Chapter 100: An Alpha’s Jealousy

Chapter 100

Lysander’s POV

While it was true that the idea of dancing with Kara had been my mother’s and that I didn’t like it in the slightest, the truth was that I had no choice but to accept—and that was exactly what I did.

I was not a good dancer and never had been, but even I knew this dance perfectly well, so I simply accompanied her onto the floor.

—I know our presence here is not to your liking, that much is clear to me —she said somewhat unexpectedly.

—It’s nothing personal —I tried to assure her, not wishing to be kinder than necessary, and yet I needed her to understand.

—It doesn’t seem that way to me —she admitted.

—I just wasn’t expecting you —I acknowledged.

—That became more than clear when you acted as if I were some kind of nightmare to you, and the idea of marrying me the last thing you would ever want —she declared, drawing my attention.

—Of course, after all, I am already married —I found myself reminding her, even though I had said it so often lately that by now I expected everyone to be aware of it.

—Don’t remind me, that’s not necessary. I know very well that it’s true, and I’m not interested in the slightest —she admitted quickly.

—No offense, but I’m not interested in you —I felt the need to tell her plainly.

—It doesn’t offend me at all. In fact, I’m not interested either. I’m not here for you to promise me love or loyalty; my only purpose here is to fulfill the agreement our parents made —she admitted, finally making her intentions clear.

—So this is only about an agreement —I ventured.

—In part it was, although I must admit that after meeting you, I didn’t dislike you at all. You are a very handsome, strong, and powerful man—everything a woman could desire, without a doubt —she acknowledged, offering me a smile I could only describe as flirtatious.

—Now I think this could be more than just an agreement. Who knows what could happen between us… the things we could do —she suggested, slowly brushing her hand along my arm in a clear attempt to seduce me.

—No one said we couldn’t have some fun together —she added with an even wider smile, biting her lip.

—I admit that is a rather tempting proposal, but I’m afraid I will have to decline —I said.

—Don’t tell me it’s because of that woman —she replied, referring to Astrid without naming her.

—She is not stronger, not more important, and certainly not more beautiful than I am. She is just an insignificant human, while I am a wolf—and not just any wolf; I am the daughter of an Alpha, with blood as pure as yours. I am exactly what you need, whether you accept it or not —she stated with striking confidence.

—I don’t doubt that may be so, but… —I tried to respond carefully.

—If this is about the blood oath, I assure you that I… —she began, clearly intending to say the same as the others—that she would take care of her—but I did not wish to hear it.

—I do not require anyone’s help to do what I know must be done. I will do it when the time is right—and not before. I expect you to understand that and respect it, because otherwise we will have a problem —I made sure to be clear.

—I won’t do anything if that’s what you want, but keep in mind that I am willing to do whatever you need. I could get rid of her if you decided so; it would be no problem for me—she’s just a simple human —she said with disdain.

—Their bones break so easily that it almost takes the fun out of the hunt —she added, revealing the kind of cruelty she was capable of.

—Or perhaps I could warm your bed on cold nights, since she doesn’t —she said, making me turn to look directly at her, as I had no idea how she had learned that.

I wanted to know—to find whoever had once again dared to spread my private affairs, because this time I intended to punish them without mercy. However, I couldn’t, because she suddenly leaned closer until her lips were at my ear.

—A man has needs, and it would be no problem for me to satisfy them —she whispered, pressing her body slightly closer to mine.

—I know you can feel the warmth of my body, so similar to yours; only I could satisfy you the way you need —she assured, becoming increasingly suggestive.

The truth was, I couldn’t deny that I felt drawn to her, that my instincts recognized her as an equal. Likewise, it was true that it had been far too long since I had been with anyone, and that need had only grown with time.

At that moment, that instinct awakened, and it did so with an almost overwhelming force.

I was about to give in to her when something happened that stopped me—I saw Astrid just a few meters away. She was dancing with Alaric, and seeing her so close to him made my blood boil in an instant.

I didn’t stop to weigh what I was feeling or what I should do about it—I simply let myself be carried away. I released Kara without any care, and without minding her asking me to stop, I began walking straight toward where Astrid and Alaric were.

—What is going on here? —I asked them, trying to control my tone and especially my volume, as despite everything, I did not want to draw attention.

—I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I did not mean to offend you in any way. I didn’t think it would bother you that I asked your wife to dance. She was alone and I thought… —Alaric tried to justify himself.

I, however, hadn’t been able to listen to him, because my gaze was fixed on Astrid—above all, on the way she looked at me with fear.

—Do not approach her again, do you understand? —I ordered Alaric firmly, looking at him in a way that I hoped made it clear I would destroy him if he tried again.

—Of course, Your Majesty, and I’m sorry —he apologized immediately, bowing, but the only thing that mattered to me was that he quickly began to walk away.

As soon as he did, I turned all my attention back to Astrid and took her by the waist, pulling her closer to me with some roughness.

By then, the music had changed, and now a much slower song was playing, so I simply held her by the waist and drew her closer.

—What do you think you’re doing? —she asked immediately, trying to pull away from me, but I had no intention of letting her.

—We’re going to dance —was all I replied, though it was quite obvious.