Chapter 77
Rebecca’s POV
1
I smiled, typing back a quick confirmation. When I looked up, Diana was watching me with a maternal sort of
fondness.
“Plans for the day?” she asked.
“Lunch with my friend Sophia,” I explained. “She wants me to meet her new boyfriend.”
“Would you like Raymond to drive you?”
I nodded gratefully. As much as I valued my independence, after everything that had happened, the thought of
Raymond’s silent, watchful presence made my shoulders relax.
“I’ll let him know,” Diana said, turning to leave. She paused at the doorway. “Miss Brown? It’s good to see you smile
again.”
The restaurant Sophia had chosen was sleek and modern, with floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking a small
courtyard garden. Raymond dropped me off at the entrance with a promise to return when I called.
I spotted Sophia immediately – her vibrant personality always made her the center of attention in any room. She was gesturing animatedly as she spoke to a handsome man seated across from her. Her face lit up when she saw me
approaching.
“Rebecca!” she exclaimed, jumping up to embrace me. “God, I’ve missed you!”
I hugged her back, carefully keeping pressure off my healing shoulder. “It’s only been a few days,” I laughed.
“Too long,” she insisted, pulling back to examine me. “You look great! That blue really brings out your skin.”
She turned to the man beside her, who had risen politely when I approached. “Rebecca, this is Dylan Hurst, the photographer I told you about. Dylan, this is my best friend Rebecca.”
Dylan was tall and lean, with sandy blonde hair and alert hazel eyes. He was handsome in a refined way, with high cheekbones and a strong jaw. But what struck me immediately was the familiar scent – subtle but unmistakable. Wolf.
My stomach tightened instinctively, I’d been around enough werewolves now to recognize one immediately, even before they made themselves known.
He took my hand and brought it to his lips in an old–fashioned gesture. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Rebecca. Sophia talks about you constantly.”
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Chapter 77
His touch lingered a moment too long, his nostrils flaring slightly as he caught my scent. I saw recognition flash in
his eyes
1
he knew I was living with an Alpha. My skin crawled where he touched me, and I fought the urge to wipe my hand against my dress.
“She didn’t mention you were so beautiful,” he added with a charming smile.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Dylan,” I replied, carefully extracting my hand. There was something about his manner that felt… practiced. Too smooth. My instincts screamed caution.
He pulled out my chair with a flourish. “Please, sit. I’ve already ordered champagne to celebrate our meeting.”
As I sat down, I noticed how attentively he treated Sophia, refilling her water glass and adjusting her napkin with practiced care. “As a Beta, serving exceptional women is my privilege,” he said with a wink.
Throughout lunch, I observed Dylan’s behavior with growing discomfort. He was the perfect gentleman – cutting Sophia’s steak into bite–sized pieces, making sure her wine glass was never empty, complimenting her repeatedly. But his eyes kept finding their way to me, lingering when he thought I wasn’t looking. Each time I caught him staring, my skin prickled with warning.
“Dylan is taking me to Paris next month,” Sophia announced excitedly. “For a fashion shoot he’s doing.”
“That sounds wonderful,” I said sincerely, happy to see my friend so excited despite my misgivings about her companion. “How did you two meet again?”
“At that gallery opening I covered for the magazine,” Sophia explained. “He was exhibiting his wildlife photography. You should see his wolf pictures, Becca – they’re incredible. So lifelike.”
I bet they are, I thought, forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression.
“Wolves are fascinating creatures,” Dylan said, his gaze fixing on me. “So loyal to their pack. So… instinctual.”
I shifted in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest. There was something predatory in his stare that had nothing to do with protecting Sophia. My mouth went dry.
‘Dominic is lucky,” he continued, swirling wine in his glass, “to have found such a beautiful and gentle mate.”
Sophia elbowed him playfully. “Stop flirting with my best friend.”
He laughed and kissed her cheek, but his eyes never left mine. “I’m merely stating facts. The Sterling alpha has excellent taste.”
The way he emphasized “alpha” made it clear this wasn’t innocent conversation. He was sending me a message – letting me know he was aware of my relationship with Dominic, and perhaps testing boundaries. My fingers clenched around my napkin under the table.
“Dominic is very attentive,” I said carefully, keeping my voice steady despite my racing heart. “In his own way.”
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Chapter 77
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Dylan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Different alphas have different styles. Some are more… traditional in how they
treat their mates.”
The conversation moved on to safer topics – Sophia’s work at the magazine, Dylan’s upcoming exhibition. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Every time Dylan touched Sophia, every compliment he lavished on her, felt calculated somehow. And his attention kept returning to me in a way that made my muscles tense, ready to flee.
As dessert arrived, Dylan reached across the table to wipe a speck of chocolate from the corner of Sophia’s mouth. The gesture seemed intimate, caring – but his eyes flickered to me as he did it, gauging my reaction. I averted my gaze, focusing on my untouched dessert.
‘Told you he was perfect, Sophia whispered to me when Dylan excused himself to take a call. “He treats me like a
queen.
1 forced a smile, though it felt wooden on my face. “He certainly seems attentive.”
“After all those jerks I’ve dated, it’s nice to be with someone who actually puts me first,” she said, her expression
softening as she watched him through the window. “I know it’s fast, but I think he might be the one.”
I wanted to be happy for her. I really did. But something about Dylan set off warning bells I couldn’t ignore. My chest tightened with worry for my friend.
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