Claimed

Chapter 35: Jealousy

Ben's POV:

I greatly regretted talking Sophia into getting that dress. It felt like a lifetime ago I saw her staring at it longingly, then talked her into trying it on. I wished I hadn't.

It was red and plunged all the way past her belly button, showing off the curve of her breasts and her flat stomach. I overheard her guys say they were proud of her for wearing it because she hadn't felt good about the scars left from her dad. Whatever helped her find peace in it, I was glad for that part. Her scars didn't matter, she still pulled that dress off like no one else could.

The skirt was flowy and short, barely covering any of her thighs and moving up her legs easily as her hips swayed. The back of the dress didn't exist, and the straps covering her breasts were tied behind her neck but were so thin, the curve of the side of her breasts were also visible.

Focusing on not staring like a creep was my number one priority until I could figure out what the hell I was doing or what to say after attacking José. I didn't mean to. I just got the link he was there and then another link that she was going to talk to him. Abandoning my duties, I sprinted across the territory and when he said that to her...

Fuck, I just lost it. I couldn't stand to see her in more pain, especially after I caused some of it. She barely looked at me afterwards and we hadn't spoken. I didn't know how to approach her and that's why I didn't. I needed to go to her with a clear head and not ramble like an idiot, and so I avoided her. But that made me not notice the guy approach her until they walked onto the dancefloor together.

I watched Sophia dance with him and I couldn't exactly explain why I hated the guy so much. I just fucking hated him. People whispered the minute they stepped on the dance floor. That's Alpha Arden, the rare shifter hybrid. That's Luna Sophia, the one who took out the strongest Alpha in Mexico. It totally makes sense they'd be drawn to each other, they're both badasses.

Arden. I'd heard about him, even seen him at a couple Elder meetings from a distance but never spoke to him. I hated him. He hadn't done anything to me but Goddess... There was something about the way his hands moved over her body so easily, like he thought she was his. That stupid smile on his face was all confidence and what for? He didn't know anything would happen with her. It might not.

Then she turned in his arms and his hands grazed against her ass while her arms draped over his shoulders. She was smiling too. I swallowed, gripping my glass tighter as she stretched her lips towards his and he dipped his head down. Their lips touched and her eyes closed, his hands slid down to her ass and they moved off the dance floor, his mouth and hands all over her like he fucking owned her.

The glass in my hand shattered from the increasingly tight grip. I hissed at the pain of glass piercing my skin. Connor and Hunter looked at me, raising an eyebrow. My eyes darted back to Sophie and now he had her up against the wall, his hands on her bare skin, grazing near her breast.

"I need air," I said, rushing out of there and up the stairs where the bathrooms were. I yanked the broken pieces of glass from my hand and flexed my hand as the cuts healed.

I stopped before I reached the bathroom, only partway up the stairs. There was a window and if I didn't open it, I couldn't explain why, I just felt like I was going to blow a fuse. I shoved the window open and leaned out of it, taking in a deep breath. I closed my eyes but it was a mistake. All I could see was his hands on her, her lips on his, the way she moved her hips and ass against him as they danced. Goddess, she didn't even know him. She didn't know he deserved to have his hands on her like that.

A noise below had me glancing down and my stomach dropped when I saw Sophia come out with that guy. They stumbled back against the wall, kissing and touching. Out here, he had no reservations. He just went right for her breast and I clenched my fists, ready to punch him. But then she threw her head back and bit her lip, a smile playing on her lips. She was enjoying this. With him.