A testament to the statewide outrage his crimes had fostered, Fraser’s was the only trial scheduled for the day, so when people began to trickle out through the main exit, I knew Shelly would be there soon. Shoving off the wall, I took a minute to stretch and shake out my leg, wincing as the muscles and tendons protested.
Even through the crowd of mostly human stench, Shelly’s scent announced his impending arrival, making me smile. The smile faded, though, when I saw the tense set of his shoulders and caught him nervously side-eying a man walking too close behind him, crowd or no crowd. Biting back a growl, I slipped into the group of people and worked my way between the two of them, hip-checking the stranger perhaps a little harder than was necessary as I slipped an arm around Shelly.
Shelly stiffened for a split second before realizing who I was.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, melting against my side. “I told you I’d be fine on my own.”
“Of course, you would,” I agreed, meaning every word. I led him out of the throng to stand on the lawn while we waited for the crowd to dissipate. “That doesn’t mean I can’t be there for you, does it?”
Shelly rolled his eyes and shook his head, his soft hair brushing against my cheek but before he could respond, the man I’d shoved out of the way stormed over to us, planting one hand on my chest, trying -and failing- to shove me away from Shelly.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?”
I cocked my head and quirked a brow before glancing at Shelly to be sure I wasn’t overstepping. Sure, he seemed like a dick and Shelly had seemed uncomfortable with him near, but I could have been wrong. “Friend of yours?”
Shelly was obviously stifling a smile when he shook his head. “He, um, was next to me in the gallery.”
Ah. The weirdo who’d used his dad’s trial to try and score with Shelly. Well, I’d definitely heard abouthim,then. I released the tiniest little bit of the control I held over my inner beast, allowing my usually amber eyes to glow demonic red and smiled to show off my impressive canines.
“What the..” the man gasped in horror, stumbling backward and tripping over a decorative boulder. Scrambling back to his feet, he rushed toward the parking lot without another word, throwing frequent glances over his shoulder to be sure I wasn’t following him.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Shelly huffed in mock annoyance, shoving my shoulder. Unlike when I’d braced myself against the now-running man, I allowed the slight pressure to send me stumbling a step, making Shelly laugh. “Right, like my Lil ol’ Omega self is strong enough to push the big, bad Alpha over. Don’t patronize me!
I laughed and wrapped my arm back around him. “We both know you’re strong enough to get me to do anything you want.”
“Anything?” Shelly asked, narrowing his eyes.
I nodded in confirmation and Shelly grinned.
“Okay, Alpha slave,” he teased lightly. “I want ice cream and then a really long nap.”
Tugging him close, I started toward the handicapped spot I’d left my car in. “Your wish is my command.”
ChapterThree
Mitchel
The Lair was slow even for a weeknight, so finding my friends only took a cursory look around the room.
“Hot date tonight?” Dex guessed when I slid onto the barstool next to him.
“Naw.” I waved at Heidi on the other side of the bar and turned to face Dex when she nodded that she’d be over. “Too close tothat time,” I muttered, knowing Dex would get the verbal air quotes. “Last thing I need to do is make a bad decision.”
“Ain’tthatthe truth,” Dex agreed with a shudder. “What’s your plan?”
“The usual.” I accepted my shandy from Heidi, grinning at the sour face she made when she slid it over. Beer mixed with lemonade was a habit I’d picked up from my dad and it seemed the rest of the non-British world was grossed out by it. “Hunkering down at home starting this weekend.”
“With Dane,” Dex prompted.
“With Dane,” I agreed. “It’s not like I can throw him out of his own condo just because I’m going to be.. needy.”
Dex snorted but otherwise held his tongue.
“Remind me again why you and Dane aren’t dating?” Taylor interjected from Dex’s other side. “Or, I dunno, married?”
I rolled my eyes and took a big swallow of my drink. “You already know the answer to that. I’m not his type.”
“You’re not his type?” Taylor repeated, making it a question.
