Chapter 2

Ezra:

“Congratulations, Ezra.” I heard Killian say from behind me, his tone dripping with sarcasm. 

Lia, who was dancing with me, stiffened, and wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I squeezed it gently, wanting her to relax before turning my attention to the Lycan who was smiling at us as we turned to face him. His eyes met mine, and looking down at my arm, he raised an eyebrow but didn’t bother commenting. 

I knew that he, of all people, did not expect me to get married. Especially since he had asked me to marry his sister a year ago and I had rejected it, not wanting to associate with a prick like himself. And seeing as I chose to announce my ‘proposal’ to Lia around two months later, I knew that he was both surprised and annoyed because of it. But then again, we both knew that he simply wanted me to marry her to ensure that the two families were now ‘united’ by some bond. 

His sister, Annalise, stood by his side, looking at Lia without saying a word. I couldn’t help but notice her glare on Lia, and seeing as Lia raised an eyebrow at her, I could tell that my ‘wife’ had noticed the same expression. And I could see my parents stop dancing as they looked at us, ready to help if needed, especially since they knew that Killian rarely ever came without causing a fuss. A man of his name, death often followed, and he was usually the one in charge of it, somehow. 

“Thank you, Killian.” I said, extending my right hand shaking his, and smiling, he shook my hand, not squeezing it as he normally would have. He looked at Lia and smiled, extending his hand to her, and despite knowing that she wanted to break his hand, thankfully, she didn’t. I ran my hand over her shoulder, reminding her to stay calm, and controlled. The last thing we needed right now was a fight that we were going to be forced to break off, and I knew that Lia had plans to END it. 

He kissed her knuckle, and she smiled. “A pleasure to meet you, Alpha Killian.”

“I can see that she knows her manners.” Killian said, looking at me. Lia’s smile turned into a glare, and leaning in, I kissed her temple, reminding her to stay calm. If we were going to do this, then we were going to need to be smart about it. There was a reason why I didn’t let her take charge of things, and this was just one of them. “This is how a woman should be acting, Annalise, I suggest that you take some notes to teach yourself and the other slaves…”

“I do suggest that you speak of my mate differently, Killian. The woman standing in front of you is neither a slave or a person to be respected.” I said, smiling at him, my smile sarcastic. He chuckled and shook his head, and taking a deep breath, I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to say otherwise. His eyes studied my expression for a second before he nodded.

“My apologies, Lia. It was not in my intentions to offend you on your wedding day. And you of all people should know that I did not intend to disrespect her, Ezra.” Killian said, keeping his eyes on me as he spoke, choosing not to speak to her, and mostly directing his words to me. 

“I am aware, but a fair reminder is always in order. As you know, we sometimes tend to forget our places between different packs.” I said, wanting him to say anything to challenge me. The man knew that he was not in his territory, and he knew that any sign of disrespect towards me was one that I could fight him for. And that was the last thing he needed considering that him shifting would mean that he would be killed on sight, and needless to say, him trying to start a fight or fit would end badly for HIM. 

“Again, my apologies to you and your wife. It wasn’t in my intention to offend either one of you.” He said, nodding at his sister. Annalise’s eyes met mine before she shook her head. A look of disappointment masked her expression before she smiled, her smile colder than it has ever been. I nodded, and watching as they took a step back, Lia didn’t bother to respond to him. I looked down at her and shook my head as I pulled her toward the bar, handing her a glass of white wine which the bartender was serving. 

“I believe that you need to calm down, piccolo lupo.” Little wolf. I said, looking down at the raging woman who was gripping the glass as if her life depended on it. The glass cracked under her grip, and hearing my words, she loosened her grip a bit, forcing herself to calm down a little.

“Sarò quando sarà morto.” I’ll be calm when he’s dead. 

“Beh, con il modo in cui ti comporti, non credo che sarai in grado di arrivare  tanto.” Well, with the way you’re acting, I don’t think you’ll be able to get that far. “Calm down, revenge tastes better with a little patience.”

“Let’s just hope that it all works in our benefit, yeah?” She asked, and I smiled, winking at her before taking the drink from her, setting it on the table, and pulling her to the dance floor. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I wrapped mine around her waist, pulling her closer. The two of us made sure to keep the best smiles on our faces as we knew that not only were we being watched, but we were also being observed. 

“Sarà, ancora una volta, devi solo essere paziente, neonata” It will, again, you just have to be patient, baby girl.