“Because you weren’t here and I know you’re eager to get home. Besides, I am not much of a salad eater so I just ordered what I normally do. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who doesn’t like burgers and fries.”
He does have a point. “Next time you can order for both of us, I don’t feel intimidated by you.” He smirks.
“Because you’re an Alpha.”
He shrugs. “Even if I weren’t, I still wouldn’t be intimidated by you. Deacon should have realized if he is so insecure around you, he doesn’t deserve you; he shouldn’t want to intimidate you, that’s not how relationships work. Couples shouldn’t want to dominate each other; they’re meant to be a partnership, not a boxing match.”
“How can you say that? You’re an Alpha. I know it’s hard to walk away when challenged, it’s why you couldn’t when my father challenged you,” I remind him.
“I did, though, didn’t I? I didn’t want to, but I did for you.”
“So you’re saying your wolf doesn’t want to challenge me knowing another Alpha is sitting across from him?” I laugh.
“Oh, he does. That doesn’t mean he will, also he doesn’t mean it in the same way you think he does,” he snickers, taking a bite of his burger.
“What do you mean?”
“You really have to ask?” he laughs harder. “I’m still a man, Cleo, and you look like sin in that dress.” I glance down at what I’m wearing, with my boobs on display, and my face heats.
“So you’re saying if I challenged your wolf, he wouldn’t try to kill me?” I probe.
“You’re a female Alpha, and I don’t mean that in a bad way, just saying my wolf is huge, he doesn’t find many people a threat. Honestly, if you actually challenged him, he’d probably roll over for you,” he states. I look for any deception on his face but don’t find any.
“Then something is wrong with your wolf; he should hate me since I’m an Alpha.”
“You have no wolf, ask me again when you have her.”
“Maybe I’ll challenge you.”
“Or maybe you’ll roll over and submit? I guess we’ll have to wait and find out.” He smiles.
“You seem so sure of yourself,” I taunt.
“Maybe I am just hoping you will be easier to deal with regarding your border issues. Hopefully you are more compliant, I already fight with your father enough.”
“Wait, you’ll handle the borders?” I ask him. He leans back in his chair, watching me for a second.
He seems deep in thought. “Your father will eventually find out, you’re aware of that, right?” he asks me. I nod slowly, my father is being irrational and putting the entire pack at risk.
I sigh heavily. “You’re scared of him,” Zayn asks, and my gaze darts to meet his.
“Not in that sense, not how you’re probably thinking. My father won’t hurt me.” He raises an eyebrow at me, his eyes darting to my cheek, almost like he can see my father’s handprint there. Instinctively, my hand goes to my cheek and my face flames.
“Are you sure about that?” he asks.
I swallow guiltily. “I know he hit you, Cleo. I could see the burst blood vessels under your skin when I showered you last night and washed your makeup off.”
“He was angry because I came to you for help. I overstepped.” He nods slowly and leans forward in his chair.
“That doesn’t give him the right to put his hands on you.”
“It’s not like that.” He raises an eyebrow at me, and I exhale, knowing there is no point in arguing. He hates my father and nothing I say to him will justify his actions.
“He apologized; he lost his temper. He isn’t usually violent, he’s never hit me before,” I admit.
Zayn’s jaw clenches. “If you’re not afraid of him hurting you, then what are you scared of?”
“I’m scared of him giving my mother’s pack to Lydia,” I tell him.
