My Husband Or My Mate

CHAPTER 005

Ryan.

The gates opened and I am driving inside the pack house when I see my wife, Leila, rush out of the Alpha’s quarters. She has her head down, face covered with her jet black hair and ran past me without noticing. I look in the direction of the Alpha’s quarters, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

What is she doing here?

I walk into the Alpha’s quarters and I see him coming out of the meeting room reserved only for exclusive guests. He is also dressed formerly, as if he is going for a banquet but I can’t remember any of that being included in his schedule today.

“Alpha.” I greeted, walking closer and that is when I smell it. Her scent on him. Leila, my wife’s scent is all over the Alpha’s body. I see red instantly. I don’t know how I lose it. I struggle to rein in my wolf, stopping it from grabbing the Alpha. But a loud threatening growl leaves my chest.

“Oh, the scent.” The Alpha stares at his body, and I can’t help but notice how his lips curves amusingly before he says to me. “She fell, and I helped her up. That’s why her scent is on me.”

I start to calm. So it wasn’t anything like I thought. ‘She just fell, Jake. Be calm.’ I coaxed my wolf, and he finally listens and retreats to a corner.

“You called her here?” I ask and the Alpha hums and begins to walk. I follow behind him.

“I needed more insight from her regarding what she said yesterday. Your wife seems to have an eye for detail. You’re a lucky man, Ryan.”

I smile quietly, but later, a frown replaces it. Leila has always been smart. She could always see things from a mile even before it happens. That’s why I wasn’t surprised to see the Alpha impressed by her.

But then… this was not good. I don’t want her catching the Alpha’s eyes.

“You should’ve let me relay your message to her. My wife… does not really like coming here to the pack house.”

“Really? I thought she might be curious about where you spend most of your day. She mentioned how you work so late at the pack even though I barely see you around here. Isn’t that interesting?”

I freeze, watching the smirk playing on the Alpha’s face as he walks away.

I can’t help but wonder if he said something to Leila.

****

Leila.

I am dressed in blue sexy lingerie, with a see through lacy robe that leaves nothing to the imagination as I wait for Ryan to arrive home. I feel impatient, watching the clock, biting my lips and pacing around as I wait. I hear his car outside and minutes later, the front door opens and he walks in, looking tired as usual, but I don’t care. I pounce on him. I kissed him on the lips, straddling him, just wanting him in this way. Maybe it is because I haven’t been touched in a while. That is why I felt what I felt with the Alpha. Maybe I needed this to calm my racing heart, to ease my guilt. I can’t believe I let another man kiss me. If Ryan finds out…

I feel so horrible and that is why I want him, but Ryan is already pushing me away, groaning in frustration.

“Leila—“

“Please…” I begged. “I just… I want to feel loved again. By you, Ryan. Don’t turn me away.”

“Then take a bath first. You reek of someone else.” He growled, and pushed me away.

I fall into the couch, and twist my ankle. It hurts so much, but I can’t even focus on the pain. I just watch Ryan’s back as he walks away from me.

Shit! How did I forget to clean up and let him smell another man on me? Does he already know? Is that why he is upset?

Still, I can’t help feeling the growing ache in my chest.

I know I need to explain myself, and come clean to him with the truth so I followed after him, limping on one leg only to find that he is washing up so I wait.

And when he finishes, he steps out and looks surprised to see me there.

“Ryan,” I called, trying to fight back the tears as I look at him. “Today, the Alpha--”

“I know.” He said, “He told me you fell and he helped you up. That’s why—“

My eyes widen in surprise. That—that is what the Alpha told him? Why did he lie?

“Oh.” I suddenly cannot find my voice.

“I don’t want you going back to the pack house, Leila. The Alpha is dangerous. He lies to people. He covets other people’s women. And he destroys lives as easily as swatting a fly. If you catch his interest, it will be hard to get him to back down.”

Right. I sigh in regret. How do I explain to him that I haven’t just caught his interest, but I am his f*****g mate?