Beyond Chosen: The Alpha Fated Mate

Jealousy

~Elvira~

I didn't move from the office.

Gabriel’s scent hung in the air— rain drenched soil, and a sweetness I couldn't pinpoint.

I wandered to his desk tracing the polished wood with my fingers, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over me .

Val purred in my mind content simply to be in our mate’s space.

Looking out the window at the rolling Pennsylvania hills, I could almost imagine a life here running free through those woods.

The peace lasted exactly ten minutes.

The doors were thrown wide.

A woman in her twenties strode in wearing an expensive black dress.

She carried a cold confidence and her perfume filled the room instantly.

"And you are?" Her voice sounded bored.

I kept my hand on Gabriel’s desk.

"The Alpha told me to wait here." I simply replied i didn't see any need to explain further.

She gave a humorless laugh.

"Gabriel told you what? Why would he leave a stranger like you alone in his office?"

Jealousy flared in my chest at the way she said his name.

She moved through the room like she owned it.

My wolf bared her teeth sensing a rival.

"Maybe you should ask him yourself," I shot back.

Her eyes narrowed.

"I haven't seen you in this pack before. You're trespassing." She stalked toward me reaching out to grab me.

"Don't touch me," I warned. "Who are you?"

The woman paused, a flicker of surprise crossed her face before it was replaced with a sneer.

"Everyone here knows Vanessa. You? You're a stranger since you apparently don't know who I am ."

She turned toward the door as two guards appeared, likely called through a mind-link.

"Arrest her. She was snooping through the Alpha’s private files. She’s a spy."

"That's a lie!" I shouted.

The guards closed in.

I moved on reflex.

As the first guard reached for my arm, I ducked.

I shoved the second guard aside.

"I’m staying until the Alpha returns. He gave the order, not you!"

Vanessa’s smile twisted. "Take her. Now!" She commanded

The guards loomed over me again.

I backed against the desk watching Vanessa’s victorious gaze...she was excited with whatever power she felt she had in this office.

"Enough!"

The word boomed in the room.

Gabriel stood in the doorway his powerful presence drawing everyone's attention.

The guards froze immediately.

Vanessa’s cruel expression dissolved into a practiced pout.

She walked toward him and pressed her hand firmly on his chest letting her fingers linger there.

"I was just worried Gabriel, darling," she purred.

"I found this girl going through your things. I was protecting your interests who knew what a stranger like her is up to."

Gabriel ignored Vanessa.

His eyes stayed on me...unreadable and cold.

"Is that true?" he asked.

I met his gaze and kept my chin up.

Vanessa smirked out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't look away from him.

The mate bond circled between us, ignoring the woman hanging off his arm.

"I haven't moved from this spot," I said.

"But if your hospitality includes being framed for theft, maybe I was wrong about Silverblade."

Gabriel’s nostrils flared.

He looked down at Vanessa’s hand on his chest, then back at me...searching my face for a lie…