”
I nodded, grateful for the suggestion. The bar had gotten crowded, and the heat of all those bodies pressed together was making me feel a bit ustrophobic. Plus, maybe outside I wouldn’t feel Alexander’s gaze burning into my back.
Because I knew he was watching me. I could feel it.
Molly stood and held out her hand to me. I took it without hesitation, letting her lead me through the crowd toward the exit. I didn’t look back. I didn’t
need to see Alexander’s face. I didn’t care.
At least, that was what I told myself.
The cool night air was a wee change from the stuffy heat of the bar. Molly didn’t let go of my hand as she led me around the corner into a small alley beside the building. The music inside faded to a dull thump–thump–thump.
Molly reached into her pocket and pulled out a carton of cigarettes. She offered me one, but I shook my head and just leaned back against the brick wall, shutting my eyes. I heard a lighter click, then the smell of a cigarette made my nose wrinkle.
We stood in silence for a few moments, side–by–side, as Molly smoked. I inhaled deeply through my nose, soothed by the cool air. But when I finally opened my eyes, I found that Molly had moved to stand in front of me, and one of her hands was pressing into the brick wall beside my head.
My eyes widened slightly. “Molly-”
“I have a confession to make,” she said, leaning in closer. “I didn’t just happen to be working at that diner when you and Liam showed up.”
I frowned. “What do <i>you </i>mean?”
“I knew you were married to the Alpha of Ashw. I’ve been keeping tabs on you over the years.”
I blinked. She put her cigarette out on the bricks on the other side of my head, then dropped the butt on the ground and pressed her hand there so she was fully caging me in now. “I always had a crush on you, even when we were kids. But back then, I didn’t understand what it meant. I just knew I wanted to be around you all the time.”
My breath caught. Was she saying what I thought she was saying?
“Molly, I-”
“I’m a lesbian, E,” she said, cutting me off. And I’ve always had feelings for you. Even after all these years apart, I still think about you. That’s why <b>I </b>came to Ashw. <b>To </b>find you…
Before I could process what she was saying, Molly leaned in and pressed her lips to mine.
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Her mouth tasted like strawberry lipgloss and cigarettes.
But I didn’t want it; I was just too stunned to react. Too drunk to fully process what was happening. I just stood there, frozen, my back against the brick wall, as my childhood friend kissed me.
Then suddenly, Molly was yanked away from me. Alexander ced himself between us, his face twisted with rage and his green eyes glowing with the same jealous fury I’d seen when he’d used me of having
with Liam.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he snarled at Molly.
Molly’s eyes widened with fear as she realized who had caught her. “I–I’m sorry,” she stammered, backing away. “I didn’t mean-”
“Get out of here,” Alexander growled. “Now.”
Molly didn’t need to be told twice. She shot me onest apologetic look before turning and running out of the alley, disappearing into the night.
As soon as she was gone, Alexander rounded on me. “What the hell, E? Is this what you do now? Sneak off to bars to make out with strange women?”
The shock of Molly’s confession and kiss was quickly reced by anger at Alexander’s tone. Who was he to judge me? To use me of anything?
“It wasn’t like that,” I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. “And even if it was, it’s none of your business what I do in my spare time.”
“None of my business?” Alexander’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re my mate. My Luna. Of course it’s my business when you’re out getting drunk and letting random women kiss you in alleys!”
“I can handle myself, Alexander! And it’s not like you ever want to spend time with me. You’re always working or locked in your office or hanging out with Gabriel. When was thest time you invited me to do anything fun?”
“So that’s what this is about? You’re acting out because I don’t take you on dates?” Alexanderughed bitterly. “I’m an Alpha, E. I have responsibilities. I don’t have time for bars and karaoke and-” <ol><li>deub Hand der vrionst </li></ol>
“But I’m supposed to just sit at home and wait for you? Be the perfect, obedient Luna while you go off and do whatever you want? Fuck that!” The alcohol had loosened my tongue, making me bolder than ever before. “I’m twenty–two years old, Alexander. Do you know how many experiences I’ve missed because I was always trying to be what other people wanted? Always living up to everyone’s expectations?”
“So you’re just being reckless to piss me off? Is that it?” Alexander stepped closer, looming over me. “Going out every night, drinking with strangers, kissing women in alleys–you’re doing all this just to get under my skin?”
“Not everything is about you! I’m doing this for me. Because I’ve never gotten to live my life the way I wanted to. I’ve never been to a bar before tonight. Never sang karaoke. Never had a favorite drink. I’ve never even had sex!”
My eyes widened the moment those words slipped out. Alexander stared at me for a long moment, and his gaze was so intense I could feel my pulse jumping in the vein on the side of my neck.
Finally, he leaned in and whispered, “I know you bought a whole box of lingerie. Are you wearing <b>it </b>tonight? Trying to find someone to lose your virginity
to?
The lingerie. Fuck. I’d forgotten about that. The familiar heat of embarrassment flooded into my face, but with it came another feeling. One that was stronger and far more bitter: rage.
“You want to know if I’m wearing it?” I snapped, grabbing the hem of my red top. “Fine. See for yourself.”
Before I could think better <i>of </i><b>it</b><b>, </b>I yanked my top up, exposing my torso to the cool night air. I was indeed wearing the lingerie Margaret had sent–a simple ckce bra that barely contained my breasts. If I had pulled down my skirt, Alexander would have seen the matching panties.
But I wasn’t wearing it for him or Molly or anyone else. /
for me.
So why did it feel so good to see his face turn pale at the sight? <b>To </b>see the hunger in his eyes?
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For a moment, neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke. The air between us seemed to turn thick with something hot and electric.
“Satisfied?” I hissed.
Alexander’s eyes lifted to meet mine. His eyes were glowing again, but something else had taken over the rage. Slowly, he stepped closer, pressing his hands into the wall on either side of me–caging me in just like Molly had, although instead of cigarettes and strawberries, he smelled like bourbon and woodfire smoke. Abination that never failed to make my chest thump, even now.
“No,” he murmured, his gaze dropping to my lips. “Not even close.”
His words made the apex of my thighs tighten with expectation. Before I could change my mind, I tilted my face up to meet his, and Alexander’s lips nted over mine.
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