“Between you and me…” The bartender drops her voice. ”I’d steer clear. He’s a little odd.”
Before I get the chance to tell her to send the drink back, her attention is diverted by a lumberjack dropping his beer. She curses under her breath and hurries away, muttering, “If they didn’t spend so much money here, I’d ban them.”
Ezra’s eyes twinkle. “If you’d rather have a drink with him, I’d understand. I’ve already monopolized enough of your time.”
“No!” I say too quickly. “I mean, unless you’re ready to leave.”
His warm leg presses into mine. “I’m not ready to leave.”
“Hello, sweetheart.” Our electric moment is rudely interrupted by my admirer staggering over. “I thought you looked a little thirsty.” He’s obviously speaking to me, yet he’s looking straight through Ezra. “Want to have a drink with a real alpha?”
I narrow my eyes. “I’m good right here, thanks.”
“Come on, darlin’,” he slurs. “I bought you a drink. The least you can do is sit with me. You owe me that, at least.”
“Owe you?” I cross my arms. “Are you familiar with Section 324 of the Omega Rights Bill? On harassment? I owe you nothing.” I push the glass away from me. “And I didn’t ask for a drink.”
“Listen here, you ungrateful little?—”
Ezra jumps to my defense, his jaw clenching and a pulse twitching in his temple. “I’d think carefully about what you say next.”
“Or what?” the drunk alpha scoffs. “Are you going to fight me? Do you really think an alpha like you stands a chance against someone like me?”
Testosterone crackles through the air like lightning, a hush descending over the bar as we attract the attention of others, their anticipation building, sensing a scuffle brewing.
Ezra’s warm eyes harden as his hands curl into fists. “I think you’ll be surprised what an alpha like me can do.”
“You’re welcome to her.” Spit sprays from the stranger’s mouth with each word. “I’d never touch an omega who doesn’t know her place?—”
Before my brain can process what’s happening, my body moves. I’m on my feet, and my fist connects with his jaw. An almightythwackslices through the sudden silence of the bar, followed by a stunned gasp from the onlookers.
Eyes bulging in surprise, he staggers back from the impact, swaying on his feet. I guess he never expected that an omega could throw a decent right hook. A few seconds later, blood spurts from his nose, dripping red specks onto the perfect foam of my unwanted espresso martini.
“I know my place.” I reach for the napkin on the table to calmly wipe away at the fleck of blood on my blazer. “But maybe you should remember yours.”
He blinks rapidly—presumably still in shock—as he clutches at his likely broken nose. He rapidly swings his head side to side, then his fury kicks in, huffing like an angry bull, his cheeks changing from red to a dark purple. His scent shifts, turning smokier as his inferno-like stare burns into me.
“You fucking?—”
“Victoria!” Ezra grabs my arm and yanks me out of the way as the alpha clumsily lunges in my direction.
Ezra’s not the only one quick on his feet. A few of the lumberjacks observing the scene unfold slam down their drinksand march in our direction. Unlike my opponent, they too know to never raise a hand to an omega.
Before I know what’s happening, a full-on brawl breaks out in front of me. A brawl that I started.
“We should leave.” Ezra tugs me into his chest, out of the chaos. “Now!”
Dazed, I nod as he takes my hand and pulls me out of the bar and onto the sidewalk. Behind us, the sounds of shouting and furniture being overturned echo in my ears. When things calm down, I’ll return and offer to pay the bartender for any damage. After all, it was my fault.
Ezra keeps walking, dragging me along with him, his fingers clutching tightly onto mine. Adrenaline surges through me as he hangs a left, weaving through the streets, only stopping when we reach a quiet alleyway, far away from the bar.
“Are you okay?” He places his hands on my shoulders, looking me over intently for any sign of injury. “Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” I straighten my blazer, frowning when I notice more tiny red flecks on my sleeve. “I can take care of myself.”
“I can see that.” His mouth twitches upward at the corners. “Do you make a habit of picking fights with alphas?”
I raise my chin in defiance. “Only those who deserve it.”
