Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Bella.

I carefully prepare the steak, just as Brianna taught me. I hope he likes it.

After we returned from his penthouse, Enzo has been a total sweetheart. He doesn't chat or laugh with me but he treats me better.

Like, how the hell did he sneak special meals in this forest? Other wolves hunt for food but we don't. Enzo brought my phone while everyone else didn't have phones. He makes sure I don't need anything.

Just thinking about how careful he is with me makes me feel so giddy inside. I know I'm dreaming more than I should, but at the end of the day, I am just a girl, and he is the first person to show me I am more than just a rant.

"Goddess! Are you cooking?" a voice shrieks towards us, and the happy mood I had earlier instantly dies down. What are they doing here?

Do they like trouble this much?

"How come you are cooking and we aren't allowed to. Is that a laptop?" the woman says as she hurries towards Enzo and my fists unconsciously clench.

I stare at Enzo's mate with an aching heart, and of course, my sister is trailing behind her. A mocking smile on her face.

Are they here to remind me that I am not worthy of him? Of anything, just because I don't have a damn wolf.

Oh! Does she know her husband was here yesterday, calling me his?

" I believe you have mates to keep company. Who invited you to my tuff?" Enzo says and it actually surprises me. The man doesn't even look at her.

Doesn't he like her?

"Enzo..." the bitch drawls, but the man's cold gaze snaps to her instantly and she shuts her mouth.

"Since when did I allow you to address me so informally?" Enzo asks, his brows deeply furrowed.

"You are my mate...."

"Am I?" Enzo cut her short and I can't believe he is that calm. "The only mate I recognize is my wife," the man points at me, and a deep blush covers my face. "You being here upsets her and you don't want to get me angry. So, leave before I lose my shit," Enzo snaps, and my heart skips.

Does he mean that?

"You love me" Enzo's mate points at herself as she stares at the man in disbelief. " You can't possibly choose her over me"

"You must be delusional and stupid. Go back to your husbands before I have security drag you away" Enzo nonchalantly mutters and continues typing on his laptop as if the two women are not standing right in front of him.

"You bitch. You can't take him from me, I will ruin you, "the woman shrieks, charging at me, but before her claws can touch my face, she is violently dragged back by her hair.

Ouch! That must hurt.

Enzo grips her neck tightly and lifts her from the ground. His claws sink deep in her flesh until crimson liquid appears. The woman can't even breathe. Her face turns purple as she desperately clings to Enzo's hand, but his grip is iron-like.

Wow! I stare at his shaking body in wonder. Is he angry because she was about to hurt me? Does he care about me?

"I despise cheap whores the most," Enzo grumbles through gritted teeth and tosses her on the floor as if she were only a piece of trash. The man protectively stands in front of me as if to shield me from further danger.

"I don't know you. You ceased to be my mate the day you chose a richer guy over a mate bond. I don't fancy leftovers. The next time you so much as lay a finger on her, that's the day your pathetic life ends. I promise you" I watch as the once proud woman fearfully stares at Enzo as tears relentlessly fall from her eyes.

She doesn't talk. Stella helps her up and we silently watch them walk away.

Well, that was refreshing to watch.

Does this mean...

"Are you okay?" Enzo cautiously turns to me and I nod with a little smile. "Good" he whispers and walks back to his chair and continues to type away.

Goddess! he stood up to his mate for me. I hide a smile and resume making the food.

Does this mean something? He is unpredictable.

I expectantly stare at Enzo, closely watching his reaction as he slowly chews on the food in front of him. Does he like it?

"Why aren't you eating?" the man asks, and I awkwardly smile, picking up my fork. Goddess, is he that clueless? Doesn't he know he needs to say something after a girl spent hours preparing him a meal?

That was me trying to do something nice for him.

Footsteps sound behind me, and I turn only to see Hunter walking our way. His smile is contagious, and I can't help but stumble out of my seat to embrace him.

Fuck, at least a breath of fresh air. Scooped in this forest with Enzo is so suffocating. The man barely says a word to me.

"Someone missed me," Hunter lowly chuckles, holding me back until a loud growl shakes the forest. I am instantly ripped from Hunter's arms and I find myself standing behind Enzo's shaking body.

His claws are out and his skin is slowly turning to fur.

"Get lost, beta," Enzo forcefully mutters, and Hunter lowers his neck and turns around.

'I am sorry,' Hunter's voice sounds in my mindlink, and I wonder what to say. I don't understand Enzo. One moment he is calm the next he is mad for nothing.

With another growl, Enzo hits the nearby tree so hard that it breaks. I silently watch him shift and disappear in the forest.

"What was that?" I mutter to myself, and my eyes land back on the barely eaten food. I spent hours making that.

Should I stop trying so hard?