Chapter 43: She's Mine

Zander POV
Loud footsteps approached Cleo’s room where I was hiding out. I wondered who was coming. I prepared to explain myself in case it was her parents. We didn’t need to get reprimanded for leaving the Full Moon pack before our training was over.

Cleo came into the room with an irritated look on her face. I got up from her desk chair that I had been sitting on. It was a little concerning to see how angry she was. I’d never seen Cleo look this level of pissed off. She was flushed and had her hands clenched into tight fists.

Things must’ve gone badly when she talked to Ash. I wanted to know what that asshole had done to her. Ash had never been someone I liked around our pack, but now I absolutely hated him. He was a sad excuse for a future Alpha.

I knew I had to comfort Cleo and let her vent. She seemed like she needed someone to talk to. Holding in anger wasn’t good to do. I knew that from experience in the past. I hoped that her anger wouldn’t stay with her too long.

I came over towards her and wrapped her into a tight hug. “What did Ash do to you? Did he hurt you, Cleo?”

Cleo said, “Yeah he did but don’t worry about it. I slapped him really hard after he touched me.”

I let go of her and inspected her for any signs of injuries. That’s when I noticed she had a purple bruise under her chin. My body flooded with rage, and I wanted to harm Ash more than ever before.

How dare that prick touch her? I needed to teach him a lesson. Ash wasn’t getting away with harming the woman I loved most.

I asked her, “Did he try to make any advances on you? I’ll make him pay.”

Cleo shook her head no and said, “I just hope the engagement ring hit him hard in his ego.”

I smiled a little knowing that she threw her ring at him. But I had to know what made her so mad at him. What had he done?

Cautiously I asked, “What did he do to make you end the engagement?”

Cleo angrily stated, “That asshole cheated on me with Candice. He’s cheated on me since the third day since our engagement.

Rage increased in me when I knew the truth. My rational side told me he wasn’t a threat to Cleo and I anymore. But I was still disgusted by his betrayal. How could anyone do that? Her own sister, really? That was screwed up.

I needed to confront him for making Cleo upset. I didn’t like how Ash had hurt Cleo so deeply.

I wanted to defend Cleo’s honor against a guy like him.

“I’ll be back later. I need to have a talk with Ash Wisteria.”

Cleo’s eyes looked at me with concern. “Please don’t do anything Zander. You’ll only make things worse. I already took care of it.”

“I have to confront him. He disrespected and injured you. I won’t let him do that to you and get away with it. Ash needs put into his place.”

Cleo gently grabbed my wrist and wouldn’t let go. I gave her a pleading look.

“Please let me just talk to him. I’ll try not to beat him to a pulp.”

Cleo sighed and said, “Okay. I’ll trust you not to kill him. But I’m coming if I hear any loud noises from his room."

I walked quickly towards Ash’s room. He wouldn’t know how much he was in trouble. I wasn’t there to have a peaceful one on one talk with him.

I opened his door and barged in. Candice was on top of him and looked at me in an annoyed expression. They made me sick. I couldn’t believe they had the nerve to be together again.

Ash pushed Candice off of him and motioned for her to go.

“But Ash, what if he tries to harm you? I should be here as backup.”

“Just go Candice. I don’t want you hurt babe.”

Candice left the room in a hurry and gave me a death glare as she walked by.

Ash cleared his throat and got out of the bed. He was surprisingly dressed. At least he had some self-control over his hormones.

“What are you doing here Underwood?”

“I heard what you did to Cleo and I’m not happy.”

“Did Cleo ask you to kick my ass or something?”

I shook my head no.

Ash gave an amused look to me and asked, “Are you happy that you can have Cleo now?”

It felt like I’d pop a blood vessel at hearing that question. What was he playing at?

I carefully said, “I’m happy that she won’t be with a piece of shit like you anymore.”

“You sure have colorful language, don’t you Zander?”

I ignored his remark and said, “You’ll pay for hurting Cleo like this.”

Ash shook his head superiorly and asked, “How much do I need to pay? I have a lot of cash.”

“You’re such a dick Ash.”

Ash suddenly had a knowing grin and said, “You shouldn’t talk to me like that. I'm sure you wouldn’t want to end up like your parents.

I gripped his shirt collar in my hands and asked, “What the hell are you saying Wisteria?!”

“I know your parents were killed intentionally. One of them stuck their nose into something they shouldn’t have. Maybe you shouldn’t be threatening me or you’ll get hurt.”

I couldn’t believe the nerve of him. Ash wasn’t in the position to be threatening me. He was in danger of being harmed by me. I knew Cleo didn’t want me to fight him, but he had gone too far. He brought my parents into the conversation.

I wouldn’t let him talk about them like that. Ash had me quite enraged, and I was tempted to throw a punch at him. One more word and I would smack him into next week.

Finally, I asked, “You’re really threatening me right now?”

Ash smirked at me in a knowing way. That struck my last nerve seeing his smug face. Ash needed to brought down from his gigantic ego.

I knocked him to the ground and brought my fist back to slam into his face.