Page 45 of Overcoming the Beta

“Bullshit!” Kelsey objects. “They make the best cinnamon rolls. Kate, it’s the kind with the cream cheese icing.” Kelsey looks at me and motions swirls with his hands while licking his lips.

“Wrong!” Zane speaks up, looking at me from the rearview mirror. “Don’t listen to either of those bozos. They’re both clearly wrong. They make the best Bavarian cream donut with the powdered sugar coating. It’s so fucking good.” Zane hits the steering wheel. I giggle at the three of them and their enthusiasm for pastries.

“It all sounds good, but I love a plain glazed donut all day long.” I say, waving my hands out in front of me. All three grunt and groan at this revelation.

“Ian, talk with your mate… set her straight.” Kelsey groans out.

“Kelsey, she’s your sister. Shouldn’t you have taught her about donuts?” Ian sarcastically snaps back.

“Don’t worry, Kate, we will bring you from the plain side and teach you the way of the donut.” Zane laughs as he pulls into the parking lot of an old run-down white building.

After our bathroom break, we take our coffee and donuts to go. Ian was right. The place is a dump, but the older couple that own the shop are amazing and their coffee and donuts are even better. Ian ate six by himself and insisted that I take a bite of each one before allowing me my plain donut. Even Kelsey insisted I try his cinnamon roll. They were right, plain ended up not being my favorite after all. Glazed chocolate cake is now my favorite, with Boston cream running a close second.

We take ten dozen donuts to-go, arriving at the palace gates at seven thirty. Once we are cleared by palace warriors, we drive for another thirty minutes just past the palace to the large training grounds. The palace grounds are exquisite and are setup similar to Blue Moon with cottages and houses all around. The training grounds are quadruple the size of Blue Moon’s. Ian explains that packs from all over the world come here to train. He points out a large white five-story building which is the training guest accommodations, which includes a fully staffed kitchen.

“We’re going to go check in for training. Would you like to walk with us or…” I interrupt Ian.

“I’ll stay here. This place is enormous, and I really don’t feel like walking for miles.” I scrunch my nose at the thought of doing so much physical activity so early in the morning.

“Okay, I understand. Here. You can sit back here with the donuts and coffee until we get back.” Ian opens the back of the SUV and clears a spot for me to sit.

“You trust me with all these donuts?” I say in a teasing tone.

“Yes, it’s coffee that you’re not to be trusted with.” He laughs, then pecks me on the lips before walking away with Zane, Kelsey, and the warriors that came with us. Watching him walk away, I can’t help but to think about how much he has changed and how perfect everything has been.

I fill my cup with coffee from the thermos that Ian filled while we were at the donut shop, and I search for a plain donut. Finding exactly what I’m looking for, I take a large bite and sip my coffee. Enjoying the sounds of the songbirds, the coolness of the damp early morning air, and the smell of sweet gardenias all around me. I take another large bite of donut when I notice a tall, well-toned man approaching. Not really thinking twice about him, I take a sip of my hot coffee. He’s not wearing a normal palace uniform, but he is dressed like he is ready to train.

“Good morning.” He smiles and leans on the SUV. With a mouthful of donut, I’m not too sure what to do. I don’t want to be rude, but I can hear my mom’s voice warning me to watch my manners and not to talk with a mouthful of food. I point to my mouth as I chew. The more I chew, the more the donut in my mouth seems to grow. I give the stranger a closed-mouth smile, then cover my mouth with my hand.

“Morning,” I say through a mouthful of donut. I can almost hear my mom snapping her lips at me. I swallow and take a large sip of coffee to wash the rest of the donut down.

“I’ve never seen you around here before. What pack are you from?” The strange man tilts his head and sniffs the air.

“Blue Moon. I’ve been here a few times over the years for balls and festivals.” I smile and nod before glancing down at my half-eaten donut, wishing this strange man would go away so I can eat in peace.

“Oh, I forgot Blue Moon was coming for training today. What’s your name? I’m Lazar.” He leans a little closer to me and I slide away from him, putting space between the two of us.

“Lazar? Why does your name seem so familiar to me?” I try to place the stranger’s name and face but am coming up with blanks. I’m not too sure who he is, but he’s giving me slimy creeper vibes.

“Perhaps you’ve heard my name before, since I’m next in line for the throne.” Lazar gives me a cocky smile.

“Prince Lazar?” I put my hand on my chest and choke on air when I realize that the slimy creeper is the next werewolf king. He is a year from taking the throne.

“You can just call me Lazar. We don’t need to be so formal, do we?” He chuckles and inches closer to me. “May I have your name?”

“Kate,” I nervously sip my coffee, realizing he has ulterior motives than just being friendly.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Kate.” Lazar offers me his hand. I hesitate for a moment.

I know he is hitting on me, but he is the future king, and I don’t want to come off rude. Then again, I don’t want to lead him on. Feeling like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place, I take a deep breath, put my coffee down, and shake Lazar’s hand. He shakes my hand, then rubs my knuckles with his thumb. The grin on his face makes me feel more uncomfortable than I already am.I wish Ian was here right now.

In one swift move, Lazar pulls my hand up to his lips and open mouth kisses the back of my hand. The kiss is slow, and I can see a string of his saliva in the small space between his mouth and my hand.Yuck!I quickly snatch my hand from his grasp and wipe my hand on the SUV’s carpet, and narrow my eyes at him. I don’t care who he is, what he just did really pisses me off. He took advantage of my kindness.

“I’m sorry,” I snap, “but my mate wouldn’t approve of the way you’re touching me.” Keeping my head held high, I confidently say. I may hate confrontations, but this asshole overstepped his bounds.

“Mate?” He laughs. “I don’t see a mate anywhere around here.” Prince Lazar steps closer and gives me a smug smile.

“I’m right here, Prince Lazar.” Ian appears from the side of the SUV and steps between the Prince and I.

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