Chapter 33

Elliot’s POV

What the fuck happened last night? Why was my memory faded and my head in so much pain? It’s not like I drank anything besides a couple of beers. It shouldn’t have had such a severe effect on me as it had. But here I was, my memory of last night’s event practically gone, and a killer headache that made me feel as if I was seriously hung over.

As I came to, a glimpse of Silver’s beautiful face came into my mind, and I sighed in contentment. I’m not sure at what point I started to have these real feelings for her, but I knew that my heart and body belonged to her. This wasn’t just a marriage of contract for me anymore, this was a marriage, and I was willing to do whatever I could to prove that to her.

It was a strange discovery this morning, but I felt it right in my bones and my wolf hummed with agreement. He had already claimed her in more ways than I could count; though, I won’t let him give her the mating mark. Not yet at least, I couldn’t force that on her. It had to be a discussion between the two of us and if that’s something she wants, I will make it happen. We will proceed with the mating ceremony, and I will mark her as mine. She will wear my mark loud and proud on the nape of her neck for all to see and she will officially be mine in not just the human world, but the wolf world as well.

I opened my eyes and reached over to my lovely wife, wrapping her in my arms and snuggling close to her. The feel of her naked body making my cock twitch and her scent slapping me in the face like an open palm, jolting my senses back to reality.

My entire body felt like it was being scorched to death from her touch and I quickly looked over at her only to get an eye full of scarlet red hair.

I nearly fell out of bed at the sight of this woman in my bed.

No, this wasn’t my bed.

I looked around at the unfamiliar setting.

I was in a hotel room.

What the fuck happened? Why was Shirley practically naked in my bed?

I was completely naked, and Shirley lay beneath the covers in only her bra and underpants. My heart cracked immediately, and my body shuddered in disgust and despair.

“Shirley?” I said through my teeth, jolting her awake.

Her eyes flew open, and she sat up, her hair falling over her shoulder and a smile spread across her lips.

“Oh, hey, Elliot,” she said sleepily. “Good mor—”

“What the hell are you doing in here, Shirley?” I asked, not letting her finish that sentence. “Where’s Silver?”

“Silver?” She asked frowning. “She’s not here.”

She reached out to touch me, but I jerked her away; I couldn’t stand the feel of her hands on me.

I searched around the room, spotting my clothes on the ground. I grabbed my boxers and quickly got them on, followed by my parents, being careful not to reveal myself to Shirley. She remained in the bed, folding her arms across her chest and pouting at me.

“What happened last night??” I demanded, fury rising in me.

“My memory is a little foggy. I think I had a lot to drink. But I remember you saying needed me and wanted to be with me…” she said, her brows furrowed together. “You told me—”

“You are lying,” I said, glaring at her. “I would never say such nonsense. I am married, Shirley.”

“But you don’t love her…”

“You don’t know a thing about our marriage,” I growled.

Tears welled up in Shirley's eyes and her bottom lip trembled. Shirley had been a long-time friend and seeing her this upset softened me slightly. But not enough to blind me from what happened. I barely had any memory of last night. All I remembered was this frenzy of desires and needing to bury myself inside of Silver. But I never imagined that I would mistake Shirley for Silver.

I shook my head, not wanting to even think about such a thing. There was no way I would mistake Silver for anybody else. I couldn’t have…

“I’m sorry, Elliot,” Shirley said, tears running down her face. “I only gave you a small dose of a party drug. You always liked it in the past. I took one too thinking it would be fun, like old times. I never imagined that we would ever sleep together though. I’m so sorry.”

“A party drug?” I asked her, fixing my glare on her, anger surging through me.

In my late teens and early twenties, I admit I enjoyed taking a party drug every now and again and going clubbing. But I never lost my memories or felt this horrible afterward. I also never woke up in bed with anybody before. I shook my head, running my fingers through my head as I tried to recall what I could of last night.

“This wasn’t my intention, Elliot. You must believe me…” Shirley continued to cry as she grabbed onto my arm.

I pulled away from her, letting her hands fall to the bed beside her and a defeated sob escaped her lips.

“Even so, what makes you think I’d want to take a drug at a business meeting, Shirley?” I asked, shaking my head.

“I thought we could celebrate the new alliances formed last night. The meeting went so well. I miss my old friend; the one who used to go clubbing with me. I just wanted to reminisce and have fun…”

Panic consumed me.

Did I really sleep with her last night?

“Silver was here too and she let it happen!” She added quickly.

I froze at her words and narrowed my eyes at her.

“What do you mean Silver was here?”

She sniffled and wiped her tear-filled eyes.

“I believe Beta Leo called her at some point after you started to lose control. She showed up here and she looked frustrated. I offered to take you to the hotel room, and she agreed.”

My heart, which was once so full, shattered in a heartbeat.

“Silver let you take me to this room?”

Shirley nodded as more tears filled her eyes.

“I thought we would sleep. I never anticipated this…” she whimpered.

Her words could no longer be heard through my ears because the only thing I could think was, “Silver let this happen?”

….

Silver’s POV

“I must say, Silver. These paintings are incredible. You did these yourself?” Mr. Wilson asked as he went through my portfolio.

“Yes, I did,” I told him confidently.

“How long have you been working with watercolor?”

“I got into it around middle school. I dabbled with it but didn’t take it seriously until I reached high school,” I explained.

“You do incredible work,” he praised. “I’d like to premier these paintings in our new exhibit. Of course, we will pay you a fair price and a healthy compensation for any artwork that we happen to sell.”

He slid over a document.

“I took the liberty of having this contract drawn up. It’ll list the payments that will be wired to your account for each painting we exhibit along with the percentage of compensation you will receive,” he explained.

I stared at the paper and my brows raised at the numbers I was seeing. It was a pretty fair wage; way more than I could have dreamt. However, I know not to sign any contracts without a lawyer taking a look at them first and I’d also like to include Elliot in this decision-making.

“Would it be okay if I took this contract with me, Mr. Wilson? I’d like my lawyers and husband to take a look at it before I sign anything.”

He looked puzzled but he nodded.

“Yes, of course. I wouldn’t want you to sign anything that makes you uncomfortable. I understand completely.”

I smiled politely at him.

“I truly appreciate your understanding,” I told him as I tucked the contract into a folder

After we shook hands, I stood and walked out of the gallery. Almost immediately my phone started to ring. When I glanced at the screen I smiled at Elliot’s name, then my cheeks flushed when I remembered the night we had.

Clearing my throat, I swiped the green answer button and pressed the phone to my cheek.

“Hello?”

“Where are you right now?” He asked, his voice sounded distressed, and it caused me to frown.

“I just got finished with a meeting,” I told him, my brows furrowed. “Is everything okay?”

“Were you at the hotel last night?”

I was quiet for a moment; did he not remember our night last night? A ping of hurt surfaced in my chest.

“Yes, I was there…”

“So, it’s true that you allowed this to happen then?” Elliot snapped, causing me to flinch. His tone was harsh and unfamiliar.

“Elliot, I—”

“I thought you were different, Silver. I thought you were someone I could depend on but instead, you do this? Do I really mean that little to you that you’d allow me to get taken advantage of?”

My heart fell deep into my stomach.

He thought I took advantage of him? Perhaps I did.

“No, I—”

“Was it because of our argument the other night?” He asked, cutting me off once again. “Was this your way of getting back at me??”

I gasped at the accusation.

“No, of course not…”

“This innocent act of yours isn’t going to work on me anymore. I won’t be fooled again,” he seethed.

“Elliot—”

Click

The line went dead, and I was left stunned.

What the hell just happened?