“It was all by chance. She was on a date—”
“She was on a date?” Ian asks, panic written all over his face.
“If you would let me finish.” His cheeks heat, properly scolded. “She was on a date, it went bad. I ran into her when she was eating ice cream on the curb. She didn’t want to go home, so I took her to my spot, and we talked for a little bit.”
“What happened on the date?” Ezra asks.
I stuff a huge chunk of cheese in my mouth and chew before answering. “Something you might want to handle, Ian.” He stands up, and I smirk to myself. Nothing is hotter to me than when Ian loses his shit a little bit. He’s usually such a composed business man, but the Alpha does have a temper, especially for the ones he cares about. It shouldn’t be such a turn on, but it is.
“What’s that?” he says, acting indifferent, but I can tell he’s eager to know who might have offended our little Luna.
“Pack Thompson basically said all she was good for was breeding. Her wrist was also red.”
“She told you this?”
“Sure did, and she definitely seemed like she didn’t want to go home.”
“I don’t blame her. Margo is such a cunt,” Ezra says.
“I don’t think she gets the impression that she is welcome,” I say to Ian, and his anger turns to a bit of sadness as he rubs his stubble. I’m not great at comforting my Alphas. It’s part of why I think Luna would be so great for our pack. She’d be able to fill a void that I can’t.
But I do my best and put a piece of cheese on a cracker and slide it over to him. He takes it and eats slowly.
“We have to do something.”
“About what, Pack Thompson or Luna?”
“Both,” Ian grumbles.
“Which one first, mate?” Ezra asks.
A slick-inducing grin takes over his face. “Pack Thompson, of course.”
I’m nearly bouncing in my seat to be included in something like this. Usually they would want me to stay at home and tend to my plants. But not this time. This time it’s a personal offense to our whole pack, and I get a front row seat. One of the many perks of being with Ian is that to a certain degree, he owns this town—literally. He owns a huge majority of commercial buildings throughout town.
And the building that Jordan Thompson wants to purchase for his private practice just so happens to be owned by one Ian Martinez. Ian inherited a lot of money and property when his mother passed, seeing as she was a single child from a large pack household. He’s nearly tripled his earnings since taking everything over at eighteen.
“I feel like you’re more excited than you were on Christmas,” Ezra says to me. His hand is close to mine but not touching. It makes me feel guilty. I should be better at this. I reach out and touch his hand, and he smiles, squeezing my palm.
“Watching Ian destroy someone is basically a gift. Especially when they deserve it.”
Ezra hums as he sits down in the office. Ian is adjusting his suit jacket. Damn, does that man rock a fucking suit. He gives me a slight smirk before the door opens. In comes Jordan and José, they start talking, not knowing that we’re here and waiting.
“This would be the waiting room. I’d like it to be nautical but not tacky. Maybe Teddy can be the receptionist.”
“Not with the way he follows directions.” I scoff, and that’s when the two Alphas turn around. Jordan gives Ian a wide smile and shakes his hand.
“Mr. Martinez, I didn’t know you would be here today.”
“Mr. Thompson. Please, take a seat.” Jordan and José both take their seats in front of Ian, who stands. It’s a power move, and I like it.
“Is everything all right with the lease and inspections?” Jordan asks.
Ian picks up a piece of paper, it’s not the lease, just some random document. He looks it over, rubbing his chin and then looking at the men in front of him. “Oh, about that. It’s not happening.”
“What do you mean it’s not happening?” Jordan says, his voice getting louder.
“I’m no longer renting you the space.”
