The Wrong Brother's Temptation novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Sienna

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I tried to suppress all the complicated feelings surging inside of me as he led me to the main hall again.

My hand stayed locked in Connor’s, his thumb tracing those lazy, possessive circles against my skin that made my traitorous body hum like a live wire.

Connor glanced down at me, that signature half–smirk curling the same lips that had utterly destroyed me outside minutes ago.

“Still breathing, Speckles?” he murmured, voice low and velvet–rough. “Or do I need to find another quiet corner and remind those lungs how it’s done properly?”

Okay, he was getting too proud of himself.

I narrowed my eyes at him, looking him dead in the eye. “Don’t be so full of yourself.”

He cocked an eyebrow, clearly impressed to not see me hyperventilating at his words.

“Ooh, kitty got claws” Connor winked and my goddamn heart fluttered like a butterfly when he did that.

“But still easily tamable” He murmured low in my ear, his breath fanning my face.

I elbowed him, fighting the ridiculous smile tugging at my mouth. “Behave. Or at least pretend to. Half the party is already staring like we’re the evening entertainment.”

“Let them stare,” he said, squeezing my hand with that effortless confidence that made my stomach flip. “They should be jealous. My future Luna looks like she could bring empires to their knees tonight.”

My future Luna….those words made my stomach do a weird flip.

“Dont….” I began but just then somebody called for him.

“Connor! Just the man I’ve been looking for.”

A well suited man in his sixties materialized out of the crowd like he’d been hiding behind a potted plant to grab Connor the moment he showed up.

Connor’s hand slipped from mine.

“Mr. Patterson.” He shook the man’s hand, and I watched the switch flip almost instantly. The Connor who’d been kissing and teasing me was replaced seamlessly by the polished, composed Connor who belonged in rooms like this. “I wasn’t aware you’d be here tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss it. Congratulations by the way. Your girl is beautiful” Mr Patterson said, his gaze flicking to

1. me.

“Partner. Future Luna of the Ashford pack I might add” Connor said, his smile still intact but Mr Patterson got

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15:14 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 44

the message loud and clear.

“Of course” He hastily corrected himself. “Pardon me for the mistake, Con…”

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“Alpha Connor Ashford” Connor said in the same light voice and I could see Mr Patterson truly start to break into a sweat.

He looked at Connor who didn’t accept his apology so his gaze turned to me. “You will make a great Luna, my lady.”

My lady?

I gawked at the words and Connor finally seemed to forgive him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Duty calls, sweetheart. Don’t wander too far. I have plans for you later.”

I could only manage to nod.

“What did you want to talk about?” Connor turned his attention back to the old man and I saw the way his fingers dug into Mr Patterson’s shoulder like he was restraining himself from not poking his fingers into the bewildered man’s skull.

“The…the trade routes along the northern territory if you will, alpha Connor” Mr Patterson bowed to him, clearly doing everything he could to salvage the situation.

Connor glanced back at me, something apologetic in his expression.

“I’ll only need a few minutes,” he said, and I wasn’t entirely sure if he was talking to me or Mr. Patterson.

“Go,” I said quietly. “I’m fine.”

He held my gaze for a second longer than necessary, like he was checking for something, then nodded and allowed himself to be steered away into the knot of business–minded higher authorities from other packs.

And just like that, I was alone.

I grabbed a fresh glass of fruit drink from a passing waiter’s tray and turned to survey the room.

Luna Lydia and Alpha Asher were moving through the crowd, stopping every few minutes to interact with others. They separated after a while when the Alpha was drawn into conversations with pack elders and business allies, and the Luna gravitated towards a group of ladies.

I watched them move and thought, not for the first time tonight, that whatever they had between them was something worth celebrating, something I wanted for myself.

I took a sip of my drink and let my gaze drift to Connor.

He was leaning slightly toward the man beside him who was twice his age but they seemed to be involved in some deep discussion. In fact, except Connor all others were the age of his father and he was somehow already shouldering the responsibility of being the alpha while his father celebrated his marriage anniversary.

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