Chapter 8 Alpha's Choice

Kelsey

I whipped open the heavy steel doors, embracing the adrenaline now freely pumping through my body and making the once heavy doors nearly weightless now. I struggled to pull myself together and rip away from Blake, it physically pained me to maintain my distance from him. I couldn't control the pulsating force that was driving my body to his like a magnet, pleading for his attention. Stupid mate bond.

I was furious that Blake had the nerve to actually threaten me with "consequences" for flirting with Alpha Tate, the balls on this guy... it was called being friendly. What Blake so conveniently seemed to forget was that he held no claim on me; he was neither my boyfriend nor my mate. My Alpha, fine. But even that didn't give him the right to dictate who I can and cannot be friendly with. Deep down though, my wolf and I were both feeling a sense of accomplishment for being able to still get under his skin. It was really a gift if I do say so myself.

Glancing around the packed dance floor for a second, I braced myself and pushed through the sweaty bodies towards the front of the stage where I had left Mia. When her dark curly hair came into view, I quickened my pace and felt my body smash against what felt like a brick wall. My eyes trailed up broad and chiseled shoulders and met with Asher's familiar warm amber eyes.

Asher smirked down at me, "what's got you all rattled up Arizona?", glancing down at my closed fists by my sides.

I rolled my eyes at him and playfully shot back, "don't even ask", crossing my arms over my chest. Asher's gaze went from me to across the bar, thanks to his tall height he had at least a few inches on most shifters inside the bar. His mouth slowly opened as he registered who else had suddenly gone missing a few moments ago and was now returning, "huh, isn't that interesting?", he teased, breaking out into a chuckle. A blush flooded across my cheeks, busted.

"Seriously Kels, you good?", he asked. I could feel the pity in his voice which annoyed me. He was treating me like I was some damsel in distress that needed to be rescued. I scurried my eyebrows together trying to be convincing to my best friend, "Me? Oh come on, of course I am. But I'm going to head home soon though, I gotta be up bright and early for –."

"Leaving without me?", a deep dangerous voice asked, inches from my ear that made me gasp. I turned my head to see Alpha Tate hovering over me with his purple eyes darkened at me and his bulge pressed firmly against my back.

I couldn't deny that I was attracted to Alpha Tate, his dangerous aura was driving me wild but I already had my run with Alphas – and Eric, I completely forgot about Eric in that moment with Alpha Tate's body so close to mine.

Asher quickly interrupted saving my ass once again, "don't worry buddy, you'll see her again soon. She has her five year check in with Alpha Max in the morning". Before he could continue, I swung my body around and crossed my arms, forcing my tits to push forward. Alpha Tate's eyes rolled down to my protruding chest and he bit his bottom lip, I could see the lust taking over his body. Shit, I didn't mean to turn him on. This was turning into a game of cat and mouse. "And if I don't convince him that 'm doing just fine as a lone wolf, he's not going to let me return to my life in Arizona", I grinned.

"And would that be such a bad thing?", he asked, stepping closer on the dance floor and closing the space between us. I could feel his warm breath against my face, suddenly getting turned on from the heat bouncing off between our bodies.

I cocked my head defiantly, "No shit", I said feeling the blood rush up to my face. My wolf scolded me inside, wanting to hide in the corner of the bar for speaking so disrespectfully to an Alpha.

"We'll see about that Arizona", he replied, his lips turning upwards in a cocky smirk. Again with that name, I thought to myself. He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it, "I'll see you sooner than you think". His words shot a shiver down my spine. I couldn't peel my eyes off of Alpha Tate's sculpted muscles until he disappeared off the dance floor.

"Shit, that was intense", Asher said in a low voice. I recognized the sheer fear spread on his face. I shrugged at him, "that guy is certainly something else". He chalked up a laugh, "you better be careful with how you're speaking to him. He's clearly already into you".

Asher reached out and grabbed my hand protectively, "wait up, I'll drive you". I flashed Asher an appreciative smile and nodded, I knew he was only offering to drive me home because he was worried about how I was handling seeing Blake and fighting him on it was only going to raise further suspicion. I didn't mind though, I missed his company.

I snuck up on Mia and wrapped my arms around her face which caused her to flinch back in surprise. "There you are! You almost missed the whole set", she said, her green eyes going wide.

I heaved a defeated sigh, "I know, I'm so sorry. I got preoccupied outside, I guess that's what I get for not coming home for so long", I explained with a laugh. It wasn't that I didn't want to tell Mia about my encounter outside with Blake, I just didn't want to talk about it right now. "Asher offered to let me hitch a ride with him but you stay with Jake and then you can tell me all the dirty little details tomorrow", I teased. I was happy for Mia, Jake seemed to make her ridiculously giddy.

Mia pouted, "Kels! Please stay! One of the guys from Jake's band is eager to meet you, it'll be fun, she said with a wink. I had noticed the tall, lanky cutie that played the drums constantly staring at me while he performed but I chucked it up that he was just curious about who the girl in town was.

"You do realize I have a boyfriend in Arizona right?!", I scolded her and tossed my long blonde hair over my shoulder.

Mia giggled and perked her lips together, "oh, you mean the human that doesn't even know that werewolves exist?" Sheesh, when she said it like that, I actually felt bad for Eric. "Hey! He's a sweet guy!", I reprimanded.

Asher draped his arm over my shoulder, "ready to ditch this place?", he joked. I nodded and pulled Mia in for a hug, "I'll see you tomorrow at training, I expect the dirt", I whispered in her ear.

Asher gripped my hand tightly, pulling us both out of the crowd and towards the front door of the bar. I couldn't help but feel uneasy, as if someone was watching us. I turned my head back before we exited through the door and my eyes immediately locked to a deathly glare from Blake's piercing blue eyes from across the bar.