I watch as Reaper walks right to the bar as if he owns the place. Fire burns in my stomach at his arrogance.
“Looking mighty fine tonight, Salena,” he purrs, resting his forearms on the bar and leaning closer. His eyes slowly drag over my body, and I fight the urge to cross my arms.
“What are you doing here, Reaper? You know the rules, we have them for a reason. It stops friction building.”
“Once a month isn’t enough. I needed to see you. Plus, a little friction could be nice.”
I ignore the last comment. “Too bad. This is my territory. You need to back the fuck off,” I say, my voice filling with my alpha magic.
“Come on. Don’t be like that. You know you want some of this,” Reaper says, while gesturing to his crotch.
“Don’t be gross, Reaper,” I snap, throwing a slice of lemon at him.
Anger ignites in his eyes, and he slams his hands on the bar. I raise an eyebrow in challenge.
His voice lowers. “You’d be lucky to get me, you know.”
“I’m not looking for a mate, Reaper. I told you that. Or a quick fuck.”
Reaper flexes his arms, his hand planted firmly on the bar. His arms are covered in tattoos from his knuckles to god knows where. His dark blonde hair is styled messy, and his brown eyes are always edged with a craziness I don’t want to explore.
His jaw clenches. “Not many women would turn me down. This little game of yours, playing hard to get, is getting old, Salena.”
I lean my hands on the bar, mimicking his posture. “It’s not a game. I’m. Not. Interested.”
Reaper stares at me long and hard. I don’t blink. I hold his stare, demanding he take me seriously and back the fuck down. I will not fall at his feet. I am an alpha, and I didn’t get to title by being a pushover.
Reaper pushes off the bar and raps his tattooed knuckles on the wood. “A round of beers.”
I nod and turn, letting out a slow, quiet breath. I start pouring Reaper’s beers, mulling over how quickly I could get him out of here. I feel a warm caress skate over the bare skin on my back and turn my head. Logan’s staring at me from where he stands at the bar with Kai, who has a woman hanging off his arm now. Our eyes lock and it feels like all the oxygen has been sucked from the room. I quickly look away and finish up the drinks, sending Reaper and his buddies on their way. They nod in thanks and move over to the pool tables.
I feel eyes on me again and look around, my gaze catching on Logan. My heart gives a little flutter as we stare at each other. His gaze narrows, those artic blue eyes taking me in from across the bar like he can see straight through me. I give him a small, nervous smile and turn to the next customer. After that, things seem to get hectic. I lose sight of Logan and Kai, but I try to not let myself panic. Why I feel that rush of panic anyway is beyond me. Logan can take care of himself. And everyone knows the rules here. Strictly no fighting or shifting in the bar.
I feel it the moment the air shifts. Tension and hostility slam into me, and I spin to see Reaper cornering Logan. He leans in and sniffs the air in front of Logan. Shit!
I leap over the bar. ‘Kai!’I yell down our pack bond.
‘Kinda busy, Salena.’
I really don’t want to know what or who my brother is doing right now.‘I don’t care. Tell whoever you’re with you’ll meet her later,’I snap.
‘Okay, okay.’
I’m across the bar in less than five seconds, the look on my face warning people to get out of the way. Logan looks over Reaper’s shoulder, his eyes locking on mine. Scanning my face, fast and brutally efficient, searching for an explanation.
I don’t hesitate when I reach them, grabbing Reaper’s shoulder, and tearing him away from Logan.
A snarl rips from his throat as he spins on me. “Him?”
In the space of a second, his eyes lose their humanity, as he gets in my face. A shiver ripples down my spine, but I stand straighter.
“Back off,” I growl, only loud enough for him to hear.
My gaze flickers to Logan’s, confusion and anger swirling in the deep depths of his pale blue eyes. I see his mouth settle in a straight line, and he goes to step forward, but Kai is suddenly there, holding him back. Relief sweeps through me, and I step up to Reaper, getting in his face.
“Get the fuck out of my bar,” I seethe.
A low growl rumbles up Reaper’s throat, and his buddies move in closer. I sense my pack go on alert. Kai is fuming. Without looking, I know he’s signaled Tyler and Grady, the older ones in our pack. I need to get Reaper out of my bar before I break my own damn rules. I snap my hand forward, gripping his balls in my hand and squeezing. Reaper makes an unintelligible sound and falters. I lean closer to whisper in his ear, letting my claws lengthen, piercing his jeans.
