Page 18 of Awakened
Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I asked again, “Sorry, what’s happening?”
Sarah laughed and handed me a napkin. “Sorry, guys. You should have fed her after you got answers. She’s lost to the world as long as the pizza lasts.”
I scowled at Sarah but took another bite. Who turns down free, delicious pizza? I scanned the table for more eats, but there were none. “Give me a break. I barely ate today.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She waved her hand as she turned away from me and dove back into a quiet side conversation.
Typical Sarah.
She seamlessly fit in with the Amazons, remembering their names and the fun little facts she naturally pulled out of them during conversations. Déjà vu hit, and I couldn’t help but think of my first days with the Blue Moon Pack and the anxiety of trying to find a place.
It was time to step up and follow Sarah’s example, so I finished the last of my beer and said, “Okay, I’m focused.”
Marie smiled. “I was just saying I knew your dad.”
“Oh yeah?” I glanced at Sarah, who must’ve given them all our info.
“Yep. He was a good guy.”
“He was.” Toying with my napkin, I tried to think of something to say. Luckily, Marie didn’t leave me hanging.
“We were wondering if you were interested in coming to the pack meeting on Sunday. It sounds more formal than it is. We usually wrap up business by noon and then day drink.”
“I’d love to come check it out, but I haven’t officially left Blue Moon yet. I was thinking about being rogue for a while.”
Marie patted my thigh. “No pressure. We just wanted to extend the invitation. With all these disappearances, we’re happy to offer our protection to any new wolves in the area.” Raising her voice so the rest of the table could hear, she added, “And the Amazon Pack is always looking for powerful wolves to fill our ranks. Isn’t that right, ladies?”
A large chorus yelled, “Fuck you!” and took a drink. These were my kind of people.
Despite Sarah having to work the next morning, we ended up closing down the bar. Sarah spent the short drive home fangirling over the mostly female pack, and its, and I quote, “boss-ass-bitch alpha.” I couldn’t agree more. They were friendly, welcoming, and a fucking blast. I was cautiously optimistic about the pack meeting on Sunday.
Once home, Sarah went straight to bed.
I wasn’t the least bit tired. Weeks of only sleeping two or three hours a night had me living that insomniac life. Sitting in the kitchen with a bowl of cornflakes, I took a deep breath and checked my phone. I’d started only checking it once a day. It was easier that way, like ripping the band-aid off instead of tugging it little by little with each call or text from Aiden.
I had a voicemail, and sure enough, it was from Rubin Black telling me to check my email for my offer letter. After a victory dance, I moved on to where the real danger lived—my texts.
Seth Collins
How was the interview?
I got the job. How was training with the teens?
He responded instantly.
Fucking terrible. How did you deal with the 15-year-olds? They’re real pricks. That Kayla Johnson told me she would do her laps if I took my shirt off. What is that?
Kayla Johnson was a girl after my own heart. I gave our gamma so much trouble that Alpha made me train with him along with Aiden, Seth, and Brandon. Guess who was more of a hardass. Yeah, the alpha. The fact I was dating his son only made him more of an asshole. He was old school and thought dating when you have a mate was wrong. Never mind the fact that very few wolves found their mate anymore. Something about billions of people walking the earth . . .
Wow. Straight forward and to the point. Got to respect the delusion. At least she has great taste.
Oh yeah?
Shut up. You know you’re hot.
Yeah, but I never get tired of hearing it.
Good thing there’s always a co-ed or med student there to stroke your ego.
