Chapter 19
I leaned against the brick wall and tried to calm my erratic heart. I had once shivered under the cool nighttime breeze, but now it lapped soothingly over my heated skin.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Something had clearly changed with Alpha Asher. His possessiveness had reared it’s head. Clearly Alpha Asher wanted me all to himself. It didn’t take a psychic to tell Alpha Asher was turned on by my defiance. His arousal was one of the many motivating factors for my defiance.
I should’ve felt guilty. I should’ve thought about what my future mate might think, what his future mate might think. The cold truth was, I didn’t care. I was burning under Alpha Asher’s touch, and it drove all thoughts from my mind. Sure, many people saved themselves for their future mate. But, many did not.
“You alright?” The gruff bouncer asked as he came back outside. He took his typical spot against the wall. It was clear he knew what had taken place out here. The knowledge and amusement was swimming in his eyes.
“Yeah, I’m alright.” I nodded, flinching at how my voice sounded. It still had that breathy tone to it. I was incredibly thankful the bouncer wasn’t a werewolf, as the scent of my arousal was still clear in the air.
“Better than alright from the looks of it.” The bouncer chuckled and I felt my face heat even more.
A cool breeze rushed by, and I jumped at the cold draft that rushed against my b**e pu**y. I silently cursed Alpha Asher for ruining a good pair of panties, and for making me finish the night without underwear.
I stumbled back into the club, letting my gaze flicker around for Breyona. I hadn’t seen her for almost two hours now, and I felt guilty for not seeking her out sooner. In all honesty, I wanted to confide in her. She
knew some about my strange relationship with our new Alpha, but she didn’t know the full extent.
My first stop was back at the bar. While I was still on the lookout for Breyona and Mason, another drink wouldn’t hurt. I was heated and flu*tered from my recent encounter with Alpha Asher. I found myself resisting the urge to look for him, desperate for another lingering touch.
The last thing I needed was to come off as clingy, but his touch had me craving more. His dominate and primal side were equally intoxicating, and I wondered if other men held the same silent passion.
I parted through the crowd of dancing strangers, thankful the thundering music wasn’t as loud near the bar area. The smell of lut, body spray and sweat was stronger than ever but I was becoming used to it. I wondered if the lut scent was coming from myself as well, it wouldn’t be surprising.
“Back again, sweetheart?” The bartender with the green stripe in his hair smirked, “Rum or more shots?”
I paused for a moment and thought it over. I was considerably less irritated after Asher’s…punishment.
“Rum.” I nodded.
The bartender was fast grabbing my drink, flitting away to the next customer.
My mind flitted back and forth between Alpha Asher and the mystery guy I danced with. Even though I felt irresistibly attracted to Alpha Asher, I couldn’t deny the mystery guy was drop d**d gorgeous. Just as handsome and alluring as Alpha Asher himself.
My eyes were glued to my glass, remaining still as someone sat in the stool next to me.
“Water please.” An unfamiliar voice called out to the bartender.
I was lost in my thoughts when the woman began talking to me.
“Hello there.” Her voice was coy and leaking hidden hostility, “Lola, isn’t it?”
At the mention of my name from this unfamiliar woman’s mouth, my head snapped up. I clocked my jaw shut to keep it from dropping.
“What the f**k are you doing here?” I growled lowly.
“Mind-link Alpha Asher.” Maya snarled in my head.
“If you even think about mind-linking your little Alpha, I’ll be long gone.” The girl sneered angrily, her eyes glinting with smug satisfaction.
She knew she practically had me cornered. My curiosity had blossomed at her appearance. I had only seen this girl once in my life, but that was all I needed to hate her.
“What do you want Brittany?” I clenched my teeth together, fighting the urge to pounce.
Brittany, Tyler’s mate sat next to me at the bar. She looked the same as when I saw her for the first time. Long hair, dark eyes and a heart shaped face.
She was beautiful in many ways. Slim yet tall, she held an air of superiority that clung to her like a sweet perfume. Her chocolate hair framed her heart shaped face like a veil of silk.
I hated her at first, completely consumed with jealousy and heartbreak at the loss of Tyler. Over the past year, I realized my hatred for her was completely unwarranted. She didn’t do anything wrong. It wasn’t her fault she was Tyler’s mate. After hearing how the two of them fled the pack and left everyone to d*e, the hatred had returned stronger than ever. She was born to be a Luna, which meant never abandoning your pack.
“I just wanted to see what Tyler was so pent up about.” Brittany sneered, the expression looking oddly at home on her delicate face. “What is so special about you, Lola?”
Irritation rolled through me. Really, she was here for a social call? That year old part of me remembered what it was like to be loved by Tyler, but she knew better now. We both knew better. I wasn’t even sure Tyler was capable of actual love. How can someone turn their back on their mate? I never claimed to like Brittany, but her and Tyler were destined to be together. That meant more than just a simple girlfriend, a childhood love.
“Mm, and does Tyler know you’re here stalking me?” I raised my eyebrow at her, watching anger flash through her eyes.
“Stalking is such a plain word, don’t you think?” Brittany scoffed, twirling a piece of her hair between her fingers. “I’d say I’m scoping out the competition.”
“Competition?” Maya scoffed, “As if. She can have her little cowardly mate.”
“Competition?” I scoffed, sounding much like Maya. “If it wasn’t obvious, you’re the one with Tyler. My ties are to my pack, not to Tyler. Has he even told you of his plans?”
I tried to keep my tone light, hoping she would give away some tidbit of information. Anything that would make this conversation worth relaying to Alpha Asher. At the moment, I had nothing. This conversation was a pointless attempt at soothing her raging jealousy.
I wanted to ask her about the attacks on our pack, but was it worth giving secret information to an outsider? I had no doubt that anything I told her would worm it’s way back to Tyler, especially if it had anything to do with his old pack.
“Oh no.” Brittany chuckled, shaking her head. “Not gonna work. My lips are sealed.”
“Tell me. What if I knocked you the f**k out and d**g you to my Alpha?” I let a cruel smirk form on my face, “How would you keep Tyler’s plans a secret then?”
Brittany’s smirk matched my own, and she leaned in close. I felt my own smirk drop at her words, and red hot fury rush through my veins.
“You see that guy over there?” Brittany murmured, her head turning towards the side of the club. “Blonde hair, green shirt. K****r body.”
“What about him?” I snapped, my gaze flickering over to the man she was talking about. The man’s eyes caught my own, and his lips twitched up in a smirk.
“That’s a friend of mine. He’s been watching your friend all night.” Brittany giggled, “Whats her name again? Breyona, isn’t it?”
“Stay the f**k away from her.” I snarled under my breath.
Maya was bursting at the seams. She didn’t care about Brittany’s friend. She’d k**l Brittany first and then go after her little friend. I however couldn’t risk Breyona getting hurt.
“Oh he will.” Brittany nodded, a smug smile on her face, “So long as you don’t do anything stupid.”
Brittany leaned in close, her voice a hushed whisper. “Because believe me, I will be gone before your little Alpha can think of coming for me. And poor Breyona, well I don’t need to give you those details.”
“What do you want Brittany?” I snapped, the fire within me d***g down. “You want to kidnap me? K**l me? Get it done with and leave my friends alone.”
“I wouldn’t say all that now.” Maya huffed.
“I’m tired of the games.” I hissed, “I want to know why she’s here.”
“Oh no, I’m afraid that honor goes to someone else.” Brittany shrugged, unconcerned. “I’m simply here to try and understand what the f**k Tyler sees in you.”
“Nothing.” I snapped, “Tyler and I dated a year ago. He was a piece of sht even then. You’re his f*king mate for crying out loud.”
“Mm, well there’s one thing we agree on.” Brittany nodded, eyeing my Rum lutfully. “Tyler is a piece of sht.”
Confusion flitted over my face, “Then why are you with him?”
“There are much bigger things in play here, Lola.” Brittany chuckled, and I was beginning to see the intelligence behind those dark eyes. “Having something in common does not make us allies. Trust me, I’m your enemy just as much as Tyler is.”
“Great, thanks for the cryptic response.” I answered through gritted teeth. “Well, if that’s all you can leave me the h**l alone now.”
“It’s been fun, Lola. But I have to say, meeting you has been a tad underwhelming.” Brittany smirked, standing from the bar stool.
I felt my entire body stiffen as Brittany came up behind me, her lips close to my ear.
“Y’know, you and your little Alpha make a cute couple.” Brittany chuckled lowly in my ear, “Careful next time, you never know whose watching.”