Page 17 of Two Years Gone

Chapter 9

ZANE

I paced around my room, wrestling with my thoughts. I knew I was better than this, getting frustrated and jealous over some girl. My wolf was angry that I continued to scare her off.

She didn’t seem affected by the mate bond at all. It was like she really was over me. Was it so easy for her to get over an alpha? That stung my ego. Shouldn’t I be stronger than that?

I decided I needed to calm myself down, maybe find a distraction. She might not be affected at all, but I was about to lose my mind.

I made my way back downstairs into the common area, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and took a long drink.

“Zane.”

I looked up to see Mariah standing in front of me, scantily dressed and offering herself to me. I rushed her, my lips crushing hers as I lifted her onto the counter.

We lost ourselves in a fury of grinding and sucking until I heard a cough off to the side.

ELLA

Mom joined Declan and me from the other room, laughing asshe saw us delving into a quart of ice cream.

“We should probably head up. I need to check on the pulled pork and you need to finish those salads.”

We all went back to the kitchen together, where we were surprised to see Zane and Mariah going at it right on the counter, half-naked and in the throes of lust where anyone could walk in and see them.

My mom let out a cough, and they looked up to see the three of us standing there. They both straightened themselves out and Mariah gave me a wicked smile.

“Jealous?”

“Not in the least,” I replied.

“You really think you’ll ever find another mate? You tried to get your hands on this one, but you were nothing to him,” she huffed before hopping off the counter.

I glared at her.

“Oh, so you’re his mate?”

I saw Mariah’s eyes brighten and then fill with disappointment when Zane looked away.

“She’s a friend.”

I smiled as I heard my mother try to stifle a laugh.

Mariah glared at Sophie.

“How dare you—”

I stood tall and, with every bit of confidence I possessed, berated her, “No. How dareyou! Coming in here and making a mess and a scene where we have to work. Have you no decency?”

The look on Mariah’s face was priceless. She stammered for a minute before finding herself and yelling at me, “You have no right to speak that way, Omega! Zane, do something!”

I glared at Zane and Mariah, my anger reaching new heights.

“And you have no right to be in here making our job more difficult! Do you see this mess? Pans and dishes all overthe floor, spilled water—do you seriously think of no one but yourself?”

Mariah began to speak again before I interrupted her.

“Leave.” I waved my hand dismissively before meeting Zane’s eyes again.