ALPHA BIKER WHO CLAIMED HIS BROTHER'S MATE

21

MAYA’S POV:

Jane didn't hesitate to put a hand on Rafe. She moved like a little girl who had found her favorite toy. Then she threw her arms around his neck like I did not exist, even for a second. The scent of her perfume was all over the place, and it made me wonder if she bathed in the entire bottle.

It was perfume with a touch of clothes.

"I have missed you so much," she cooed, her voice dripping with a fakeness that made my skin crawl. I hated how she was all over Rafe, acting all girlie.

I stood there, my hand still tingling from where Rafe’s grip had just loosened. I felt like a ghost at my own funeral. I watched her fingers graze the nape of his neck. Rafe didn’t embrace her back with the same fervor, but he didn't exactly reject her. He just stood still for a while as she hung onto him like a f*****g lifeline.

He pulled her off gently, his hands lingering on her forearms for a second too long as he offered her a small smile.

"Jane," he said, his voice losing that gravelly edge it had when he spoke to me. "You’re back."

His face fell like he wasn't impressed or enticed by her. I knew their history, which is why I wondered why she was acting like nothing had happened and all was well between them.

"I am! How have you been? What have you been doing with yourself besides getting even more handsome?" she asked, her smirk widening as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Just here," Rafe replied, his eyes meeting mine. I kept a plain face because, truly, I had no clue what to do. "Heading my people. Taking care of business."

"And school? Are you still obsessed with the books that are better than me?" she asked, letting out a light chuckle.

It had been two years since she walked away from him, trading his heart for a degree and a life far away from the dirt and drama of the pack. She laughed, a high, tinkling sound that felt like glass shards in my ears.

"I’m finally done! I realized the city is fun, but my heart belongs to the pack. I had to come back. Tell me, Rafe, what have I missed? You look... different."

Rafe squared his shoulders, a flash of pride crossing his face. "I’m a biker now. Joined the Iron Fang MC. I’m the President. I would do anything to get under Jalen’s skin and also to bring justice to the marginalized."

Jane’s laughter died instantly. Her eyes bugged out as if he’d just told her he’d started eating coke for breakfast.

"No way. You’re kidding, right? Rafe, those people are outcasts. They’re dangerous, unrefined—"

"And they are my people. I am the same with them," he cut her short.

I felt the bile rise in my throat. The way she dismissed the only family Rafe truly had made my blood simmer. I wasn't going to stand here and watch her audition for a role she threw away two years ago.

I cleared my throat to get their attention. Neither of them looked at me at first, so I did it again, louder.

"If you two need a moment to finish the trip down memory lane," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm I didn't bother to hide, "I’ll be at the lemonade stand."

Before Rafe could try to stop me, I was already on my way. I turned on my heel, the black fabric of my gown snapping behind me. I marched toward the long table draped in white linen, my heels clicking a rhythm of pure irritation against the floor.

"Lemonade. I want it strong," I muttered to the server, who looked confused since it was just... lemonade.

I grabbed a glass and retreated to a corner, leaning against a cold stone pillar. From there, I had a perfect view of them. Jane was touching his arm again, her head tilted back as she laughed at something he said. Rafe was leaning in, his expression relaxed in a way that made my chest ache with a sudden, sharp pang of jealousy.

He was laughing. He was actually laughing with her.

I took a sip of the lemonade, but it tasted bitter. Anger bubbled in my chest, hot and volatile. Last night, he was holding me like I was his entire world. Tonight, he was cozying up with the woman who had dumped him to go find herself. Of course he would value her more than me. Her parents were important dignitaries in the pack, and I was just a mistress.

I took another sip of my lemonade, and the bitterness hit me again. That was when I realized the drink was actually bitter—not just because I was f*****g pissed with Rafe. I spat it back into the glass, then walked back to the table.

"Hey, this drink is f*****g bitter," I said to the server, slamming the cup down.

"I am sorry, ma’am, but you said you wanted it strong. It is mixed with alcohol, and it is supposed to be slightly bitter."

My wrinkled brows straightened, and I stared at him without a word for a second.

"Oh, I am sorry, excuse me," I said, then turned around, walking away.

I hoped no one saw.

Before I could get far, Rafe grabbed my hand.

"We should find a table to sit," he said, and I yanked my hand off him.

"Are you done speaking with your girlfriend?" I asked, anger evident in my tone.

He raised a brow like he was unsure where my anger was coming from.

"Rafe, I came here with you, and you pushed me aside like I was nothing. Let me guess—she has found someone better who didn’t choose the low side of the pack?"

His face contorted, and I could tell I had bruised his ego.