Felix and Kai both jerk their heads to me. “What?”
“I need to know what’s going on with him.”
Felix eyes me. “Maybe you shouldn’t go.”
I feel the darkness closing in. I have to know, or it’s going to eat at me.
“Stay here and work the bar,” I snap.
Gritting my teeth, I ignore the stares from my pack and storm out the doors, getting into my car. Logan has been brushing me off all week. He told me he was busy working on the case. But doubt is starting to creep in. He can’t dodge my calls and texts forever, and he certainly can’t avoid me if I go to him.
I skip the line to the club, walking straight to the front. The bouncer’s eyes widen on me, and he moves to intercept me. My eyes flash and I growl in warning. Being the smart boy he is, he moves aside to let me in the door. The club is busier than I was expecting. I notice people staring as I move through the crowd. A group of women turn to look at me and start whispering. A few of them even point. My heart sinks and speeds up at the same time.
I shouldn’t be here.
I veer to the closest bathroom and check my reflection in the mirror. I shouldn’t be this nervous. Yes, I’m here looking for my mate. Yes, I’m in enemy territory, but I am an alpha. I sweep my hair up into a high ponytail and smooth my fingertips under my eyes. The pack here wouldn’t dare touch me. I know they all recognize me.
Stepping out of the bathroom, I notice even more people watching me than before. I frown at them and turn to slip into the crowd, but come to an abrupt stop almost immediately. The air leaves me, and everything stops. My heart freezes before it gives a hard thud and drops like lead in my stomach. A new type of pain slices through me, one I’ve never felt before, as everything shatters at my feet.
I’m not prepared for what I see. I have a deep sense of unease, like something isn’t right. But this . . . this hurts.
Logan is sitting at a table by the wall, a woman on his lap, straddling him. Her long blonde hair is swaying to the music, her breasts are pushed up against his chest, with her arms wrapped around his neck. I watch as she rubs her sparsely clothed body all over him. Her lips drop to his and his hands come up, but I can’t watch anymore, it’s like a dagger is slicing at my insides. I spin on my heels and move quickly through the crowd, my gaze glued to the ground.
Someone grabs my arm and spins me around. I come face to face with Reaper. The threat of violence swims in the depths of his dark eyes,
“What are you doing here?” he snarls, his breath smelling of whiskey and cigarettes.
I open my mouth, but the only noise that comes out is a whine. It feels like my insides are being ripped out.
Reaper pulls back a fraction and frowns at me. “Shit. Salena, are you okay?”
He glances over his shoulder, and when he looks back, sympathy and anger reflect in his eyes. Swearing under his breath, he grips my arm and turns me toward the exit.
Reaper pushes open the door, and cool air slaps me in the face. Grasping my hand, he drags me down the sidewalk and into the alley. I’m too numb to even put up a fight right now.
Letting go of me, Reaper spins, pinning me with a savage look. “What were you thinking coming here? It’s dangerous. You are fair game now. My pack are pissed at you.”
“I was told Logan was here. He hadn’t . . . He didn’t . . . Did you know?” I’m not making much sense, but Reaper sighs, running a hand over his head, his teeth raking over his lip ring.
“Yes,” he bites out. “Of course I knew he was here.”
Images flash in my mind of Logan’s mouth on hers, her hands in his hair. The hair I love running my fingers through. I can’t stop the onslaught of images. My stomach rolls, and pain pierces my heart. I growl, the sound ripping from my soul as I turn, slamming my fist into the brick wall. Pain flares in my hand. It feels good. It takes over the pain in my heart, so I do it again and again, the skin on my knuckles splitting, my bones cracking with the force.
Reaper curses, grabbing my hands. “Salena, stop.”
I shake my head and try to push him away. But he is solid and strong. Frustration wells up, so much pressure builds. A sob escapes me. Reaper lets go of my hands, pulling me into his chest. At first, I resist his comfort, but sobs rack my body, and I cling to him as more tears fall.
Reaper’s hand cups the back of my head. “You’re strong, Salena. So strong and fierce. It’s okay to cry, but don’t you ever stop fighting, not for one minute. It’s not what you think.”
I nod, my tone barely above a whisper as I cling to his shirt. “Is he fucking her?”
“No.”
“How would you know?”
“Why ask, then?” Reaper snaps. “Look, he is here working a case. Your case. I don’t know what you saw, but it’s not that.”
I stare at Reaper, confusion clouding my mind. My hands are throbbing, and my chest is cracked wide open. I can’t think straight. A small spark flares in my chest, the kind I get when Logan is close. Butterfly wings beat fiercely in my chest as I glance over my shoulder, seeing Logan round the corner of the building.
