Axel

I fucking hate wearing a suit. I pull at my collar and try to resist the urge to tear my dress shirt right off. I’m much more at home in jeans and a t-shirt. Hell, I’d rather wear my hockey uniform than this dumb suit. When I started playing for the Blood Moon Bashers, I didn’t realize how often I’d have to be wearing a goddamn suit.

Some wolves are right at home in a suit. Before I was cast out of the Lunar Moon pack, I was eligible to rise up through the ranks as an Alpha or Beta. But I fucked things up way before I ever had a chance to dress up with the upper-level pack members. I suppose that’s what I get for making poor life choices. Now, I’m just a grunt on skates. Most of the time, I’m too angry at the world to think of anything but staying alive for another game.

My best friend Levi comes up to me and nudges me with his shoulder. “Why are you staring at the door?” he asks. “Go get some food. It’s crazy good.”

Before I can respond, Levi shoves a cherry tomato in my mouth. I glare at him while I’m forced to suddenly chew. If anyone but Levi dared to do something like this, I would probably punch them in the face. I would be happy to ruin my good suit and theirs in a brawl right here in this fancy-ass restaurant. Instead, I just scowl.

Levi’s right. The food is good. I’m not much of a vegetable guy, but this cherry tomato is weirdly delicious.

I didn’t even want to come tonight. But Blake fucking Devoe would’ve had my head if I didn’t make an appearance. I hate that guy. I’ve always hated that guy. He has the power to make my life a living hell, and I’m barely able to keep it together around him. The fact that he’s friends with my mate makes me want to tear my skin off.

Or, not my mate. I rejected her. She’s just Evalyn.

But even if she’s just Evalyn, I can’t stop my blood from boiling when I think of the two of them being chummy. What the hell does she even see in that guy?

Levi shakes me out of my thoughts when he makes a low whistle. I see him staring at the door, and I turn to see what’s gotten his attention.

And then I nearly choke on the cherry tomato in my mouth.

Blake and Evalyn have just walked in, and Evalyn looks fucking…radiant. Like something out of a fairy tale. She’s wearing a silver dress that hugs her curves absolutely perfectly. Her heels are made out of some sort of clear material that makes them look like glass. Her legs go on for days, and the neckline of the dress reveals the soft curve of the tops of her breasts. Her eyes are bright, more amber than brown. And the smile on her face makes me feel like my heart has just been hit by lightning. My insides jolt and then quiver. Goddamn. Mate bond or not, Evalyn will always be the sexiest, most beautiful girl in any room. I try not to drool.

Then Evalyn turns and I see that not only is her dress stunning, it’s also backless. An expanse of smooth, perfect, golden skin has me completely frozen, staring openly. And then I realize that her skin is laid bare for anyone in the entire restaurant to see. The whole fucking alpha male hockey team can see. I have a sudden urge to grab the nearest tablecloth and throw it over her body. I want to lift her over my shoulder and carry her out of here so that no one else can see how sexy her back is.

And then Blake puts his hand on Evalyn’s back. He puts his hand on my mate’s naked back and slides it down the curve of her spine. The move is possessive and casual, and it causes a growl to rip through me.

Levi grabs my bicep. “Um, Axe. Dude.”

I can barely keep hold of my wolf. It’s raging right under my skin, and I’m seconds away from exploding into an animal and ripping Blake’s smug throat out. It’s like my whole body is burning.

Levi gives me a gentle shake. “Axe, man. You’re growling. Like ‘wolf about to kill you’ growling.”

I don’t care that I’m growling. Because Blake fucking Devoe has his hands on my mate’s bare back.

Evalyn chooses that moment to turn and lock eyes with me.

Before I even know what I’m doing, I stalk toward her and Blake. I’m vaguely aware of Levi’s urgent whispers behind me, but I ignore him. Evalyn’s eyes widen as I get closer. The scent of sugar and violets gets stronger, practically bringing me to my knees. I stop and stand a few feet in front of her, and suddenly, everyone and everything else disappears. It’s just the two of us, and nothing else matters. My wolf can feel Evalyn’s heartbeat. It’s thrumming, fluttering like a hummingbird’s wings, and her chest rises and falls with her rapid breathing.

She gulps, and I watch as a tempting rosy blush spreads over her face and down over her collarbones. I desperately want to see just how far down that flush extends. I want to place my hands on it, feel the heat of it. I look into her eyes, and I swear I see the same desire pass through her.

“Axel Hayworth!”

Blake’s booming voice breaks the moment. He claps a strong hand on my shoulder. “My main man! I’m glad to see you here.” He turns to gesture at Evalyn. “Doesn’t our doc Torres look delicious tonight?”

I turn my eyes to Blake. Delicious? I think. How does he know if she’s delicious?

Before I can snarl out a threat at Blake like I want to, Evalyn speaks up. “Hey, I’m thirsty. I’m going to go get a drink.” She steps away, and I break eye contact with Blake to follow her to the bar.

In fact, I intend to follow her everywhere tonight. For some damn reason. I glance at her golden skin in front of me. Actually, maybe the reason is so that no one else can see her in this torturous backless dress.

And it is torturing me. It’s like Evalyn’s only job is to torture me. All she has to do is just exist and it tortures me. I don’t want anyone else here to see just how sexy of an angel she really is. If I have to watch anyone flirt with her tonight, I might not survive.

I watch as Evalyn orders a white wine at the bar, then turns. She looks startled to see me standing so close, but she recovers quickly. Then she smirks.

I clear my throat. “You’re looking…stunning. Tonight.” I say.

She raises her eyebrows at me, a glint of something mischievous in her eyes. “‘Stunning’?” she asks. “Not…‘delicious’?”

I swallow. I have no idea how to respond to that. Evalyn Torres is either flirting with me, or she’s making my life hell on purpose. I watch as she takes a long, slow sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving mine. She lowers the glass, and my gaze travels down to her lips as she licks the wine from them.

I want to know how that wine tastes on Evalyn’s lips. I feel my heart thudding.

I need to get away from her. Like, right now.

Because if I don’t, I’m going to kiss her. If I don’t get her physically away from me, I’m going to pull her to me and kiss her greedily in front of Blake Devoe and the entire hockey team..

But that obviously cannot happen. I need to make her mad enough that she stays away from me for the rest of the night. Or, ideally, for the rest of time.

I dig deep into my mind, searching for the meanest thing I can think of to say. Then I fold my arms and smirk at her. “So, Evalyn,” I say. I glance over at Blake, now chatting with a handful of other players. I turn my gaze back to the woman in front of me. “Is that how you got this job?” I ask. “Sleeping with the boss?”