#Chapter 5 – I want my wedding ring back

Gavin’s POV

What the hell am I doing? Gavin scolded himself as he watched his Beta leave his office.

Erin didn’t deserve new shoes; not after what she had done to him. He went to call his Beta back to his office and tell him never mind on that last request.

“Don’t you dare!” Roman scowled. “She might be married to someone else, but she will always be yours, you fool! She’s had a bad time; it’s obvious from her place of employment and her shoes alone. She simply won’t survive without your raging cock.” 

There was humor in his wolf’s voice.

“Don’t you remember how badly she had hurt us when she left? She rejected us. I made a promise that I would never feel that way again and I’m keeping my word.”

“Yes, Alpha?” Seth asked as he made his way back into Gavin’s office after hearing his name being called.

Gavin stared at Seth for a short while, wanting to tell him never mind, but the words seemed impossible to say out loud.

“Nothing. Just make sure the shoes are comfortable to work in, but nice looking. Her foot is about the size of my hand, so if the size 6 seems too small, try a size 7 or 8.”

“Yes, sir,” Seth said, nodding his head.

He went to turn away again but then paused.

“Should I have them sent to Miss Susanna personally?”

Gavin stifled an eye roll at the mention of Susanna. That power-hungry she-wolf.

“No need; they aren’t for Susanna.”

Seth rose his brows in surprise.

“Not for Susanna? Have you found another? Does Miss Susanna know?”

“It’s not any of her concern and it’s not your concern either, Beta. What Susanna and I have had never been love. She’s after power and fortune, nothing more. I don’t need to explain that to you,” Gavin growled.

Seth blinked a couple of times, trying to wrap his mind around this information.

“But sir… don’t you remember the purpose of your relationship with Miss Susanna?” Seth asked. “The Alpha Convention is only 3 months away and you need a perfect future Luna to assist you in redeeming your reputation and gaining fame."

“What your words,” Gavin snapped, darkness falling over his gaze. “Do you honestly think I need help gaining reputation and fame? I’m capable of doing that without Susanna’s help.”

“But she’s the most respected and beautiful in the kingdom—”

Seth’s words traveled away when he looked into Gavin’s stern, icy glare. He knew better than to continue speaking. He closed his mouth instantly and took a step toward the door.

“I’ll find a good pair of shoes right away,” Seth said, bowing his head slightly to his Alpha.

Gavin watched as Seth hurried out the door.

Gavin has always been such a strong and egotistical person that he is a bit difficult to get along with. However, it is undeniable that he has a great ability to govern the pack and punish corruption with no mercy, but this also offended many nobles as a result.

However, Gavin has never cared about what others think. He wouldn't even be willing to commit himself to find a woman if it weren't for silencing the old guys’ comments at the Alpha conference.

“When is Alpha Gavin ever going to settle down with a nice, she-wolf.”

“An Alpha is only as good as their Luna.”

“A proper pack must have a Luna to help run it.”

Gavin was sick of listening to their banter and decided to pick out a she-wolf to keep them silent. He chose Susanna; she was rich, beautiful, and already had the respect of those around her. Even with all the money she already had, she still wanted more.

Gavin knew this; it wasn’t a relationship made from love. It was made from greed. They both got something out of it. Gavin got the Alphas off his back, and she was getting the power she desperately wanted.

Later in the afternoon, just before an important dinner party with the other Alphas and their Lunas, Seth returned to the office with the box of shoes that Gavin had sent to the restaurant, where Erin worked, only an hour ago.

“She refused them at the door,” Seth explained, placing the box on his desk.

He stared down at the box with a frown; he should have known it wouldn’t have been that easy. He would have to go see her for himself and give her the gift in person.

“Fine,” Gavin said, dismissing Seth.

“I’ll get the car ready to take you to the banquet,” Seth said before leaving his office.

The banquet was being held in a nearby city; one of the biggest cities in the world. It had a large entertainment center where they held most banquets, gatherings, and parties.

Typically, Susanna would have accompanied Gavin to this banquet, but she was out of town on a fashion tour. As a world-famous fashion designer, she traveled a lot. Gavin didn’t mind her not being around; he enjoyed having the space.

The entertainment center was crowded when he got there, but he saw the familiar faces of his fellow Alphas mingling with the guests. They were loud and laughing, just as they often did when they drank.

Gavin was quick to swipe a bottle of whisky from the bar and take a few swigs of it before he began mingling as well.

“Where’s the Mrs.?” One of the Alphas asked, slapping Gavin on the back as a greeting.

“Out of town,” Gavin answered. Not bothering to correct him that Susanna was not his “Mrs.”

“Gavin!” One of his friends called from across the room; he was already plastered and making a fool of himself around a couple of single she-wolves.  

“If you’ll excuse me,” Gavin said, dismissing himself from any other questions this Alpha might have had.

He made his way to his friend, Tyler.

Tyler was one of his best friends and his longest friend.

“I thought you would never get here,” Tyler whined, taking a long shot of whisky. It seemed that he too swiped a bottle off the bar.

Gavin smirked at his friend.

“How are you already plastered this early?” Gavin asked, raising his brows. “Settle down before you get yourself kicked out of here.”

“Don’t be a party pooper,” Tyler said with an eye roll. “I’m just trying to have a little fun.”

“Easy on the whisky,” Gavin scolded, yanking the bottle out of his friend’s hand. “Or I’ll drag you out of here myself.”

A banquet was not a frat party and shouldn’t be treated as such.

“And that whisky bottle you’re holding is just a decoration?” Roman laughed. “You aren’t as mature as you think.”

Gavin took another swig of the whisky before setting it down. Old habits were hard to kill.

“Aren’t you head of the committee? Why are you late?” Tyler asked, leaning against Gavin for support.

“I had business to take care of beforehand,” Gavin answered, thinking back to the new shoes that remained on his desk, untouched by the one they were meant for.

He was irritated that Erin had turned them away, but then again, he shouldn’t be surprised.

Gavin was about to make a speech about the opening of the new hospital in the northern region when he heard his phone ringing in his pocket. His speech would have to wait.

He grabbed his phone and smirked when he saw the name that appeared on the screen.

“Hi, Erin. I see you didn’t like my gift,” Gavin said mockingly into the phone.

“That’s not why I’m calling,” Erin said; her voice was firm with zero amusement.

“Then why are you calling?”

“I want my wedding ring back.”   

“Wedding ring? What wedding ring?” Gavin asked, a coy smirk on his face.

“My wedding ring,” Erin said; he could tell she was talking through her teeth. He heard the noisy restaurant in the background and knew she was still at work.

“I don’t recall giving you a wedding ring,” he replied, teasingly.

“You know what I’m talking about, Gavin.”

“Though, I suppose I could have given you a wedding ring back when you wanted one. Remember, when we were 18 and you wanted to marry me? But then decided I wasn’t good enough for you, so you dumped me? Have you changed your mind after all these years?”

Erin was quiet for a moment, but after a beat, she replied, “You know that’s not what I mean… we are over.”

“It didn’t feel quite ‘over’ last night.”

“Gavin—”

“You know, now that you’ve mentioned it, I do remember seeing a diamond-encrusted ring. I thought it couldn’t be yours because you never mentioned being married,” he said mockingly.

“So, if that’s the case, I’ll have your ring mailed to your fucking husband!”