Page 93 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

I haven’t gone there since Arabella attacked me one week ago, but I’m feeling more stable now. The vampires who had been showing up suddenly stopped, and life seems to have gone back to a somewhat normal routine. Even Terrence never appeared again.

I feel a sense of relief at this past week of normalcy. I’ve reached a point where I’m beginning to feel hopeful.

Glancing at the wall clock, I announce, “We close in ten minutes.”

The few lingering customers look outside and groan. However, they pack up quickly and scurry out with their umbrellas. I don’t waste any time wiping down their tables and locking up.

I consider calling a taxi, but the bus stop is only a ten-minute walk away. I try to speed walk, repeatedly checking the time. If I don’t hurry, I’ll miss the bus, and the next one is going to be a twenty-minute wait. Unfortunately, luck is not on my side, as I see the bus pass by me.

I raise a hand, shouting for it to stop. In my haste, the umbrella slips from my other hand, flying off with the wind. I can either go after it or try to make the bus. I choose the latter, feet splashing in the puddles as I run like a madwoman after the bus. It rounds the corner, and I know it’s a losing battle, but the stubborn streak in me prevails.

One minute later, I’m standing at the bus stop, drenched from head to toe, the bus merrily driving on ahead.

“Damn it,” I mutter. “Should’ve gone for the umbrella.”

However, it’s too late now.

Darting under the bus stop shelter when the onslaught of rain continues, I look up to see a large gap. Someone had the bright idea to remove the roof.

It’s raining too hard for me to even consider taking out my phone to call a taxi. My screen won’t work if it’s wet.

Shivering, I turn around and start the trek back to the cafe.

As I walk, the rain becomes almost torrential, and I can barely see two feet in front of me. All the shops seem to be closed aside from a bar. I know how I look right now, and heading into a bar full of drunk people might not be the best course of action, but I’m desperate.

I duck inside, shivering as the blast of heat hits me.

Wiping the water from my face and clutching my bag, I look around. There are a few people around, mostly men, and their eyes are on me.

I approach the bar, trembling like a leaf. I am so cold right now. “C—Can I use your bathroom?”

The bartender gives me a strange look. “Sorry, paying customers only.”

“Oh.” I look at the men sitting on the stools around the bar, leering at me, and I realize my clothes are clinging to me like a second skin. “Okay. Um, I’ll have something warm.”

“This is a bar, not a coffee shop.” The bartender crosses his arms.

I don’t like him. He seems to be relishing his little flex of power.

“Fine.” I bare my teeth at him. “I’ll get a fucking beer.”

It’s not like me to curse, but I want to break this man’s face. I’m standing here, wet and shivering, and he’s just enjoying the show.

“Money?” He points to the board above his head, his voice smug. “A fucking beer costs fifteen bucks.”

“Are you insane?” I hiss. “It says seven dollars up there!”

“The rest is for the attitude.” He raises his brows at me. A few of the men chuckle.

“Hell, yeah!”

“Put the broad in her place!”

“Spin around for me, sweet cheeks, and I’ll buy you that beer!”

“Take off that shirt!”

More chortling, and someone says, “She doesn’t need to take anything off. She’s showing her titties as it is. And a nice pair they are!”

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