Page 22 of The Wolf's Captive
“Bonjour,” Zoe said, extending her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, too.”
They shook hands, Zoe holding on for slightly too long before Malone dislodged himself. A growl rose up my throat as my blonde friend flicked her hair and fluttered her eyelashes up at him.
Noticing my aggravation, Zoe laughed, putting her dainty hand with her long polished nails on her chest. “Oh, Della, there’s no need to be like that. Malone is mated to you, not me.” Her dismissal was accompanied by a slightly smug smile before she ripped her eyes away from my mate and looked at me. “I heard what you did, Mon Cherie. I’m so proud of you.”
It was my turn to dismiss the fuss she made. She was a dramatic she-wolf who clearly liked the attention she got from other wolves. It was a good job we were leaving Paris first thing in the morning, or I might have found it hard to be around her. At least until the bonding ritual had been completed.
Not that Malone had mentioned it. No doubt, he would want to wait until I’d disconnected from Kieran. There was that pang of disgust and regret, all rolled into one. I hated that the werewolf had a hold over me, even when not in my presence.
“It wasn’t much. What can I say? Being a hybrid is handy.”
“And extraordinary,” a masculine voice interrupted me.
Turning, I raised my eyebrows at Victor Roberts. He stood in a long deep red cloak, his dark hair fastened at his neck with a material bow. How did the man manage to pull off such an outrageous outfit?
“Victor!” Zoe almost screeched, throwing her arms around the warlock.
Wincing, the male cleverly stepped out from the she-wolf’s embrace and moved her to the side of him. “For a French person, you’re overly-dramatic,” he muttered.
I had to admit, Zoe was usually calm and collected, but tonight, she was on the edge, her gaze flicking around the room.
“I’m Victor Roberts.” The warlock extended his hand to Malone.
My mate narrowed his gaze before taking his palm and squeezing tight. “I’m Malone Blakesley.”
The corner of Victor’s lip lifted. “Ah, she’s been keeping you quiet. I’m not surprised, you are rather delicious.”
What was it with everyone hitting on my man?
“She’s been keeping me quiet because she knows I’ll kill anyone who interferes in her life.”
Oh, my sexy alpha’s hackles had risen unexpectedly. I had never seen Malone face off with a warlock before. Why would he feel threatened by the eccentric man who clearly preferred him?
“Sorry,” Zoe interrupted, her eyes widening as she looked over my shoulder, “will you excuse me?”
Nodding, I watched her wander over to Louis, who had entered with his arm around his sister.
A burst of laughter exploded from Victor, bringing my attention back to him. “Don’t worry,” he said to Malone, “you have nothing to fear from me. In fact, I’ve offered to help Della to disconnect from that scoundrel.”
“You have?”
Malone frowned down at me, his glare burning into my soul. Ah, yeah, I hadn’t exactly had much of a chance to tell him about Victor. Plus, what he was asking in exchange wasn’t realistic. How could he expect me to even talk to the coven who disowned me, let alone persuade them to give him the leadership?
“Oh.” Eyeing me, Victor frowned. “I’m sorry, I assumed she would’ve told you.”
Grunting, I frowned at the warlock, wishing that he would just fuck off. But no… instead, he moved to link his arm through Malone’s, looking up at him with hooded eyes.
“Let’s go somewhere quieter,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll be interested to hear what I have to say.”
Rolling his eyes, Malone shrugged the man off him. “No need to butter me up,” he snapped, “just tell it like it is.”
“Guys,” I tried as they walked towards the entranceway and out into the courtyard.
They outright ignored me, talking between themselves in hushed voices. When they reached the fountain, I joined them, taking Malone’s hand in mine as a show of unity.
He kept his fingers loose, not returning the pressure as he watched the warlock, who had just explained how he’d managed to disconnect wolves from their mates.
“Why would anyone do such a thing?” Malone’s brown amber eyes were scrunched at the corner.