I stared at his departure worriedly, slowly rising and fishing into the pocket of my pants to retrieve the tip which I placed under the glass of water before walking off to catch up with Asche.

For a man who was considerably smaller than me, he moved rather quickly. I took hasty steps and exited the restaurant, stopping dead in my tracks when my eyes fastened on Asche who stood rather stiffly in front of a man with brunette colored hair, wearing a neatly pressed coat suit, who towered him by several inches. His dark brown eyes glimmered with delight as he spoke to Asche.

I couldn't help the stab of jealousy that pierced through my chest. The man was handsome, there was no doubt about that. His hair was nicely slicked back from his face, exposing a broad forehead and perfectly trimmed brows that were raised in excitement.

My ears immediately caught their conversation as they stood on the pavement, about twenty feet away from me. Asche's back was facing me, completely unaware of my presence.

The man's voice came to me loud and clear as he spoke, "How long has it been? Half a year? I tried to reach you but your number wasn't in service. How are you doing? Are you here on vacation?" His mellow voice asked and I gritted my teeth in irritation.

Who is this man? Is he one of Asche's past clients? No matter, he was too close to my mate for comfort. I felt Zyros stir in my chest, feeling the same way I did about the situation. His possessive nature surged forth and heat gathered in my chest, threatening to burst out in scalding flames.

I kept my position where I stood as the conversation continued and Asche rubbed his arm uncomfortably.

"I left my job and I quit college. I eventually moved to another state." He said hesitantly.

His face wasn't visible but his body language told me this man wasn't one of his treasured clients. If anything, Asche seemed wary of him.

I took a tentative step forward, needing to protect him from this man who seemed to distress him. But I stopped when the man responded.

"Did you attract an obsessive client? You've been through that before." The words were of concern but his features were that of a predator, hiding his ugly nature under a beautiful facade.

Asche flinched as did I as he said it. We both knew who that obsessive client is. My heart raced incessantly, and my eardrums thumped with the beating of my heart. Warm blood rushed through my veins, causing me to clench my fists and release a staggering breath.

"That shouldn't be your concern, Tye. I thought I told you that the nature of my other clients is none of your business. Why are you bringing this up anyway? I am far away from home now, and I'd rather not live in the past and focus on the present. As a matter of fact, I am not alone, I am here with someone and I must get going. He'll be out at any moment." Asche moved to sidestep him but he gripped Asche's wrist, halting him.

Asche grimaced, trying to yank his arm away. That's when I began to move so quickly, I didn't know when I got up to him and wrenched his arm away from Asche who yelped in surprise at my sudden appearance.

I glowered at the man, "Get your hands off of him."

He glared at me, nursing his wrist with his other hand. "What the!? Who are you?" He asked, startled.

"He's my f--" Asche opened his mouth but he was seconds too late.

"Fiance." I intercepted calmly, feeling contrary deep inside as my body trembled with raging fury.

He touched our mate, kill him! Zyros roared but I ignored him, although I felt the same way. I wanted to tear him apart limb by limb and bathe in his blood. How dare he touch my beloved mate! Assuming that he still sells his body! I'll have him know that Asche is mine and mine alone.

Asche snapped wide eyes on me that soon formed into anger.

The look on Asche's face didn't go unnoticed by this Tye that he speaks of.

He scoffed, "Judging by Asche's expression, your proclamation is a mere fallacy. Possibly spoken in jealousy. Where is the ring anyway?" His tone was mocking as he eyed Asche's bare finger.

The sheer exultant look in his eyes made the flames burn brighter in my chest. Zyros opened his snout to breathe out fire but I hurriedly shoved down on his consciousness. I felt the steam escaped my closed lips, evaporating in the afternoon air.

I dear hope his calculating eyes did not catch that.

"It's located up your asshole." I snapped.

The man bristled at the barb but Asche interrupted.

"Drakos, how long were you standing there?" He asked, staring at me with a disapproving frown.

"Long enough." I retorted, turning my head to face the dirty bastard who took me for a fool.

"We are indeed engaged and your presence is surely revolting. Please excuse us, a romantic evening awaits." I said dismissively, taking Asche's hand and moving him away from the man who stared at Asche with leering eyes which I felt with a surge of anger.

I must ask him what he and that man shared.

When we crossed the street, Asche jerked his hand away and spun to face me, his face flushed in anger.

"What is your problem!?" He yelled.

Several persons who passed us by glanced at Asche with concern and I gritted my teeth.

"Do not cause a scene!" I said through clenched teeth. "We can discuss this in the limousine."

"Oh, that's right, daddy. You are in charge and I must obey you! Why did you eavesdrop on our conversation like that?" He said pertly, his fists clenched at his side.

"It wasn't my intention to eavesdrop," I explained. "You looked upset and I was worried and followed you out only to find you talking to a stranger who behaved as if he was anything else besides that."

His eyes flashed with anger. "You could have called out to me. And the way you behaved back there was absolutely uncalled for! You even went as far as lying. You are one jealous, hopeless man to be intimidated by a man you know nothing about. If you'd just wait for me to explain to you instead of being nosey, then I wouldn't be so angry at you."

Zyros paced in my chest, desperate to get out and burn the man alive.

He fucked our mate! He growled, steam puffing from his nostrils.

That happened before we met him, seemingly. I said, judging by their earlier conversation.

"I'm sorry, baby." I reached for him but he recoiled with thinned lips.

"How many times are you going to be sorry?" He hissed, walking off to the limousine.

I lowered my head in exasperation and shame.

It's going to be a long day.

***