Wooden chairs around worn out tables were spread out through the room. A mixture of metal and wooden bar stool lined the edge of the bar, while a handful of wooden high-backed booths were pushed up against the walls.
A dozen or so sets of eyes slid to me, assessing before dismissing me for the most part. Most likely they could smell the other supernaturals on me and took it as a sign that I wasn’t some human wandering into their place.
I sashayed up to the bar, my chin lifted, pushing myself to exude confidence, as if I came to places like this all the time. In reality, I would rather be punching my fist through some rogue vampire’s face or, more commonly lately, curling up with Tate on the couch.
“What can I get you?” an unnaturally colored redhead asked, his hands busy pouring a drink for some wolves a few seats down.
My nose crinkled as I thought. If this was anything like the supernatural parties back at the dorms, they’d have witch’s brew and, after my recent bout with that stuff, I was hesitant to order anything other than water. However, I didn’t want to look out of place.
“Just a beer.” I shifted onto the available bar stool. My hands tapped out a rhythm on the top of the bar.
A moment later, the bartender slid me my drink. I reached for my bag to pay.
“Put it on my tab,” a low deep voice almost growled with a southern twang to it.
Lifting my head up, up and up, until I reached the face of the large man before me. A werewolf no doubt, he was even taller than Tate. His eyes glinting yellow was unsurprising being this close to the full moon.
“Thanks,” I offered without taking my drink.
The wolf leaned against the bar, his massive body brushing against my arm. “You’re new here.” He chuckled and stroked his mustache. “You’re a pretty thing, too. Are you from the school?”
I ignored his blatant flirting. He wasn’t my target tonight.
Large warm calloused fingers tickled along my hand. “Then you’re one of us… but what kind? Don’t tell me. I love to guess.” His eyes glinted with the challenge and some kind of innuendo I didn’t get.
“I bet you’re… a witch.” He snapped his fingers, pointing at me with a self-serving grin.
I gave him a tight smile. “What she is, is going. Thanks for the beer.” I hopped off the stool and started to walk away.
“Hey!” That beefy hand landed on my shoulder and jerked me back. “I wasn’t done talk to you.”
What was with everyone grabbing me today?
No longer bothering to play nice, I grabbed my bottle by the neck and swung it around, slamming into the side of his head. Unfortunately, that only seemed to piss him off. He bared his teeth at me, the strain on his face showing how close he was to wolfing out on me.
“You bitch!”
“Oh,” I pouted, preparing myself for a fight. “Don’t tell me you don’t think I’m beautiful now, do you?”
A familiar chuckle tickled up my spine.
“Calm down, Cletus.” Tate’s hand clamped down on his shoulder. “You can’t fault the woman for not being interested. Why don’t you go outside and cool off?”
Tate’s happy go luck personality seemed to rub off on the werewolf who huffed and deflated before me.
“Yeah, yeah, sorry.” Cletus shook his head, shooting me a look before ducking out of the bar, leaving me face to face with the very guy I’d blown off for this.
“So…” Tate rocked on his heels, amusement glittering in his eyes. “This was why you couldn’t go out with me tonight?”
I pulled my purse strap further up my shoulder. “I’m supposed to meet someone.” I glanced around the room as if searching for her. “But I don’t think they’re coming.”
Tate’s brow furrowed as he took a step closer to me. “I know I have no right to say this since I’m seeing Kyren, but are you seeing someone else?”
“What?” My eyes widened. “No! No. I mean…” I shook my head and shifted in place. “I was — I wasn’t…” My face heated with embarrassment.
“Hey, now, it’s okay.” Tate’s hand cupped my face, lifting my gaze to meet his. “We never said we were exclusive, and I’m with Kyren. It’s well within your right to go out with other people. I just want to know.”
There was a sort of desperation in his words, almost like it hurt him to even say the words. That, in turn, made my heart ache for him.
