Filed to story: The Rise Of The Lycan Queen
“No, I won’t be.” He lifted his chin and growled. “And don’t talk to her that way again.”
“Maybe instead of just opening your legs whenever a guy gives you attention, you could develop a good personality.” Ella crossed her arms and stared the girl down. “I mean you should at least try to have one redeeming quality.”
I loved that girl so fucking much, but I refused to be talked down to. “Usually the type who threaten are overcompensating for something.” I turned and fixed my gaze on hers. “Do you have daddy issues or something?”
Meredith jerked back as if she was slapped. “You…”
“It’s best if you shut the hell up.” Mason scowled at her. “The next words you say will make me come unglued, and we’re around…” He glanced at me and cleared his throat, “a lot of people.”
“Be a good girl, and let my brother have his date.” Ella winked at me and turned on her heel. “Besides, I like them together.”
Meredith glared at me as she slammed right into my shoulder in an attempt to knock me aside.
I stood tall and shoved back into her too. I wasn’t going to let someone treat me like that. If I did, things were only going to get worse.
She stumbled and fell to the ground with a loud thud. “You bitch.”
Mason lurched forward, but I tugged him back.
“The number-one rule of taking on someone is making sure you can win.” I squatted so I was close to eye level with her. “Don’t fuck with me.”
“Girl, I love you so much.” Ella laughed so hard she clutched her side. “That’s been a long time coming.”
“Come on.” Mason stepped around Meredith, making the situation that much more comical. “There’s an open table over here.”
Not wanting to be a complete ass, I gave her a wider berth, but when I glanced at her one more time, something like respect reflected in her eyes.
Yeah, I wasn’t going to analyze that one. I followed after him as he made his way to a table that was across the restaurant in the corner.
When he reached the table, he pulled out the chair for me. “I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s fine.” I sat, and he stepped over to his chair. “I mean we’re just friends after all.”
“No, it’s not, and we both know better, no matter how desperate you are to not admit it.” He ran his hands through his short hair. “I’m going to be honest. I’ve never dated someone.”
“You don’t say?” He acted like that was brand new information.
“Touch?.” He leaned back in his seat as the waitress appeared. “Hi, do you guys know what you want?”
My stomach growled loudly once more. “Can I get a large pizza with all the meats?” Oh crap, I was used to being alone. “I mean if that’s okay with you.”
“Make it two.” He tapped the table with his finger. “And I’ll take a Coke.”
“Water for me, please.” I gazed out the window, not quite sure what to say next.
“So, you’ve got two moms?” He leaned back in his seat and got comfortable.
“Yeah, something like that.” Eventually, I would have to tell him my story, but it wasn’t going to be tonight. So I gave him the shortened version. “My parents died young, and Kassie and Mona took care of me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He winced and scratched the back of his neck with his hand. “I didn’t realize.”
“Don’t.” Flashes from that day filtered through my head. I couldn’t break down here. “I… don’t want to talk about it.”
“Yeah, okay.” He nodded his head and licked his bottom lip. “Well, they sure seem nice. I mean this is a stupid question, but do you know them well?”
Ah, he was fishing. “Of course. I’ve lived with them every day for the past twelve years. Why would you ask that?” He was trying to figure out how much I knew about wolves.
“No reason.” He cleared his throat and pursed his lips to the side. “You’re enjoying making me squirm.”
“What?” I mashed my lips together, trying to hide my laugh. “No.” But it slipped through anyway.
“You sneak.” He laughed and reached over the table, taking my hand in his. The electricity sprung to life, and my wolf howled louder in my head.
I yanked my hand back, but the place he had touched still tingled. I was playing a dangerous game, and I could only hope that I knew what I was doing.
* * *
We rolled up to the gym about a quarter till fight time.
“Are you sure we aren’t late?” I’d been stressing the entire time. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“Aw, that’s cute.” He parked the car and turned to face me. “I’ll be fine. Come on; let’s head inside so I can make sure you and Ella are settled before my fight.”
I jumped out of the car before he had a chance to open my door. Boundaries. I needed to have boundaries. “They should already be in there. They left before we did.”
“Alec likes to get here early. That’s all.” We strolled through the parking lot toward the building.”I’m surprised that you haven’t asked me why I do this yet.” He caught up to me and took my hand.
I tried releasing my hand from his grasp, but once again he held it firmly in his. “Ella already told me about your mom.” I hoped he was okay with the fact that she had.
“Of course she did.” He shook his head and squeezed my hand. “It’s going to take some getting used to.”
“What?”
“You being tight with my sister.” He tugged me closer and released my hand, wrapping his arm around my waist. “It’s actually really nice. I’d always hoped that my ma… girlfriend got along with her.”
He almost slipped with the mate word. I should have called him out on it, but I wasn’t prepared for that conversation quite yet. When I attempted to slip out of his hold, he wouldn’t let me budge. The problem was I loved that he wouldn’t. My walls were already breaking down faster than I ever thought possible. The bond was forcing itself, and my will to stay away was crumbling.
“Is your dad out of the picture?” It hurt to think that he had to put the pressure all on his shoulders.
“Nope, but he’s got a demanding job, so he can’t make extra money.” When we reached the door, he jogged in front and opened it for me. “So I’m doing this until we have enough for the right person to heal her.”
I thought about pushing him through the door and following through it after him, but I couldn’t find the strength to be an ass. “Sounds like your dad has a big job.” I figured his dad must be the alpha of their pack. If so, why wouldn’t my uncle help him?
“He does.” He placed his hand on the small of my back as I walked through. “He takes care of a lot of people and is trying to do the best he can. I’m just helping out in the background.”
“So, in other words, he doesn’t know you’re doing this.” He and I were more alike than I realized.
“Yup, and it’s going to stay that way.” He kept his hand secured on me as we headed toward the crowd.
