AllFreeNovel
Share Us
For the next hour, I mix cocktails, have quick convos with some regulars, catch up on the Cadre’s latest decrees for their supe residents. I play “spot the human” with Jane, always messing up on purpose because a) the arrogant vamp hates losing and b) thanks to my trusty charm, everyone else thinks I’m human, too. One who knows about supes, sure, but nothing supernatural about sassy Gemma Swann.
Roman, the leader of Muncie’s chapter of the Vampire Cadre, agreed to let me stay in Muncie after Aleks vouched for me last year so long as I keep up the facade. I don’t know how he pulled it off, but Aleks is a determined guy, and I’ve learned by now that he always finds a way to get what he wants.
Well, almost always.
After Roman gave the okay—on the condition that, if I lose my mind and go feral wolf in the middle of Muncie, then Aleks is responsible for me—Aleks even got Gretchen and her two followers to forget what they sensed about me.
A shifter? Me? From the Mountainside Pack?
You must have me mistaken for someone else.
It’s easy, too. A year after I put pack life behind me, I don’t look a thing like Omega Gem. No more curls for this chick; I wear my light blonde hair in a sheet down my back when it’s not up in a high ponytail. Dresses? Yeah, right. The best thing about Charlie’s is its uniform: the black tee, comfy jeans, and my sturdy boots. I’ve even discovered a love of mascara and wild eyeshadow palettes that bring out my striking eyes.
In a town where most vamps have pale irises—blues, greys, greens—my honey-colored eyes are pretty unique. Luckily, most people I talk to think they’re contacts, and I’m good with that… until I have to hear for the countless time that I have the most beautiful eyes.
Yeah, my customers aren’t the most creative when it comes to their pick-up lines. But if all it takes is a smile and me batting my eyelashes to see them add a couple of singles to their tip, well, okay then. Drown in my eyes all you like, fellas.
I’ve gotta work with what I got. Unlike some of the other bartenders and waitresses, my boobs are pretty small. My ass? Non-existent. Since I’ve given up the omega act, I’ve burned off a lot of excess energy through running and weightlifting, giving me a more muscular physique.
I fucking love it.
For the first time in my life, I’m living what I truly am. I’m an alpha, jut one without a pack.
A lone wolf.
And, okay, a human pretender.
Still, I’m finally content.
Yeah. Definitely a win.
* * *
Hailey comes flyingin through the front door at quarter to nine, waving at me as she dashes past the bar.
“Gimme five, Gem.”
I nod, in the middle of tallying up Jimmy’s tab for the night. Vincent already left for his patrol, though not before reminding me that he’s only on a quarter-turn shift, meaning that he’s responsible for a quarter of Muncie’s perimeter before he’s free to take the rest of the night for himself. Without his buddy, Jimmy nursed a few more drinks before calling it. Good. Once I close him out and Hailey takes over for me, I can go.
Just as I’m cashing out, Hailey appears behind the bar, a flurry of apologies spilling from her. I know from experience that, give it a couple of shifts, and she’ll be late again. I’m used to it and, honestly, it’s fine.
I know where she is before she comes here. Better she gets that out of her system on her own time instead of looking at some of her customers as potential targets.
Speaking of…
“Uh, Hailey.”
“Yeah?”
I tap my neck discreetly.
Hailey’s big brown eyes go wide as she slaps a hand over her throat. “Shit. I forgot.”
“Don’t worry. I got you.”
Underneath the bar, Charlie keeps an emergency kit. A vial of holy water to stun vamps, a silver rod that I’m careful to avoid because, hello, shifter, even a Louisville slugger for when one of the human customers gets a little rowdy. But because he’s been around the block a bit, he also keeps a couple of patches tucked in there.
I grab one and, after slapping it against my hip to activate it, I hold it out to Hailey.
