The Deadline

Bethany's POV

I couldn't tear my gaze away from Gerald's face as we drove out of the Royal Villa. He had only been away from the pack for like what? Five months?

Just how did he live his life during those five months? The Gerald I knew would always cower before Dad, but this new version of him was really scary.

And what was it about him calling me wifey? I suddenly felt his gaze on me and as my eyes locked on his rich brown orbs, I forgot how to breathe.

I had to fight the sudden urge to fan my face as his gaze bored into mine unwaveringly. I shifted uneasily in the seat and he must have noticed it because he soon smiled and then looked away.

Was it the kiss we shared that was making me react to him this way? Made me so aware of him, physically? He was my fucking best friend! So what if he was as sexy as hell?

I couldn't let a pesky feeling ruin our friendship. Plus, I still hadn't broken the mate bond with Trevor.

The car's tires screeched to a halt in front of his house and I followed closely behind him, inside the house.

"You can stay in my room. I will stay at the guest room." He said as soon as we got in.

He looked like he had a lot on his mind. Why wouldn't he? He had just made a bet he couldn't possibly handle and now, it was going to cost him his life.

"Look, I'm sorry for putting you in this situation. I only---"

He cut me off bluntly. "If you're talking about the kiss and how I called you wife earlier, I don't think that's a problem. It meant nothing."

I let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad we're on the same page. I'll try to look for a way to stop all this madness by looking for different investors."

He cocked an eyebrow. "You think I can't get the Lycan king to invest in Oscar company?"

"Yeah. I mean, different Alphas have tried and failed. But, someone like you saying---"

Before I could complete my words, he snagged at my wrist and pulled me into his arms. My pulse quickened as I noticed the intensity of his gaze.

"You've known me for five years and I've never made false promises! I meant it when I said I would protect you against anybody who tries to hurt you! Just trust me."

He dragged a breath down his lungs as he released me. "For now, have a good night's rest!"

****

The rays of the sun jabbed at my face and my eyes fluttered open. It's been two days since I started staying at Gerald's and I hadn't really gone outside of the house.

And I hadn't seen Gerald around that much. He was so busy trying to prove Dad wrong. But the reality of the situation was clear to me. I had tried my best to get in contact with the Lycan king but I failed at every step.

And now, today was the D-Day. Dad was going to make me marry Trevor. I damn sure am not going to do that but I was worried for Gerald's safety.

Suddenly, a guttural growl jolted me out of my thoughts. It sounded from the guest room and I was sure it was Gerald's voice. What could be wrong with him?

A ball of panic rolled into my gut as I raced to the guest room, wearing nothing but my lingerie. I was so scared that I forgot to knock. I mean, what if he was in danger?

However, everything changed the moment my gaze landed on the nude figure of a man on the floor. Gerald! My eyes raked over his body, noticing the fine line of muscles that mapped his body.

Friend! Friend! Friend! I repeated the word over and over to banish the echo of lust in my ears. No! I couldn't cross the boundaries of our friendship all in a bid to get back at Trevor.

"Plus, he's unconscious!" Elsa, my wolf chimed in.

Shit! How did I forget that? I quickly went to his sides, crouching beside him. The thick smell of alcohol wafted into my nostrils and that was when it dawned on me.

He had collapsed from drinking so much. Did he get into trouble trying to reach the Lycan king? Shit! This was my fault. I began giving him mouth-to-mouth respiration.

Suddenly, his lips pressed tightly against mine. I knew I should move away. Jump. Run. But, I just couldn't help it. After the kiss we shared, I wasn't really able to forget how good he tested.

And I'll be damned to say I didn't want to taste him again. Still, it was dangerous. We were supposed to be best friends.

But the moment, his tongue slid into my mouth, every coherent thought dispelled from my mind. He was just gaining a semblance of consciousness and probably wasn't aware of what he was doing.

I was in a faze, contemplating what to do as my lips lingered on his. With somnolent movement, his right hand slid to my breast, cupping it in his big palm.

A wild rush of need and desire flooded my veins. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this way. Not even with Trevor. But it was wrong! It would forever change the way things were between us.

I stilled my body as I discarded the feeling and helped him up. "Let's get you into bed," I whispered into his ears and lowered him into the bed with so much effort.

I turned to leave when I felt a light pull on my wrist and the next moment, I was sitting on his lap, his lips mere millimeters from mine.

I dragged in a deep, shuddering breath as I tore my gaze from his lips.

"What are you doing, Gerald?" I asked haltingly.

"Nothing you won't like." He purred against my neck and his breath seared my skin.

I'd be damned if that didn't send spikes of desire snarling in my muscles. I could feel a slight throbbing sensation between my legs. Oh moon goddess help me, I wanted this man.

Only he was my best friend!

"We can't do this." I tried again, my voice low and unsure this time.

He grinned drowsily. "Yes, we can. You look so tempting in that dress"

His voice was low and provocative and before I knew what was happening, he flipped me over so that I was flat on was back on the bed.

He towered over me, supporting his weight with his arms as he inexorably drew my mouth to his, kissing me as though his life depended on it.

A whimper of pleasure escaped my lips, unchecked and unhinged as his tongue swept over mine, teasing and mixing his intimate taste with my own.

I felt as though I was a volcano about to erupt any moment as his erection pressed against my thighs and his hands slid down to my thugs, reminding me I had only a thong on.

My mind went blank when he slid a finger into my core, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine. I could feel my nipples straining against my fabric, ready to feel his skin.

As if on cue, his hands moved to my lingerie top, ready to yank it off, except my phone rang from my room---well, his room. I felt his body grow stiff, without moving a single muscle.

That was the warning I needed. No! I needed to stop. I pushed Gerald off me, catapulting myself to the other side of the bed, before leaping to my feet.

I raced down to my room, bolting the door behind me. I immediately picked up my phone but soon realized that I hadn't missed any calls.

So which phone was ringing earlier? Just as I processed the thought, a beeping sound drifted from the closet.

I frowned in confusion as I walked to the closet. I was sure I saw Gerald's phone back in the guest room. Or did he have two phones? But why did he keep his phone in the closet?

I yanked the doors of the closet open, eyes raking over the interior. I knew I should have stopped the moment I couldn't find the phone, but what if it concerned his work or raising funds for Oscar company?

Curiosity got the best part of me as I began to rummage through his clothes. My fingers brushed against something cold and hard and I froze.

Slowly, I pulled the object into view and my heart almost leaped out of my throat when my gaze landed on an exquisite mask. I needed no one to tell me it was made out of pure gold.

My eyes widened with disbelief. Why did Gerald have such an expensive mask? But before I could ponder deeper, my phone rang and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the caller ID.

"Today is your deadline, Beth." Dad's voice sounded from the other end of the line.

"Dad, I wanted to----"

He cut me off abruptly. "Come to the royal palace with your janitor friend at once. And of course, with the document to prove that the Lycan king will invest in Oscar company!"