Page 8 of Unexpected Alpha's Claim

“I’m feeling like a fish out of water,” Ray declared while we approached the entrance.

“We all, do kid,” I said in a calm tone. “We all do.”

The interior was as well-lit as a five-star hotel lobby in New York City. For this one particular night every year, Northern Thicket didn’t smell like a pool hall. Every single one of those pool tables had disappeared. It’s four dance floors weren’t there, either. Now, it was just one large hall, capable of accommodating about fifteen hundred customers. Bars on either side served drinks, mild jazz notes from the band laced the air. For once, I wished I were human. I wished I could leave the wolf’s nostrils back home. That way, I wouldn’t have to smell the women’s cheap perfumes blending with the human scents of sweat, hormones, and smoke. Taking up a table in the middle of the hall, my brothers and I gazed around the room.

“It gets more popular every year,” Sam remarked, looking over at the entrance across from us. There were still people pouring in. “Ten more minutes of this, and the place will be filled.”

Willing to offer him my input, I glanced in the same direction. As I did, I spotted a particular figure cast in shadow by the flickering light, almost lost in the crowd. It wasn’t hard. Amidst men and women in tuxedos and dark outfits, she stood out, a lady in red. With her hair gathered in a French bow, she had a confused and lost look on her face while her gaze was roaming across the hall, taking in images that must be new to her. Two men in front of her pulled away, giving me a full view of her outfit. Her delicious smell filled my nostrils, there was no doubt who it was.

Monica.

Clutching her silver purse, in a red, strapless, knee-length dress. My breath caught in my throat.

“She’s here,” I murmured to Sam and Ray.

“Your doctor?” Sam squinted at me. “Where?”

“The red vision,” I continued, believing every word coming out of my mouth. She did look like a vision: A young, voluptuous package of curves, beauty, and sexiness, standing out in the gathering crowd.

“Holy shit,” Ray clipped out, glancing back at me. “You didn’t say how hot she is.”

“Shut up,” I groaned when my gaze met with hers.

Does she suspect the truth? Will she create a scene? Do we need to leave? This is stupid. Dangerous.

“Hi!” She chirped, waving her hand as a big smile lit up her face.

“Let’s give them some privacy,” Sam suggested, placing his hand on our brother’s shoulder.

“Good evening,” I told her, forcing myself not to look at her ample cleavage. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.” Her smile is dazzling, reaching her eyes and making them sparkle like two gems. I say more than I should before I can stop myself. “You look fantastic, by the way.”

“Thank you, Mr. Crawford,” she says with a polite smile, her cheeks touching with the slightest hint of soft pink and my sensitive ears hear her heart beat a little faster. Unasked, she takes the seat next to me. “You look rather good yourself. Who are those two gentlemen that just left?”

“Those would be my brothers,” I said. “They wanted to chat with some of our customers.”

“Too bad. I wanted to meet them,” she commented with a frown and a sigh. “So, customers? Do you guys own a supermarket or something?”

“No,” I responded with a smile and rueful shake of my head. “We run a motorcycle workshop. We build and tune-up motorcycles.”

“That sounds nice,” Monica voiced her opinion as I picked up two glasses of wine from the tray of a waiter as he walked past on my left. I set one of them down in front of her. “Thanks.”

“Well, I know whyI’mhere,” I stated, as my voice picked up in volume to be heard over the increasing noise of the crowd and band. “Why did you come? You just moved in, so it’s not like you know anybody around here. Or do you?”

“I do,” she said, arching an eyebrow, one corner of her delicious-looking lips curling upwards. “You.” She said, before lifting her glass to her mouth. “I was hoping to run into you. Things happenedsofast the other day. You saved me from a nasty fall, and I never thanked you for that.”

“You don’t have to,” I assured her. “You saved my ass when I crashed into that light pole. I’d say that makes us even.”

Dangerous. For her. Don’t engage. Don’t.

“Maybe, but…” She paused and leaned closer. Her wonderful scent was even stronger, filling my nose with its heady odor. “There’s still something that baffles me about you, Mr. Crawford.”

Get out of here. For her sake. Let it be.

“My quick recovery,” I uttered the words she hesitated to say. “You don’t have to know everything, doc. Some things are simply better left unsaid. Enjoy your night.”

I set my empty glass down on the table and rose from my chair, towering over her. Monica was curious; much too curious for her good. I wouldn’t forget the fact that she had saved me from certain death, but I had to put an end to this conversation. I couldn’t go through with this, especially in a crowded bar. Too many eyes, too many ears. I headed for the side exit, ignoring the three times she called out my name, pretending to her and myself that I didn’t hear. I elbowed my way through a bunch of people, keeping my eyes on the oak door.

“You nosy thing…” I whispered to myself as the backyard of Northern Thicket welcomed me. The mesh fence separating it from the forest had long ago been ruined. There was a large hole in it, wide enough to fit my entire family.

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