Gavin’s POV
What the hell am I doing? Gavin scolded himself as he watched his Beta leave his office.
Erin didn’t deserve new shoes; not after what she had done to him. He went to call his Beta back to his office and tell him never mind on that last request.
“Don’t you dare!” Roman scowled. “She might be married to someone else, but she will always be yours, you fool! She’s had a bad time; it’s obvious from her place of employment and her shoes alone. She simply won’t survive without your raging cock.”
There was humor in his wolf’s voice.
“Don’t you remember how badly she had hurt us when she left? She rejected us. I made a promise that I would never feel that way again and I’m keeping my word.”
“Yes, Alpha?” Seth asked as he made his way back into Gavin’s office after hearing his name being called.
Gavin stared at Seth for a short while, wanting to tell him never mind, but the words seemed impossible to say out loud.
“Nothing. Just make sure the shoes are comfortable to work in, but nice looking. Her foot is about the size of my hand, so if the size 6 seems too small, try a size 7 or 8.”
“Yes, sir,” Seth said, nodding his head.
He went to turn away again but then paused.
“Should I have them sent to Miss Susanna personally?”
Gavin stifled an eye roll at the mention of Susanna. That power-hungry she-wolf.
“No need; they aren’t for Susanna.”
Seth rose his brows in surprise.
“Not for Susanna? Have you found another? Does Miss Susanna know?”
“It’s not any of her concern and it’s not your concern either, Beta. What Susanna and I have had never been love. She’s after power and fortune, nothing more. I don’t need to explain that to you,” Gavin growled.
Seth blinked a couple of times, trying to wrap his mind around this information.
“But sir… don’t you remember the purpose of your relationship with Miss Susanna?” Seth asked. “The Alpha Convention is only 3 months away and you need a perfect future Luna to assist you in redeeming your reputation and gaining fame."
“What your words,” Gavin snapped, darkness falling over his gaze. “Do you honestly think I need help gaining reputation and fame? I’m capable of doing that without Susanna’s help.”
“But she’s the most respected and beautiful in the kingdom—”
Seth’s words traveled away when he looked into Gavin’s stern, icy glare. He knew better than to continue speaking. He closed his mouth instantly and took a step toward the door.
“I’ll find a good pair of shoes right away,” Seth said, bowing his head slightly to his Alpha.
Gavin watched as Seth hurried out the door.
Gavin has always been such a strong and egotistical person that he is a bit difficult to get along with. However, it is undeniable that he has a great ability to govern the pack and punish corruption with no mercy, but this also offended many nobles as a result.
However, Gavin has never cared about what others think. He wouldn't even be willing to commit himself to find a woman if it weren't for silencing the old guys’ comments at the Alpha conference.
“When is Alpha Gavin ever going to settle down with a nice, she-wolf.”
“An Alpha is only as good as their Luna.”
“A proper pack must have a Luna to help run it.”
Gavin was sick of listening to their banter and decided to pick out a she-wolf to keep them silent. He chose Susanna; she was rich, beautiful, and already had the respect of those around her. Even with all the money she already had, she still wanted more.
Gavin knew this; it wasn’t a relationship made from love. It was made from greed. They both got something out of it. Gavin got the Alphas off his back, and she was getting the power she desperately wanted.
Later in the afternoon, just before an important dinner party with the other Alphas and their Lunas, Seth returned to the office with the box of shoes that Gavin had sent to the restaurant, where Erin worked, only an hour ago.
“She refused them at the door,” Seth explained, placing the box on his desk.
He stared down at the box with a frown; he should have known it wouldn’t have been that easy. He would have to go see her for himself and give her the gift in person.
“Fine,” Gavin said, dismissing Seth.
“I’ll get the car ready to take you to the banquet,” Seth said before leaving his office.
The banquet was being held in a nearby city; one of the biggest cities in the world. It had a large entertainment center where they held most banquets, gatherings, and parties.
Typically, Susanna would have accompanied Gavin to this banquet, but she was out of town on a fashion tour. As a world-famous fashion designer, she traveled a lot. Gavin didn’t mind her not being around; he enjoyed having the space.
The entertainment center was crowded when he got there, but he saw the familiar faces of his fellow Alphas mingling with the guests. They were loud and laughing, just as they often did when they drank.
Gavin was quick to swipe a bottle of whisky from the bar and take a few swigs of it before he began mingling as well.
“Where’s the Mrs.?” One of the Alphas asked, slapping Gavin on the back as a greeting.
“Out of town,” Gavin answered. Not bothering to correct him that Susanna was not his “Mrs.”
“Gavin!” One of his friends called from across the room; he was already plastered and making a fool of himself around a couple of single she-wolves.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Gavin said, dismissing himself from any other questions this Alpha might have had.
He made his way to his friend, Tyler.
Tyler was one of his best friends and his longest friend.
“I thought you would never get here,” Tyler whined, taking a long shot of whisky. It seemed that he too swiped a bottle off the bar.
Gavin smirked at his friend.
“How are you already plastered this early?” Gavin asked, raising his brows. “Settle down before you get yourself kicked out of here.”
“Don’t be a party pooper,” Tyler said with an eye roll. “I’m just trying to have a little fun.”
“Easy on the whisky,” Gavin scolded, yanking the bottle out of his friend’s hand. “Or I’ll drag you out of here myself.”
A banquet was not a frat party and shouldn’t be treated as such.
“And that whisky bottle you’re holding is just a decoration?” Roman laughed. “You aren’t as mature as you think.”
Gavin took another swig of the whisky before setting it down. Old habits were hard to kill.
“Aren’t you head of the committee? Why are you late?” Tyler asked, leaning against Gavin for support.
“I had business to take care of beforehand,” Gavin answered, thinking back to the new shoes that remained on his desk, untouched by the one they were meant for.
He was irritated that Erin had turned them away, but then again, he shouldn’t be surprised.
Gavin was about to make a speech about the opening of the new hospital in the northern region when he heard his phone ringing in his pocket. His speech would have to wait.
He grabbed his phone and smirked when he saw the name that appeared on the screen.
“Hi, Erin. I see you didn’t like my gift,” Gavin said mockingly into the phone.
“That’s not why I’m calling,” Erin said; her voice was firm with zero amusement.
“Then why are you calling?”
“I want my wedding ring back.”
“Wedding ring? What wedding ring?” Gavin asked, a coy smirk on his face.
“My wedding ring,” Erin said; he could tell she was talking through her teeth. He heard the noisy restaurant in the background and knew she was still at work.
“I don’t recall giving you a wedding ring,” he replied, teasingly.
“You know what I’m talking about, Gavin.”
“Though, I suppose I could have given you a wedding ring back when you wanted one. Remember, when we were 18 and you wanted to marry me? But then decided I wasn’t good enough for you, so you dumped me? Have you changed your mind after all these years?”
Erin was quiet for a moment, but after a beat, she replied, “You know that’s not what I mean… we are over.”
“It didn’t feel quite ‘over’ last night.”
“Gavin—”
“You know, now that you’ve mentioned it, I do remember seeing a diamond-encrusted ring. I thought it couldn’t be yours because you never mentioned being married,” he said mockingly.
“So, if that’s the case, I’ll have your ring mailed to your fucking husband!”Gavin's POVBefore Erin could utter a single word, Gavin had hung up the phone.He felt pleased for having the last word; as he shoved his phone into his pocket, he was stunned as arms were wrapped around his broad body. The familiar scent of vanilla filled his nose as the tight embrace continued; he didn’t need to turn around to see who it was.“Surprise!” Susanna said excitedly from behind him.Erin’s POVI involuntarily trembled as I stood in the back corner of the restaurant, hidden and out of sight of the customers. I kept my phone in the tight clutches of my hand, pressed to my ear, long after Gavin had hung up.Was he really going to mail the ring to Henry? No. He didn’t even know my address… “He’s Gavin Pierce,” my wolf, Emily, reminded me. “He can find this information quickly. I do believe you are truly in deep water this time.” She was right. What was I going to do?Last night was truly a mistake; I don’t know what I was thinking, going to his hotel suite. The memories o
Gavin’s POVSusanna wasn’t due to return for another week. Gavin had the understanding that her tour was going to be a month-long, but it’s only been 3 weeks.“I came back early to surprise you,” she explained with a fond look in her eyes. “I just missed you so much.”He forced a smile on his face, though he only felt unsettled by her presence. It’s not that he didn’t like Susanna; she was beautiful, and she would honestly make the perfect Luna for his pack. But he knew she was only after fortune and power. The little fortune and power she had from the fashion industry weren’t enough for her.“If you’ll excuse me, I was about to make an announcement. But tomorrow night, we will enjoy an evening out together.”She beamed at that and kissed his cheek gently.Gavin proceeded to announce the opening of the newest Hospital in the northern region that he personally is funding. He’s a billionaire; it would be stupid if he didn’t spend some of his money to better the kingdom. That’s what kept
Erin’s POVI sat in my car with a heavy heart after my encounter with Gavin. I stared down at my hand where I could see the indent of the ring that once occupied that finger, and I sighed in defeat.I was going to have to tell Henry that I misplaced the ring. He was going to be so upset with me.“Well, if you didn’t insist on not using his money, then you could have gotten that ring,” Emily said with a sigh.“Are you crazy? I couldn’t use his money for something like this. I don’t need his money…” I argued in return. “I get paid in a few days. Maybe I will try again.” I stared out my window; the shadow of Gavin had disappeared long ago. I shouldn’t still be thinking about him, but that woman he was with was very beautiful. I wasn’t aware he had someone as well; I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. He is Gavin Pierce after all; he’s incredibly handsome. It would have been crazy if he didn’t have someone just as beautiful on his arm.I was a nobody in comparison.“Don’t say such ridic
Third Person POVSusanna, beautiful, talented, and noble, was called the wrong name in bed! That has never happened to her before, and she wasn’t liking it.She got out of bed and immediately got dressed.“I didn’t mean to call you by her name,” Gavin tried to explain. “The embarrassment of thinking I saw her earlier was fresh in my mind. It was an honest mistake.”“Is this Erin someone of significance to you?” She asked, folding her arms across her chest.“No. She was just someone I used to know.”“Do I need to be worried?”“Of course not,” he breathed. “I think I’m just tired. Perhaps we can try this again another night?”“That’s fine with me,” she said, feeling a wave of annoyance. She turned away from him without another word and left his room.Whomever this Erin person was, she was getting in the way of her relationship and Susanna was not going to stand for it.As soon as she returned to her car outside of Gavin’s home, she dialed her assistant, Caterina’s, phone number.“I want
Third Person POV“What the hell just happened?!” One of the waitresses yelled, trying to stand to her feet but the floor was too slippery from the water.The waitresses were confused as to where this water had come from all of a sudden. Erin was mopping the floor on the other side of the restaurant. How could she have gotten this water to them so quickly?They looked around frantically, trying to see if there was a leak or something.“Did that bitch splash water at us?!” One of them hissed once she finally managed to get to her feet.They glanced in the direction of Erin but then realized that she was gone.…Gavin’s POVGavin spent the better part of his day in his office. He made a complete fool of himself with Susanna that previous night.He royally fucked up.“Because you want Erin’s sweet—” “Shut up,” Gavin stopped his wolf before he continued his sentence. Though, he knew what his wolf was saying was true.“Beta Seth, did you find anything out about Erin’s husband?” Gavin asked
Erin’s POVGavin was eyeing me carefully; I could feel my face warming. I couldn’t believe he would show up at my place of work like this. He requested me to be his waitress; I was never going to hear the end of it from the others.He briefly glanced at the gentleman that sat across from him at the table; the gentleman was looking between the two of us warily. I recognized him from the news; he often stood beside Gavin during his speeches.Beta Seth.“Seth, leave us for a few moments,” Gavin ordered, keeping his eyes locked on mine.Seth looked uncertain for a moment; hesitant to leave. That is until Gavin turned his glares in his direction.“I’ll be outside,” Seth muttered, standing to his feet. He gave me a sheepish grin before leaving the restaurant.I turned my attention back to Gavin.“I mean it, Gavin. If you don’t leave, I’ll—”“You’ll what? Have me arrested,” he said, a mocking grin on his face. “Nobody has the right to tell me where I can and cannot eat.”“Lucky for me, I’m a
Erin’s POVOf course, I knew that Gavin had abilities. It was rumored that he had many. But I never thought I would actually see him freezing time before my eyes.“Now, where were we?” He asked with a playful look in his eyes and that smirk never leaving his lips.I wasn’t even sure what to say at that point, but I knew what I wanted. I shouldn’t have wanted it as badly as I did. But my heart was racing at lightning speed and Emily was howling excitedly. She wanted this more than I did, and I worried I was about to lose control of her.She was itching to be released and to be with our mate once again. I had to keep silently reminding her that we rejected him and that this wasn’t what we wanted.But I knew I wasn’t going to be strong enough to keep her hidden much longer. Especially while Gavin’s fingers were tracing the underlining of my panties, making me wetter by the moment. His hard cock was itching to be released from his pants as I sat on his lap.I felt his soft lips kissing th
Erin’s POVI pulled myself off him, feeling a wave of shame crossing me. I grabbed my underpants off the ground and slipped them back on, adjusting my skirt and pulling my hair out of my face and into its usual bun.By the time I finished, I turned back to Gavin. He was already fully dressed and standing. I hadn’t even seen him moving.He was watching me with concern in his eyes.I heard what he had said moments ago, but I was trying to play it off like I hadn’t.“You should go…” I told him, trying to keep my tone even.“Erin—”“I’m married, Gavin,” I snapped at him, tears filling my eyes. “Can’t you respect that? Can’t you respect me?”A flash of hurt went through his eyes and for a moment, I thought he was going to argue with me. But he didn’t.He sighed.“I’ll be leaving now,” he said.Soon, I heard the restaurant being brought back to life. Everyone was resuming what they were doing before time was frozen. The clicking on the clock continued and Kelsey’s shadow grew until she was