Chapter 140
The day started off relatively quiet, which in this packhouse was almost suspicious. Tammy was nowhere to be seen for most of the morning, and for the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe without wanting to punch someone. The twins were playing happily in the garden, Sophie was organizing something in the kitchen, and I was curled up on the couch with a book, savoring the peace.
Of course, it couldn’t last.
By mid-afternoon, Tammy made her grand appearance. She had changed outfits—again—into something that could barely be classified as clothing. A tight red dress clung to her like a second skin, the neckline plunging so low it was practically indecent. She sauntered into the room as if she owned the place, her eyes scanning for Jake.
When she didn’t find him, she pouted dramatically and turned her attention to me.
“Where’s the Alpha?” she asked, her voice sugary sweet, though the venom underneath was impossible to miss.
I didn’t look up from my book. “Busy.”
Tammy huffed, clearly annoyed by my lack of interest. “Well, he should make time for me. After all, I’m supposed to be the next Luna.”
I snapped my book shut, glaring at her. “Don’t count on it.”
She smirked, tilting her head in that infuriating way of hers. “We’ll see.”
Before I could respond, the door opened, and Jake walked in, looking as effortlessly powerful as ever. His presence filled the room, and I had to force myself not to stare.
“Alpha!” Tammy practically purred, her entire demeanor shifting as she sashayed over to him.
Jake barely glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Tammy.”
She batted her lashes and placed a hand on his arm, leaning in far too close. “I was just thinking we should spend more time together. After all, we need to... get to know each other better.”
I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. Jake, to his credit, didn’t seem remotely interested.
“I’m busy,” he said flatly, stepping away from her.
But Tammy wasn’t deterred. She followed him like a shadow, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Oh, come on, Alpha. Just a few minutes. We could talk, or maybe take a walk—”
Before I could witness more of this trainwreck, I decided I’d had enough. Standing, I cleared my throat loudly.
“Tammy, don’t you have something else to do?”
She shot me a glare over her shoulder. “Why don’t you stay out of it, *omega*?”
I bristled, my wolf growling in my mind. But before I could respond, Tammy turned back to Jake and—out of nowhere—grabbed his face and kissed him.
My brain short-circuited.
For a moment, Jake seemed too stunned to react, his body stiffening in surprise. But as soon as he regained his senses, he pushed her away, his eyes blazing with anger.
“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded, his voice cold and furious.
Tammy looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes, as if she hadn’t just crossed every line imaginable. “I—I thought—”
But she didn’t get to finish her pathetic excuse because, before I knew it, I was across the room. My hand swung before I could stop myself, the sound of the slap echoing through the room.
Tammy gasped, her hand flying to her cheek as she stared at me in shock.
“How *dare* you?” she shrieked, her voice so shrill it hurt my ears.
I was seething, my wolf practically clawing to the surface. “How dare *I*? How dare *you*! Throwing yourself at the Alpha like a desperate little—”
“Ayla,” Jake interrupted, his tone sharp.
I turned to him, my chest heaving with anger. “Don’t you *Ayla* me! She kissed you!”
Jake pinched the bridge of his nose, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here. “I’m aware.”
“Do something about it!” I demanded, gesturing wildly at Tammy, who was still clutching her cheek and glaring daggers at me.
“I will,” Jake said, his voice calm but firm. He turned to Tammy, his expression icy. “Leave.”
Tammy blinked, clearly not expecting him to side with me. “But Alpha—”
“Now,” he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Her bottom lip trembled, but she quickly composed herself. Lifting her chin, she turned and stormed out of the room, muttering something under her breath about “ungrateful wolves.”
As soon as she was gone, the tension in the room eased slightly, though my anger hadn’t entirely subsided. I turned back to Jake, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Well?”
“Well, what?” he asked, arching a brow.
“What are you going to do about her?”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I told her to leave, didn’t I?”
“That’s not enough,” I said, frustration bubbling up again. “She’s been causing trouble since the moment she got here. She disrespects everyone, bullies the workers, and now she’s throwing herself at you!”
Jake stepped closer, his gaze intense. “Why does it bother you so much?”
I faltered, caught off guard by the question. “Because—because she’s awful!”
He smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. “That’s not the real reason.”
I glared at him, refusing to admit what we both knew. “Don’t flatter yourself, Alpha.”
His smirk widened, and he took another step toward me, closing the distance between us. “ Ayla.”
I scoffed, trying to ignore the way my heart raced whenever he got too close.
My cheeks flushed, and I took a step back, needing some space to breathe. “Just... deal with her, okay? For everyone’s sake.”
He studied me for a moment, his expression softening slightly. “I’ll handle it.”
Satisfied—for now—I nodded and turned to leave. But as I reached the door, Jake’s voice stopped me.
“Ayla.”
I glanced back, my hand on the doorknob.
“Next time, try not to slap anyone.”
I rolled my eyes, unable to stop the small smile that tugged at my lips. “No promises.”
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