Page 58 of Alpha Reid

I’m not sure how it’s possible to feel so strong, yet so scared at the same time. I’ve never felt stronger than I do now that Reid and I are united, but I’m also even more terrified of what’s to come. I have so much more to lose. In the short term, the other alphas could kick me out for what I’ve done, and then all of this will have been for nothing. In the long term, the thought of facing the shadow pack in battle makes my stomach twist into knots.

A knock at the packhouse door has my heart leaping into my throat. The fact that it comes right as I’m thinking of the shadow pack is certainly a cruel coincidence. My eyes dart in that direction, immediately assessing the position of the deadbolt. It’s still locked, which is a small comfort, and I exhale slowly as I make my way over to answer door, trying to calm myself down.

There’s no way the shadow pack knows.

It’s not like they have eyes and ears here in the six-pack; that was my role. I know it’s irrational to be this jumpy, but I guess there’s a disconnect between my brain and my body’s reflexes. I wonder if I’ll always be this way or if someday, I’ll relax enough to feel normal again. I can barely remember what ‘normal’ felt like.

I approach the door, peeking out the little window in the center of it to see who’s waiting on the other side. Recognizing the tall dude peering back at me, I flip the lock, pulling the door open.

“Hey,” I greet, leaning a shoulder against the doorframe and folding my arms across my chest. “Reid’s not here, he’s at a meeting with the other alphas.”

“Yeah, I know, I just came from there,” Chase replies coolly.

I arch a brow. “Oh yeah? You part of their club now?”

He takes a step closer, flashing me a charming smile. “From what I hear I’m not the only one.”

I roll my eyes, stepping aside to allow Chase entry. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that…” I murmur as he shuffles inside past me and I close the door behind him.

Chase takes a few long strides, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans and taking in the interior of the packhouse. “I would. Those guys are more understanding than you’d think.” He turns to me over his shoulder. “Especially Gray.”

“Fallon’s mate?” I scoff. “Yeah right…”

“Yeah, I am right,” Chase fires back, studying my face with narrowed eyes. “You don’t know how he became Alpha, do you?”

I shake my head.

“You should ask sometime,” he shrugs.

I shoot him an annoyed glare. “Don’t be cryptic.”

Chase cracks a smile. “My bad.” He turns away from me, walking further into the packhouse and looking around. “You two have more in common than you may think,” he says as I follow behind. He stops at the stairs, turning to face me again and leaning back on the banister. “The shadow pack attacked his. Killed half of them, including his family.”

I wince at his revelation. “Hell of a thing to have in common.”

“Just saying, he stuck up for you today.”

My brows shoot up. “He did?”

Chase nods.

“Wow. Guess I owe him one.” I heave a sigh, tucking my hands into the front pockets of my zip-up hoodie. “So what are you doing here, are you waiting on Reid or something?”

He shrugs nonchalantly. “I just came by to check on you. I meant to yesterday, after Fallon unloaded on you on the practice field. And then after what Reid told us today… I dunno, just wanted to make sure you were okay, I guess. Us outsiders have to stick together.”

He tosses me a wink and I roll my eyes.

“So?” he asks, brow arched. “You doin’ alright?”

I blow out a breath, shrugging. “Yeah, I guess so, all things considered.”

“Good.” Chase nods, his gaze sliding to the floor as he yanks his hands from the pockets of his jeans. He slides one into his hoodie pocket instead, pulling out a joint and holding it up. “You wanna smoke a J?”

I smile and give a little shake of my head. “I’d better not, I’m already on thin ice with Reid.”

Chase rolls his eyes exaggeratedly, tucking the joint back into his hoodie pocket. “That guy’s too serious.”

“He’s literally perfect,” I chuckle wryly. “How am I ever supposed to live up to that?”

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