Page 37 of Step Alpha

I shrug. “I mean…you could throw it in a bag or something.”

My mom disappears, and Logan and Wilde both stand awkwardly.

“I…didn’t even know when your birthday was,” Logan offers.

Not sure if that really helps, butthanks, Logan. Really.

Wilde walks over to the pizza boxes and picks up the one on top. There’s only one slice left in it. He passes it to me.

My stomach rumbles, but the sugary scent of chocolate and Oreos has been filling my nostrils since we left the grocery store. “I think…I’m just going to have my cake.”

It feels very selfish. My mom would disapprove–she’s always trying to push more protein on me. But Wilde just told me to take up more space, and it makes me feel a bit rebellious and daring.

Makes me want to sit down and eat my cake all by myself. Not even offer anyone a slice until I’m done.

“Do it.” Wilde, king of rebellion himself, flicks a brow as if to dare me.

I grab a fork and a knife and sit down at the table, flattening the bakery box down to expose the cake.

As my mom sails back in the room with a little wrapped box, I slice myself a giant piece of cake and eat it right there from the carton.

It tastes good. Not just the cake.

The moment. I’m the center of attention, indulging myself with a giant piece of my favorite cake. The one my wicked stepbrother bought me after yelling at me to take up more space.

It’s not the birthday I imagined. It sucked in many ways, but I actually don’t hate it.

I also don’t hate the Apple watch my mom and Logan bought me, either. Something my mom couldn’t have afforded on her own.

I don’t even hate the way Wilde watches me as I eat. Like he has plans for me.

Wicked, terrible plans. Plans I definitelywillhate.

ChapterNine

Wilde

After checking in with my professors about doing my work remotely while my legal problems are sorted out, I go to the auto shop and talk to Bo’s great-uncle about a job. He’s either desperate for help now that Bo and Cole have moved away, or he feels sorry for me because he pretty much says I can work there any time, on my own schedule. I work the entire school day, and then I go to see Coach Jamison the next day right when school gets out. In addition to being the football coach, he’s also the PE teacher, so I find him in his office.

“Wilde. What can I do for you?”

“You, ah, asked if working out with the team was what I wanted.”

“I did.”

“It is.”

Coach cocks his head. “Not sure I believe you, Wilde.”

I know why he says it. Because I’m only fifty percent on board with the plan. Part of me thinks it would be humiliating to return to train with a bunch of high school kids. The other part craves the familiarity of it. Being on a team with my pack brothers, who I would kill or die for. Being coached by an alpha wolf who would have my back no matter what went down.

This was what I missed at Duke. I had teammates, but they were human. I was an imposter, trying to fit in. Hiding what I really am. They liked me. I had buddies. But I could never be myself. I was always on guard to not let my secret out.

It fucking sucked.

I shove my hands in my jeans pocket. “I want to work with you.” That’s the first honest thing I’ve said.

Jamison’s expression softens. “I’d be honored to work with you, Wilde.”

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