The Alphas Dilemma

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Rayne's pov

I clearly remembered the day I first saw him, and I also remembered all the emotions I felt when I had first seen him but most importantly, what I will not forget was how poorly he treated and acknowledged me later. It'd been three f*****g years and counting, but I still remember it all. And as he held me tightly to himself, his eyes burning into mine and his hands holding my lower back, there's nothing I wanted more than to knee him in the guts—a start of the many bad feelings I'm going to make him feel.

"Thank you," I said in a bizarre sugary voice, even though my wolf was surprised at how fake it sounded. I straightened out in his grasp, and his hands on my back loosen.

"You're okay?" His familiar sandalwood voice rings through my ears.

"Yeah. Sorry, I didn't see you coming. I was replying to a friend who had just put to bed, her first born child. " I happily announced, trying hard to sound truly enthusiastic and genuine.

"I see. Congratulations to you both," he purred

"Yeah… apparently, the new add-on in the family is my godchild. I wasn't there at his birth because of the meeting." I added

"They are so f*****g lucky" His statement made me arch a brow

"Who?"

"Your godson—for having such an angel for a second mom and your boyfriend or fiance or husband, for having such a beautiful woman for a partner. And your parents obviously, for having a stick of walking dynamite for a daughter" I felt a pang from hearing him mention my parents but I didn't let it show.

"Don't be silly. My godson is lucky, I know. And my boyfriend or fiance and husband will be lucky." I said fake-smiling.

" will be, you said?" He took a closer step toward me.

"Yeah," I replied to him and moved closer to him.

"Does it mean you are single?" His expression was intriguing.

"Yeah, I am," I said, flashing my fingers to see. "I'm still very much available" he paused and regarded me with shock for a moment.

"You're playing with me, right?"

" No. I'm dead serious" I bit my lower lip and flicked my tongue through my upper lips. It's something I know that gets to him. He has a weird fetish for tongues.

"Damn. Can I..." I cut him short.

"Your girl, she must be really proud and lucky to have you and very protective too. She's the extremely jealous type, yeah?"

"What girl?"

"Her" I motioned my head to the approaching fuckface behind him. He turned and saw Jenny coming, and a hiss left his mouth. “I better go. She looks like she would have my head for dinner. I'll see you around," I said and started turning to walk away, but he stuck out his arms and pulled me back to himself.

"She isn't my girl. We are just business partners," he coughed in a low tone, perhaps because he didn't want Jenny to hear him. What a joke of an Alpha. Tch! A f*****g lair!

"Hi," Jenny's high-pitched voice interrupted Gilbert and me.

"Hi," I replied enthusiastically.

"I'm Jenny Stones. And you are?" She eyed me wryly.

"Oh. My. Goodness. Jenny Stones? The same Jenny Stones that own Jenny Stones White Fashion apparels?" My mouth formed an O-shape, and my eyes were as wide as a saucer. She nodded her head proudly and flung her hair in my face. Oh wow! Being a fangirl is really demanding and definitely not my thing. I might end up giving her a punch… or two "It's so nice to meet you in person. I'm a big fan" I gushed out like a frantic cheerleader.

"Of course, you should be. '' she said and turned without further acknowledging my person. `"Let's go, Gilbert. The meeting starts soon."

"I don't remember coming here with you" Alpha Gilbert fired back at her, and a chuckle escaped my lips.

"What's so funny? And who are you, by the way?" Jenny asked me aggressively her fist clenching by her sides. Oh okay, peace out tiger, I wasn't the one that ridiculed you.

"And who is asking?" Alex's voice called out from behind me. Both Jenny and Gilbert turned to look at him and then me, probably trying to connect some dots, but they both came out empty. The confusion in both their faces only increased when they didn't figure out a thing.

"Do you know him?" Gilbert asked me, looking at Alex with disdain.

"I do. You know him?" I asked back.

"Yeah, he is an old friend," Gilbert answered with obvious distaste.

"I see..." I trailed off, shaking my head.

"It's been a long time, mate. Oh, how much I've missed you," Gilbert bluffed with sarcasm and loathing dripping out of his voice.

"Yeah, It's been a long time" the two men in our midst joined their hands together in a firm handshake. Both their veins were popping out from the firmness of their grip.

"Alpha Alessandro," Jenny acknowledged Alex with a nod and a smile.

"Zeta Jenny. You look lovely as always. Your Alpha must be taking good care of you." Well, if this was a different scenario I would have high-fived my half-brother for such a beautiful choice of words but well…

"What can I say? Unlike some Alpha's, I can look after my people. Especially the ones I care about" immediately, the words left Gilbert's mouth, a tension as thick as rock clouded the whole atmosphere as the duo entered a staring contest. While Gilbert's expression was judgemental and almost condescending, Alex looked as if he'd been punched in the guts and as though he had been caught red-handed… to be more exact, he had regret written all over her face. Alex looked guilt-stricken, and if I didn't know him any better, I'd swear he had done something terrible. The tension increased, and Gilbert's judgemental look soon turned into a smirk while Jenny looked to be caught in the middle of it all. How was I the only clueless one in all that was going on?

Just how much secret did Alex have up his sleeve? "Hold on! Are you also an Alpha? I threw my question at Gilbert, hoping it would help lighten the tension, and it did. He averted his gaze from Alessandro and looked at me instead.

"Yeah, my bad, though. I didn't get to introduce myself. I'm Alpha Gilbert, Ruler of the blood moon park, and this is my Zeta, Jenny Stones."

"How did I get myself in the midst of such great nobles? The pleasure is all mine, Alpha. I've heard about your great deeds. They are indeed tremendous and awesome," I said sweetly.

"Thank you for the compliment, mi Lady. How about you do the same?" Gilbert asked, and I raised my brow at him questioningly.

"Your name?"

"Oops! My bad. I'm Emory. Emory Salvatore, sister to Alpha Alessandro Salvatore," I said with a glint of pride

"Sister?" Both Jenny and Gilbert asked at the same time. "I thought Stephanie was your only sibling?" Jenny questioned Alex.

"Apparently, no. Stephanie isn't the only sister he has got. I've been away in East Africa."

"Oh...that far. Explains why you are unknown," said Jenny.

"Yeah," I flashed her a cheeky grin.

"Speaking about Stephanie…" Alex started but paused and then turned to look squarely at Gilbert "we have a score to settle, Alpha. How about we leave the ladies to themselves, then join them shortly afterward."

"I know what you are going to say, Alpha Alessandro. What I did to Stephanie and her boyfriend was uncalled for. I shouldn't have, and in my defense, I was a bit drunk. My apologies Alex and you too, Emory," Gilbert said, giving a slight bow. If I hadn't known him to be a monster and an unrepentant prick, I probably would think Gilbert's apology was actually sincere, but no, the slimy bastard could be everything but sincerely apologetic. This charade he just pulled was one of his acts to appear in the good boy chapter, and because he probably thought I was new to his world, he wanted to charm me into thinking he was a nice, caring, and loving Alpha.