58

“Thanks.” I take the sweet from him.

He blinks. “I was sure you would hesitate at least. You know, candies from strangers.”

I laugh lightly, unwrapping the sticky candy, “After the kind of days I’ve been having, I wish somebody would knock me off.”

I see the smile slip from his face.

My stomach gurgles and he frowns. “You’ve not eaten?”

“No, I—"

It gurgles again.

The stern look in his eyes makes me almost feel guilty. “Just been skipping a few meals these days. If you’re done with your drink, you should go. The bar’s closing in a few minutes.”

He hesitates, looking as if he has something more to say to me, but then he stops himself, “Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thanks for this,” I point at the sweet toffee in my mouth, and he smiles at me, but I notice that it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Once he leaves, I go over to pick up his glass when I notice the bills folded neatly underneath the glass.

I freeze when I open them. He left a two-hundred dollar tip.

A part of me wants to keep it, but another part of me wants to ask him if he left the right amount. Not many people show me kindness, and Sam has shown me nothing but. Despite my own yearning heart, I tuck the bills in my pocket. I’ll return them tomorrow.

It takes me half an hour to clean the place before I begin locking up. It’s when I open the alley exit to throw out the trash that I hear the sounds of fighting.

I rush outside to see a few wolves fighting amongst themselves. I freeze at the sight, and it takes me a second to determine that while they are shifters, they are still quite young.

Juveniles.

Juveniles of any pack tend to be more volatile and make trouble. They’re at the age when they want to prove themselves, especially the males.

However, they’re also old enough to be held accountable for their aggressive actions.

They’re not that close to the trash, so I decide to ignore them and just toss the trash and leave. Not my circus, not my monkeys.

I’ve barely tossed the trash when one of the wolves goes flying past me, right into the door. I hear the loud cracking sound as the door splinters, and I let out a sigh.

Dammit. So close!

When his attacker rushes forward to finish the job, I step in his path, holding out my hand. “Enough.”

He doesn’t stop, just sneers at me.

So, I drop to the floor, hand on the ground. I watch the vines shoot up and wrap around the frightened wolves, trapping them.

“Shift back,” I order. “Now.”

They struggle, but finally give up, shifting to their human forms. I don’t release them yet. “Name your pack.”

“You ugly bitch—"

I move my fingers deftly and one of the vines slams into his mouth, an effective gag. I look at the rest of them. “I won’t ask twice.”

“Stone Creek Pack,” one of them mutters reluctantly. “Those assholes are from the Black River Pack. They attacked us first.”

“The hell we did!” The boys from the other pack snort. “You pussy-ass bitches—"

I flick my hand, and his mouth is also gagged. “Language. I’m going to lower you down to the ground. You’re going to walk inside and call your respective Alphas. They need to come and pick you up.”

I can see that the group is sufficiently intimidated, even the brash-mouthed ones from the new wolf pack in town. However, no matter how dismayed they look, I’m more miserable.

I don’t want to see Austin.

But I don’t have any other choice, either. There are rules set in place for situations like these—rules set by the mayor.

I let the juveniles use the phone at the bar to make their respective calls. To their credit, they sit quietly, just shooting dirty glares at each other every few seconds.

It’s half an hour when there is a knock on the front door.

“It’s open!” I call out, leaning behind the bar, my forearms resting on the counter.

A male walks in, a very good-looking one. With blond hair and light blue eyes, he’s quite handsome. He’s wearing a jean jacket with a black shirt and jeans underneath. His hair is messy, and the whole vibe around him is sexy and laid-back.

Another wolf shifter.

“And you are?” I ask.

“Loyd Rock,” he holds out his hand, smiling pleasantly. “Sorry about the trouble this bunch caused.”

The Alpha. One touch is enough to feel the power thrumming within him.

Contrary to what I had gathered, Loyd doesn’t seem as uncouth and wild as the rest of his pack. However, when I look at the juveniles, they are quaking in fear.

It’s strange because I know that Alphas punish juveniles for their behavior, but it’s never too harsh. Maybe they’re just worried about getting in trouble.

“Yes, well, they broke down the door, which will have to be reported to the owner of this establishment. You must be the new Alpha in town. I’m sure the rules of this bar were explained to you.”

He doesn’t seem put off by my stern tone, but smiles. “Yes. A neutral zone overall. Obviously, we will deal with the damages.”

“Well,” I relent, “the other pack will also have to pitch in. So it won’t be too much of a strain on your pocket.”

I look at the juveniles, whose faces are pale, “I do have to ask for their ages, though. Is there anybody eighteen or over?”

Loyd glances back and shakes his head. “Billy there is going to be eighteen in two months.”

“Well, he’s lucky then,” I tell him. “The mayor has a rule for detaining legal juveniles for such behavior. You all get off scot-free then. I do hope you talk to them, but you can go now. Just leave me your address or your pack’s main number.”

One jerk of his chin has the juveniles filing out while he fishes in his pocket and hands me a card. “Some of our females own the new butcher shop that has just opened in town. I can always give you my personal number as well.”

It takes me a second to realize that he’s flirting with me, and I blink, “Ah.”

“I don’t see many pretty bartenders these days,” he grins at me, and I feel a blush forming. “And I don’t know many people here.”

“I—I’m sure you’ll find—"

“You wouldn’t mind showing me around town, will you?” he presses, and I feel flustered and overwhelmed.

“If you think this will get you out of trouble with—"

“Oh, I don’t mind getting in trouble, as long as I get your number with it.” He winks at me and my heart skips a beat. When was the last time someone made me feel so desirable?

I open my mouth, only to catch a familiar scent.

My head whips to the side to see Austin standing there, his expression dark with anger as he looks between me and Loyd.