Page 29 of Building My Pack

With the table one big circle, I've got Mitchell, Kit, and Waylen on one side and Thomas on the other with his pack, two of whom vacate their seats and play a quick game of musical chairs to make room for our new guests to fill them.

My chin is already lifted to be able to look at Santiago while he's still standing, so it's nothing for him to dip down and claim my lips in a short, searing kiss before taking the open seat, leaving the space between us open for Kennedy. I don't even have time to process the situation before Kennedy is dropping a quick kiss to my cheek and taking his seat as well. Then it becomes painstakingly obvious, the silence at the table. Kit tries to help by starting the introductions with his friends which I pick up with and help.

They all seem friendly enough and there's even smiles from Waylen and Santiago, but alpha pheromones hit me out of nowhere and they're so cloying that it's almost hard to breathe. If my suppressants were working properly, I wouldn't be affected at all. As it stands, I have to rub my thighs together, hoping that no one notices as a whine threatens to leave my throat. There's a standoff happening between Kennedy and Mitchell that makes me feel like a fat, juicy steak caught between two starving predators. Then as soon as it started, it's over. Mitchell glances away with his jaw grinding. Across the table, Thomas is practically salivating to the point that he might need a bib, while two of his alphas, Jake and Taylor, look ready to jump at the drop of a hat. The waitress chooses this moment to pop over, breaking the tension. I excuse myself as the others place their orders.

It's all I can do to make it to the restroom without stumbling or puking on the floor. I hadn't even realized that I'd been followed until Chloe strolls in right behind me.

"Jeez," she says, fanning herself. "That was something."

"You guys set this up," I accuse, still slightly out of breath with my back pressed against the wall.

She holds up her hands. "Thomas did get John to invite Santiago and Kennedy, and we didn't think it'd be a big deal with Kit. We had no idea that your other two alphas would be here."

"They aren't mine," I whine, dropping my face into my hands.

Snorting, she says, "Could have fooled me. I don't know if you were feeling the same thing the rest of us were, but, babe, they're definitely yours. Or at least, they're staking claims that you are theirs." Her voice drops into a conspirative whisper. "And excuse me, who would've thought Kennedy would've been the more dominant alpha between him and Santiago? I definitely pictured it the other way around."

"Oh my god, Chloe. What am I going to do?" I ask, exasperated.

Her heels click on the tile as she moves from the mirror she's been fixing her hair in to stand in front of me. "I'll tell you what you're going to do. You're going to quit hiding out in this smelly bathroom, get that beautiful butt out there to drink and sing with me and Thomas, and lay down the law with your pack if they keep pulling that stunt. Because trust me when I say, you weren't the only ones affected by that show."

A nervous laugh escapes me as I remember Thomas's expression from across the table. At least one of us will be getting laid tonight. Chloe takes my cheerfulness and runs with it, taking me by the arm and leading us back out into the bar. Where we run smack into Kennedy first thing. Chloe mumbles something and disappears like a jerk, leaving me alone with him.

He tucks his chin to stare at the floor as he stuffs his hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry, Bryce. What happened was completely uncalled for. I've already spoken with Santiago, and he's agreed to leave if you're uncomfortable."

I hate him looking so forlorn on top of the exhaustion and the way that his head is lowered in a sign of submission. Especially when he was just as shocked as I was and couldn't control his alpha instinct any more than I could my omega one. Stepping into him until our chests are flush, I catch his gaze as I appreciate the five-inch heels bringing us even closer yet still have to go up on my toes to press my lips against his. His hands come out of their pockets to wrap around my back and anchor me to him.

The once sweet kiss from the drive in is long gone. It's replaced with an alpha who just sparred for dominance, won, and now wants to claim his prize. Boy, do I let him, too. Coffee with that slight hint of chocolate seeps through my pores until I don't think I'll ever get it out, nor do I want to for that matter. I would seriously let him take me right here in this dark hallway leading into the restrooms if he didn't have the superhero strength to pull away when he does. A small whine manages to slip from my throat, and I think it's caused him to change his mind as his hands drop to my cheeks and gives them a tough squeeze as he claims my mouth again. It's savage almost to the point of pain, and I can't even begin to imagine what it'd be like in bed with him.

This time when he retreats, I can feel his desire hard against my belly and it takes all I have to not use the fingers clasped at the back of his neck to pull him down for just one more. Trying to pull myself together, I manage to formulate a sentence. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me, too." His smile is radiant before he groans and presses a forearm against the wall. "Give me just a second and we can get back out there."

"Would it help if I go back to the table?" I ask, worried that the scent of my own desire might be hindering what he's trying to accomplish.

The arm still locked around my waist tightens. "Don't, please."

I don't argue as I let my hands wander over the hard planes of his chest then around to his back until his deep chuckle makes me stop. "Albeit, I don't think that's helping."

"Sorry," I tell him, instantly locking my hands between us. Another chuckle from him makes me laugh, too. After a couple more minutes, he takes my hand and leads us back to the table. Our drinks are already there waiting for us thankfully because I'm going to down this sucker like my life depends on it and order another one. I'm also grateful that the table doesn't go into awkward silence. I smile at Waylen and Kit as I move to take my seat and rest a hand on Mitchell's shoulder as I sit, giving it a tight squeeze. I don't know that things will be the same after tonight, but that's going to have to be a worry for another time. Otherwise, I'm going to stress myself out in front of all these people.

Thomas, Chloe, and I are three drinks deep when they finally open the karaoke. I'm not nearly drunk enough, but I let Thomas drag me up there with him anyway. I try to escape after the first song, but he keeps us up here for another one and then another until someone else finally asks for the microphone. I'm already swearing to myself that I'm so done for the night. My skin is getting clammy from all the attention we've garnered not just from our table but the rest of the bar. In my personal opinion, we weren't awful, but we weren't band material, either. But it doesn't matter, because the three of us are laughing and having a good time when we step off the stage.

Chloe and Thomas head back toward our table, but I make a quick detour to the restroom to actually use it this time. Almost killing the good vibe coursing through my body, as soon as I step inside, none other than Stephanie is standing at the sink washing her hands. I'd spin on my heel and march right back out of here if she hadn't already noticed me, and the last thing I want is for her to think I'm running away from her.

She rolls her eyes as soon as she spots me. "Just can't seem to get away from you, can I?"

Her tone is different than the normal arrogant snottiness that I've gotten used to lately. Ignoring her, I go into the stall and do my business. Unfortunately, she's still standing there waiting for me to come out when I'm done. "I've only tried to help you, you know. Surely, you see that now that you've got alphas knocking down your door. Maybe one day when you find out the truth, you'll come thanking me."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I ask her, but it's directed toward her back since she's already walking out the door.Help me?Sure. Stealing George, which I actually am thankful for now that I think about it. But the rest? Not a chance will I forgive the two of them that easily. Nothing either one of them has done was with my benefit in mind. It's tempting to order their pack the biggest cactus I'm able to find in hopes that they'll trip and fall on it.

I wash my hands and take a deep breath, patting myself on the back for not putting hands on the woman whose hair I've wanted to pluck off her head the way I did my rose bushes ever since I got fired. That certainly deserves another drink. Stopping by the bar before going back to the table, I order the same drink only stronger this time. Looks like Kit might just be playing babysitter again tonight.

I'm giggling to myself with that thought when a hand closes around my bicep. Not squeezing, but just enough to get my attention. I jerk my head over to find a man who rivals Kennedy in size but has a younger face. His aloe-alpha scent touches my nostrils and I have to stop myself from tugging away from him. It's not like it's an unpleasant smell. It's just not one my body reacts well to.

"Hey, Bryce, right?" he starts. "My name's David. I'm the alpha in Stephanie's pack."

If my hackles hadn't already risen, they would've now with an intro like that. "How can I help you?" I grit through my teeth with as much politeness as I can muster.

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