entered from the other side of the woods, spotting Chad’s cabin up ahead.
But he stopped short when he saw it. The lights were on, the windows illuminated.
Jason checked his watch as he approached the house. To his surprise, more time had passed than he’d thought—over a couple of hours. The dinner was likely over, the party still going on.
He watched as Chad passed in front of the window, Jason ducking behind a nearby tree so as not to be seen.
This is fucking weird. Why the hell did he ditch his own party?
Part of him screamed for him to leave, that it wasn’t any of his business.
But he couldn’t help himself. He was curious and wanted to get closer.
When he saw Lexi pass in front of the window, he was determined to figure out what the hell was going on.
Jason moved closer and closer, finally reaching the side of the cabin, close enough that he could hear through the window. He held still, listening to the conversation.
“...don’t know why you wanted me to come here,” said Lexi. “People are going to think it’s strange that we’re both gone.”
“Who cares?” asked Chad. “It’s my party and I can do whatever the hell I want. And right now, I want to be with you.”
“Well, I don’t know what you expect to happen. We can’t, you know, do anything until the wedding night.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Jason poked his head up and watched as Chad crossed the room, putting his hands on Lexi’s hips. It was obvious she was uncomfortable, hating his touch.
“Come on, babe,” said Chad. “Loosen up a little. You want some wine or something?”
“What, so you can get me drunk?”
“No, so you don’t look like I’m fucking torturing you or some shit.” Then Chad’s face lit up. “I’ve got a badass idea. Go upstairs and put on the dress.”
“What?”
“The wedding dress. I had it delivered here last night.”
“What are you talking about? I’m wearing the dress my mom wore when she got married.”
“That thing?” Chad scoffed. “That’s like, a million years old. No, I got you something better.”
“You bought another dress without asking me? In what universe is that OK?”
“In the universe where I’m the alpha.”
“Not the alpha yet.”
“Will be soon. It’s on the bed. Go upstairs and try in on.”
“But—”
Chad hardened his expression. “You’re about to be my omega, Lexi. Tomorrow night, I’m going to imprint. So, you might want to do yourself a favor and learn how to take orders from me—because I’ve got a lot in mind I’ll be giving. Now go.”
Anger welled up in Jason. For a brief moment, he considered rushing into the house and clocking Chad across the face.
But he said nothing, did nothing. Lexi flashed Chad a hard expression before stomping off, going up the stairs, and disappearing.
Minutes later, she returned.
Jason couldn’t believe what he saw.
She had on a wedding dress, but it was a dress unlike any that he’d ever seen before. It was short, the hem barely covering her thigh. And the top was low enough to make it seem like the slightest wrong move would send her tits spilling out for anyone to see.
And she didn’t look happy in it.
“Hell yeah,” said Chad, getting up and coming over to her. “This is...so fucking hot. I knew you’d look killer in it, but man, I didn’t expect this.”
“It’s too much,” she said. “I look cheap.”
“You look like the hottest fucking omega I’ve ever seen. All the betas are going to be so jealous when they see this shit.”
Lexi rolled her eyes.
“Now,” said Chad. “Take it off.”
“What?”
“Take it off. You look good with it on, but I bet you look even better with it on the floor. Now, take it off.”
“What were you doing out in the woods today?”
Jason cocked his head to the side as if wanting to make sure he’d heard her correctly.
“What?” asked Chad.
“I saw you today,” said Lexi. “You were out in the woods with a bunch of shifters I know aren’t in our clan. What were you doing?”
Chad was taken aback. “What the fuck? I wasn’t out in the fucking woods today.”
Very cool, thought Jason. He’s a fucking liar, too. Charming.
“I know you were,” she said. “I saw you with my own two eyes. And I smelled you, too.”
“I don’t know what you think you saw, but it sure as hell wasn’t me.”
“Tell me the truth, Chad,” she said, her tone firm. “Tell me why you were meeting in secret with other packs’ alphas.”