Page 16 of Alpha Marked

The owner arrived and asked if they wanted dessert. They ordered spumonis all around with cups of coffee.

River ordered a second cup of coffee for Bianca. The guys didn't know Bianca as well as River did, and holding her liquor wasn't something Bianca did well. Her wolf genes helped her metabolize it quicker, but not as quick as most shifters, strangely. And River didn't want Bianca's new mate to think badly of her.

Dessert arrived, and the group ate and sipped the dark brew.

"What do you want to do now?" Lachlan asked.

With how much River had eaten, she only wanted to go to her place, curl up in bed, and sleep. But her wolf wanted to be out of the workshop for a while. And honestly, she was having a good time. There wasn't going to be a love match between her and Lachlan. Didn't matter, though, he was funny and sweet, and as far as blind dates went, he was the best one she'd ever had. The only one she'd ever had, but still. And who knew, perhaps they could be friends with benefits if she did things right.

"I know a club," River offered.

"A club?" Bianca practically jumped out of her seat. "Yes. Totally yes. I want to go dancing. I haven't been dancing in forever."

"Okay," Zeke chuckled. "Let's do it. We have time before we have to be back."

Zeke tried to pay the bill, but the owner refused his money and called their driver.

They all piled into the sedan, and River gave him the club's name.

When they arrived, the driver opened the door and helped the women from the back seat. The line to get into the club stretched down the street. River sauntered to the red velvet rope separating the humans from the shifters.

The bouncer spotted River and nodded. "Hey Riv. It's pretty full right now. You're gonna have to wait a few minutes."

River smiled, but Zeke stepped up to the immense gorilla shifter. "Is there a VIP section?"

Frank snorted. "Yup. But it's for VIPs. Sorry."

Zeke pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to Frank. Frank's eyes widened, and he undid the red rope.

"Right this way, Mr. Redmane."

How much money did Zeke have?

Lachlan placed a hand on River's back to usher her inside. Her wolf awakened but didn't move.

Frank winked at her as she passed. "You finish the wolf piece yet?"

She nodded. "I did tonight."

"Congrats. I've missed seeing you these last few months." He whispered. "You look fantastic in that dress."

River blushed. Frank was a fantastic guy. If she'd been into interspecies mingling, she wouldn't have minded giving Frank a go. Since living in the city, this was the only club she'd ever been to. It mainly catered to shifters, though humans were allowed as well. She'd felt more at home in the club than anywhere else in the city, so she'd come about once a month to dance alone and relax.

"You let me know if you have any problems. Don't want any males getting handsy with ya."

River patted Frank's bulky arm. "You never do."

Frank chuffed. "Damn straight."

Frank didn't know River's whole story, but he knew enough. She lived in the city because she was hiding. A lot of shifters were.

After her wolf had awakened, no amount of suppression pills on the planet would knock her out again. And as weeks had turned to months in the city and her wolf hadn't been allowed the opportunity to stretch, River had to find an alternative.

She'd scoped out the club for weeks before going inside for the first time. Slowly, little by little, she'd trained herself and her wolf not to become overwhelmed and freak out. As a matter of fact, after six months, her wolf had craved the weekly five-hour dance jam. Being able to move and dance amongst other shifters soothed her wolf.

Soon, it became the only place River would go and feel safe outside her apartment and the gallery. She learned every exit, even the secret ones. She knew every employee, and she memorized every foot of the floor, bar, and VIP room.

The lights and music struck River almost as hard as the overload of scents. A ripple coursed over River's skin and settled in her stomach.

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