Chapter 6 Claims

(Layla)

“She’s mine.” Samuel’s declaration rang in my ears.

Just minutes ago at our table, he’d insisted we were nothing but employer and employee. The contradiction made my head spin. One moment he acted like our night together meant nothing, the next he claimed me in front of Mason. What game was he playing?

“Let’s talk outside,” Mason snarled, reaching for my arm.

I twisted away. “Don’t touch me.”

“Sorry Uncle,” Mason said through gritted teeth, “but I need to borrow her for a minute.” His fingers dug into my bicep as he yanked me toward the door.

“Mason, stop!” I planted my feet. “Let go!”

I stumbled in my heels, the concrete scraping my feet. He dragged me into the parking lot anyway, grip tightening when I tried to yank free. The asphalt scraped my heels as I stumbled.

“How dare you, Mason! Take your hands off me!”

“How could you get involved with him?” Mason demanded, spinning me around to face him. “My uncle? Really?”

“You’re hurting me!”

“He’s just a playboy who sees you as a toy,” Mason spat. “He’ll use you and throw you away like all the others.”

A group of female wolves strutted past, their flowery perfumes trailing behind them. One stopped to flip her long dark hair, batting her eyelashes at Samuel through the diner window.

“Looking good today, Alpha Samuel,” she purred.

Another wolf pressed against the glass, red lips curving into a seductive smile. “Will you be at the pack gathering tonight?”

Samuel leaned back in his chair, giving them an appreciative once-over. My stomach churned as they preened under his attention, giggling and whispering to each other.

“See?” Mason breathed into my ear. “You’re nothing special to him. Just temporary entertainment until someone newer catches his eye.”

I jerked away from Mason’s bruising grip. “And what am I to you? Your dirty little secret? The mate you threw away for political gain?”

“That’s different—”

“Different how? Because you had a ‘good reason’ to break my heart?” I rubbed my throbbing arm where he’d grabbed me. “At least Samuel’s honest about what he wants.”

“Honest?” Mason laughed harshly. “You think anything about him is honest?”

“What business is it of yours? You rejected our mate bond. You married someone else!” My voice broke. “Who I’m with now is none of your concern.”

“You’re still my Beta—”

“Ex-Beta,” I snapped. “You made that very clear when you blacklisted me from every job in the territory.”

Mason ran his hands through his hair, messing up his perfect Alpha style. “I had to protect the pack’s reputation—”

“No, you had to protect your precious campaign.”

“Are you finished?” Samuel’s cool voice cut through our argument. He stepped between us, forcing Mason back. “You’re causing a scene.”

Mason’s face darkened. “This is between me and my—”

“Your what exactly?” Samuel asked, voice dangerously soft. “Your mate? Your Beta? Your property?” He straightened his jacket sleeve. “Mason, know your place and don’t meddle. If I were you, I’d focus on training your wolves. That might increase your chances of becoming Alpha Chairman.”

The reminder of his political ambitions hit Mason like a punch in the gut. He staggered back, mouth opening and closing wordlessly.

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb, Samuel’s Beta Jack behind the wheel. Samuel guided me toward it, ignoring the female wolves still trying to catch his attention.

I caught my reflection in the car’s side mirror—cheeks flushed pink, dark hair tumbling loose from its styling.

“Wait!” Mason slammed his palm against the window as I slid into the backseat. “Layla, think about what you’re doing. You’ll be cut off from the pack! You’re still one of my wolves—I haven’t approved your departure.”

Samuel rolled down the window, regarding his nephew coldly. “Don’t worry. I’ll return her to your territory. She’s still your member.”

The window slid up smoothly, cutting off Mason’s protests. Through the tinted glass, I watched him standing alone in the parking lot, shoulders slumped in defeat.

Samuel pulled out his phone as we drove away, typing rapidly. The female wolves’ perfume still lingered in the air around him mixing with his own scent—leather and something wild, untamed. His jawline could cut glass, I thought absently, watching him from the corner of my eye. No wonder those women had practically thrown themselves at him.

Maybe Mason was right—maybe I was just another conquest. Another toy to be played with and discarded.

“Sorry about that scene back there.” His deep voice broke the silence. “Mason always did have a talent for dramatic exits.”

“Runs in the family, apparently,” I muttered.

His lips twitched. “Touché.” He loosened his tie, the movement drawing my attention to his huge hands. The same hands that had gripped my waist that night, leaving bruises I’d traced for days after. “Though I prefer to think I have more…finesse.”

Samuel’s golden eyes gleamed as he scrolled through messages. A lock of dark hair fell across his forehead, softening his sharp features a little.

His earlier words kept repeating in my head: “She’s mine.”  

Two simple words that changed everything.

Or did they?

“What did you mean?” I asked softly, watching his profile.

“Hmm?” He kept typing.

“Earlier. When you said I was yours.” My heart pounded. “What did you mean?”