Chapter 17 - Evan

I've got a million things to do, but all I can focus on is keeping tabs on Mia. Every day, after I drop her off at work, I drive around and make sure everything is okay in town, but then I find myself gravitating back to the warehouse, parking my truck, and watching her through the front window all damn day.

I feel like a stalker.

And the worst part? I'm not sure why I keep doing it. I can't explain why I need to see her so much. Of course, I want to protect her. She's my mate, after all, but it's more than that. There's something about her that draws me in and keeps me close. Something about her smile, the way she bites her lip when she's deep in concentration, and the way she tilts her head when she's listening to the people around her.

It's messing with my head.

And God help me, I think I'm starting to like her. I'm not the only one, either. The pack members have begun to warm up to her. She's made some friends at the warehouse, and even Shawna seems to be coming around. I'm particularly proud of Mia for that one. It would've been so easy for her to go in guns blazing, demanding respect. But instead, she's shown the members here a little compassion, and they've responded.

These weekly pack parties have always been a good way to keep the peace and build connections, but I don't normally attend. I find it easier to maintain order and keep things running smoothly if I keep that barrier there. Today, though, I find myself standing beside the grill with a beer in my hand, watching Mia laugh and smile in the pool.

She looks gorgeous in her bikini, and I can't seem to tear my eyes away from her. The sight of her long, smooth legs, her tiny waist, and her perky tits bouncing around in that top are making me crazy. I want her so fucking badly, it's driving me mad.

I know she wants me, too. I can smell her desire when we're together, and every night, when she retreats to the bedroom, it takes everything I have not to follow her. She's my mate. There's no reason I shouldn't be able to claim her, but she's made it clear that she doesn't want it, and I don't want her to think I'm forcing her.

I want her to choose me.

Mia climbs out of the pool, her skin glistening under the sunlight. I swallow thickly as she grabs a towel and starts drying off, and a low growl rumbles in my chest when a guy walks over and offers her a bottle of water. He's human, so not much of a threat, but he's clearly interested. I hate the way he's looking at her.

I can't hear what they're saying, but she follows him over to a lounge chair and pulls her cover-up on before sitting down. They're at the other end of the yard, where the music is playing and people are dancing. She takes a sip of her water, and he grabs her hand, pulling her into the middle of the crowd. They're out of my line of sight, and that sure as shit isn't okay with me.

My feet move without permission, carrying me over to the edge of the patio, where I can see them. Mia is laughing with her head thrown back as the guy leans in to speak in her ear.

That's it. I've had enough.

I'm across the patio and grabbing her arm a second later. She whips her head around and scowls at me, pulling her arm free. "What the hell, Evan? What's your problem?"

"Who the fuck are you? And why are you touching my wife?" I spit at the guy, stepping between the two of them.

"Back off, man. We were just dancing," the guy says, and I glare at him. I know he's not a member of my pack and probably has no idea who the hell I am, but he's about to find the fuck out.

"You think you can just come here and rub up on my mate and get away with it?"

"I didn't hear her complaining."

My wolf is howling inside of me, demanding blood, and I'm ready to shift and rip his head clean off his shoulders. "You motherf—"

"Evan." Rafe steps in front of me, blocking my path. "Walk away."

"This little prick—"

"Isn't worth it," Rafe finishes.

I glance over my shoulder at Mia. She's standing with her arms crossed and her hip jutted out to the side. "Just go," she says, rolling her eyes.

"You're coming, too."

"No, I'm not," she counters. "I'm staying here and dancing with my new friend. Right, Ryan?"

"Yeah, we're having a good time. Listen, man, I'm not trying to move in on your territory or whatever. Just having some fun. Relax."

"Fuck this." I turn and walk away, but not before flipping him the bird and glaring at Mia. "I'll be inside."

"Good," she mutters.

Rafe catches up with me a moment later, following me up the porch steps. "What the hell has gotten into you? You've been even pissier than you usually are lately."

"Shut up," I growl, dropping down into a chair. "I don't need your shit today, Rafe."

"Well, too bad. You're going to get it. You know, you've always been the hothead between the two of us. You fly off the handle first and don't always think things through, but this is getting out of hand."

"Oh, and you've always been so cool, calm, and collected?"

"Of course not, but I'm not the alpha. And it's my job to rein you in and be the voice of reason."

"The voice of reason?" I scoff. "Are you kidding me? You're the one who has been arrested a dozen times, not me. If anyone needs a leash, it's you."

"Well, I'm not the one losing my shit and nearly shifting at a fucking cookout. And don't deny that's what would've happened. You were going to shift right there, in front of everyone, and what the hell would've happened then, huh? Would you have ripped that guy's head off? How do you think that would've gone over with the humans? How many would've ended up dead because you got jealous?"

I level him with a pointed glare. "I am not jealous. I don't get jealous."

"That's bullshit. Maybe you never were before, but this is the second time now that you've lost it over Mia and another man. That's jealousy, brother."

"It's not. I'm her alpha and—"

"It's not your job to police her. She wasn't doing anything wrong."

"If you're trying to defend her, I don't want to hear it."

"This isn't about her; it's about you. If you're going to lead this pack, you've got to show more self-restraint. You've gotta be smarter than this, Evan."

He's right. Fuck, I hate it, but he is. "I know," I grumble, raking a hand through my hair.

"I don't even understand what the big deal is, anyway. You didn't even want to get married, remember? The only reason she's here is to break the curse and get back at Stardust Hollow. Why are you acting like this? Do you actually care about her?"

"No, I don't." The words come out too fast and forceful.

He narrows his eyes, and I know he's not buying it. "I know you're attracted to her, but is there something more?"

"Of course not. That would be stupid."

"Stupid, or maybe you're falling for your wife?"

"Shut up," I say, shooting out of my seat. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Fine." He holds his hands up in surrender. "I just wanted to remind you of your priorities. I'll stop pestering you."

Rafe turns to walk into the kitchen. I start to walk back out to the pool area but decide to have a seat on the front porch instead. I don't want to be that far away from Mia just in case she needs me, but I need a break. There's a rocking chair by the front door, and I sit down, letting my eyes fall as I take in a few deep breaths.

I don't know what's happening. These feelings and the way I react when it comes to Mia... I don't like it. I don't like how out of control it makes me feel, and I definitely don't like Rafe calling me out. He's right, though. It's not fair to her, and it's a terrible look for the alpha. I need to get my shit together before something bad happens, or I cross a line that can't be uncrossed.