Damien's POV

　　Hours, I had watched them together; they looked and acted like a little family. The pair of them gushing and pandering to every one of the kid's needs. It was sickening to watch the absolute guile of the little pup thinking he could swoop in and steal what I had distinctly marked as mine yesterday at the town meeting. Did I have to fully mark my territory for this halfwit to realise he was stepping on some rather large toes?

　　Mate or no mate bond he wasn’t having her! 

　　I wanted to stride over there and crush this parasite that had latched itself onto Red. I knew of his family; I had grown up close by, we had all heard the stories of our father's rivalry! The brutality and cruelty that had transpired from both sides causing a ridiculous feud; people just needed to accept when they were beaten. But it was no secret how hungry for power the pup's father was. Apparently, that trait was passed down to wolf boy, too, as he desperately tried to get his paws into my ruby angel.

　　His pack thought they were untouchable; how wrong they were. He might be strong, but I can guarantee I am stronger. I don't give a shit who his father is or how strong his pack is; I will crush them and make him watch before erasing any ideas he has about my ruby gem. I could stand no more; I was going to lose my temper, and all that would serve to do was scare Red away. Sighing, I walked in the opposite direction, with the help of Ares I spent the rest of the afternoon picking out Reds birthday present before heading towards her apartment; she had been out for hours. She had to be heading back soon, and when she did, I would be waiting for her.

　　I was a patient man, happy to bide my time when necessary. Even if it was something I struggled to admit, I had waited years to find this connection, and I refused to be beaten by some pup playing with fire. Leaning against her apartment door, my lips twitched into a smirk, hearing people coming up the steps. Sensing Red's angelic aurora getting closer, my body felt alive with the electricity. I couldn't wait to see her, knowing she would be back in my presence soon enough was all that had kept me sane today. My mood changed instantly, sensing the presence of another male.

　　"Some people don't know when to fuck off," I groaned, sensing more than just Red and little Lizzy.

　　I was unprepared to see the bastard trailing behind them like a lost pup. Had she invited him back to her apartment? Why? Did she WANT to be alone with him? I had so many questions, but they all vanished seeing them together; his protectiveness over her, in particular, I assessed as alarming. He was acting like a mated wolf; had he bonded to her? It was looking more and more like Ares was right! I was ready to demand an answer, lifting from the door to make my way over to the misinformed wolf. I raised a brow seeing Red push past him, the kid in her arms. The way he touched her, I could feel his wolf's presence as he took her arm in his pathetic grasp as if she needed protecting… from me! My contempt for the large male radiated from me, but I didn’t give a fuck!

　　"You will let go of her, and you will do it now." My tone dripped with an unsaid threat at his audacity to touch what was mine, to bond to her! In one fucking day! Is he for real?

　　Something passed between them, something I could not entirely read, squaring my jaw, ready to fuck some shit up. All anger vanished hearing my name come from her lips; how it sounded on her tongue made my heart soar with pride; she was happy to see me. The fact I could feel from here how that irked the mutt was a bonus. 

　　"Red." Keeping my tone calm, I approached the pair; my eyes remained locked on Abigail's, refusing to acknowledge the mutt's existence. The child in her arms stirred, looking up at me with a bemused smile, obviously confused about where I came from.

　　"Grumpy?" her tiny voice laced with sleep. "Are you here to take another bath with Abigail?"

　　I could feel the embarrassment coming off Abigail's cheeks, just like the possessiveness coming off the mongrel beside us in thunderous waves.

　　"I'm game if you are Red!" I teased, wiggling my brows, running my hand up the arm that this leach was not gripping. Feeling her shiver under my touch, my lip twisted into a sexy grin. Her cheeks flushed further, giving me such pleasure to know I had that effect on her. Wanting to push her further and see how far I could wind the pretender up, I leaned into her ear on the side he stood, whispering a little too loudly.

　　"You know what they say, 'Save water, bath together' It will help to wash the stench of mutt off you too." My eyes drifted for a second to the wannabe alpha male beside her, satisfaction spreading across my face seeing the jealousy in his features and the darkening of his eyes. 

　　Leaning back up, I nodded to the child, "You have the best ideas, kiddo."

　　Wriggling to get out of Abigail's arms, I watched her curiously hug my leg and look up at me with large sleepy eyes. "You won't squish my fish, though, will you?"

　　Chuckling, I shook my head slowly. "No, of course not. Abigail will be on my lap, so your fish will have plenty of room."

　　The fierce growl behind us had both girls jumping in fright. Abigail's arm pulled from his grasp as she turned to look at him, something passing between them that I could not place. I could see the uncertainty on her face. She knew what he was, but that did not surprise me; she's a smart cookie. What did was the fact she clearly wanted to reassure and soothe him and his wolf.

　　Had she fallen for his crap, had he lured her in with some lie or charm? Or worse, had she bonded with him? Pulling both girls against my chest, my arm protectively wrapped around Lizzy, who nuzzled into my side. My other hand rested on Abigail's hip as she leaned against me instinctively. 

　　"You're safe; I won't let anything happen to you, Lizzy," I whispered, sensing how stunned she was to hear such a harsh noise come from someone's lips; it didn't help that he looked like he wanted to kill me. I would like to see him try it! To a child, the look on his face was one of pure hatred, and it was aimed in our direction. 

　　However, you could not miss the look of frustration; he undoubtedly cared for the child and seeing her fear him, pulling at his weak little heart. 

　　Hearing the door open behind us, we all turned to see a dark-haired, half-cut woman leaning up the door frame eyeing the four of us curiously.