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Chapter fifteen
Bethany
Watching them squirm ispriceless. Seeing them not their usual selves, however, gives me twin feelings of regret and hope. I work with Hunter all night, cleaning and obeying his directions without hesitation. I’ve worked in bars before, so I know what I’m doing, and he can mostly leave me alone.
Except he can’t take his eyes off me. Wherever I go, I can feel him watching. The heavy weight of my alpha’s silent regard makes me hyper-aware of everything I’m doing. At times, the bar falls away, and it’s only him and me.
Ryn brought out her assistant, who is a stylist, and together, the girls went to town. Gone are the sweet and sexy pink dresses. Everything I own now is geared towards attracting these very mysterious, pub owning alphas. I now match their aesthetic, and to be honest, this is definitely clothes I feel more myself in.
As the night draws to a close, I can feel them circling. I finish up, smile at Eric, and turn to Hunter.
“I’ll be back tomorrow night, and you can work out what shifts you want to give me.”
Hunter opens his mouth, but I turn and walk away before he can speak. I’m smiling and patting myself on the back when he grabs my arm and swings me back around. I catch myself on his chest and look up.
“How are you getting home? Where are you staying?” Hunter asks urgently.
It’s like he’s saying something else under the questions, but I’m not sure what it is.
I lick my lips and focus my gaze on the v that his shirt frames. I want to lick that spot. Still, I’m uncertain, my body waiting for rejection, for those hurtful words to hit into me. Please don’t hurt me, Hunter.
“I have a hotel-”
“Which one?” Hunter asks, not letting me finish.
“Do you care?” I ask flatly and pull myself free of his hold. That morning ruined everything, and it’s replaying in my head. He doesn’t deserve to know where I am.
“Of course, I care. You’re an employee now.”
I scoff and turn away from him, only to find Crow looking down at me with so much vulnerability on his face that it steals my ability to think.
“Goodnight, Alpha Crow,” I breathe when I rip free of his spell. I force myself to step around him and keep walking until I’m outside. The street transforms when the bars and clubs shut. It goes from a hive of activity to this thick, dangerous vibe of menace. A few drunk people stumble their way home, but all the lights are off now. The neon glamor is gone.
Someone grabs my arm, and I attack without thinking, slamming the heel of my hand into the guy’s stomach. He expelsair in a rush and doubles over, but that’s where he meets the wrath that is my knee.
It takes me a moment to calm down. A moment to comprehend what I’ve done. I realise it’s Hunter doubled over in front of me. Everytime I blink, I try to erase the mirage, but still, the illusion doesn’t change. I’m torn between a groan and a giggle as I reach out to put a hand on his shoulder, but before I connect, he drops to his knees.
How to win your scent match in two moves or less. Nice work, Bethany.
“Hunter, are you all right?” I crouch down beside him and help him up.
“I was…” He stands up and holds his face. “Coming to make sure you are safe.”
I nod. Sure, that makes sense. Uh-huh. Why? My cynical voice is a bit of a bitch, but I guess I get like that when I get my heart crushed.
Saint and Crow come outside and rush to Hunter’s belated aid. I step back, wincing at their barked questions.
“Who did this?” Saint finally says clearly.
“I did it?”
Crow gives me a dazzling, lopsided smile. “You got some moves you were hiding from us?” he asks in a tease that goes straight to the parts of me that still love these alphas.
I blush a shade I think they would have to invent just for me.
“I’m sorry.”
Saint looks at me, and then shakes his head. “He should know better than to grab a woman at this time of night. It’s on him.”
