7

KNIGHT

Nirvana was fucking gorgeous, it should be a crime, and she wasn’t even aware how beautiful she was that she caught everyone’s attention. These guys had been warned beforehand to behave— this meant she was off-limits as Kailin’s best friend.

Despite only seeing her once, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She had already become my distraction. And her name alone was like a nirvana to me, and I wouldn’t allow it to happen tonight. 

The dinner went well despite the constant glaring coming from Kailin, warning me to be polite to her guest. I quickly left the dining room while McKaye and Kaleb showed the Blackwell wines to Nirvana. 

“Where do you think you’re going?” Kailin followed me out. 

“To my office.” 

“You’re lying. You’re leaving.” She sounded disappointed.

I stopped and faced her, sighing. “I did my promise, Kailin. I showed up and introduced myself to Nirvana. I can’t stay here. I have tons of paperwork—”

“Boring,” she sang with an eye-roll.

“You can show her around or go downtown. Use the card, go shopping, and do whatever you girls do.”

“You can’t get out of our hair easily, Knight.”

Irritated, I drew a deep breath. “When you had visitors coming over, you never dragged me to join you. What do you want from me?”

“You like her, do you?” The logic irritated me because it was true.

“I’m a man, and I like nice women.”

She rolled her eyes again. “Don’t play dumb with me. I’m sorry, but you may be my alpha, I still call your excuse bullshit. Cut the crap, Knight. You’re attracted to her, but you’re scared.”

“I’m not. Now shut it. Tell your friend good night.” I walked away before she could hear my heartbeat. 

Werewolves like us had excellent enhanced hearing compared to humans. We didn’t have to use a stethoscope to listen to a human heartbeat. All we needed was to focus.

“Then tell me what made you so busy. You are always talkative during dinner, but tonight, you seem off. What’s going on with you?” She still stalked me outside the house.

I knew Kailin. She wouldn’t let this one go until she heard what she wanted. So, I had to come up with another lie.

“I’m meeting someone tonight. Happy?”

Her brows met together. A deep frown appeared on her forehead. “You’re dating someone?”

“What’s wrong with me dating a woman I like? Besides, I’m single, and I have needs. And I don’t have to tell you my personal life, cousin.”

“You don’t date. You can’t fool me. You’re telling me this to excuse yourself because, let’s be honest, you like my best friend.”

I shook my head. “Whatever floats your boat, Kailin. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to go.”

“So it’s okay if I let Kaleb pursue her?”

I hid my anger deep within me and suppressed the growling about to erupt from my throat. “I don’t give a shit, K. Kaleb doesn’t have a mate. Maybe she’s the one, and I’ll be happy for them if they become mates.”

“You’re such an ass.” She finally left, stomping away from me.

I went to my car, but McKaye was already there. “What’s wrong?”

“Are you okay?” he asked me, confusion brewing in his eyes. 

“Don’t tell me you’re also concerned with my personal life.” McKaye was not as nosy as his sister, and he knew how to keep secrets. He was my best friend, after all.

“Why did you say that?”

“I don’t know. I think your evil twin is trying to set me up with her best friend.”

“And what’s wrong with that?” He stuffed his hands in his pockets as if listening to my business plans.

“I don’t want distractions, and I’m not up for relationships right now, Mac. I have so many things on my plate, and the last thing I want is a girlfriend wanting a dinner date, cuddling on a sofa while watching sappy movies, and joining me over business trips.”

“I don’t mind if my girlfriend is someone like Vana.” He shrugged his shoulders. “But she’s my sister’s best friend.”

“And so? Bro-code is overrated. If you like her, go ahead. You’re a mateless werewolf. Maybe you won’t be finding your mate for another ten years. Time for you to have fun.”

“You’re such a dick. I don’t want her to be my girlfriend. I was trying to convince you that you would look good together as a couple.”

“She’s human.”

“And?”

“You’re wasting my time.” I got in my car. “Warn everyone to be careful running into the woods.”

“They’re warned.”

“Good.” I sped up, away from the pack house. I needed to get drunk and find someone willing for a good hard fuck. The word someone did a clenching in my chest, and it irritated my infuriating wolf as well.

My wolf just growled at me.

“Shut the fuck up, mutt,” I growled back.

“Shit.” I stepped on the brake hard enough that the tires screeched against the pavement, and a smell of burning rubber hit my nostrils. “Don’t go back, asshole. She’s better to be alone without you.”

I drew a deep breath, thinking of how to get rid of her, but nothing came more logical than telling her face-to-face. 

“Damn it.” I made a swift U-turn and drove back to the pack house. 

I jumped out of my car and almost bumped into McKaye in the receiving area.

“Why did you come back?”

“Where’s your sister?”

“She’s with her gorgeous best friend.” Everyone seemed to piss me off today.

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath.

“You wanna talk to my sister or her best friend?”

I eyed him suspiciously, but he only raised his brows at me. 

“I just told K to meet me here. Alone. Up to you to do whatever you have in mind, Knight.” He patted my shoulder before he left. 

“Shit.” I went upstairs towards the living area. Her scent became more potent, but she wasn’t there. I knocked on her door.

“Just a sec,” she replied from the room.

“What am I doing?” Before I could turn my back, the door already swung open. 

The look on her face told me she wasn’t expecting to see me. Her sky-blue eyes widened slightly, partly surprised and thrilled. And then a crackle settled between us, warning me of danger.

“Knight? Are you looking for K? She just went down to see her brother.”

Goddess. Stunning didn’t fit to describe her. She was like she just came from a fairy tale land. I didn’t know if I should be relieved or terrified. What is the Moon Goddess’s mind giving me— fuck no. 

She was not my mate. 

Nirvana was not my mate. 

She was just attractive. 

That’s all.

“Are you okay?” Goddess, her voice was like a hot chocolate and a warm blanket in winter, and I didn’t even like hot chocolate.

“Yeah.” I took all my courage, even if it would hurt her. She would be better off without me. “I want you gone by tomorrow afternoon. I will buy a first-class ticket for you back to New York.”

“Excuse me?” Her eyes bulged out. The pain began brewing. She clearly wasn’t expecting to hear something harsh from me.

“You heard me. I want you to leave my property. You’re not welcome here anymore.”

“Asshole.” Unblinking gaze raked over me. Her jaw clenched as she breathed through her nose. “I know the first time I saw you, you’re a world-class jerk.”

“I’ve been called worst.” My reply came hard, and my face hot.

“I don’t need your ticket. I don’t need your damn money. I can go home just fine.” Her jaw snapped shut. I got the feeling that she was regretting her words.

“Good.” With my wolf growling and whining, my heart began palpitating, almost making it hard to breathe.

“Dickhead.” The door slammed shut before me, leaving me openmouthed in shock.

I deserved that.