6

The memory left a bitter taste in her mouth, even now. She knew that it shouldn’t matter to her what Tyler did or what he thought, not after the callous way he had treated her. The week before he’d dumped her, he’d played things up with her, being even more romantic, not arguing with her over the little things, and telling her he wanted to surprise her. 

She had been surprised, all right. And then she had run out of the restaurant in tears. There were far better ways to break up with someone. Heck, she would have appreciated a text more. But after dating for months and talking about moving in together, talking about his plans as a director, and her being there to support his every dream, it had stung for him to—without warning—shatter her world. 

Tyler was clearly a pig. Even when he had slept with her that one night, he had obviously been involved with Vanessa. Which meant he had been cheating on Vanessa as well. The arrogant jerk believed he was God’s gift to women. 

Amara looked at Silas. Gorgeous, tall, sexy as hell. She knew that her kiss with him had gotten to Tyler…even if it was only for a moment. She’d seen the surprise in his eyes. Tyler was the kind of guy who wanted to feel that he had one-upped you and left you devastated, and the fact that he and Silas didn't like each other had helped as well.

“It’s no doubt he was flaunting Vanessa to get to me,” she muttered, glancing away. 

“What was that?”

Amara faced him. “Vanessa. I always suspected that she was sleeping with Tyler while we were together. And just now she pretty much admitted it.”

A look of confusion came over Silas’ face, and he shook his head. “I always knew the guy was missing a few screws.” His eyes roamed over Amara from head to toe, leaving her feeling flushed. “I mean… for him to dump someone like you...” He made a face. 

Amara swallowed. “Thank you,” she said. “You’re very kind. But… why did you even tell me all that, since you declined to go as well. Don't you think it'd be more humiliating if I went without my supposed boyfriend?”

“You can go with someone else,” Silas said. “Or go alone. Call it a power move.”

Amara was shaking her head as the words left his mouth, “No. Of course I wouldn't be able to handle going alone.” She regarded Silas for a moment, “If I go, then you have to come with me,” It was his turn to shake his head, and Amara moved closer, “Please,” she said, “Technically this was your idea,”

“No. I was helping you out. Giving you ideas. Saving you… Like you put it earlier,”

Amara didn't say anything else. She just sighed and returned to her drink, while Silas watched her in silence. He took in her pretty face, beautiful eyes, full lips, curvy physique and asked himself why he was passing up an opportunity to spend more time with this woman. It'd been a while since he'd asked a woman out on a date so he guessed he was a little rusty. Yes, he hated Tyler's guts, but there was going to be a party, and he supposed in her company, they should be able to have a good time. 

“He said it was in two weeks, right?” he said after a while, hoping she'd not changed her mind, “I'm sure I can make out some time,”

Her eyes lit up then, and he smiled. 

“Okay,” Amara said. “We’ll do this.” And she would play it up for Tyler's benefit, because she wanted him to know that he hadn’t crushed her forever. He'd be jealous just thinking about how hot things were with her and Silas between the sheets. Oh, he would regret how he had treated her. 

“I could pick you up, if that works for you,” Silas said. “Take you to dinner first.”

Dinner first? The mere suggestion caused Amara's stomach to flutter. Sheesh, this wasn’t a real date.

“Why don’t I give you my number so you could call me,” she suggested, handing her phone to him. She knew that she would not be going to dinner with him because she didn’t want to give him the wrong impression.

Silas typed in his number and handed her phone back to her, “I called my number so I'll have yours as well.”

“All right.” Amara placed her hands on her hips, not sure what to say. “Talk to you later, then.” She lifted her drink from the bar, downed the rest of it and walked off. She had a headache and that meant it was time to leave.

—----------

The pack’s territory was vast. A dense timberland stretching across the northern border of Oakhaven like a fortress of dark green and shadowed pine. To the outside world, it was marked by rusted iron fencing, and a reputation enough to keep the curious at bay. The townspeople whispered stories about the estate—about the occupants who bought up acres of prime land only to isolate themselves behind the forest. It was private property, stark and eerie, and the citizens of Oakhaven were more than happy to stay out of it. 

Silas preferred it that way. The fear kept the humans far from their borders, and out here, he didn't have to navigate their loud, fragile lives or worry about a hiker stumbling across him when his skin burned and his wolf demanded a midnight run. Out here, he could shift when he wanted, run, and plunge into the pond at the edge of the ridge without having to hold back his true nature.

At the heart of the territory stood Alpha Gideon Hale’s mansion. Built a long time ago, imposing and ancient, serving as the nerve center for the pack. Gideon ruled the pack with absolute authority. That was the law of the pack.

Although he couldn’t be considered the best fighter in the pack, he possessed a strength that was even more important for the survival and success of the pack. Gideon had absolute self-control, being able to master his own instincts and urges meant he could see the problems the pack was facing and deal with them rationally. He was respected by other packs, and strays knew not to cross him, especially when he had Silas, who had a reputation as well. If an outside werewolf was causing trouble and Gideon wanted to make an example of him, he sent Silas.