Page 26 of My Grumpy Alpha

I clench my fists again, my claws dig into my palms.

“Wow.” He shakes his head, his smile gone.

“I guess the rumors about you are the opposite—they’re actually true, a grumpy, rich, bored CEO with anger issues who doesn’t even take into account a woman’s feelings. No wonder you’ve never dated.”

Low blow.

How does he know?

How does anyone know?

“I’m busy.” I snap.

“Too busy to tell a woman she looks beautiful.” He smirks and turns to Ava. Does she have tears in her eyes?

“And you do, look absolutely stunning, don’t listen to him, he’s always got a stick up his ass.” He stands and holds out his hand.

“Should we dance?”

Ava swallows and looks at his hand, then back at me.

“I was actually just going to walk back to my apartment. I should go.” She stands abruptly.

“Nonsense.” Xavier shrugs.

“I’ll drive you.”

My mouth drops open. He’s going to leave just to take her home or just to piss me off?

Ava puts her hands in front of her.

“Oh no, I don’t want to put you out.”

He grabs one of her hands and kisses the back of it.

“It would be an honor.” He places her fingers on his elbow.

“Just give me your address and let this one over here wallow at his empty table with no friends, champagne for miles, and billions of dollars. He’s used to it, after all.”

I jerk like I’ve been punched—he’s not wrong.

All I have is Gabe.

All I have is money.

Loneliness.

An empty table because I’m too intimidating to approach.

A part werewolf side, ready to rage.

And the knowledge that I’ll probably die a virgin.

They walk off hand in hand.

She looks back at me once, hurt etched all over her face. I lift up my empty champagne glass, my smile confident, when my heart is beating so fast I swear the entire room can hear it.

Cheers.