Page 4 of Alpha Jax

Reid’s an only child, so he doesn’t understand the innate protectiveness that comes with having siblings, especially little sisters. Guys only have one thing on the brain- I should know, I’m a guy- and there’s no way in hell I’ll let any dudes near my sisters.

I do see Reid’s point in asking, though. It’s fairly common for daughters of alphas to mate with an alpha from another pack. Not only are alpha females well equipped to help run the pack as Luna, but these pairings help broker alliances between packs. The latter isn’t really needed in this case, though, since the six-pack is already aligned.

“Why don’t you just tell the pack you’re waiting for your fated mate?” I suggest.

He gives a little shake of his head. “Already tried that one.” He raises his beer to his lips, taking another sip. “It worked for a while, but now that I’m getting older there’s more pressure to just choose someone.”

“I don’t envy you, man,” I mumble. Reid’s twenty-six; he’s hardly ‘old’. He wouldn’t be getting this kind of flack if he wasn’t Alpha.

“You’ll be in my shoes soon enough,” he says, pointing the tip of his beer bottle in my direction and arching a brow. “And then you’ll see what a bitch it is to try to please everyone.”

I drain the rest of my beer, setting the empty bottle on the table. “I’m in no rush. I mean, I’m looking forward to being Alpha when the day comes, but for now I’m good with helping lead up the squad. Especially with the recent stuff going on with the shadow pack.”

Reid gives a curt nod. “For sure.”

I rise to my feet, glancing through the crowd in the direction of the bar. “Another round?” I ask, gesturing to Reid’s beer.

He shakes his head, bringing the bottle to his lips and finishing the rest in a single gulp. “Nah, I’ve gotta head back and get some sleep,” he says, setting it down and rising to stand. “You stay, though. And feel free to crash at the packhouse, I’ll leave the back door unlocked.”

I’m disappointed that he’s leaving, but it’s useless to fight him on it. Reid isn’t the type to succumb to peer pressure or cajoling- when he says he’s going to do something, that’s that.

“Cool, thanks man,” I say, reaching out for a fist-bump. “I probably won’t be too far behind you.”

Reid gives me a look like he doesn’t believe me, but I just brush it off, turning away and heading for the bar. He’s probably right- with the number of females packing this place tonight, there’s no way I’ll be heading out without at least chatting up a few of them. I eye the dance floor on my way to the bar, scoping out the talent.

This is exactly why I’m protective of my sisters- because I’m already undressing these girls on the dance floor with my eyes, and I have a feeling that there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be hooking up tonight. And the world is full of guys like me.

CHAPTER THREE

Quinn

I can’t believe how slammed the Stillwater Tap is on a Wednesday. When Kyla and I walk through the door, my thoughts are immediately drowned out by the loud thump of the music, my eyes taking in the sheer number of bodies packing the place. Though it’s not what I expected, I’m pleasantly surprised. The dance floor is already crowded, and before we’ve even made it to the bar to order a drink, I’m itching to get out there.

Kyla elbows her way to the front of the bar to order drinks while I hang back, scanning the crowd and tugging at the hem of the dress Kyla let me borrow. It’s too small and too short, but it was the only thing remotely appropriate that I tried on from Kyla’s closet. I’ve got a good six inches in height on her, not to mention several cup sizes. This stretchy black tube dress was my only option, aside from my brewery t-shirt and work shorts.

I feel a hand slither behind my back, a low voice in my ear saying “Hey, Quinn”. I jump a little, startled, whipping my head around to see Kyla’s boyfriend Tony positioned beside me.

“Oh, hey Tony,” I breathe.

He grins, his beady dark eyes roaming my form, hand still glued to the small of my back. “Wow, you look amazing.”

The way he says it makes my skin crawl. I love Kyla, but something about Tony has always made me a little uncomfortable.

“Uh… thanks,” I mutter, casually sidestepping away so that his hand falls from my back. “Kyla’s just up at the bar grabbing drinks.” I tick my head in her direction.

Tony flashes a smile. “Guess I should grab one, too.”

I give him a little nod, forcing myself to smile back. As he shuffles away, I glance out at the dance floor again, scanning the faces in the crowd.

It feels a little odd to be surrounded by so many strangers. As the alpha’s daughter, everyone in Summervale knows me. I’ve never been around so many other shifters and been…anonymous. It’s kind of thrilling. Tonight, I can be anybody I want to.

“Anyone caught your eye?” Kyla asks, appearing beside me and thrusting a shot glass in my direction.

“Not yet,” I laugh, taking it from her appreciatively. I bring it to my lips, tossing it back. The chilled tequila burns my throat on the way down.

Kyla wrinkles her nose. “Ugh, how can you drink that stuff?”

I shrug, smiling. “Because it’s delicious. Aren’t you going to take yours?” I eye the other shot glass in her hand.

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