Chapter 30

Silver’s POV

Elliot was finishing getting dressed when I went into our bedroom. I had my arms folded across my chest as I watched him put on his best suit and fix his hair in the full-length mirror. He looked at me in the mirror and then turned to face me.

“Can you help me put this tie on?” He asked, holding out his maroon tie for me.

My body felt numb; I was on autopilot as I walked toward him and took the tie from his hands. I wrapped it around him and started to tie it just as my father taught me to do when I was young. He always told me it was my womanly duty to help men with their ties, so I made it a point to learn how to tie one.

“Are you going out this evening?” I asked him, knowing it was a stupid question.

“Hmm,” he hummed, not giving me any other indication of what he was up to tonight.

Why would he? It’s not like he would openly tell his wife that he’s taking another woman out on a date. Even if I am a contract wife.

“Where are you going?” I found myself asking. I had to focus to keep my hands from trembling as I finished with his tie.

He was staring at my face indifferently and it made me uncomfortable under his scrutiny. I hated this tension between us.

“The Water Grove Restaurant,” he finally answered.

My heart fell into my stomach again; the Water Grove Restaurant was the fanciest and most expensive restaurant in the region. The fact that he’s taking Shirley there hurts more than anything. I knew the restaurant was inside of a really elegant hotel owned by the Crown Pack. So, not only was he taking her to a fancy restaurant, but technically, he was taking her to a hotel too.

Once I finished with the tie, I dropped my hands to my sides and lowered my gaze.

“Don’t wait up. I’m not sure how long I’ll be out,” he told me, turning back to the mirror to finish getting ready. “Mariah will make one of your favorite meals tonight. I arranged for her to do so myself.”

I lifted my gaze to look at him, but he was fixated on his reflection.

“You did?” I asked him, surprised by the sentimental gesture, especially after our argument last night.

“Surprised that I’m making sure my wife eats dinner?” He asked, now he was looking at me through the mirror and I felt my face warm.

“I didn’t think you cared that much,” I muttered.

“I guess you don’t know me that well,” he said, his voice hardening.

I was left speechless and staring at the ground. After a few awkward moments, he turned to look at me.

“I’ll be leaving now. Try not to get yourself into any trouble,” he told me.

I pressed my lips firmly together.

“I’m not a child,” I said through my teeth.

He walked past me and reached the door; he froze before opening it.

“Then stop acting like one,” he murmured just before he swung the door open and left the room.

Later, I went into the kitchen to see Mariah. The entire kitchen smelled delicious, and my mouth was watering at the different scents swirling around me. She turned when she saw me, and a smile lit her face.

“Good evening, Luna,” she said, motioning for the bar stool. “Dinner is almost ready. I made your favorite.”

“It smells great,” I told her honestly.

She beamed at the compliment.

The oven dinged and her face lit up as she turned to retrieve the dinner from the oven. She placed it on the stove for it to cool before piling it onto a plate for me.

“This is delicious, Mariah,” I praised as I ate.

“I’m glad you like it,” she beamed.

We talked mindlessly while I ate. Just as I was finishing the last bite, my cell phone started to ring.

I glanced at the clock and frowned; it was almost 9 pm. Who would be calling at his hour?

When I saw the number flashing across the screen, I recognized it as Beta Leo’s.

Oh boy.

I swiped the green answer button and pressed the phone to my cheek.

“Hello?”

“Luna, It’s Beta Leo,” Leo said, and I could hear the urgency in his tone.

“Is something wrong?”

He was hesitant for a moment.

“It’s the Alpha. He’s requesting that you get here right away,” he said, shocking me. I raised my brows.

“Is now?” I asked. “Why is that?”

Just as I asked that question, I could hear the growl of Elliot’s wolf. I gasped at the sound.

“Leo, what’s going on?” I asked, quickly standing to my feet. Mariah watched me curiously with a worried expression on her face.

“Just get here as soon as you can, Luna. It’s urgent.” Without another word, he hung up the phone.

….

Third Person POV (Shirley)

“Flower? For me? What on earth are these for, Elliot?” Shirley asked, batting her lashes at Elliot as he stood before her with the largest and most beautiful bouquet she had ever seen.

He bowed his head to her.

“An apology for your injuries. I’d like to apologize on behalf of my wife and myself,” he stated. “And an early birthday present.”

“You remembered,” she said, a smile lighting up her gorgeous face as she happily took the flowers from him. “How thoughtful of you.”

He offered her his arm and escorted her towards the car that Leo waited beside. Leo opened the door for them to enter, bowing his head at the female Alpha.

“I hope I didn’t cause too much trouble with you and your wife,” Shirley said, sliding into the car and waiting for Elliot to join her. “It was never my intention to upset her to such extremes.”

“She will be fine,” Elliot said, stopping his words short. Shirley noticed that he looked troubled by the subject, and it made her curious as to why. A playful glint appeared in her eyes as she wrapped her delicate arms around his strong ones. He stiffened, which irritated her. Why couldn’t he see that she was the one he was meant to be with? Even her wolf agreed that he belonged to them and no other.

She wasn’t successful in getting rid of that wolfless girl, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be. She had a plan for this evening and if things work out, Elliot will be hers by the end of the night. A smile spread across her lips as she watched the trees pass by the moving car. Elliot seemed to be lost in his own world during the car drive to the hotel and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was Silver that occupied his mind.

The thought pissed Shirley off immensely, but she bit her tongue.

Once the car stopped, Leo opened the back door for them to exit. Shirley stepped out of the car first, followed by Elliot. He escorted her, like a gentleman, into the hotel restaurant and greeted the hostess politely. The hostess blushed at his good looks and kindness before motioning for them to follow her.

The restaurant was empty because he rented the entire place out. Across the room was a long table with the region's most elite Alphas seated and speaking amongst themselves. Each of these Alphas is a strong ally to the Crown pack. Elliot had asked them here to help him figure out what the rogues wanted and why they were targeting his pack along with the nearby packs. Because these Alpha live quite a distance away, Elliot bought them each a hotel room for the unforeseen future and made preparations for dinner that evening.

Elliot took his seat at the head of the table and Shirley sat beside him.

She found herself lost in thought while Elliot spoke to each Alpha like they were old friends. He explained the issue at hand and what he wanted to do about it. Each of the Alphas listened to him candidly and put in their own input on the situation.

“I need to use the little lady's room,” Shirley said as she stood to her feet and wandered away.

She clutched her purse to her chest as she made her way around the corner and toward the kitchen. The waiter was waiting for their second round of drink orders when Shirley approached.

“You,” Shirley said, leaning against the wall and staring at the boy. He turned, startled to see her.

“Alpha Shirley… it’s an honor to meet you,” he said, bowing his head slightly. The boy was sweating as he addressed Shirley; she was pleased by this. She wanted him to fear her. She fed off fear; it fueled her with power.

She smirked at him.

“I need a favor and I’m willing to make it worth your while,” she simply told him, tapping her fingers along her arm as her arms folded across her chest, pressing her breasts up and putting them on full display for them.

His face went red as his eyes wandered.

“Um… wh… what do you need?” He stammered, sweat beading at the top of his forehead.

She dug into her purse until she found what she was looking at. Pulling out a small baggie, she held it up for him.

It was an aphrodisiac!

“I need you to crush these up and put them in Alpha Elliot’s drink,” she told him, her demeanor growing dark.

His mouth fell open and he looked terrified by her request.

“I… I… I can’t do that… what?” He asked, stammering uncontrollably.

She grabbed his shirt and threw him against the wall, pressing her busty chest against his and running her fingers up the length of his body until her delicate fingers cupped the back of his neck. He was shaking and terrified.

He had to have been in his early 20s and probably never seen a woman quite as equipped as Shirley. She enjoyed watching him squirm from her touch and she loved the effect she had on men. She just wished she had the same effect on Elliot.

But after tonight, she will.

Once this drug is in his system, she will be all she wants. He will look at her with desires for once. They will get a hotel room and she will finally get what she wants. After their night together, she will be sure to take plenty of pictures for his darling while.

“So, do we have a deal?” Shirley asked, her lips trailing down the waiter's neck, making him tremble from her touch.

He nodded shakily.

“Yes,” he whispered. “I’ll do what you ask. I’ll drug Alpha Elliot…”