Page 37 of Alpha Jax

As alphas and future alphas, it’s important that we keep our cool in situations like these- after all, the last thing we need is an alpha beating up some guy from another pack, him running his mouth to his pack about it, and the six-pack alliance being fractured as a result. In order for the six-pack to work, we all need to trust each other, and we may be aligned, but we’re still very much separate. While the squad itself exists beyond pack rules and limitations, this guy isn’t actually part of the squad, so his punishment needs to be handled by his own alpha.

I can tell that Theo wants to hit the guy again, but he actually listens to Reid, backing down. Both Theo and I give Reid space to approach Tony and handle things, turning our attention to Quinn, instead.

Before we can even ask, she says “I’m fine,” pushing off of the wall and tugging the hem of her little black dress down.

“Are you sure?” Theo asks, reaching out to touch her arm.

Quinn bites her lip, nodding, looking from Theo to me. She still looks a little rattled. “Jax pulled him off before he could do anything.”

That comment makes my wolf stand up and preen, proud to be Quinn’s fucking knight in shining armor.

Theo turns to me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Dude, I can’t thank you enough…”

“It’s nothing,” I shrug. “Just lookin’ out.”

Quinn steps closer to us, and after her ordeal tonight, dirty thoughts of her should be the furthest thing from my mind- but you know I can’t help myself. She smells so fucking good I can hardly stand it.

“I think I’m gonna head back,” she breathes, running a hand through her hair. “This whole thing really killed my vibe.”

“Brooke and I will walk you back,” Theo says quickly, but Quinn gives a little shake of her head.

“I’ll be fine. Brooke’s finally having some fun tonight and I don’t wanna take that away from her.”

“I can walk her back,” I blurt.

Quinn’s eyebrows shoot up- damn, that sounded way too eager. I dial it back, setting a hand on my hip nonchalantly. “I mean, I was gonna head that way soon anyways.”

“Thanks, man,” Theo says, not even consulting Quinn about it and clapping me on the shoulder again.

She bristles and I can tell it irritates her, so I add “if it’s alright with Quinn.”

She stares at me for a moment, consideration in those hazel eyes. Then she slowly nods. “That’s fine.” Quinn looks past me, to where Reid’s now got Tony shoved against the wall. “Can we gonow?”

“Yeah,” I breathe, flicking my head toward the exit, beckoning her. “Let’s get outta here.”

A few minutes later, I’m pushing open the door, holding it so Quinn can exit the bar ahead of me. We got her out of there before too many people could ask questions, but word will probably spread tomorrow- gossip travels fast at the complex.

We walk the path to the squad complex together in silence for a few minutes, leaving the drama of the bar behind and letting the still of the forest at night envelop us. I do want to make sure she’s okay, though, so once we’ve put some distance between ourselves and the bar, I speak up.

“That Tony guy… wasn’t he dating your friend?”

“Yup,” Quinn replies flatly, popping the ‘p’.

I just nod, shoving my hands in my pockets as I continue to walk the path beside her. “Can’t imagine that’s going to be a fun conversation,” I mutter.

“Can we not?” Quinn asks, glancing over at me. “I’m fucking dreading it already. I don’t really wanna talk about it.”

“Yeah,” I say. “No problem.”

And then we walk in silence again. I don’t really know what to say to Quinn- she’s seemed a little upset since Thursday in the locker room. A woman like her, so strong and independent, probably gets annoyed when a guy like me is always trying to rush in and save her. At least that’s what I think it is- I can’t think of any other way I might’ve offended her. Maybe she’s just trying to respect the boundaries that we should have, given who her brother is. The operative word being ‘should’ because I haven’t exactly maintained boundaries when it comes to Quinn thus far.

“How’d you know I was back there?” Quinn asks after a few moments, alluding to the hallway. “Not that I don’t appreciate you rushing in to save the day and everything, but pulling the hero twice in one week is a dead giveaway that you’re stalking me.”

I glance over to see that she’s got a playful little smirk on her face.

“Right place, right time I guess,” I reply, shrugging.

“Nuh uh,” Quinn chuckles, shaking her head. “I’m not buying it.”

---