The Panic

 Chapter 5

Alexander POV

I stare out of the black tinted windows and watch the trees passing which are almost blurred due to the speed of our car. My mind wanders to my mate once again and soon I find myself lost in her thoughts, a woman whom I have never seen, never heard about her but still I feel the love for that unknown being.

Soon, the trees take the shape of tall glass buildings as we enter another city. The buildings resemble a plasma screen with sunset playing on it, the orangish hue casting a soft glow on the surroundings while the people carrying out their mundane works enjoying the last bit of the sunset.

“It’s already 6:30pm and the sun is still up. Summers and long ass summer days, god I hate it.”  Lucas mutters under his breath with frustration lacing his tone.

I turn my head to look at him and notice he still has his shades on just like me and his once messy hair are now much more messier. “You are not the only one who hates summer. By the way, we are making a stop at the company to get some documents; I already told mom we will reach around 8.”  I state while my hand reaches the button of my blazer and undo it.

Lucas turns his head towards me and raises one of his eyebrows before speaking the words only he can. “You can’t be serious? God, Had I not been your Beta, I would have already planned your murder. For fuck’s sake, King, try to think of something other than work.”

I just shake my head at his hypothesis and reply in a playful tone. “I’ll try to do that if you don’t get us killed by your driving. Focus on the road already and not my face. And your lazy ass barely does any work. Had you not been my best friend, I would have fired you from the company a long time ago.” I smirk at the last comment while Lucas turns his head again to give me his death glare.

A second later, we both start laughing hard at the not-so-humorous joke. I take a deep breath to control my laughter and continue, “I need some coffee, are you up for one?”

Lucas nods and stops the car in front of a café and takes off his seat belt and I mimic the action. We both open the our door like twins at the same time and step out while all the young females around us stop what they are doing and stare at us in awe. I ignore them like the plague while Lucas smirks, liking all the attention. I clear my throat to grab his attention and when he looks at me, I tilt my head towards the café to make my point clear. He makes an annoyed face but complies anyway.

Once we enter the café, all head turns towards us and I had to practically stop myself from growling in frustration. This is the whole reason why we werewolves don’t enter human lands unless it’s deemed necessary.  Humans can’t help but feel attracted to our magnetic charms but we are still resistible. Vampires on the other hand are like a flame to every human and are damn irresistible.

I wear my emotionless mask on and walk to the reception area while Lucas just smiles at every damn female. I shake my head at his antics and look at the receptionist who is trying very hard to resist us. A small smile graces my lips as I notice her wedding ring and decide to get done with this soonest, don’t want to make her uncomfortable. “One Americano with one extra espresso and 1 with two sweeteners and three creamers.”

The receptionist nods her head and looks up while making sure not to see my face and utters “That would be 18 dollars and 50 cents, Sir.”

  I nod my head and take out a 100 dollar bill from my wallet and keep it on the desk. “Here.”

The receptionist nods and looks at the bill before a frown climbs her face. She audibly sighs and looks up again and questions “Do you have change, sir? We are short on change today, I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

This time it’s me who frowns before I reply. “I don’t want change. You can keep the rest.”

The woman instantly looks at me with shock written all over her face. “But Sir, it’s too much. I can’t….” she starts to object but cut I her off. “It’s fine. Just keep it.”

As soon I finish my words our coffee arrives and I take them without any further conversation with the receptionist and turn around to go back when I hear a small thank you.  I just nod with my back still facing her and spot Lucas flirting with a girl of his age.

I walk to him and clear my throat and the flirty smile disappears from his face as a serious look takes over his face. He bids bye to the girl who shouts “Bye,handsome!” As if we can’t hear her.

He then takes his overly sweetened coffee and walks back to the car with me while I spot some high school girls snapping our pictures but ignore them. Once we reach the car I utter the words I have been waiting to say ever since we entered the café. “She will be so much disappointed in you when she knows about this.” After my words, I open my door and step in without giving Lucas a second glance.

Lucas too rushes inside and his coffee becomes a long forgotten drink while he starts to explain himself. “See, I was just flirting and I promise I won’t do it again. Please don’t tell her.”  I turn to face him when I hear the pleading tone.

“You have known this for quite a time now that she will not like it. I can’t lie to her if she asks me. Also, didn’t you say last time that you won’t do this again? And yet we are going over the very same conversation again, Lucas.”  I said with disappointment lacing my tone.

Lucas turns towards his window with anger evident on his face and mutters “This would be the last time, Alex. Now, please.”

I nod my head and agree for one more time. “It is last time.” I state and then take a sip of my coffee.

The slight bitterness explodes in my mouth while I feel drunk from the aroma of coffee. My eyes close on their own accord as my nostrils inhale the delicious flavor of coffee. Lucas chuckles at my action, forcing me to cut short my moment and sips his own coffee before starting his usual signature remarks. “Goodness, you should start bathing in coffee. Have you ever seen yourself when you do this? You look straight away possessed.”

“And you? Aren’t you tired of repeating the same line since high school? I love coffee and there is nothing bad in enjoying it. Now, hush, let me enjoy my coffee.” I cockily smirk at my own lines.

If there is one thing that didn’t change, it is my and Lucas’s friendship.  We are like brothers, each other’s life saviors, banter partner, partner in crime, best Alpha-Beta team and so much more.

We both were sipping our coffee in comfortable silence when suddenly Lucas’s eyes roll back and his breathing becomes erratic. I keep my mug down and lightly slap his cheeks to make him listen to me. “Lucas, dammit, breathe. You are not breathing Lucas. Not now, fucking hell. See focus on my breathing. Breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Great, you are doing perfect, buddy. Once again, breathe in, hold and breathe out.”

I continue instructing him for around 5 minutes before he gains control over his breathing and looks at me with fear in his eyes. “She’s in danger. I can feel it, Alex. This always happens when she’s in danger, you know it, right?” Lucas murmurs in a frightened tone.

“Lucas, we are going back already. Relax; everything is going to be fine. Nothing would happen to her.” I spoke in a reassuring tone but Lucas just shakes his head with his eyes moist.

“You don’t understand, Alex, it’s her.  We both know, I am never wrong with my instinct and I know something bad happened to her and you know what, I couldn’t do anything.” Lucas again repeats himself making me doubt my words.

“See, we should directly head to the pack house, OK? That way, you can check on her by yourself. And Lucas, I’m driving from here. Let’s swap the seats.” I suggest while removing my seatbelt, ready to swap the seats.

“No, I’m driving. I will stress over anyway if I sat. Let me drive.” Lucas states while starting the engine while all I do is hold my head.

“You and I both know, the real reason is, you are going to drive reckless. But yea, drive. Just don’t get us involved in an accident. Will ya?” I utter and go back to staring outside of the window while my mind wraps itself around the earlier event.

Lucas has never been this scared but then it’s her and he is bound to feel everything. They share a very special bond but what I don’t understand is what can go wrong? The pack is one of the safest places she could be.

I sigh and give up on the thinking and resort to just wait and watch. Only if I had known how much right Lucas was.