Chapter 69

Lionel’s POV

Jealousy is an ugly emotion.

One I have never experienced before. I am the Alpha of Wolfsbane industries. What did anyone have for me to be jealous of?

Yet here I am. Green envy making my clench my jaw and my claw elongate. Pathetic.

‘Only Nan could reduce me to this,’ My thoughts are bittersweet. ‘I wonder how much more I will experience with her.’

I showed up in my car to pick her up from work. I thought it would be a nice surprise. So I sent a text to dismiss her current driver.

Our dinner dates had tampered off recently. I missed them. They were some of my favorite parts of my day.

I had hoped that by showing up like this I could convince her about restarting them. I instead arrived just in time to see Nan jump into a random car with a blonde man. I become instantly on edge.

Jealousy sizzled within me. But I tried to wait. To act rationally.

But several minutes passed without any signs of her. My jealousy reached unruly proportions as time went by. Ill -tempered thoughts run through my mind.

‘Is she with another man?’ My green-eyed monster roars. ‘Is another alpha courting her?’

My alpha eyes flash. My inner wolf is roused and angry. I have the urge to march over to that car and tear the other guy to pieces.

If this other man touched Nan...I growl loudly.

My wolf feels betrayed. Has I not done everything I could to show her my regard? The idea that she might seek a mate out is rage inducing.

‘Everything but actually say the words,’ my rational brain reminds me. ‘You did everything but use your words. What else would she think?’

‘That mate bond expert needs to hurry up.’ I brood. That is the exact moment Nan steps out of the car.

Her hair is messy. The immaculate ponytail crumped and falling out. Even from here I can see how red and swollen her mouth is.

It’s a damning appearance. I bare my teeth silently at the acidic quality now that my jealous reaches its peak. But she does not notice me.

Instead she stops to interact further with this mysterious blonde man. I see the fingers of this other man’s hand on her arm. Her entire attention is focused on him.

Luckily for that man, he chooses to leave seconds later. Any longer and my temper would have snapped. I doubt his fingers would have survived my jealous wrath.

There is a dreamy quality to her gaze. Far off. It only serves to make me angrier.

Then she sees me. Her grey eyes widening. I glower at her.

I walk over to her briskly. Jealous like acid in my chest. Ready for confrontation.

“What was that?” I spit out.

“What…” Confusion lines her tone.

“Why were you meeting with that man?” I growl. My eyes narrow.

“You were watching.” She notes with something strange in her voice. Her mouth parts slightly.

“I came just in time to see you get in with that man. Who was he?” I demand.

A strange hesitance is in her eyes. Her mouth opens as though to speak. But no words fall from her mouth.

There is a slight sourness to her scent now. Fear. The smell of her fear makes me reign in some of my angry posture.

I realize that I had been towering over her. My alpha eyes flashing. No wonder she was afraid.

“Lionel…” She trails off.

“Is he courting you?” I ask tightly. I feel slight relief when Nan’s mouth curls in disgust.

“Ew, no. No way!” She cries.

Some of my jealous retreats. The possibility of it being an elicit meeting reducing at her utter rejection at my question. Still, I continue pressing.

“Then who was it?” I try to ask passively. Nan’s weary eyes letting me know I did not accomplish that.

“It was David.” She finally replies.

“David?” I ask. The name vaguely familiar to me.

“My ex-boyfriend.” She clarifies.

“The one who cheated on you with your best friend?” I ask incredulously.

She grimaces. “Yeah.”

My curiosity is sparked. I’d never met that jerk before. ‘So he’s a blonde,’ I mentally mark down in my head.

“Why were you in the car with him? I thought you swore never to speak to him again.” I say quizzically.

“It surprised me. I never thought I would see him again either.” She gives a forced chuckle.

“I’m sure.” I say noncommittedly. Her off behavior registering in my mind.

I was too jealous to take in her body language before. My wolf has calmed down. And something does not seem quite right with her.

She won't quite meet my eyes. Her face is a little pale. And her shoulders are tense.

I like to think I have come to know Nan well enough to realize when she is not acting herself. And right now, Nan is very skittish. I get a suspicious feeling.

“Did something happen?” I ask protectively.

Her grey eyes briefly catch mine. “Well…the thing is…”

I see her hand twitch. Her arms reaches up toward her head. Then fall back down.

She glances away before I can work out the emotion simmering inside of them. “David was just being his usual jerk self. That’s all.”

I continue to stare at her. “Did he say something to you?” I ask seriously.

“Just called me a few names. Blamed me for Eillen’s behavior. That kind of thing.”

She forces false cheer into her voice. But there is a slight tremor there. I get this bad feeling that Nan is…not lying…but not being completely truthful either.

I recall her as she exited the car. I look at that memory in a new lens. Her disheveled hair and swollen lips take on a new meaning.

Did he put his hands on her? I growl lowly. Protectiveness surging.

“If he said something…or did something…you can tell me.” I urge.

She hesitates again. Conflict on her face. I can't stand that look in her eyes.

“Trust me. I'll handle it.” I say gently.

There are stressed lines at the corner of her brow. She looks deep into my eyes. As though seeking comfort.

I feel the urge to take her into my arms. I reach up to touch her arms. I gently rub them up and down.

Trying to provide comfort at my touch. To let her know I have her back. That she is safe with me.

But then she winces. She takes a step back. She smiles but it does not reach her sad eyes.

“It’s fine. I handled it. David was just blowing hot air.”

I sense that she is not telling the truth. But I don’t want to start a fight by accusing her of lying. Not when I can see she is so upset.

But I can’t resist one last try. “Are you sure?” I say somberly.

Her false smile tightens. “I am. But thank you for looking out for me.”

I nod. We watch each other for a moment. Both of us aware of her lie.

Something seems to occur to Nan. The melancholy bleeds out of her expression. Curiosity enters.

“What are you doing here? The driver was supposed to pick me up this evening.” She says.

I grasp the subject change gladly. “It was supposed to be a surprise. I thought we could resume our little bet.”

She raises her brow. Her competitive spirit awakes. The spark in her eyes make them look like pools of silver.

Our walk to the car is friendly and playful. I am mostly relieved. Even if my instincts warn me something is coming.

I ignore it.

THIRD PERSON POV

Unbeknownst to Nan, the earning began recording long ago.

David activated the surveillance the moment Nan stepped out of the car. Did she really think David would trust her so easily? No, David decided to test her loyalty immediately.

He listened intently to the entire interaction. When it looked like she might spill the beans...David decided to give her a little nudge. Just a little light sting from the earring to remind her.

It worked like a charm. Nan kept her mouth shut. The rich douche was none the wiser.

Everything was going to plan. Soon David would have his revenge and be rich. He smirked evilly at the thought.

Unaware of the second pair of ears listening in…making their own plot.