In a rush, I slide out of the booth until I'm on my feet. “I need a quick word with Mason,” I tell Chad. Then I secure my fingers around Mason’s wrist and drag him out the front door.
As soon as we're outside, I spin on him. “What the heck was that?”
He ignores my question, his eyes darting over my head, most likely finding Chad inside through the large front window. His jaw clenches, and he turns his glare on me.
“What are you doing, Lake?”
“Are you serious right now? What does it look like I'm doing? I'm on a date. That you're ruining.” I cross my arms over my chest and press my lips together.
It takes everything inside of me not to turn and glance at Chad to make sure he's still there. That would probably turn Mason into a full caveman, and I'd end up bouncing on his shoulder until he had me safely back to my apartment.
“Good,” he snaps. His hand runs over his hair, and he grips the back of his neck. Inhaling loudly, he drags his eyes over me, and I feel it like a physical touch. “I can smell him on you. Mixing with your own scent.Jesus.” He exhales, and it sounds as if he's being tortured by it. Goosebumps skate down my spine as my body responds. He never acknowledges my perfume. “You can't fuck him, Lakelyn.”
My mouth drops open in shock, and my entire body revolts at his words. He doesn’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do. “No? Watch me.” I slip past him before he can react, and I'm back inside, across the room to the booth. I hold out my hand. “Want to go someplace a little more private?”
CHAPTER 10
Mason
I'm frozenin place as Lakelyn storms across the café like a mini hurricane, pushed by my words straight back into Chad's arms. My stomach tightens, and it’s not just the jealousy talking. Chad unfolds his toned body from the booth with a casual grace, every movement screaming that he's won this round. I’d be blind not to notice how attractive he is—too attractive, really. And he knows it. He flaunts it like a weapon, like he’s learned exactly how to wield that smile, those dark eyes.
I watched him flirt with the alphas onOmega in Paradise. The way he turned that charm on and off in a heartbeat, like flipping a switch. It's almost unsettling how easily he can manipulate a room.
There's no way Lakelyn’s more than a passing amusement for him, and yet, something in the pit of my gut twists at the thought that it could be more. The way his hand rests on the small of her back—it’s possessive, practiced. But there’s something more that I don’t want to admit is drawing me in, like the pull of a tide.
They walk out together, and he tosses a glance over his shoulder, catching my eye. His smirk cuts through the air likea challenge. "Don’t wait up,Alpha," he quips, his voice low and teasing, sending an unwelcome spark down my spine.
I clench my teeth, fingers curling into fists at my sides, but I do nothing. I should be angry—hell, I am angry—but there’s a nagging voice in the back of my head that won’t shut up about the way his confidence catches my attention, the way he just knows he owns whatever room he’s in, owns the moment. I’ll find him without her, though. Hell, I'll go to his mansion if I have to.
I watch them leave, his hand still resting on her back like it belongs there, and something sharp twists in my chest. It's infuriating—seeing her with him, knowing damn well he's trouble.
I should leave it alone. But I can't.
With a low curse under my breath, I yank my phone from my pocket and scroll through the contacts until I land on Landon’s name. My thumb hovers for a moment before I press call, holding it up to my ear, pacing along the sidewalk.
“Yeah?” His voice comes through after a few rings, casual like he doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. The background is louder than his house.
“Where are you?” I ask, my voice tighter than I intend.
“Uh... just got to the bar with Dean. Why?”
“I’ll be there in five,” I say, cutting him off before he can ask questions. “Don’t leave.”
I hang up before he can argue, shoving the phone back into my pocket as I start toward my truck, the frustration simmering under my skin. I don’t know what I’m more pissed about—the fact that Lakelyn’s with Chad or the fact that I’m reacting like this at all. He’s a player, nothing more. She’ll see through him soon enough.
Right?
I’m not sure. Because she’s innocent and friendly. And he is not.
As I turn the key in the ignition, I can’t shake the image of Chad’s hand on her, or the way he looked at me, like he knew exactly how to get under my skin. I hate that it’s working.
The drive to the bar is short, but it feels longer with my mind racing. By the time I park and push through the door, I’m already wound tight. My eyes scan the dimly lit room until I spot him, alone, leaning back in a booth, a beer in hand. He lifts his chin in greeting when he sees me, but I don’t bother with pleasantries.
Sliding into the booth, I cut straight to the point. “It’s Lakelyn. She’s with that omega.”
Landon groans, tipping his head back with an exaggerated sigh as if I’ve just ruined his night. “I really don’t want to talk about Lake getting lucky, man.”
My jaw tightens. “It’s not about her getting lucky. It’s about him. That omega isn’t serious. He’ll chew her up and spit her out.”
