Chapter 33

Lucien’s POV

Once more, I am torn between wanting to kiss Corrigan and wanting to strangle her for all the worry she had put me through. I take her elbow, forcing my grip to loosen when she winces. I know I am causing a scene but I do not care.

I had written her shopping trip off as some sort of fight for independence but when the rain had begun I had nearly gone out myself to find her.

“Lucien, listen.” She says as I pull her into the elevator and watch the doors close up. I take my jacket off and drape it over her shoulders, feeling her shiver again. She runs her palms together and I take her hands in mine, she looks up at me.

“I got stuck in the rain. Nothing a shower can’t handle.” She smiles. “I can still perform tonight.”

The bloody performance. I scowl.

“You’re going in and you’re going to have a shower. After that—” her lips part like she has something to say. “—do not interrupt me, Corrigan—after that, you will go to bed…”

“I am not a child, Lucien.” She cuts in. “I am an employee and I should work just like every other employee. There is absolutely no reason why a little rain should stop me.”

“Don't be irrational, Corrigan…”

“I am not your mistress.” She says coldly, finally, with steely determination in her eyes. “Not anymore. So what I do with my job out with my life has absolutely nothing to do with you.”

The doors to the elevator slide open and she shivers, taking my jacket off my shoulders and shoving the soppy mass in my chest.

“Thanks for the jacket.” She mutters, going away.

Well, I am going to be the first to admit that I fucked that up.

Alec Kade runs his hand through his hair, shaking moisture off his coat. He had come in shortly after the girl had, so he had witnessed Lucien’s show of possessiveness. He had watched her walk out of the mall and had almost run into a streetlight. She seemed to outshine everything else within a hundred mile radius. So he had done what every reasonable male would, noticing the rain. He decided to help her

Her name is Corrigan.

Corrigan. He whispers it. It sounds both soft and strong at the same time. The way a woman should be. The way he is sure she is.

But she is also taken. He closes his eyes. Taken by the man he wants to have an alliance with.

So the lady in the rain had been Lucien’s mistress. He lets out a deep breath. He can finally understand the rumors about Corrigan Price having Blackthorn’s balls in her hands. Hell, he wouldn’t mind being led by the nuts if she were his mistress.

“So you've been to them, then.” Alec snaps his eyes open to see Xavier beside him, standing.

“Them?” Alec echoes even though he understands what Xavier is saying.

“Blackthorn and his firebrand of a mistress.” Xavier says, whistling under his breath. “Pretty little thing, right?”

“To say the very least.” Alec concurs.

Xavier’s eyes narrow as he turns to Alec and Alec frowns. “Is there a problem?” Alec asks.

“I know that look…” Xavier says.

“What look?” Alec asks.

“You’re not getting any creative ideas about her, are you?” Xavier asks. Alec’s lips are thin.

“Don't be ridiculous.” Alec says, looking away.

Xavier shrugs. “I'm just saying, we need an alliance. And there is no faster way to get on Lucien’s bad side than touching her, trust me.”

“Last I checked,” Alec says coldly, his irritation obvious. “you were my beta. Not my therapist.”

Xavier raises his palms in the air. “Just saying, Alec. Be careful.”

“When I need your advice, Xavier, I’ll do well to ask for it.”

Lucien’s POV

I sit at the table farthest from the piano where Corrigan is playing, feeling anger and concern about war inside me. I want to pull her from that platform where she's playing and take her to her suite, bundle her up in blankets and keep her asleep, but I am forced to watch her play.

I have to admit, she is good. That, however, does not stop my protective instincts from working overtime. I tap my feet rhythmically against the floorboards, watching her closely. The number today is playful and light. Her fingers are moving over the keys lightly, almost like they are forming their own dance.

Waiters are threading through the tables and all round, everyone seems to be having a good time. I pinch the bridge of my nose, wondering what could make today worse.

I need to see Alec. To at least get acquainted with him before the real negotiation. I heard he brought his little sister along with him, a spoiled brat that I am not looking forward to meeting, and his beta, a smart, intelligent male. There is, of course, Alec, reputed to be a good man.

My nostrils flare as I return my focus to the moment, watchingCorrigan.

Third Person POV

Alec Kade walks into the dining room, calling himself ten kinds of fool, remembering Xavier’s words, but still unable to stay away. He had heard about Corrigan playing in the dining room from a few fellow guests and had been unable to keep away.

His eyes are drawn to the place where the number is playing and he feels something deep in his heart. He knows that she is not his mate. Instinctively , he knows this is not one of those bonds.

He is a traditional man. He would wait for his mate and would make her his Luna. But Corrigan…

There is something he wants to explore.

Despite the funky, upbeat tone of the number, there is a wistful, almost sorrowful air about her. He wants to put a smile back on her face. He wonders what those hands would do if they were on him…

He knows Blackthorn would skin him alive if he knew the thoughts going through his head.

“Thankfully,” Alec murmurs, “he doesn’t have to know.”

“Couldn’t stay the fuck away, could you?” He hears Xavier say.

“And a good evening to you too, Xavier.” He responds dryly.

“What did we agree about this?” Xavier says as they make their way to a table and sit. Alec orders a drink for them both and watches while the waitress goes away.

“The place is packed.” He remarks.

“It always is when she’s performing.” Xavier responds.

“How is Evelyn?” Alec asks.

“She's back in her suite.” Xavier responds. He doesn't add that she went back in there with a shifter. Alec didn't need to know that. Some people need the illusions they harbor about people intact and unblemished. Alec is one of them.

“She must have been tired.” Alec remarks, distracted.

The tone finally ends, followed by a round of applause which Corrigan returns with a graceful smile. She stands, beautiful and slender in the black shift dress she is wearing.

She is immediately surrounded by people who want to congratulate her, to talk to her, to shake her. Alec doesn't realize that he is standing till he hears Xavier's voice.

“Sit, Alec. Don't blow this for us.”

With his lips thinning, Alec reluctantly sits down. He watches Lucien walk to Corrigan and enfold her in his arms with a hold that is both cool and possessive. She starts and swallows, as though nervous. There is an easy chemistry about them. The look of a male and female who have been intimate in every possible way. Lucien leans in, his lips only a mere hairsbreadth away from her ears, and whispers into her ear.

She turns red, a blush creeping up from her neck to her hairline.

Alec is overcome by a swift, powerful jealousy. Without thinking, he stands, ignoring Xavier's attempt to pull him back to his seat and makes a way towards Lucien and Corrigan.

“Good evening.” He says, hoping his face mirrors the pleasantness of his voice.

Lucien smiles. “Alec Kade, Alpha of Black Crest pack. Accept my warmest welcome as an honored guest of the Black Rose Hotel.”

Alec tries to return the friendliness, but he doesn't feel it. “Lucien Blackthorn.” He greets.

“This is Corrigan Price, our pianist and a good friend of mine.” Lucien says, gesturing to Corrigan.

Corrigan looks at Alec, her eyes seemingly sharpening as she recognizes him. She doesn't make any indication that they have met before anyway, which only incenses Alec the most. He doesn't say anything. He wants to get on Lucien's good side, after all.

“We will meet up tomorrow for negotiations, I'm afraid. I will be a bit busy tonight.”

Alec tries to block out the images of them both making love, but they seem to torture him all the more. He nods. “Of course.”

He watches them walk away, his fists clenched in impotent jealousy.

“Finally tortured yourself enough, Alec?” he hears Xavier’s dry time behind him and clenches his fists, walking off.”