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Alpha Chase 32
CHASEThe scent of stale beer and cleaning solution hangs heavy in the air as I stride into the dimly lit bar on the edge of Goldenleaf’s territory. The squad frequents this place due to its proximity to the complex, and as soon as I walk in, I spot several squad fighters loitering around the bar, sipping cocktails and swigging from beer bottles. A few of them glance my way when I enter, but I don’t pay them much mind as I stride toward the table in the back corner. I’ve only been here a handful of times, but I know where Gray and the other alphas typically sit- it’s like their table has an unspoken permanent reservation for only them. A table that usually has five stools around it, but tonight, there’s a sixth.“Hey, you made it!” Gray calls, waving me over. Theo and Jax are already occupying their usual seats at the table, while the other three remain vacant. Gray slaps the seat of the empty stool beside him as I approach and flashes me a grin. “It’s about time we had a sixth stool
Alpha Chase 33
VIENNA The highs and lows of this week have given me some serious whiplash. Just days ago, I hit rock bottom, and now? I’m not sure I’ve ever been so happy. A lot of that has to do with Chase, and while it scares the shit out of me to let my walls down for him, I’m just going with it. I’m sick of holding myself back from the things I really want for fear that they won’t last. I keep silencing my anxiety, telling myself that good things really can happen if I just let go and let them. And after the hell I went through earlier this week, I deserve a little happy, damnit. I suppose that being swept away to Chase’s packhouse after the accident garnered a lot of attention, because when Nessa showed up to check on me the following day, all five Lunas stormed the packhouse with her. I’d already healed up except for a few minor aches and pains, but they fussed over me nonetheless- and going from feeling completely alone before the accident to being surrounded by so much support had me shame
Alpha Chase 34
VIENNA I’m having serious déjà vu looking at Chase right now, relaxed back in the center of the leather sofa with a bottle of whiskey dangling from his fingers. The only departure from the past version of him is his expression- gone is that sullen, broody boy, replaced by the one sitting in front of me with a cocky smile and a glimmer of ‘try me’ in his eyes. Too bad I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. “Forget to mention you were having a party tonight?” I ask, my arms still folded tightly across my chest as I level him with a tight-lipped stare. He shrugs a shoulder, dimples sinking into his cheeks with his smirk. Throwing up a hand, he gestures nonchalantly to his cronies seated around him. “The boys wanted to have one.” “Uh huh.” I roll my eyes, tossing my long wavy hair back behind my shoulders. “You’re just full of surprises today.” My gaze slides to Chase’s friends surrounding him on the sofa, all on the edges of their seats as their eyes ping between the tw
Alpha Chase 35
VIENNAI have no idea what Chase has up his sleeve, but I can’t deny the little spark of excitement that comes with not knowing. As we roll out of Norbury and head toward Summervale, he starts fiddling with the stereo, muttering something about the specs of the sound system in the Jeep as he works to connect his Bluetooth to play music from his phone. We should talk, but I’ve got a feeling that our conversation will be a lot more productive after he’s cooled down and some of the alcohol works its way out of his system. Shifters can drink a hell of a lot more than humans without feeling the effects, but nobody’s sober after slamming a half a bottle of whiskey.He selects a song and presses play, the opening bars of Machine Gun Kelly’s ‘bloody valentine’ overtaking the silence in the cab of the Jeep. It’s not the upbeat, peppy version of the song- it’s the acoustic version with Travis Barker on drums. MGK’s gritty, melancholic voice comes out crisply through the speakers, the low hum of
Alpha Chase 36
CHASEThe restaurant at the lodge is deserted when I enter, the moon high in the sky and spilling its light through the large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountain. The bar area is still dimly lit by hanging pendant lights, casting a yellow glow over the rich wood tones of the bar itself and illuminating the shelf of liquor bottles. The only sign of life in here is a rustling sound coming from somewhere behind the bar, and as I draw closer, something clatters and I hear Vienna mutter a curse under her breath.“Need some help?” I chuckle, approaching the bar and leaning over the counter.Vienna pops up to her feet, brown eyes thrown wide as they collide with mine. “Chase,” she breathes, the husky sound of it going straight to my dick. Her long dark hair is tied back in a tight ponytail and she pulls it over a shoulder, fiddling with the ends. “You’re early.”I am, but only by fifteen minutes or so. I won’t tell her that I was waiting in the parking lot for another fifteen.
Alpha Chase 37
CHASE As we get in the truck to leave the lodge, I’m fully expecting Vienna to unleash her wrath on me for wielding my Alpha command. In hindsight, it was a stupid move- the girl hates being told what to do- but I was so desperate to keep her safe in that moment that I just acted on instinct. As I start the truck and pull away from the lodge, I’m bracing myself for the fallout. I’m ready for it. But it doesn’t come. Instead, she turns up the volume on the radio and ignores me for the entire drive back to Norbury, which is somehow worse. Fighting, I can handle. It’s practically our love language. But the silent treatment? Fucking kill me. I park the truck in the driveway and before I can even cut the ignition, Vienna unclips her seatbelt and jumps out, tearing up the front walk. I quickly follow, my long strides eating up the distance quickly so that by the time she’s walking over the threshold into the packhouse, I’m right behind her, catching the door before she can slam it in my fa
Alpha Chase 38
CHASEVienna’s sleeping so deeply that she doesn’t even stir when I carry her upstairs and tuck her into my bed. At least one of us is able to sleep- I haven’t managed a wink since she told me the truth about her situation at home. My mind races all night combing over my options, and when the first rays of morning sunlight peek through the curtains, I give up my futile fight for sleep and sneak out of bed to put my plan into action.I scrawl out a quick note to Vienna to let her know that something came up, leaving it on the nightstand with the key fob to the Jeep sitting on top, instructing her to take it to work since I won’t be back to give her a ride. With any luck, I’ll be able to execute my plan before her shift ends today and she’ll be none the wiser. On my way out the door, I cast one last glance in her direction, my eyes raking over her naked form tangled in the black satin sheets. Seeing her like this, so sweet and vulnerable, only reinforces my resolve for what I’m about to
Alpha Chase 39
VIENNAAs I leave my house with Chase, a lot of strange looks are cast in our direction.Brock looks at us like we’re nuts, and yeah, we basically are.Astrid peers at us with this smug little smile like she knows something that we don’t, which is basically par for the course with her.My mom’s eyes are glassy with tears and burning with scorn, but I don’t even lift my gaze to meet them as I confidently stride past her. She doesn’t fucking deserve my pain or my pity.When we walk outside, we’re greeted by more strange looks.Levi glances at us wistfully, looking a little butthurt like he always does when he sees us together lately. Must be a male ego thing since Chase won their little tug-of-war over me, but it was never really a competition in my eyes.Cal is grinning from ear to ear, probably delighting in the blood smeared on our faces. Sick fucker. Miles looks confused as hell, and Alec and Dare are sporting matching raised brows and curious expressions on their faces.Nessa appe
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