Obsessions

by Bryce Evans

  “Okay sweetheart. I will be right outside the door if you need me.” London could see the concern on her grandmother’s face as she walked out the door. Looking away from her grandmother, London reached down into her bag and got out another dress.

  Pulling off her dirty clothes, London hurried so she could finish before someone else came into the bathroom. She couldn’t believe that she passed out in the bathroom and Ryder Malone had to pick her up off the nasty floor. Looking in the mirror, London asked, “Can this day get any worse?”

  Chapter 7

  Ryder checked his phone every few minutes waiting for London to come out of the bathroom. Damn where is she? Ryder watched his little sister talking with members of their pack. They were all proud of Zoey. She was the first college graduate in their family.

  Not a lot of members of his pack went to college, but Ryder encouraged all the young pups to go. He even set pack funds aside just for that reason. He had two more pack members in college now and they were both making all A’s. Zoey had made all A’s and was highly sought after by Fortune 500 Companies, but she would come home and open her own business. That way he could protect her. He made a promise to his parents and he planned to keep it.

  His father taught him how to make money. He took online courses and studied at night then managed it in the day when his father was Alpha. They don’t teach that in school. It was OJT-on the job training-every day for him and his best friends. All the times his father pushed and pushed him had paid off. He was a multi-millionaire and within the next year, he would be a billionaire. Nobody but his best friends and Zoey knew that he’d made millions of dollars, making his pack one of the richest in the United States. They had just as much money as he did. Ryder wondered what London would think if she knew how much money he made.

  “Why would she care dumb ass?” Ryder whispered to himself, looking at his watch again.

  Jena stared at him from across the room. He could feel her eyes on him as he impatiently waited for London to come out. He let her know time and time again that he didn’t want anything permanent with her. She knew, but it didn’t stop her from trying. Who was he kidding? Ever since he received the background information on London Grey, she became his obsession.

  He could still smell London’s scent. Her scent was cotton candy and it smelled wonderful to his wolf and him. It lingered on his clothes and in his nose from when he helped her off the floor. Now he waited along with the rest of the pack for a woman who meant the world to his sister. There was so much swirling around in his head about London. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want to want her so damn much. He wanted her to go to New York so he could concentrate without always thinking of her. Just this one night getting to know her, and then he could purge her from his system.

  Zoey wanted everyone to meet her best friend and most of the pack had lingered to meet her. Why he didn’t know, but they stayed waiting for the woman of his dreams.

  Finally, London walked out of the bathroom and her gaze sought him out.

  “Damn,” Ryder muttered to himself.

  * * * *

  Taking a deep breath, London opened the bathroom door to a crowd of people who seemed to all be staring at her. She thought about turning around and going back inside but Zoey was by her side before she could chicken out.

  “Everyone, this is my best friend and roommate London Grey.”

  London watched as Zoey’s pack raised their hands and waved at her. I’m dying. I’m going to die. Please just let me die right now. She could feel the burn on her cheeks as she felt the embarrassment from all these people knowing she had passed out on the bathroom floor.

  Then, the place became chaotic as each person started coming up to her introducing themselves, and before she could be polite and answer back, another person took their place. It was kind of nice in a way, if only she couldn’t see the gorgeous man in her peripheral vision. Ryder just stood there watching her. She didn’t want to look back at him so she continued to ignore him. It was hard to do since he was standing right beside her grandmother. She couldn’t help but to glance back at him, and just like before, he was watching her. London never liked to be the center of attention especially by a man that she wanted to have naked and inside her.

  “Okay everyone, let’s go eat.” Ryder spoke in that authoritative voice. He even sounded dominant. Zoey had told her over and over that her brother was controlling and apparently the pack did what he said too. They were all moving toward the door.

  Sex, yes that was it, his voice sounded like hard back-against-the-wall sex. She needed to leave now. The sooner she ate and said her goodbyes, the sooner she could leave for New York. Plus, she needed to get away from the man who made her wet just by talking. It didn’t matter who he was talking to or about anything in particular. She just liked the way his voice sounded.

  Telling Zoey that she would just meet them at the restaurant, London got in the car with Me-Len. Her grandmother was asking all kinds of questions while she drove them to the restaurant.

  “When are you leaving for New York?” Me-Len asked.

  “As soon as we’ve eaten. I need to get on the road and drive for a while then stop at a hotel and sleep for a few hours then get back on the road. It won’t be so hard on me if I break it up.”

  When she pulled up to the restaurant, she could see that a crowd was already waiting inside. Zoey had informed her that the other Alpha’s would be waiting at the restaurant for them. Before they got out of the car, Lenny McGregor pulled out a small box from her pocketbook.

  “I wanted to give you this at dinner but it doesn’t seem like it will be just you and me. So now is just as good a time to give it to you. Happy graduation baby-girl. I’m so proud of you.”

  Smiling, London looked down at the prettily wrapped box. London gasped as she opened it and her eyes focused on the necklace inside. It was an Agate gemstone attached to a beautiful gold chain. Looking closer at the stone, London couldn’t believe it.

  “Is that a tree inside the stone?”

  “It is called the tree of life. The gemstone was found the late 1880’s. It has been in our family for a very long time. This necklace has been passed down from generation to generation. Now the necklace belongs to you.”

  “I’ve never seen this necklace before. You said mom had it before me?”

  “She did, but she got mad at me and sent it back. Maybe if she would have had it on that night then she…” Putting her hand on her grandmother’s shoulder, London tried to comfort her. London could see the pain in her grandmother’s eyes. Her mother was Me-Len’s only child and it had to be hard on her. Painful emotions flashed in her grandmother’s eyes. London wanted to make it better but only time could do that.

  “Hey, try not think about the past and what if’s. I’m hungry, so let’s not keep all those people waiting,” London said smiling at her grandmother. “Me-Len, can you put it on for me?” Pulling her hair up, London waited for her grandmother to place it around her neck.

  “There. Now it’s where it should be.”

  Immediately London felt different with the necklace touching her skin. Her body heated up almost instantly. It had to be her imagination, but she felt electric currents shooting through her fingers all the way down to her toes. She looked back over at her grandmother who was watching her. Me-Len appeared shocked then it was gone.

  “Are you okay, Me-Len?” London asked concerned.

  “Yes. Oh yes, London. I’m a very happy grandmother today. You have made me very happy.” Me-Len said, then grabbed her pocket book, and started getting out of the car.

  When she opened her car door London breathed in the aroma coming from the restaurant. Even stranger when she got out of the car, she could the scent of Ryder Malone in the air. London felt restless knowing that her best friend’s brother affected her in such a sexual way. She was baffled at the pull she felt from the man. Making an ass out of herself already today brought London’s blurred emotions back into focus.
/>   “Enough,” London scolded herself as she got out of the car.

  “What did you say dear?” Me-Len asked.

  “Nothing. Are you ready for this?” London felt funny and her emotions were on high alert. It was as if she buzzed with excitement. Me-Len came and stood beside London.

  “Yes sweetie. This will be fine. I know you want to see Zoey before you have to leave for New York.” Her grandmother hugged London before walking to the front door.

  The restaurant Ryder had chosen was the most expensive one in town. She should have known the man would pick this one. She hoped between Me-Len and herself they would have enough money to pay for the food. London looked over at her grandmother who was smiling back at her. If they didn’t, she would dip into her emergency fund she had hidden in her pocketbook.

  London stood with her grandmother at the door and watched as the pack members danced around talking to each other. They looked like they were high on life as they laughed and drank wine. London couldn’t help but be envious of Zoey and her family. They looked happy around each other as they congratulated their pack mate. Zoey would never be lonely or without someone to talk to when the emotions got to be too bad.

  Memories of her parents rose through her mind as she watched the Malone pack. Her mom and dad would have been proud of her. They pushed London into getting good grades. Their dream was for her to be the first college graduate because they never got the chance, with all the moving around they did. Pushing the thoughts out of her head, London looked down at the floor. Before the tears could fall, she started to turn around and leave. Today was such an emotional day. “Maybe it’s the thought of my mom and dad not being here,” London muttered as she thought of them.

  “Hey.” Zoey’s voice carried through the restaurant. She was small but her voice rang out. Running up to them with a wine glass in her hand, Zoey looked happy. London had noticed something in Zoey’s eyes. She looked happy. She had accomplished her goal and now she was going to be the CEO of her own company. London was happy for Zoey.

  Looking around at everyone, London felt out of place. She could feel another panic attack coming on as the room started feeling too crowded.

  “Hey.” Me-Len put her hand on London’s arm when she noticed her breathing had accelerated. London could feel her body relaxing as she closed her eyes taking in deep breaths. Why didn’t this happen in the bathroom? Oh yeah, you passed out dummy before you could try the breathing treatments. She felt funny as the panic feeling went away. Looking at her grandmother she could feel how hot her hand was on her arm. Before she could ask her what she did, Zoey started asking her questions.

  “London? Are you okay? You fainted in the bathroom and now you look ready to drop again. Are you sure you don’t need to lie down?” Before London could answer, that sweet delicious and controlling voice answered for her.

  “She needs to eat. Why don’t we all sit down so she can get some food in her?” Ryder said sharply. London’s eyes jerked open as Ryder stood in front of her. His voice was like a beacon calling to her body. Always showing up when she felt out of control, ready to drop to the ground, and make her wet between her legs. Now he looked agitated as he stared at her, like she was a child that needed to be scolded, and that was pissing her off.

  Really, who does he think he is? Yeah he’s good looking, but that didn’t give him the right to be bossy with me. She wasn’t his little sister or a pack member, so telling her what to do wasn’t going to happen. Now London understood when Zoey mentioned that her big brother was a tad bit domineering and controlling.

  “Let’s find a seat London.” Me-Len muttered as she pulled on her arm leading her past Ryder toward the tables. Blowing out the breath she was holding, London inhaled long deep breaths trying to clear her mind of the man that occupied it at the moment.

  Why was his voice making her body heat up and want him? Her stomach felt queasy as she sat down at the table. Zoey and Ryder sat across from her. Great, now she had to stare at him through dinner.

  Forcing herself to look at him, London narrowed her eyes when a beautiful woman walked up behind Ryder. The smirk on the woman’s face was sending out signals loud and clear. She was informing London that Ryder was hers and to back off.

  The woman placed her hand on his back as she sat down in the vacant seat beside him. She must be his girlfriend, London thought. That was fine with her. He was too arrogant and self-centered for her to be interested in. Plus he was way out of her league. Better yet, he was not worth her time.

  Glancing over at Zoey, London could see the anger in her eyes as the woman sat down beside Ryder. Whoever she was, Zoey didn’t like her. The smirk on her face told London all she needed to know. She was one of the ones who probably talked down to Zoey and tried to run over her. Well if Zoey didn’t like her then she knew she wouldn’t like the woman.

  “London, I would like to introduce you to Nolan Banks, Brody King, Judd Walsh, and that is Kayden Lynn.” As Zoey introduced the men to London, her eyes widened. Wow, these had to be the other Alphas on the council in Alpha City. Wow was an understatement. Her smile widened. The men seemed curious about her, and she could see the lust on some of their faces as they stared back at her. That was something she wasn’t expecting. This day was getting weirder as it went.

  “It's nice to meet you all,” London said sweetly. She couldn’t stop the ray of sunshine that ran up her neck to brighten her face. These men were unbelievably gorgeous. Looking around the room, she realized everyone in the pack was gorgeous. It must have something to do with being a shifter.

  Glancing back at Ryder, he looked like he was fuming. She wondered if his head was about to pop off. She glanced over as the woman sitting next to Ryder tried to talk to him, but he just stiffened and shook his head at her. Apparently, he was angry about something she did. Better her than me.

  Ryder continued to stare at her with that scowl on his face. London turned away to look back at the smiling Alpha’s who seemed to be having a great time. That was what today was about. Having fun, and not sitting around angry about something stupid. Whatever had the man angry wasn’t her concern. London decided that she would have fun tonight and flirt with the men who seemed to be flirting with her.

  “Hello folks, may I take your drink order?”

  “I would like water, please.” London smiled as she answered the waitress. She glanced back at Zoey who was smiling at her as she joked with the Alpha’s. However, she did notice the one named Kayden Lynn was watching Zoey. They were giving each other some pretty hungry looks. She’d spoken about him being her brother’s best friend, but Zoey had never said anything about being attracted to him. She would have to pry it out of her when the dinner was over. The looks they were giving each other were seriously hot.

  Forcing herself to look away from Zoey and all the beautiful men, London looked over at her grandmother who was watching her.

  Tilting her head, London whispered to Me-Len. “Hey, why are you smiling like you have something up your sleeve?”

  “Nothing, sweetie, just watching the Alpha’s trying to get your attention.” London rolled her eyes.

  “Yeah right.” London answered sarcastically, then picked up her menu, and started flipping through the pages. “What are you going to eat, Me-Len?”

  “Today is a special occasion so I’m going to splurge and have steak.” London knew that her grandmother didn’t have a lot of money so if she was going to eat steak, she should choose something cheaper. Me-Len was buying dinner and she wouldn’t let her spend all her money on her.

  “I’m not that hungry, so I think I’m going to have the salad.” Me-Len looked over at London like she had lost her mind.

  “A salad? London I know how much you like steak so you need to get it too.”

  “Me-Len, I’m really not that hungry and I like what this type of salad has on it, so stop worrying about me. Really. You go ahead and eat the steak.”

  Aware that all had suddenly gone quiet, London looke
d up to see that everyone at the table was listening to them. Her face turned three shades of red when she looked back down at the menu. London wanted to leave. Today was supposed to be special. It was obvious that money wasn’t an issue to these people but it was to London and Me-Len, finances were tight for them. They struggled and pinched pennies to make ends meet. Steak was something that London loved but rarely had.

  London’s head popped up when she heard the woman laughing at her. The woman didn’t even have the good graces to act embarrassed. Before her temper could get the best of her, Zoey leaned forward and addressed the woman.

  “Jena I think you’re sitting at the wrong table. It would be wise for you to get up and sit over there.” So Jena was her name.

  London leaned over and whispered into her grandmother’s ear. “Come to the bathroom with me.” Me-Len nodded.

  “Excuse us please.” Me-Len said as they got up from the table and walked to the bathroom. London knew everyone was watching them as they walked away. You could have heard a pin drop when London and Me-Len got up.

  “Look Me-Len, I’m not feeling good so if you don’t mind—” London didn’t get to finish.

  “No. I won’t eat steak either. If you are having a salad then I will too. I have saved money just for this occasion, but if you think we can’t afford it then I won’t have it either, but we are not leaving until we eat. This is your graduation and I won’t let people like that woman make me feel uncomfortable.” London could see the expression on Me-Lens face and she knew not to argue with her. Me-Len turned around and walked out of the bathroom. She watched as the door closed feeling like a heel. She had allowed that woman to make her feel poor and cheap. Now she knew they were going to have the steak. She also had money saved for her drive to New York, but she could eat cheap on the way, and use some of her money for the steak now. The bitch wasn’t going to win this round.