Page 20 of My Grumpy Alpha

Marvin, my driver, opens the door to the black Lamborghini SUV and does a double take of Ava.

I have to clear my throat twice before he looks away and nods in my direction. I shut the door without entering and cross my arms.

“Don’t look at her.”

Marvin’s brown eyes widen.

“I’m sorry, I was just surprised, I won’t stare ever again, please don’t fire me!”

“Well, if you weren’t so good at your job and training me for a marathon, I kind of feel like I probably would.” I curse and look away.

“Sir, your fangs are showing—” He points.

I bat his hand away.

“Why do you think I’m taking a minute to calm down?”

I’m about to be stuck in a small space next to her for the next five minutes before making an appearance at the biggest gala of the year, I cannot werewolf out in front of the press.

“Hold your breath?” Marvin offers.

“It’s a nice night, why don’t I roll down the windows?”

I stare down at my shoes and the cement.

“It would ruin her hair.”

“You hate hair.”

“Hair that’s not attached to the body,” Though briefly I imagine one of her hairs just dangling in the wind and I don’t immediately want to puke. In fact, my mouth salivates more.

No!

Just no.

“Drive,” I bark.

“And make sure to keep the windows cracked.”

He smirks.

“Yes, sir.”

“Stop being amused.” I call after him.

“Yup.” His shoulders move like he’s laughing as he gets in, leaving me to open my own door because he knows I don’t give a shit.

Once I’m in the car, the smell of her hits me like a wall.

“Everything okay?” She smiles over at me.

My lips part. I know I need words to respond to her but all I have are angry ones from my own projection, my own rage, and need to stay far away when every instinct in me tells me to lean in close.

The vein on her neck pulses.

Mating bites only take place there, it’s truly the only thing we have related in our rituals to vampires.

The pulse, the vein, closest to the heart while you claim their blood and soul.