ZADE’S POV
The rain started the mont we stepped outside Sky Mansion.
A cold breeze moved through the front yard. Dark clouds were already in the sky.
Shit. I didn’t have an umbrella.
Before I could go back inside to get one for Sophia, soone was already standing outside waiting.
Lance.
My wolf imdiately growled.
Lance stood in front of us with a large black umbrella in his hand. Rain splashed against his shoulders, but he barely seed to notice. The mont he saw Sophia step outside, concern filled his face.
He walked forward without hesitation.
"Sophia," he said softly.
Before I could react, he raised the umbrella and carefully positioned it over her head. His entire focus was on her.
My jaw tightened. Inside , my wolf growled louder.
“Mine.”
Sophia looked surprised by the gesture.
"You didn’t have to stand out here in the rain," she said.
Lance smiled "I didn’t want you getting wet."
My wolf nearly lost his mind.
I stared at the umbrella, then at Lance, then back at the umbrella.
Sothing about the sight irritated far more than it should have. A deep feeling of jealousy filled .
Sophia was standing beneath his protection, under his umbrella. She had his full attention and concern.
I fucking hated it. I absolutely hated it.
I stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Sophia’s waist.
Sophia nearly jumped from shock "Zade!"
I ignored her. My wolf felt much better imdiately.
Lance’s smile disappeared.
Good.
"What are you doing?" Sophia demanded.
"Making sure you don’t fall."
"You were standing two feet away from ."
"I move fast."
She stared at . I stared back.
Lance sighed heavily.
For the first ti since I’d t him, I saw genuine annoyance in his expression.
"Can we leave now?" he asked.
"Of course," I replied pleasantly.
My wolf laughed.
Lance was glaring at hard. He definitely wanted to punch .
That knowledge made entirely too happy.
The rain continued falling around us as we moved to the car. Sophia tried several tis to free herself from my grip, but I refused to let go. She was still recovering. That was my excuse, and I planned to use it as often as possible.
When we reached the vehicle, Lance opened the rear passenger door.
I imdiately guided Sophia toward it.
Sophia looked confused. Lance looked suspicious.
I looked innocent or at least I tried to.
"Sophia first," I said.
She carefully climbed into the back seat. The second she settled inside, I climbed in after her.
"What are you doing?" Lance asked.
I looked at him "Getting in the car."
His eye twitched "You can stay in the front."
"No. Drive before the rain gets worse."
For several seconds, neither of us moved. The atmosphere beca tense.
Sophia looked exhausted already.
Finally, Lance rubbed his forehead and muttered sothing under his breath before closing the door.
A mont later, he climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Victory” My wolf practically howled.
Sophia turned toward "You’re impossible."
I smiled "You’ve ntioned that before."
The car pulled away from Sky Mansion.
Rain tapped softly against the windows.
The atmosphere inside the vehicle should have been peaceful. Unfortunately, I was sitting beside Sophia and Lance was driving...which ant peace was impossible.
Sophia leaned back against the seat. She still looked tired.
The bruises on her face had faded more now but I knew her body was still healing. Every ti I looked at her, anger burned inside my chest again.
The people who had hurt her were lucky she kept stopping . Otherwise, much worse would have happened.
"Are you comfortable, Sweetheart?" I asked.
Sophia turned her head toward . Lance’s hands tightened around the steering wheel.
My wolf purred “Excellent”.
I would make sure Lance knew exactly who Sophia belonged to.
Sophia narrowed her eyes "Don’t call that."
"Why?"
"Because it’s weird."
"It isn’t."
"It is."
I smiled "Sweetheart."
She groaned but she smiled later on.
Lance suddenly spoke "She’s clearly uncomfortable."
I looked at him "Did I ask?"
His jaw tightened.
Sophia looked like she wanted to jump out of the moving vehicle.
The rest of the ride continued much the sa way.
Every few minutes, I found another excuse to call her sweet nas.
"Sweetheart, do you need water?" I asked her.
"No." she muttered.
"Sweetheart, are you cold?"
"No."
"Sweetheart-"
"Zade."
"Yes, Sweetheart?"
Lance nearly missed a turn. He kept glaring at through the rearview mirror.
My wolf was having the ti of his life.
Sophia buried her face in her hands. I’d never seen soone look so embarrassed.
And honestly? It was adorable.
The closer we got to the venue, the more luxurious the surroundings beca. Elegant buildings appeared on either side of the road. There were expensive cars at the entrance area.
Eventually, the car slowed down.
"We’re here," Lance announced.
I looked through the window.
The dinner venue looked magnificent.
There was a grand building in front of us, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and glowing lights. Luxury vehicles filled the parking area, and dozens of important guests were already arriving.
Then I saw sothing else or rather soone.
My smile disappeared when I saw who it was.
Damien.
He stood near the entrance and Tiffany was beside him.
For a brief mont, I glanced toward Sophia. I imdiately noticed the change in her expression.
Her face went still, too still. That worried . Because I knew exactly what she was looking at.
Damien had just stepped out of his car. Rain continued falling around him. Without hesitation, he removed his coat and placed it over Tiffany’s shoulders. Then he opened her door fully and helped her out.
His movents were gentle. He paid full attention to her.
Pain flashed through Sophia’s eyes before she quickly hid it, but I saw it. My wolf saw it too.
And suddenly my jealousy toward Lance disappeared. All I felt now was anger toward Damien.
Sophia turned her face toward the window. She pretended she hadn’t seen anything. She was pretending it didn’t hurt but I knew better.
A woman didn’t spend years loving a man and stop caring overnight, especially not after everything she’d been through.
The car ca to a stop. Lance got out first.
I ca out as well. Rain continued falling lightly.
The mont Sophia’s door opened, both Lance and I reached out our hands at the exact sa ti.
The situation instantly beca awkward.
Sophia blinked. Lance stared at . I stared at Lance.
Neither of us moved. The rain continued falling.
Several nearby guests were already watching.
Sophia looked mortified. For a mont, she simply sat there.
Then she sighed. Slowly, she placed her hand into Lance’s.
My smile disappeared. My wolf snarled.
Lance looked far too pleased with himself.
I wasn’t pleased at all, not even a little.
Sophia stepped out of the vehicle while Lance supported her. The mont her feet touched the ground, I noticed her shiver.
The evening air was cold and she was still weak. Instantly, I removed my coat.
Sophia noticed. Her eyes widened.
"Zade, don’t." she said.
Too late.
I stepped forward and wrapped the coat around her shoulders.
She looked at “Thank you”
Victory.
My wolf looked smug.
Lance looked annoyed. Another victory.
I adjusted the coat more securely around her shoulders.
Rain continued falling softly around us. The lights from the venue reflected in Sophia’s eyes.
She looked beautiful. Even tired, even injured, she looked amazing.
I lowered my voice "If you need anything tonight, call . If you’re tired, call ."
She remained silent. Her cheeks turned slightly pink.
"If soone bothers you-" I continued.
"Zade."
I smiled "What?"
Her expression softened as she looked at . Sothing warm moved in her eyes. It vanished quickly, but I still caught it.
For so reason, that tiny reaction felt more valuable than any victory I’d ever achieved.
The coat remained around her shoulders, exactly where it belonged.
My wolf purred inside “Mine”
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