Page 14 of Alpha Chase

The weight of Chase’s stare hasn’t left me. I hazard a glance in his direction to find him reclining back on the sofa, lower lip pulling between his teeth as his gaze slowly rakes over my form- like he’s memorizing every line and curve.

There go the hornets.

“Be right back,” Levi winks, brushing my arm with his fingertips as he sneaks past and heads toward the bar.

I watch after him for a moment, wringing my hands as I turn back to Nessa- but instead of being at my side, she’s stepping toward the couch, approaching Callum and Chase.

“Hi!” she chirps, smile bright as ever. “I’m Nessa.”

The girl is too damn friendly- she doesn’t even give me a chance to warn her that she’s walking into a pit of vipers.

Cal’s face screws up in annoyance as he drags his gaze from the girls dancing on the coffee table, his eyes snapping up to Nessa. I hustle over to save her, but the scowl on his face slides into a slippery grin when he takes her in. Guess he found something even better to look at.

“Well aren’t you sweet,” he purrs, eyes flashing with something sinister. “I’m Cal, and I’m sure you know Alpha Chase.” He ticks his head to indicate the space between them on the couch. “Why don’t you join us?”

Before I realize what’s happening, Nessa’s grabbing my hand, yanking me down to the couch with her. I teeter on my heels and lose my balance, landing halfway on Chase’s lap instead. When my butt hits his hard thighs it’s like all the air leaves my lungs on impact. His scent is all around me, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. My eyes fly wide as they connect with his dark gaze, my heart hammering against my ribs wildly.

Chase’s lips curl into an arrogant smirk. “Well that was quick,” he murmurs, a large hand locking around my hip and holding me in place.

“Get your big paws off of me,” I scowl, pushing against his chest.

He lets me go with a low chuckle and I push away, sliding off his lap and into the spot next to him. A little puff of air escapes my lips as my butt hits the cushion of the sofa. Levi reappears, a red plastic cup in each hand.

“Ladies,” he drawls, holding the drinks out toward Nessa and me.

I take it from him, staring down into the cup dubiously at the red liquid inside.

“It’s jungle juice,” he provides before I can ask. “Tastes like kool-aid, but watch out, that shit is potent.”

Nessa takes a sip, swallowing it down and licking her lips. “Ooh, this is yummy.” She turns to me, tapping her cup to mine. “Try it, Vee!”

I take a tentative sip, the sweet beverage slipping down my throat. She’s right- it’s delicious. I give Levi an appreciate smile, lifting my cup. “Thanks Levi. Glad someone around here knows how to be a gentleman.”

I know my dig lands when I feel Chase’s body tense beside me.

“You’d better watch out for this one,” Chase mutters, eyes flicking between me and Levi as he lifts the whiskey bottle to his mouth. “You were only gone for two minutes and she was already trying to climb on my dick.”

My jaw goes slack, eyes wide in shock as my head snaps sideways to gape at Chase. “You fucking wish!”

He takes a pull of the whiskey, wiping his mouth off with his forearm as he swallows. His lips curl into a smug grin and my stomach roils.

“Don’t be a dick,” Levi laughs, unphased by Chase’s crassness. He kicks out a leg, nudging Chase’s foot. “Hey, scoot over.”

“Fuck off,” Chase grumbles, taking another pull from the whiskey bottle while ignoring Levi’s request.

My shoulders are tense, cheeks still scorching with embarrassment. I pop up from the couch, stepping toward Levi and reaching out to touch his chest, nodding toward the empty expanse of seating on the other side of Chase. He slides a hand to the small of my back, leading me around to the opposite side of the couch and taking a seat. I’m quick to join him, sipping my drink as he slings an arm around my shoulders.

“Don’t mind the Alpha,” Levi says quietly, leaning in. “He’s been though a lot lately. Losing his dad really fucked him up.”

“A dead dad doesn’t give him a license to be a jerk,” I snap.I would know.I don’t tell him that, though- instead I relax under Levi’s arm, taking another sip of my drink. I got all dressed up and let Nessa drag my ass here, so I refuse to let Chase ruin my good time.

I look toward my friend, seeing that another one of Chase’s boys has claimed the spot I just left beside her and is now fighting Cal for her attention. She doesn’t look like she needs saving, nestled comfortably between the two of them, so I turn my attention back to Levi.

“Aren’t you guys still in high school? How do you get away with throwing ragers like this?”

“Nah, babe, we graduated early,” Levi replies smoothly, his thumb rubbing the top of my shoulder through my jacket. “Had to, to train with the squad for the shadow pack war. Except for Cal, his grades were shit so he just dropped out.”

“Huh,” I muse, bringing the plastic cup to my lips again. I pause with the rim resting on my lower lip, leaning in a little closer to Levi. “Who’s the guy on the other side of Nessa? What’s his deal?”

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