Jealousy

“Did you like my flowers, Mercedes”.
Glary pretends he didn't understand what I just said. I refuse to participate in his games, I’m so fed up with him. I get up and start walking in the direction I came. Trying to control my anger, the man in front of me is the future Alpha of my pack. But I'm so tired of being molested by him. If he thought Zane's absence would weaken me, he's so wrong.
“Mercedes, wait,” he yells behind me, running toward me. He steps in front of me, cuts my way off. “You're not officially Zane's mate yet and I'm crazy about you. Do you blame me for trying to win you over to myself?” When he doesn't get an answer from me, he sighs desperately. “Listen, let me take you home. This evening did not go the way I expected," he finally admits.
I shake my head and try to walk around him. Under no circumstances do I want to be seen with Glary this late at night. Maybe that's his intention, to be seen with me. “No, Alpha, don't bother. I want to enjoy the night a bit more before I go back to bed. I’m going to take a walk.” This time he makes no effort to stop me. I feel his eyes prick my back, but don't look back. Hopefully, this time he got the message and avoids bothering me in the future.
When I'm in my bed again, I can't resist texting Zane. Today we have not spoken, our emotions are too high. ‘I love you, my mate.’ I shake off the guilt that suddenly comes to me and hit the send button. Maybe he's already asleep and will read my message tomorrow. But then I immediately hear my phone vibrate. ‘Love you more, my heart’.
A smile comes across my face. After confronting Glary, this is precisely what I need. But all the way under the covers, sleep can't come. I miss Zane unimaginably. And when I still can't fall asleep two hours later, I know what to do. I jump out of bed again, put on my clothes and grab my bag. Downstairs I see that my parents have already gone to bed, so I leave a note for them on the table. I take the flower basket outside and throw it in the garbage can.
Then I get in my car and drive at high speed to Midnight Moon. That will be a two-hour drive, so I expect to arrive there early in the mornings. As I move near the pack border, I stop so the patrol can detect my car and scent. I hear rustling in the woods and Head Warrior Cleo appears. “Luna, are you okay? You're up late. Does Alpha know you're on the road this late?” he asks concerned, looking at me questioningly. “No, I want to surprise him. Let him finish his work in peace, I'll wait for him in the packhouse”, I let him know. He nods and takes two steps back so that I can continue my way. A thumbs-up as a greeting and I skim into the pack land.
When I parked and walked to the door, I saw Beta Jace waiting for me. “Luna, why didn't you tell me you were coming home? Then I would have fetched you myself," he says reproachfully. "The Alpha won't be happy to hear you were out so late." We walk in and he leads me into the kitchen, where a cup of hot coffee is waiting for me. The Head Warrior clearly notified Jace that I was arriving. “Did you tell Zane I'm here? I'd rather you let him finish his business rather than worry."
Jace nods absently. “He's already worried about you. It's good that you're here, I think he will feel more at ease now," he noted. I look up alarmed. "Why do you say that?" I ask curiously. The Beta looks at me intently. “Is there anything you should tell me, Mercedes? You know you can trust me with all your worries,” he reminds me. I stiffen, Jace probably suspects there's more to me coming here at night. And then I vent to him about Glary making it his job to molest me. And that I don't want to tell Zane everything so as not to stress him unnecessarily. As I speak, Jace stares thoughtfully. “This Alpha is trouble. Zane will have to do something to make it clear to him that you are already taken. This isn't going to end well," he murmurs more to himself.
After chatting for a while, Jace and I go to our own bedrooms. For a moment, I toy with the idea of telling Zane I'm home but give up the idea. I wrap myself in his sheets and sniff his scent that is emphatically present here. It relaxes me enormously and before I know it, I fall into a deep sleep.
It is almost noon when I wake up the next day. After lazily stretching out, I take a warm bath, wear my workout outfit and one of Zane’s sweaters on top. My stomach briefs me I'm ready for reenergizing, so I make my way to the pack kitchen. There I learned that today's training sessions are conducted by the Head Warrior, which makes me smile. Kenry is the only match for me on the training ground after Zane and Jace. This will probably be an easy walk over, I think.
Grinning, I look at my plate of scrambled egg, bacon, pancakes and toast.
A group of she-wolves enters and sit at a table opposite. “Mercedes”, one speaks out to me. I recognize her as Jasmina Keyes, she is deeply in love with Zane and makes no secret of it. The hatred she feels for me shines in her eyes. “See you later on the training ground?” she asks me. Jace growls low and stares at the woman. “Don't try anything, Jasmina”, he warns her. But the woman has her eyes fixed on me. “Yes, I haven't trained with Cleo for a long time”, I respond.
The she-wolf eyes stare at me maliciously. “Then I'll see you later”, she promises me...