(Quinn's perspective)
The sun dipped low, drenching the driveway in hues of orange and crimson as Alexander and I stepped out of the Diaz pack house. The weight of the tense meeting clung to the air, but Alexander strutted beside me as if he hadn't a care in the world. Confidence radiated from him—the kind that screamed Alpha. Broad shoulders, sharp blue eyes that practically sliced through you, and that maddening, smug smirk etched across his face. His dark hair, with just the faintest hints of silver, caught the fading light. Arrogance practically dripped off the man.
We reached the driveway, and I turned to face him, ready to deliver a polite goodbye—the professional, clean-cut kind with a handshake and a smile. But of course, Alexander had to ruin that.
Instead of shaking my hand, he took it. His grip was firm, but not rough. And before I could process what was happening, he lifted it to his lips.
His lips.
"You are an extraordinary woman, Miss Quinn Wayne," he said, voice smooth as silk, like he was auditioning for a damn romance film. "When this whole thing is over, I hope you'll consider being my wife."
What.
My brain short-circuited. Was this some kind of twisted Alpha joke, or had he really just proposed to me? Shock gave way to disgust, which quickly morphed into the urge to burst out laughing.
"Don't you already have a Luna?" I managed, disbelief clawing at my chest. "And—what was it? Two mistresses?"
I expected him to backpedal, laugh it off, or at least look embarrassed. Nope. Alexander just smiled, that infuriating, self-satisfied grin never wavering.
"I do," he admitted casually. "But I'll downgrade my Luna if it means making you my Luna."
Downgrade?
My lips curled into a wicked smile before I could stop them. If he wanted to play games, fine. I could play too.
"Well," I said sweetly, leaning in just enough to make my point, "I don't like sharing."
I should've left it there. Walked away with my dignity intact. But no, I had to taunt him.
His expression darkened, eyes narrowing in a way that made my stomach twist. "If you'll be my Luna," he said, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "I'll divorce my wife and get rid of the mistresses without hesitation."
I blinked, caught between flattery and outright horror. "So easy to get rid of your wife," I snapped. "For someone who hasn't even given you the time of day."
Alexander tilted his head, studying me with that unnerving intensity that made my skin crawl. Then, as if he'd won some unspoken battle, he smiled.
"You're a desired woman, Quinn," he said. "By Cale, one of the most powerful Alphas in the area, and even by the angry power-hungry boy himself inside."
My heart skipped a beat, and I straightened, crossing my arms over my chest. "He's not a boy anymore," I shot back defensively.
Alexander raised a brow, clearly amused. "Interesting defense," he mused. "But where do you think I got the idea?"
He gestured vaguely toward the house, his meaning clear. My mind raced. Did Luca—No. That was absurd.
"Don't look so surprised," Alexander said. "It's obvious."
"Obvious?" I repeated, incredulous. "What's obvious?"
"That he wants you," Alexander said simply, as if he were commenting on the weather.
Heat rushed to my face. This conversation had officially veered into the Twilight Zone.
"Cale better be careful," Alexander added, his tone playful. "I might just steal you from him."
I snorted. "You're insane."
"Perhaps," he said with a shrug. "But a woman of your caliber is worth fighting for."
Before I could retort, a deep, guttural growl echoed from inside the Diaz house. The sound hit me like a jolt of electricity, adrenaline surging through my veins.
Without thinking, I turned toward the door, ready to run back inside. But Alexander's hand shot out, gripping my arm.
"What the hell are you doing?" I snapped, trying to pull free.
"Stay out of it," he said, voice calm but firm.
"What?" I glared at him. "You can't be serious. That sounded—"
"It's not your fight," he cut me off. "This is pack business. You're not a Luna here, Quinn."
I hesitated, torn between logic and instinct. He was right—it wasn't my place. But still…
With a frustrated sigh, I yanked my arm free and marched to the car. Alexander watched me, his expression unreadable.
As I opened the car door, he called out. "See you later, beauty." His voice was light, almost teasing.
I rolled my eyes. "Don't count on it," I muttered, sliding into the back seat beside Kimmy.
Derek started the engine, waiting for Alexander to drive out first. As we sat there, my thoughts spiraled back to Alexander's words.
A desired woman? If only he knew how much I didn't want to be desired—not by Cale, not by Alexander, not by anyone. And that growl… considering the way Luca's father had looked before we left, I wouldn't be surprised if things had escalated inside.
With the wedding fast approaching, everything was on the brink of chaos.
Just as Derek was about to pull out, the car screeched to a halt. My door flew open, and a large hand clamped around my wrist.
I gasped, heart slamming against my ribs. The raw power behind that grip was unmistakable.
Luca.
His eyes burned with fury, jaw clenched so tight I thought it might shatter. Without a word, he yanked me out of the car.