Page 8 of Semi-Rejected Life

“It’s all true. Scout’s honor,” I replied, holding up three fingers on my right hand. “Although I’ll probably never see him again because, you know, Alphas don’t end up with dudes like me.”

“He was an Alpha?”

“Next in line in his pack from what he told me.”

“Wow. I bet he’s hot then.”

“Extremely.”

“I wish I had an Alpha…” Andy got that dazed look in his eyes as he stared out the windows.

“Someone has to come to this town for both of us, right? Isn’t that what we’re supposed to believe?”

“Right,” Andy laughed. “I’m sure some hot Alpha will just stumble into my life completely by accident. Probably this summer too. He’ll show up, eat my food, fall in love with me, and it’ll be happily ever after before the winter sets in.” He scoffed, waving me away. “It’s already mid-August. There isn’t anybody on the way for me.”

“Being defeated about it isn’t going to help.”

“Neither is wishful thinking. At least you have a chance at getting laid.”

“A slim chance,” I sighed. “I don’t think he’s gonna come looking for me. The guy was an easy ten. I’m like… a six on a good day.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re an easy six and a half.”

“Gee, thanks.” I stared at Andy for a long moment, the pair of us exchanging a mischievous grin. “So are you gonna get me a donut or what?”

“Is that what you want?”

“I mean, I’d take two.”

“How do you stay so damn skinny eating nothing but carbs?” Andy went to the case and started taking out the apple fritters he knew I loved. “I swear I gain weight just breathing in this shop. I’ve taken up running just to keep fitting in my jeans.”

“Please,” I grumbled. “You’ve been tall and skinny since we met. Don’t even start.”

“And you’ve been a little twink.”

“Thank you,” I smiled, wiggling my head sassily. I picked up the bag of fritters on the counter and started toward the door. “If I see any hot single dudes, I’ll send them your way, alright?”

“Are you gonna pay for any of that?” he asked, gesturing toward my coffee and pastries.

“Consider it in store credit at the pizza shop!”

Andy sighed but waved as I left. He was a great friend and so fun to mess with. If we had any sexual chemistry and he wasn’t a total bottom, I would’ve hopped on that years ago. But that just wasn’t the case. Even so, it was kind of nice to have a person to commiserate with now and then. He understood the struggle of being a gay werewolf in a small town—talk about a tiny dating pool.

Of course, some of us had found mates. Ace, the dark and silent cowboy, had found his mate early in the summer. Sam made sure to not only let everyone know, but to introduce Matt to all of us. They were a great pair and so in love. It was wonderful to see. But I couldn’t help feeling a bit jealous every time I saw them. I wanted what they had. Then again, even if the right guy did come along, I wasn’t sure I’d have the guts to go after him.

At this point, Andy and I’s only chance of finding a mate was to hope another rogue wolf like us came into town. And that wasn’t a fate I’d wish on anyone. Losing everything wasn’t a great way to start a new life. Even so, I couldn’t help wondering how we were going to find boyfriends any other way.

Maybe I’d grow a backbone and trying a human someday. But, until that happened, I was content enough to run my pizza shop and wait for the right guy to find me. In the meantime, I would try not to get my hopes up about getting railed by this River dude. Of course, the more I tried not to think about it, the more the images invaded my mind.

Good thing I was going to wear an apron all day so it could cover up my chub.

Chapter Five: Vincent

Thankfully the shop wasn’t brimming with orders right at open. I had a few regulars, to be sure, but with delivery not starting until four, most were willing to wait. But that gave me time to prep things for the night between taking care of a few customers dining in.

Around three-thirty my delivery guy walked through the door with a big smile on his face. And for some reason, it was directed at me.

“What are you smiling at?” I asked with a shrug. “Usually when you’re smiling, that means trouble for me.”

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