The Ignored Wolf

Fiancée

Louise

Elias stiffens for a second. "I was just passing by," he says.

The lie is so pathetic it’s almost cute. I can tell he's talking total nonsense.

"You didn't happen to follow me home, did you?" I ask.

"No," he counters. "I’m not that much of a creep."

"Then how did you find me?"

"I have my ways."

"You were stalking me," I say flatly.

"I had someone help me track you. Satisfied?" he snaps, looking annoyed.

"Track me? Like, how?" I’m shocked.

"Just like in the movies," the boy interjects. "He's the muscle, and there’s a tech guy on the other end gathering intel."

Elias smiles. I stare at him like a total fangirl.

Seriously, how can someone’s smile be that devastating?

"If he's not your boyfriend, your lover, or your FWB, why are you staring at him?" the boy asks.

I look away, my face flushing deep crimson. "I am not staring at him! I was just wondering who his tech guy is!"

"That’s not what’s on your mind," the boy giggles.

"Shut up," I say, stuffing a handful of chips into his mouth to silence him. I clear my throat. "So, who is your tech guy?"

"You just met her," Elias says. "Amy."

"Oh. Okay." I slowly process that.

"Whoa, so you really have tech support? That’s cool. Are you special ops? Have you killed anyone before?" The boy starts firing off questions like a machine gun.

Elias ignores him and heads for the bathroom. The boy drops the chips and chases after him. "Hey, where are you going? Are you hurt?"he asks with concerns.

"That i***t? Hurting me?" Elias snorts. "This is his blood."

The boy sighs in relief and hugs Elias’s leg. "Thank you for saving me. And Louise."

Elias freezes. He wipes his knife clean, sheathes it, and then peels the kid off him. "You’re getting grease all over my trousers."

"Sorry," the boy says shyly, before muttering, "I was just showing I'm grateful. Do you have a germ thing? I can wash your pants for you."

"Don't bother," Elias says. He unbuckles them, steps out of them, and tosses them to me. "She’ll wash them."

My hands move faster than my brain, catching the trousers. Then my brain starts screaming at my hands. Why the hell did I catch his pants?

"Oh, I get it," the boy deduces. "You’re his Luna."

"I am not!"

"Then you're his maid."

"I am not!" I shout louder. "I'm not an Omega!"

Elias chuckles darkly, clearly enjoying the confusion.

"Then what exactly is your relationship?" the boy asks, puzzled.

"She’s my fiancée," Elias says.

I snap my head toward him, my jaw dropping.

"That makes perfect sense," the boy nods.

"That makes zero sense!" I protest. "I only met him for the first time to—"

"That’s even more romantic!" the kid says. "Even if it’s just an arranged marriage between the two packs, it was love at first sight!"

"Your primary mission right now is to stop reading trashy romance novels and get out of my house!" I yell.

He grins at me. "Can I stay here for a while?"

"No—"

"Please, Louise," he begs. "If I go out there and Raji finds me, he’ll turn me into a pretzel."

"Fine, fine," I sigh, throwing my hands up in surrender. "You can stay for now."

"Thanks, Louise!" His eyes light up, and he gives me a squeeze.

He doesn't smell great. He probably hasn't seen a shower in weeks. I feel a pang of sadness for him, so I pull a T-shirt out of my dresser and hand it to him. "Go take a shower."

"I’m not wearing girl clothes," he says.

"It’s not a girl’s shirt," I tell him.

"Really?" he asks suspiciously. "Then why is there a guy's shirt in your closet?"

"You ask too many questions!" I shout, shoving him into the bathroom.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. What I didn't expect was Elias to pick up right where the kid left off.

"Why is there a man’s shirt in your closet?" he asks, his voice dangerously low.

"Charlie got drunk once and threw up, so he had to leave his clothes here—" Before I can finish, Elias marches into the bathroom.

"Hey! What are you doing? Give that back!"

"Wear mine," Elias throws the shirt into the trashbin and says shortly. "There will be no other man’s clothes in my fiancée’s house. You understand?"

"Yes, sir! Happy to cooperate!" the boy chirps. I’m pretty sure he actually saluted.

Elias walks back out, shirtless and down to his boxers. My throat suddenly goes dry and I swallow hard.

"Are you planning on holding my trousers all night, Louise?" he asks, pulling me out of my trance.

"Why should I have to wash your pants?" I demand.

"Because I’m lazy," he says, "and because I saved your life. Because you’re dumb enough to open the door just because someone knocks. Are you an i***t?"

"I was afraid he’d break the door down if I didn't."

"Then you should have called the police first to stall him."

"You’re right," I say. "Sorry. I panicked. My brain doesn't work right when I’m scared. I’ll wash your pants. But why were you even at my door?"

He’s silent for a long moment before admitting, "I missed you."

My breath catches. I grip the fabric in my hands tighter. "I missed you too," I whisper.

A spark flares in his eyes. "Say it again."

"I missed you," I breathe.

He strides forward, lifting me up and setting me on the desk. His legs wedge between mine, his lips roaming over the side of my neck. I can feel his c**k twitching against his boxer. "Elias, we can't do this here..." I say, glancing toward the bathroom.

He gets it. He scoops me up, carries me into my bedroom, and kicks the door shut.

"The walls are thin," I warn him. "He might hear—"

"Then you’d better stay very quiet," Elias smirks. "Otherwise he’s going to hear some things that'll ruin his childhood. Though, based on his guesses about us, I think his mind is already pretty far gone."

I can't help but laugh. God, I’ve laughed more tonight than I usually do in a month. I wrap my arms around Elias’s neck. "Why did you tell him I was your fiancée? Just to keep him from getting confused?"

"I don't care what he thinks," he says, tilting my chin up. "I said it because I want you to be my fiancée. Do you want that, Louise?"

"I... I..." I struggle for words.

The fact that I don't immediately scream "Yes" seems to sting him, but he offers a small, tight smile. "Never mind. I know my reputation isn't exactly stellar. Charlie has probably filled your head with horror stories. You don't have to answer now. Take your time."

I want to tell him that my hesitation isn't about him. It's about my past. After watching my father abandoned my mum for his fated mate, I’m terrified of taking that kind of leap. "I don't care what people say about you, Elias," I say. "I only believe what I see. And I think you’re a good man. But—"

His phone suddenly blares. I let go, and he picks it up. "Mother?"

"Is Louise with you?" Luna Naomi’s voice comes through.

"Yes," Elias says. "What happened?"

"Bring her back to the pack," Naomi says. "Your brother just tried to kill himself in the bathroom."