“Yeah…” Cherry chuckled. “Could be. And it’s understandable, Em, as they are wary of werewolves leaving another pack. No matter how pretty you are, they need to know you better aside from what I already told them.”
Before I could agree, a hand clamped down on my shoulder. It was Tristan. “Who are you talking to?” His eyes squinted. “What interview are you saying? What pack are you sniffing around? Wanna flirt with other Alphas? Remember you are my mate, Ember!”
“Really?” I shrugged his hand off me like he was no big deal. “And what’s your problem, Tristan? I’m just applying as a telemarketer for other packs,” I lied. Smooth. “I need to be an independent woman. Remember when you said that I was only living in your house?”
Tristan’s face relaxed, all smug now. “Telemarketer for another pack? Bet that no one else would take you.” He gave me that fake, condescending smile. “Go home, Ember. And make sure my coat’s clean when I get back.”
I grabbed his coat from my shoulders and tossed it onto the floor. No thanks. Selene tilted her head at me, like waiting to see Tristan be angry and humiliate me.
“Tristan, you should walk Ember out,” Selene purred, all fake sweetness while staring at me. “She’s… tired.”
I smirked at her before Tristan pulled me to follow. And I should’ve known something was coming… Sure enough, before I make another step forward, Selene stuck her foot out, and I went into a thorn bush of roses.
“Ember!” Tristan reached for me. For a second—one stupid second—I thought he actually cared.
But… Selene gasped like she’d just been stabbed, and Tristan spun around to check on her instead and let me face-down in the thorns. I looked at them and Tristan dusted off Selene’s shoes. Her shoes! Those pairs of Selene’s shoes were more important than me!
“Are you okay?” Tristan asked me, like it was an afterthought when he saw my hand and legs bleeding because of the roses’ thorns. “Want me to take you to the healer?”
Before I could answer, Selene fake-sobbed. “Tristan, it’s our Moonlight Anniversary! You promised you’d spend the whole night with me, right?”
Tristan froze. He was caught between Selene and I.
I made it easy for him. “I’m good, Tristan. Go be the Alpha or whatever you are for the pack and Selene.”