Chapter 12

Claire's POV Theo's grip on Nicole's wrist didn't loosen as they stared at each other, the air between them crackling with Alpha energy. The entire restaurant had fallen silent, human patrons shifting uncomfortably in their seats while the werewolves present lowered their eyes instinctively. Nicole recovered quickly, her expression morphing from shock to a sickly-sweet smile. "Alpha Theo," she purred, voice dripping with fake charm. "What a pleasant surprise." Theo's face remained impassive, cold as winter stone. "Ms. Montgomery," he replied, his voice deceptively calm. "Would you care to explain what's happening here?" Nicole extracted her wrist from his grip with a delicate twist, smoothing her designer dress as if nothing had happened. "Just a little misunderstanding between girls," she offered with a tinkling laugh. "Claire here was saying some rather unkind things about Adrian and me, and I'm afraid things got a bit heated." Theo's gaze swept over my wine-soaked form, taking in my ruined dress, the stained tablecloth, the overturned glasses. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Interesting," he said, his tone making it clear he didn't believe a word. "Because from where I was standing, it appeared you were about to strike an employee of mine after dumping a glass of wine over her head." Nicole's smile faltered. "You must have misinterpreted—" "I don't misinterpret what I see with my own eyes, Ms. Montgomery," Theo cut in, his voice dropping to a dangerous register that made the hairs on my arms stand up. "Just as I don't appreciate lies." For the first time, a flicker of genuine fear crossed Nicole's perfect features. Theo turned slightly toward me, extending his hand. I hesitated only briefly before placing my trembling fingers in his palm. His touch was warm, steady, as he helped me to my feet. "Now," Theo continued, addressing Nicole while keeping his hand firmly around mine, "you are going to apologize to Ms. White and her friend. Immediately." Nicole stared at him in disbelief, her mouth opening and closing without sound. Her friends exchanged uneasy glances, already backing away from the confrontation. "I don't think—" Nicole began. "That much is evident," Theo interrupted coolly. "Let me make this simpler for you. Either you apologize sincerely, or I will personally speak to Alpha Montgomery about his daughter's behavior toward an employee under my protection. I'm sure he'd be interested to hear how his future son-in-law's ex-girlfriend was publicly assaulted by his daughter." The threat was clear. Nicole's father might be an Alpha, but Theo was the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack—the most powerful werewolf contingent. Even the Moonlight Pack wouldn't risk it. Nicole's face flushed with anger, but she wasn't foolish enough to challenge him further. She turned to me, her eyes burning with hatred disguised behind a brittle smile. "I apologize for the misunderstanding, Claire," she bit out, each word clearly causing her physical pain. Then, glancing at Jennifer, she added reluctantly, "And to you as well." I nodded stiffly, not trusting myself to speak. The apology meant nothing—we both knew that—but I no longer cared. All I could focus on was Theo standing beside me, his powerful presence making everything else fade into insignificance. He was magnificent in his restrained fury, ten thousand times more impressive than Adrian could ever hope to be. Theo removed his suit jacket and draped it around my shoulders with surprising gentleness. The expensive fabric engulfed me, still warm from his body and carrying his intoxicating scent. My wolf, who had been dormant since Adrian's rejection, stirred slightly in response. "We're leaving," Theo announced, his hand moving to the small of my back. To Nicole, he added coldly, "I trust there won't be a repeat of this incident. My patience extends exactly once, Ms. Montgomery. Remember that." Nicole didn't respond, but the hatred in her eyes spoke volumes. Theo guided me toward the exit, Jennifer following close behind. As we passed the maître d', Theo slipped the man what looked like several hundred-dollar bills, murmuring something about the disruption and damaged property. Outside, a sleek black car waited at the curb, engine running. Theo opened the passenger door for me. "I'll take Ms. White home," he told Jennifer. "Would you like a ride as well?" Jennifer hesitated, glancing between us. "I already ordered a ride," she said finally. "I'll be fine." She squeezed my hand. "Call me later?" I nodded, grateful for her perceptiveness. With a final concerned look, she headed toward the parking lot. Once inside the car, I clutched Theo's jacket tighter around me, finding comfort in its warmth and his lingering scent. The wine in my hair was beginning to dry, making my scalp itch uncomfortably. "There's a hotel nearby where you can clean up and change," Theo said, his voice gentler than I'd ever heard it. I nodded, acutely aware of his proximity in the confined space of the luxury car. My eyes kept drifting toward him, unable to maintain their polite distance. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of tanned skin and hard chest. Without his jacket, I could see how his shirt hugged the sculpted muscles of his torso, the fabric stretching across broad shoulders that tapered to a narrow waist. My mouth went dry. The adrenaline from the confrontation, combined with his overwhelming presence, sent heat pooling low in my belly. I wanted him—wanted to feel those powerful hands on my skin, to taste the mouth that had delivered such cutting remarks to Nicole. My wolf, stirring more strongly now, urged me to move closer, to press against him until he had no choice but to acknowledge the chemistry between us. His scent filled the car. I inhaled deeply, letting it wash over me. When I glanced at him again, I noticed his white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, the slight flare of his nostrils as he caught my own scent in return. My gaze drifted lower, and I nearly gasped at the unmistakable bulge beneath his perfectly tailored slacks. He was affected by me—just as powerfully as I was by him. I leaned closer, deliberately adopting a sweet, syrupy tone reminiscent of Nicole's. "How did you happen to be at the restaurant, Alpha Theo?" I asked, watching his profile. "Quite the coincidence." His jaw clenched, eyes flickering briefly toward me before returning to the road. "I was passing by," he replied, his voice lower than usual. "I noticed the commotion through the window." As he spoke, he subtly shifted away, pressing himself against the driver's side door as if needing to put distance between us. His reaction only emboldened me. If he was trying this hard to maintain space, it meant he was struggling with his control. I inched closer, until my thigh was nearly touching his. "Oh, well, how fortunate for me," I murmured. His eyes darkened dangerously, pupils dilating as they swept over me. "Ms. White," he began, his voice tight with restraint, "I think we—" The shrill ring of his phone cut through the tension. Theo's expression flickered with what looked almost like relief as he reached for it, glancing at the screen.