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The Denver Alpha 24
COLEI’ve never been a big fan of surprises. Chalk it up to my penchant for structure and discipline or my control-freak tendencies, but I just don’t understand why it excites people to have something sprung on them when they’re completely unprepared. I mean, wouldn’t it be better if everyone knew what the fuck was going on and could plan for it? For me, surprises don’t equate to fun, they just add unnecessary stress. Those closest to me know this and respect my strict no-surprise policy.There’s only one exception to the rule, and that’s my five-foot-nothing, curly-haired, overly-chipper little sister. She found her fated mate and moved away last year, and I’ve missed her like crazy since. She’s the one person who can show up unannounced at any time and I’ll always be happy to see her. And she knows full well that she’s the exception, which is why she never hesitates to do exactly that.She’s such a little sneak about it, too. When non-residents arrive at the gate to our pack’s commu
The Denver Alpha 25
JULIET Leave it to Astrid to pop up right when I’m more pissed off at her brother than I ever have been, intent on giving him the cold shoulder to make him suffer for it. It’s not as if I could turn down her dinner invitation. I’ve always liked Astrid and am happy to see her, even if it does mean sitting beside her brother and trying to play nice throughout the meal while suppressing the urge to stab him in the arm with my fork. There’s no way the others don’t pick up on the tension between us. In fact, judging by the looks they’ve been throwing our way, I know they do. Cole is in full on business mode, all polite smiles and courtesy laughs, while I’m still silently fuming about this morning. I try to push it aside for the sake of everyone else, but I’m not near as skilled as Cole is when it comes to burying my emotions. I tend to wear them on my sleeve, which makes for a slightly awkward dinner. It’s not all bad, though. Astrid and Brock announce that they’re expecting and we’re al
The Denver Alpha 26
COLE The first thing I notice when I wake up is that the light’s different. It’s brighter than usual, filtering in through the cracks in my blinds and bathing the room in a warm glow. I usually wake to pale grey light and the chirp of birds in the early morning, but today’s different because the sun’s already higher in the sky. I’ve slept in. For the first time in recent memory, I didn’t set my alarm. Any disruption to my rigid schedule would typically throw off my day, maybe even my entire week- but as my eyes start to adjust to the light, it hits me that I’m not alone. Another first: I’m waking up with someone beside me. No, not just someone. Her. Juliet Anderson, the woman who has infiltrated my every waking thought since the day she arrived here in that pale blue sundress, batting her eyelashes and playing all sweet and innocent. I was hooked from our first hello. Now she’s fast asleep in my bed, her hair pooled on the pillow beneath her like spun gold, looking so angelic t
The Denver Alpha 27
JULIET I press my thighs together tightly and swivel to dangle my legs out the back door of Tobias’ SUV, careful not to flash the long line of clubgoers waiting outside of Zodiac as I hop down from the vehicle. The skirt I’m wearing tonight is sinfully short; a high-waisted black pleather number that I’ve paired with a lacy maroon bodysuit and heels to match. And if you think I wore this outfit with the intention of driving Cole crazy, then you’re absolutely fucking right. The man is going to lose his shit in the best way when he sees me tonight. I can’t wait. Shay hooks her arm through mine, tugging me sideways so Kylie and Eddie can climb out of the SUV behind me. Meanwhile, Tobias comes around the front of the vehicle and tosses his keys to the valet. “Dang, is it always like this on a Monday?” I ask, elbowing Shay and nodding to the crowd of people waiting to get in the club. They’re lined up all the way to the corner of the building and there’s no telling how many more are wait
The Denver Alpha 28
COLE “This must be some kind of misunderstanding.” The cop shakes his head, shoving a piece of paper in my direction. “I’m sorry, Mr. Bauer, but it’s all right here. Your liquor license has been suspended until further notice.” He flinches as I snatch the paper out of his hands, my eyes skimming the words upon it. It looks fucking official, I’ll give him that- but there’s no way this can be legit. I run all of my businesses cleanly. Not only that, but my relationship with the chief of police all but ensures that things like this aren’t sprung on me. I continue scanning the document, reading the reason listed for the suspension and jerking my head up to lock eyes with the cop again. “Serving minors?” I ask in disbelief, my composure slipping as my agitation rises. “Are you fucking kidding me with this shit?” The officer- Banks, according to the name badge on his uniform- flinches again, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. He may not know what the alpha energy rolling off me
The Denver Alpha 29
JULIETThe cold metal of the handcuffs digs into my wrists as I shift positions against the hard plastic seat in the back of the squad car, leaning forward to alleviate the pressure against them. They’re cuffed behind me, leaving little room for comfort as I’m jostled around with every turn we take and every bump in the road.I can’t believe this is happening again. The first time, at least I could cry foul because I hadn’t actually done what I was being accused of. That’s not the case tonight, though- which has me nervous that I may not get out of this one as easily. I know Cole’s well-connected, but I’ve yet to learn how far his reach really goes. As it is, my stomach’s in knots, twisted with uncertainty about my fate.The officer driving the car suddenly takes a left turn at high speed, sending me sliding across the back seat and slamming into the door. My head thumps against the window and I cry out on impact, but the only response from the cops is the sound of their low chuckles
The Denver Alpha 30
COLEThe last time I allowed my emotions to rule me, I got a girl pregnant. Margot Kinney was a beautiful distraction at a time when our pack was in turmoil, all coy smiles and shy glances across the bar. With her natural blonde hair and sweet girl nextdoor vibe, She was my type to a T, and once I approached her and introduced myself, it didn’t take long for us to wind up in the back office of the club together. I was looking for an escape that night and I found it between her thighs.What I thought was a single night of passion turned into a life-altering event. Margot showed up at the club two months later to tell me she was pregnant. After a lot of back and forth with my advisors, I decided to do the unthinkable; to let a human in on our secret. It was the only way to secure a future for my son- a risk I had to take and a revelation that she didn’t take well. When Margot asked for time to process everything, I granted it to her, knowing she’d be back. She didn’t come from money or
The Denver Alpha 31
JULIET Cold. Empty. Numb. Last night emotionally drained me, and I woke up today still exhausted. I haven’t left my room. Have barely left my bed. I turned my phone off to silence all communication, though Shay showed up with a sandwich this afternoon and made me tell her what happened as I forced down a few bites. I’m still angry. Heartbroken. But more than anything, I’m just tired. Tired of trying so hard to assert my independence in a world that will never see me as anything but a weak, naïve, sheltered little girl. Tired of being made to feel like asserting myself is somehow wrong, and that I should bite my tongue and bow to the authority of the men in charge. No more. I refuse to swallow my opinions or live my life as a mindless piece of arm candy. I’m done pretending to play the part of the perfect daughter and sister of the alpha. I want to be seen. Heard. Respected. I really thought Cole was different. I thought he was beginning to see the real me; to treat me as an equal
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