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I saw the disbelief bloom in those emerald orbs.
“Did you have me investigated?” Ivie asked incredulously and I growled in response.
“Just answer the damn question.”
Ivie scoffed and rolled her eyes.
“My personal life is none of your concern, Mr. Orion.”
She didn't deny it. So, it was true.
It didn't matter that her ex-husband was already dead. I wanted to rip him to shreds.
Anger flooded my veins, and I didn't realize that I punched the wall until Ivie flinched slightly.
I stared at her, this mate of mine who was slowly taking over my every waking thought even as she incited me to the extremes of my rage.
I pulled a lock of her hair between my fingers, unable to stop myself from touching her.
“Is this date a means to scout for a replacement for your late husband?” I asked, my voice coming out condescending and slightly mocking.
To my surprise, Ivie took a step towards me closing the little space left between us so that she was pressed against me.
She was so close that I could feel her rapid breathing from her anger, but my anger was already drifting away without my consent.
All I could feel, scent and see was Ivie, Ivie who was still glaring at me.
“If I were searching for a replacement for my husband, it remains none of your concern.”
My anger returned as fast as it had left, a growl escaped me before I was fully conscious of it.
“You can't choose Jordan as your mate; you barely know him.”
I saw what might have been a flash of surprise cross Ivie’s face before she c****d her head to the side regarding me like I had lost my mind or something.
“I know more about Jordan than I did you when we got mated.”
The pain of betrayal bloomed in my chest. I’d thought Ivie just met Jordan, and that he’d taken advantage of the meeting to be held tomorrow to mess around with my ex-mate.
But if she knew him as well as she claimed to…
“Then you know he is my cousin and next in line for the Lycan throne.”
Ivie’s eyes widened.
CHAPTER 6
IVIE
“T
hen you know he is my cousin and next in line for the Lycan throne.”
Dante's words reverberated through me, and for a moment I couldn't process what I had just heard.
Jordan was a member of the Lycan royal family?
There was no way he could have kept something like that from me. There was no way I could have missed something like that.
Right?
Just how many more times would the people around me betray and lie to me?
I stared at Dante for a moment before getting a hold of myself. I couldn't let Dante see how much his words had shaken me.
He was trying to get into my head like he had done earlier at the gala and if I let myself fall for it, I would be done for.
I shrugged.
“I fail to see the relevance Jordan's relationship with you has to this conversation.”
Dante pulled away from me, his lips twisted into a sardonic smile.
“Of course, you knew,” his eyes were as cold as ice. “How could I forget how cunning you are?”
Cunning? What was Dante going on about?
It didn't matter. What mattered was the fact that Dante wasn’t holding me in place, giving me an opportunity to leave this conversation.
I took a step away from Dante. But he blocked my route so smoothly that I didn't even see him move.
Then with those predatory gray eyes fixed on me, he moved forward slowly backing me up against the wall.
I wasn't scared of Dante, but my heart raced so fast that I felt slightly lightheaded.
I looked away from Dante hoping he couldn't read through my gaze and see this confusing desire that had sprung up from nowhere.
My back hit the wall, but Dante still took another step closer, his leg falling between mine and hiking up my dress ever so slightly in the process.
His hand came under my chin tipping it up and forcing me to meet his gaze.
“Is this your misguided attempt at revenge?” Dante asked, his voice smooth as velvet. “Sabotage my business deals and become Lycan Queen by shamelessly throwing yourself at my cousin?”
The weakness in my knees left me at Dante's insult. Of course, he would think I was throwing myself at Jordan all in the bid to reach for power. He always thought that way.
That I was power hungry.
“There is only one shameless person here and it isn't me,” I stated evenly, refusing to show Dante even the faintest whisper of emotion.
“You cheated on me while we were still mated, and now you are here accosting me while your mate and child are home waiting for you,” I inclined my head slightly to the side. “Besides if your claim to the Lycan throne is so tenuous that your cousin’s mere presence threatens it, you only have your ineptitude to blame for that.”
I could feel Dante literally vibrate with anger and for a moment I thought he would hit the wall again but when he raised his hand, it was to do something even more dangerous.
He cupped my cheek almost tenderly.
Diana began purring within me. Traitor.
This was yet another dominance play by Dante to show me the power he still held over me even in the absence of our bond.
“Accosting you?” Dante’s voice was barely above a raspy whisper as he slowly stroked my cheek with his thumb. “Is that what you want to call this?”
With each stroke of his thumb against my skin, I felt my control unraveling. I swallowed hard, Diana's urges entwining with my growing desire.
Goddess, no.
Dante's hand trailed down my cheek then he leaned in, his lips hovering above my nape not quite touching me but I could feel his breath on my skin.
“You are mine,” Dante’s hand cradled the back of my head as he spoke before he tugged on my hair hard, baring my neck to him. “Mine.”
But I wasn't his. Not anymore. Now I belonged only to myself.
- Writer
