Page 45 of Bonded and Betrothed
“Ugh, asshole,” I groan, placing my palm on my forehead again to express my annoyance. I swear with all these men and the way they like to test me, I’ll be fighting off headaches on the daily.
“Nope, that’s mine and I refuse to give it up, you’ll have to choose a new one,” Zeke teases, and his hand slides down to clasp my hand as he helps me up. “I should get you home.”
My lips purse but I don’t bother arguing, knowing it will be pointless anyway. Besides, I already accomplished what I needed to. And since there isn’t even any paperwork to look over, the only reason to stay would be nostalgia.
But I can’t let myself dwell on the past, not when my future is looking so promising. So I let Zeke guide me from the VIP section, his hand still lightly holding mine. We keep the connection low to avoid detection, the move simply looking like he’s leading me through the crowded bar to any onlookers.
“I’ll be right back,” I call to him, the volume of the music back at full force now as I release his hand. I motion to the bar and he nods, taking up a leaning position against the wall, his keen grey eyes scanning the area for any threats.
With that I make my way to the bar, and to my relief Seline notices me immediately and waves towards the back of the bar. I have a feeling she never truly let her attention move from that booth.
“So that seemed fun.” She grins, raising her voice to be heard over the music. “And I see you got another visitor. I can’t wait to hear this story,” she says, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
“Don’t get me started,” I groan, rolling my eyes with an exaggerated look of exasperation. But I can’t hide the smile that splits across my face. Her lips part, about to respond when another voice cuts in over the music
“Seline, I need you over here, please,” Lindsey says, balancing a few bins of glassware precariously.
“Why don’t you come over tomorrow and we’ll go over some of the details,” I cut in, knowing she needs to get back to work. Honestly, this place needs at least two more staff to take up the hole that Seline would leave. She’s such a powerhouse, she always seems to be on the move. “I’ll fill you in on everything from tonight and we can get started on finding a replacement here.”
“That sounds good.” She smiles, her shoulders slumping in relief. “I’ll stop by the house in the afternoon.”
“Well actually, could you stop by around one? You’re going to come with me with the step-monster and Pearl.” I say quickly hoping she just won’t question it. I go to turn but her voice stops me before I get a chance.
“Are you serious?” she asks, grimacing at the little surprise I tacked on for her. I can see her dislike for Vivian is just as deep as my own—perfect.
“Yup, thanks so much. Oh, Lindsey’s calling you, love ya,” I blurt out in quick succession before darting away, leaving her hurling a string of curses at my back.
My shoulders shake with laughter as I weave my way back to Zeke, glad I will have some sort of buffer between me and that bitch. But I’ll have to endure Seline’s wrath the entire day. Oh well, small price to pay. I definitely wasn’t impressed by the short notice either when I checked my texts this afternoon. I would just blow her off, but I still have a cover to keep, and our conversation in my room replays through my mind, the mix of threats and guilt over my relationship with Pearl was enough to have me agreeing.
“You look like you’re having fun,” Zeke says, peeling himself from the wall. I can’t help but watch him intently, the way he moves is so effortless and sexy.
“Well I did just trick my friend into being back-up with my step-monster tomorrow.” A giddy laugh bubbles up past my lips.
“You’re pure evil, Alpha Draven,” he says, giving me a wry smile as his eyes rove over my body. Apparently being evil is a turn on to him—noted.
I glance over to the front entrance, remembering the crowd of club goers and their excitement that met me as I entered. There’ll undoubtedly be a group of drunk patrons crowded around the smoking area at this time, and I really don’t want to relive that.
“Let’s take the back entrance,” I say, but just before I turn someone catches my attention. My eyes narrow in on the familiar figure by the main entrance, Axel’s black hair and deep scowl unmistakable. My lips part, about to ask Zeke to wait for me, but movement in my periphery catches my attention, the space where I could have sworn Axel stood just moments before is now empty. I scan the surrounding groups of patrons, and attempt to shake off the uneasy feeling that has settled over me and head in the opposite direction, shrugging off the glimpse of the beta. I’ve almost convinced myself I must have either lost him somewhere in the crowd, or mistaken someone else for him. Zeke follows behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder to stay together as we squeeze through the gathered patrons.
I breathe a sigh of relief as we get to the steel door. It’s monitored by an alarm so we can go out, we just won’t be able to hold it open for very long otherwise the sirens will blare through the club to deter people from sneaking in. Pushing open the door I spot a figure on the far end of the alley but fog shrouds most of their shape. My hackles raise in warning as I step out onto the pavement and the door clangs behind us, the sound vibrating off the brick walls surrounding us.
I realize why my senses are on high alert as a shadow presses in on us. My gaze lifts from the pavement only to lock on the thick fur of a five hundred pound grizzly bear standing just a few feet away … well fuck.
Chapter Eighteen
Skylar
Atthesoundofthe door closing behind us, the bear snaps his head around, teeth gleaming maliciously in the faint glow of the street lights. Their claws immediately swipe down towards me but I jump back, raising an arm to push Zeke out of the way as well.
“Fuck,” Zeke curses, wrapping his hands around my waist to pull me back further. But I push him off and reach for the gun at my waist.
“I’ll hold him off while you shift,” I order, taking aim at the bear’s torso. The bullets will at least slow him down. Zeke’s eyes widen, his face pinching in anger, but he doesn’t bother arguing, knowing that this is our best chance. I focus on my target, flipping off the safety and pulling the trigger. The gunshot rings out throughout the narrow alley, amplified by the brick walls surrounding us, and I fire again. The bullets hit their marks, and the bear grit his teeth against the sting of pain, but it doesn’t stop him. He doesn’t even bother to duck out of the way because this close, and with the massive chest I’m aiming for, there isn’t anywhere to hide. He’s willing to die tonight I realize, in the hopes of landing one lethal hit.
A low snarling growl pierces the night air, the only warning I have before Zeke’s muscular wolf launches himself at our attacker. I ease my finger off the trigger knowing I won’t be able to get another shot in, especially not when their two feral forms battle for dominance.
I holster the gun and slide off my jacket, accepting what I need to do. As I drop the jacket I notice shreds of fabric strewn across the pavement. Zeke hadn’t waited to strip off his clothes, no his wolf form must have burst forth, salivating to jump into the action.
I push down the rush of fear that sends chills along my spine.I can do this. My wolf hums in approval, begging to be set free and defend our mate. I don’t let the doubt filter into my mind, holding it back like water in a damn. This is the only way because I have a bad feeling that he’s not the only one, judging by the rushed footsteps coming from where I saw the shrouded figure.
