I’m proud of myself when I don’t wince at her name. “And I suppose you fancy yourself on the same level as a prince, do you?”
There’s a long drawn out silence between us, during which I simply stare at him with my mismatched eyes. He shifts, uncomfortably, like I’d been intending. Haven’s told me on more than one occasion that when I stare like this it’s disconcerting, witchy. Like I’m staring into your soul and judging what I find.
The alpha drops his eyes and I move, reaching toward my keyboard. “How can I help you today?”
The rest of the transaction finishes without him hitting on me again, which is a relief. If he’d pressed the issue, I’d probably vomit all over my desk. I’ve been taking a lower dosage of the suppressants the doctors prescribed me. I don’t want to be dependent on them for the rest of my life, but the side effect of that is that I have a stronger reaction to alphas in everyday life. I’ve been told by the numerous doctors Haven has dragged me to over the last month, that eventually the way other alphas make my skin crawl will become less prevalent over time, as my body adjusts to its new normal.
Not enough for me to ever be able to have sex again, but so that interactions like the one that just occurred won’t make me feel like I’m going to pass out.
Still, I feel a little faint as he walks away, and when I see the next person in line is undoubtedly an alpha, I can’t stay at my station. My shift is almost over anyway, close enough that under normal circumstances, I’d start counting my drawer in about ten minutes. I’ll just start now and do it very slowly.
Twenty minutes later, I’m done and slipping out of the bank with a wave. Technically, I have a few minutes left on my shift, but no one says anything as I leave.
The mid-summer sun is in full display, shining down on me and giving me a much needed dose of vitamin d. I’ve been spending too much time cooped up indoors recently. Well, most of that is because I’m working, but ever since I got back, for some reason sunshine feels like an attack.
Not a literal attack of course, but it reminds me of the resort, of the show, of long hours lounging by the pool, surrounded by other omegas and the pack I had begun to think of as mine. It makes me think of Piers calling me ‘sunshine’ and ‘little bird’ in the soft way of his. It reminds me of everything I lost in a matter of moments.
And it drives me crazy that that is the case.
The Ashbourne Pack took so much from me, I can’t let them take this from me too.
The sun?Really?I can’t give them that much power.
Since I finished early, I know I’ll need to wait a bit for my ride. Every day, no matter how busy they are, one of the Calloways is here at four to pick me up and either take me home or to the yoga studio.
I pull out my phone as I linger, second guessing my need to escape early. Now I’m out here on the street, where anyone can approach me. Over the last month, it’s happened more than I would have thought. I’m a fan ofAlpha Love Getaway, but I would never approach the contestants if I saw them on the street like they’re celebrities.
I tuck my phone back into my bag, scanning the street like that’s going to make any difference. People pass by in both directions, most of them minding their own business, a few glancing at me with that same recognizing look I’ve grown used to.
I shift my weight, debating stepping back inside the bank and pretending I forgot something. I can duck into the break room until whoever is picking me up texts to let me know they’re here.
“Leaving early today?”
The voice is familiar enough that my stomach drops before I even turn.
Of course.
I glance over my shoulder to find the same alpha from earlier leaning casually against the brick wall a few feet away, like he’s been waiting for me. His slicked back hair catches the sunlight, his shirt still stretched tight over his chest—though now there’s something sharper in his expression. Less charming. More… intent.
“I finished my shift,” I say shortly, turning back toward the street in the hopes he’ll take the hint.
He doesn’t.
He pushes off the wall and closes the distance between us like it’s nothing, like I didn’t just spend the last ten minutes making it abundantly clear I’m not interested. His musty book smell washes over me, making my mouth water unpleasantly as my stomach churns. It's just so…wrong.
“Good,” he says easily. “That means you’re free.”
“I’m not,” I reply, stepping to the side.
He mirrors the movement instantly, blocking me without even trying to hide it. My pulse ticks up, unease crawling over my skin. I glance around again, noting the same people walking by, but now they’re suddenly not interested in me.
“Come on,” he says, dropping his voice like we’re sharing something intimate. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I know what you are.”
Oh. My. God. This motherfucker.
“I already told you-”
“And I already told you,” he cuts in, reaching out. I flinch before he even makes contact, but his fingers still close around my wrist, using it to pull me into his body, even as he crowds me against the wall.
