Page 5 of Semi-Rejected Life

“Oh? You work at the pizzeria or something?”

“Or something.”

“Well, I guess I’ll probably be hungry soon.”

“I look forward to it.”

River slipped a hand around my waist, his fingers digging into my skin as he pulled me close. My heart rate went through the roof.

“It was a pleasure saving you today, Carino.”

The way he rolled that R nearly made me melt.

“Likewise,” I replied, my voice shaking.

He flashed me that bright smile, winked, and climbed into the van. The engine turned over and he waved a hand out the window as he drove away. I raised my hand to return the gesture and just stood there, my body absolutely tingling where he’d touched me. Every inch of my skin was covered in goosebumps and I could still smell his pheromones all around me.

Fuck… what had I gotten myself into?

Chapter Three: River

Leaving new boys hot and bothered and aching for more was probably one of my favorite things to do. Maybe it was a little cruel, but they were always so eager the next time I met them. And Vincent was no exception. I could tell right away that he liked me and it wasn’t just because I’d clocked him in the head. He flirted back just as hard. I hadn’t really expected to find a man like him in Shifter Grove, but I was glad for it. At least it gave me one last chance to get all that out of my system before I went home to the wife.

Seriously. What a horrifying notion.

But that’s how it had to be. I’d already made peace with it. A life of power and ease came with a price, and that price was a heterosexual marriage. Maybe it was too steep for some, but my alternative was letting my father down, my pack down, losing my inheritance, and being banished to someplace like Shifter Grove for the rest of my life. It was a quaint town, but not where or how I wanted to live.

I didn’t have another choice.

Pushing those thoughts from my head, I pulled the van up to the curb in front of the hotel. Thinking about the future wasn’t helpful. Right now, I needed to get checked into my room, get cleaned up, and figure out how I was going to get the most out of my short time here in Shifter Grove. My first stop was going to be the pizza shop, so I could take Vincent out. Depending on his willingness, I planned on getting him into bed as soon as possible. Maybe that was a bit forward, but he seemed interested, at the very least. He was a bit shy, but I had a feeling I could get him over that. If not, there was always the option of buying some company on the way home. It wasn’t my preferred method, but I was running out of time.

I stepped out of the van and headed inside, taking only my backpack with me. The front desk attendant looked up as the bell overhead dinged and gave me a big smile.

“Checking in?” he asked, putting his book down.

“Yep. I should have a reservation under River.”

“Not very often we get reservations here,” the man replied, clicking away on the computer. “Usually, most wolves don’t know they’re coming.”

“Smelled it already, huh?”

He smiled. “Not many other types stay here.”

“I’ve heard about this place. Lots of rogues make their way here. It’s like a sort of safe haven, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Shifter Grove is where those who don’t belong come to find their place. A lot of them don’t leave either.”

“Mine will be a short-term stay,” I added, just for clarification. “I have a pack to go home to after this.”

“Ah. One of the lucky ones.” He reached out a hand. “I’m Sam. I own the place.”

“River,” I replied, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you. And, if you don’t mind, I might have some questions for you at some point.”

“About?”

“Just this place and what you do. I’m going home to be Alpha of my pack and I want to make it better, so I’m asking people while I’m here what could be improved.”

“Not to burst your bubble, but the number one answer is going to be acceptance.”

---