Chapter 5: Surprise, Surprise.
*Jane*
I woke up with a splitting headache. “Ugh…” I grunted at the ray of sunlight spilling into the room. I forced my eyes open, I was in
my living room.
How did I even get home? The drive was a total blur. I
remembered nothing. I pushed myself up with a groan, steadying
myself against the headboard. I managed a glance out the
window where I spotted Xander’s Rolls Royce parked in the
driveway, without a scratch.
Thank the moon goddess. At least I hadn’t ruined his precious car.
I muttered as I tasted the bile rising up in my throat. My mouth.
tasted like something nasty had crawled up and died inside.
I staggered to my feet, pausing for a moment until the room stopped spinning. I desperately needed to shower. So I gripped the
banister and made my way to the master bedroom one step at a
time.
I froze when I opened the door. Xander’s head snapped up. Beside
him, Mia’s blonde hair spilled across my pillow (MY PILLOW) her
naked body tangled with his beneath sheets I’d picked out. I could
Chapter 5: Surprise, Surprise.
feel my wolf erupt in anger, clawing at my insides.
I screamed.
Mia let out a scream and fell off him, struggling to cover herself.
But even as she did so, I could see the triumph in her eyes.
“What the fuck Jane!” Xander barked in annoyance. “Haven’t
you heard of knocking?”
I wanted to tell him this was my bed, my bedroom. I’d never
knocked on any door in this house before, but what was the
point? So, instead, I said, “I just needed to get something.”
“Oh, honey. “I looked up to see Mia looking at me with false.
sympathy, her head tilted as if she was speaking to a child. “All
your things were moved to the guest room.” She emphasized
‘guest‘ like I was some unwelcome visitor. “I took care of it
yesterday.”
“How thoughtful,” I hissed.
Xander didn’t even look at me. “Close the door on your way out.”
Inodded stiffly. My wolf paced, teeth bared. If I stay in this
hallway one more second, my wolf would take over me and riped that bitch apart. I turned to leave, struggling to keep my anger in check. Good job, Jane.
Chapter 5. Surprise, Surprise.
When I finally opened the guest room door, I froze. My clothes.
Ters left open and
were scattered across the floor, dresser
emptied. My books had been dumped in a careless pile, family
photos tossed aside like trash. Mia hadn’t ‘moved‘ my things. She‘
d ransacked them.
I ignored everything and dragged myself to the bathroom. I was
too exhausted to deal with that situation. It would have to wait.
But the moment I was safe in the shower and the hot water
touched my skin, I let go.
The sound of the water was like white noise, drowning out my
unwanted sobs. I won’t cry for Xander. I won’t cry for Mia.
After the therapeutic shower, I wandered into the kitchen.
“Melina?”
“Morning Luna, hope you sleep well?” Melina glaced at me.
“Like a baby” I lied, “I’m starving”
“Food will be ready soon, please take a seat.”
My stomach growled in anticipation of what was to come. But when I sat at the counter, Melina placed a plate in front of me with nothing but a few lettuce leaves.
I stared at the sad arrangement, wondering if it was some kind of
Chapter 5: Surprise, Surprise.
joke. “What is this?”
Melina’s eyes darted nervously toward the doorway before she
leaned closer. “I’m sorry, Luna Jane. Beta Mia instructed that we‘
re only to have low–have calorie options from now on.”
So that was what we were doing now? Resorting to intimidation
tactics? That little snake is stirring up a war. First my husband,
then my bedroom, now my kitchen.
Melina’s voice dropped to a whisper, “Alpha Xander threatened
to let me go if I didn’t follow her instructions exactly.”
“Did he now?” Melina nodded. She looked genuinely distressed. I
couldn’t blame her. She’d been with us for five years longer than
Mia had been in Xander’s life.
Well, let’s begin the games.
I forced myself to eat the tasteless vegetables, my mind racing
back to last night. Should I call Aaron now? Could it actually
work? Making Xander jealous seemed like a high school tactic,
but I was desperate enough to try anything.
I pulled out my phone, fingers hovering above the screen for a
second before typing: Hi, I’m the drunk lady last night. Made it home safe. Car unscathed. Thanks for last night. We should talk about that plan soon. I hit send before I could change my mind.
Ch
My phone buzzed almost immediately. Aar
the screen: Sorry, who is this?
Oh, my God. He didn’t remember me. This was awkward.
Just kidding. Glad you and the Rolls Royce survived. When do we start Operation Jealousy?
Sigh* Eh. He was unbearable.
A rebellious smile tugged at my lips just as the sound of footsteps filled the room. I quickly pocketed my phone. Xander and Mia descended like royalty, her hand possessively wrapped around his. Her flowing silk robe, my silk robe trailed behind her as they entered the kitchen.
“Good morning, Jane,” Mia chirped innocently. “How’s breakfast? Isn’t you just wonderful with the new menu I designed?”
Designed is a pretty strong word for whatever Melina had served me. Melina’s eyes flickered to mine as she silently placed identical plates of lettuce in front of the happy couple.
Mia beamed at her creation. “It’s a detoxifying micro–salad.
Perfect for purifying the body.” She turned to Xander. “Isn’t it
delicious, baby?”
Xander stared at the plate. I knew him well enough to know that
Chapter 5: Surprise, Surprise.
that tick in his jaw was disgust. He stabbed at a ;eaf and chewed with visible effort. “Mmm.” The word was strained. “Delicious.” But his eyes swept through the kitchen, as if he was looking for
something else to eat.
Perfect. Now, it’s time to give him something else to choke on.
“I’ve been thinking,” I began. All three faces turned toward me.
“About last night and everything. I know you’ve made me feel…
uncomfortable.” I looked directly at Xander. “But you know
what? You’re not worth it.”
Xander galced at me warily, sensing something’s off.
“You’re my alpha, my husband. Everyone has the right to fulfill
their own wishes. Even if those wishes seem… meaningless to
others.” I took a deep breath. “So, I’ve decided to fully embrace
our new arrangement. This house is certainly big enough for all
of us.”
Xander shifted uncomfortably. He studied me quietly. I wasn’t
surprised. After all these years, he could tell when I was talking
nonsense,
Mia clapped her hands in excitement, practically bouncing in her seat. “Oh, Jane! I’m so glad you’re being reasonable about this.” She reached across the table to squeeze my hand, which I subtly moved away to adjust my napkin.
)
Chapter 5: Surprise. Surprise.
“Absolutely,” she continued. “It’s the twenty–first century after all. The era of being bound to just one mate is so outdated.” She turned to Xander for confirmation. “Werewolves could have
more than one mate. It’s our nature.”
I smiled. They had no idea what was coming for them. “You’re
right, Mia.” I widened my smile. “Which is why I’ve also gotten
myself a boyfriend.”
The kitchen fell silent. Xander froze, his fork suspended halfway
to his mouth, a piece of lettuce dangling in the air. “Boyfriend?”
Mia’s eyes widened.
I leaned back in my chair, savoring the moment like it was the
hearty breakfast I’d desperately needed. “That’s right dear.” I
picked up a lettuce leaf with my fingers and bit into it. “I think
that’s fair, don’t you? If you want to explore…” I fixed my gaze on
Xander. “Then so do I.”
