Page 31 of Eight Steps to Alpha

He must have noticed her reaction, because he pulled in a long breath, as though disappointed with himself, and glanced down to his feet. It was then, without any warning, that Colton launched from the floor, snatched the paper form Elliot’s hand, and moved quickly across the room.

Dread filled Fe’s chest as he opened the paper in slow motion. Straightening the edges before he read out loud. “Eight Steps to Alpha?”

He peered up to Elliot, and started to laugh. “Eight steps to Alpha?” he repeated.

Fe’s heart squeezed in her chest, and she looked into Elliot’s eyes, seeing his skin lose all color. For the first time since she wrote that list, she hated it. Hated each bullet point, each way she tried to change him. If she could take it back, she would. Right now, right this very minute, but she didn’t have that luxury.

Colton was still laughing, looking at his brother with that knowing smile, and she hated him too.

Smoothing her hair behind her ears, she walked up to Colton, snatched the paper from his cocky fingers, and muttered. “Excuse me, but that’s mine.”

He bit his lip, as though not sure what to do with her. “Yours?” he drawled. “Ya sure?”

She glanced over at Elliot again, who now stood looking out the window. “That’s right. Is that amusing to you?”

Colton closed one eye, glancing at her sideways, as he took her in. “Am I to take it you want to learn how to cuss?”

She squared her shoulders, pulling herself up to her full five feet two-inches, and lied. “Damn straight, mother fucker.”

The whole room erupted into laugher. First it was Colton, who blinked a couple times, then started laughing so hard he wasn’t breathing. Then it was Elliot, who bent over, gripping his gut.

Fe only stood there, confused—not for the first time—by their odd behavior.

After a good ten minutes, Colton turned to Elliot, his grin wide as he pointed at Fe. “I like this girl, Elli. She’s a real spit-fire.”

Fe swallowed, because she still wasn’t sure what to make of these two.

Elliot sobered, looked over at Fe, then back to his brother. “What are you doing here, Colton?”

“I got a job.”

“Doing?” Elliot asked.

“Same ol’ thing. Special effects. This time with a different crew.”

“For how long?”

Colton shrugged. “A couple months. Longer if things go well.”

“And you didn’t think to call?”

“Nah.” Colton winked. “Callin’s overrated.” He walked into the kitchen then, took the plate of chicken from the fridge, and carried it over to the table. “You made this?” he asked. “You should be downright proud of yourself, Elli.”

“Don’t change the subject, Colton,” Elliot raked his hand through his hair, all humor gone. “Where are you staying?”

Colton tilted his head to the side, “I don’t know right yet,” he said around a mouth full of chicken. “I was hopin’ to find a soft couch to sleep on.”

Elliot widened his stance and immediately shook his head. “Oh no, don’t even—“

But before he could finish his sentence, Fe stepped in front of him. She wasn’t sure what possessed her, but in that moment, she couldn’t let him leave. “You can stay here, Colton.”

She turned back to Elliot, who was looking at her with wide eyes, and disbelief. “Fe, that’s not a good idea—”

But she cut him off, holding up her arm up as she headed for the hallway. “I’ll go get your bedding, Colton.”

She barely made it to the hall however, when Elliot grabbed her by the arm and spun her around to face him. “What the hell are you doing?” he whispered to her.

She looked him dead in the eye, trying not to take offense at his curt tone. “Getting blankets,” she stated.

---