<b>Chapter 58 </b>


    Summer’s POV


    I felt the shift in Alex’s demeanor before I saw the cause–his shoulders tensed, jaw tightening imperceptibly. Following his gaze, I spotted her: a stunning blonde with legs that seemed to stretch forever<b>, </b>wearing a dress that hugged every perfect curve of her body.


    “Alexander, what a delightful surprise!”


    Her voice was like honey, smooth and practiced. She glided toward our table, cing a manicured hand on Alex’s shoulder with casual familiarity. The gesture was deliberate, her thumb stroking small circles against the fabric of his shirt as she leaned down slightly, her perfume wafting between us.


    “Natalia.” Alex’s tone was cool, controlled. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”


    Sheughed, the sound practiced and musical. “Clearly. I’m meeting Daddy’s business associates.” Her gaze finally settled on me, sharp and assessing. “And who might this be?”


    “Summer Winster,” I responded before Alex could, offering a polite smile that didn’t reach my eyes. This she–wolf had touched what was mine, had clearly shared his bed. The realization made my stomach clench with jealousy so fierce it startled me. I hadn’t felt this possessive since… well, ever. Not even with Foster. Yet I maintained myposure, refusing to give this woman the satisfaction of seeing me


    affected.


    “Summer?” Natalia repeated my name with feigned interest. “Oh. I didn’t recognize you at first – <b>– </b>you’re Alpha Foster’s ex, right? The one he rejected? ” Her eyes raked over me dismissively. “That’s just like him. He always did have a soft spot for strays.”


    Before I could respond, Alex removed her hand from his shoulder with deliberate slowness. When he spoke, his voice carried the unmistakable edge of an Alphamand.“Careful, Natalia. You’re addressing my Luna.”


    I felt heat rush to my face as Natalia’s perfect features contorted briefly in shock before she recovered.


    “Luna<b>? </b><b>You </b>can’t be serious.” Sheughed, but it sounded brittle. “Alexander ckwood, notorious


    bachelor, finally iming a Luna? And her?” She gestured toward me with barely concealed disdain.


    “Deadly serious<b>,</b>” he replied, his hand finding mine across the table. “And I suggest you remember your


    ce when speaking <i>to </i>the Luna of the ckwood Pack.<b>” </b>


    Natalia’s face flushed with anger or embarrassment–possibly both. “Well,” she said stiffly,<b>” </b>congrattions<b>, </b>I suppose. Daddy will be… surprised to hear about this development.”


    “I’m sure he will,” Alex replied dismissively. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we were enjoying a private evening.”


    The dismissal was unmistakable. Natalia’s eyes narrowed, but she knew better than to challenge an


    732


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    Alpha directly. “Of course. Enjoy your… evening.” She turned on her heel and walked away, her posture rigid with wounded pride.


    When she finally sauntered away, I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Alex’s eyes were still tracking her retreat, his expression unreadable.


    “Ex–girlfriend?” I asked, aiming for casual but not quite seeding.


    His attention snapped back to me. “Not girlfriend. Just someone I spent time with asionally.” He studied my face. “Are you jealous, little wolf?<b>” </b>


    I snorted, taking a sip of champagne to hide my expression. “Should I be?”


    “God, I hope so,” he said, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “Because seeing that sh in your eyes when she touched me–like you wanted to tear her hand off–was fucking hot.”


    “I did not-“I began to protest, but stopped at his knowing look. “Fine. Maybe I didn’t appreciate her


    pawing at you.”


    Alex’s smile was predatory and pleased. “We were just physical. Nothing more,” he rified. “Convenient when pack business brought us together.”


    “Convenient,” I repeated, the word tasting bitter. “Like the others you mentioned before.”


    “All meaningless.” He leaned forward, his fingers tracing circles on my wrist. “None of them were you, Summer. None of them made my wolf howl or my heart race. None of them haunted my dreams for years.”


    <b>I </b>tried to maintain myposure, but the intensity in his gaze made my body respond traitorously, heat pooling low in my belly. “You’re very good at this, you know.”


    “At what?”


    “Saying exactly what a woman wants to hear.”