Page 47 of Alpha Rising (Secrets of the Northland Shifters)

I spotted Lauren sitting at the end of a table on the far side of the room. She was wearing sunglasses, and her shiny black hair was tied up in a messy knot.

In front of her sat an untouched bagel slathered with peanut butter, a to-go coffee cup, and a thick hardcover book opened to the first few pages.

I walked over with a forced smile. I didn’t know what the staff had heard about my adventure, and until I knew for sure, I was going to act as if nothing was wrong.

When Lauren saw me coming, she pushed her sunglasses on top of her head. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, and her eyes were slightly bloodshot.

“You’re alive,” she said, which wasn’t an encouraging start, but then she added, “Where did you go last night? One minute we were all dancing, the next Reese was asking if anyone had seen you. Then all the lights were turned on and they were announcing, ‘Party’s over!’ It wasn’t even midnight.”

I rolled my eyes and pretended like it was no big deal. “Total misunderstanding. I spilled my drink on my dress and went back to my room to change. I laid down for a second and I was down for the count. Slept right through to morning. I’ve already apologized to Reese for worrying him.”

“Really?” She narrowed her eyes, and her tone was skeptical. “I would have thought they’d check your room before they shut down the party.”

“I guess they knocked, but I was totally out. Never heard them.”

She still didn’t look convinced. “Robbie has the master key to all the rooms.”

“Really,” I said. “It’s all good. Sorry that I ruined the party.”

She made aPshsound and waved her hand dismissively. “You didn’t. We just brought the party back to the bunkhouse. Josh puked. That’s what ruined the party.”

I laughed, stupidly thinking that was the end of this particular conversation, but Lauren had more to say.

“You should have seen them. Reese and his brothers were freaked way the hell out when they couldn’t find you.” She glanced in Reese’s direction, and I followed her gaze.

I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but both he and Melanie were gesticulating wildly and arguing through clenched teeth.

“Hestilllooks to be on edge,” Lauren said. “Angel, too. I passed him outside when I was heading over here. Even though we talked a lot last night, this morning he looked right through me.”

“Hmmm,” I said without offering a theory. “So what are you up to today?”

“Breakfast, then I’m going to the beach.” She put her hand on her book.

“You look pretty bundled for the beach.” I noted her hooded sweatshirt, loose sweatpants, and socks with Birkenstock sandals.

“Did you see the temperature gauge?” she asked with eyebrows raised. “It’s only fifty-six this morning. It’s supposed to get up to seventy-four, though, so a lot of people will head down once they wake up. If you want the spots that have sun all day, you need to get there early.”

“No actual swimming, I assume.”

She grimaced. “Only the polar bears, but there are a few of those crazy idiots.”

I’d never had reason to venture down to the beach and, knowing my time here was short, I didn’t want to miss out on any corner of the property. “Maybe I should join you?”

“Sure. But bring a book. This one has been on my TBR pile since last summer, and I’m not putting it off any longer. I’m sick of listening to everyone go on and on about it.”

I wasn’t much of a reader, but there were some new magazines in the lobby. I decided to grab some of them. “Sounds good.”

I snagged a bagel on my way out of the cafeteria. As I approached Reese and Melanie, she shot me a concerned look before glaring at Reese again and storming out.

“Where’s she going?” I asked.

“I informed her of what she missed last night and explained how her absence had affected me. Hopefully she's off to reevaluate her life choices. Where are you going?”

I braced for another alpha mountain lion overreaction. “To the beach with Lauren.”

Reese let out a breath. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I thought for sure he’d put up another fight, grab my wrist, pin me to the wall, and say something about keeping me under lock and key until he’d identified my abductors.

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