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I let out a breath I’d been holding in, my shoulders falling. I wasn’t surprised Eden was struggling with the Alpha adjustment too, not after everything that had happened. “Make sure she stays there, I’ll be by soon to take her home.”
“I’ll keep her safe until then.” He winked before I hung up and ran out the door.
***
The tavern was packed by the time I arrived, people milling around the long, carved wood bar area, sitting at all of the tables that seemed to be sculpted from the same dark wood, and filling the large open space as the nightly band played music for them to dance to. I made a quick path to the end of the bar where Benji stood, polishing a stack of glasses with a cloth.
“Hey.” I leaned against the side, looking up at the tall, muscular Shrivika.
“Hello, lovely.” His silver-blue eyes lit up at the sight of me. “You made it here quickly.”
“Sounded like time was of the essence,” I said. “Where is she?”
Benji quirked his head, walking down the back of the bar while I followed him on the other side. I quickly caught sight of Eden sitting alone at the far end, her head resting against the wall, eyes hooded as if she was falling asleep. “I’ve been giving her water for a while now to help with what will probably be a terrible hangover tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Benji, I don’t know how to thank you.”
“No need to thank, it’s always a pleasure seeing your beautiful face in the tavern.” He winked at me again.
I sighed. Benji had gotten this job about a year and a half ago, and since then had always had a fun time flirting with me. His dark brown hair was lightly dusted with gray, angular face radiating a classical handsomeness. At first, the flirtation had been fun and a nice confidence boost, but nowadays I just felt too empty to find pleasure in it. It was nothing against him—he was a kind-hearted man who always made sure we were taken care of—I just wasn’t in a place to accept it the same as before.
All I could do was give him a warm smile before walking over to Eden, focusing on the friend who needed me tonight.
“Eden?” I saddled up in the chair next to her.
“Kasha!” She swung her arms out wide, leaning forward and crushing me into a hug. She swayed us a bit, her olive-toned cheeks flushed bright pink with a thin sheen of sweat. Yeah, she was wasted. “I missed you!”
“We just saw each other a few hours ago,” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
Her hands came forward, eyes glassy as she stroked the ends of my hair. “I don’t know why you hate your hair so much, it’s so pretty.”
“I don’t hate it,” I grumbled, my cheeks reddening. “It’s just so short. And light.”
I missed the days when my hair used to be grown to my hips, long and luscious. I used to dye it a dark reddish brown as well, to contrast with the porcelain complexion of my skin and blue eyes. However, I was forced to chop my hair off to my shoulders eight months ago, and it had only grown past my collarbone since then…not to mention the color had completely faded to my natural golden brown. Eden was lucky, her hair was still long and beautiful with the unnaturally blood-red color she dyed over her blonde roots. I knew she would help me dye mine again, but I’d been struggling to find the energy to even ask.
I quickly changed the subject. “What brought you to the tavern alone tonight?”
She flopped back, her head thunking against the wall again. “I’m an idiot.”
“Yes, I heard you say that when you had Benji call me.” I pushed her glass of water closer to her, staring at her until she wrapped her long fingers around it and took a sip. “But I’m still a little foggy about what makes you think you’re an idiot?”
Before she could answer, Benji came up to us, sliding a drink in front of me, a foaming glass of cool ale. My stomach lurched. “Oh, no thanks, Benji, not today.”
“Alright, lovely.” He pulled it back, giving me a warm smile. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
I wouldn’t—not now, not ever.
I shook off the shiver that ran up my spine before turning back to Eden, my priority.
“I’m going to lose my job!” she cried, the glass still poised at her lips.
“Oh, Eden,” I pulled my chair closer to hers, my hand drawing soothing circles along her back.
Like Taylor and Lucas, Eden was a Gamma in the Hierarchy of my Faction. She had served Logan for almost five years before he transferred. However, the last few months of his time here, Eden had made some questionable decisions against his leadership, as many of us had. My actions had caused so much pain and turmoil, not just to me, but to those around me. They thought they had been protecting me, standing behind me, but in the end it had all been worthless.
“So, I decided that I just had to come here and toast my last few days as a Gamma.” She downed the rest of her water, slamming the glass on the bar top.
“And, uh, how many times did you toast?” I waved down Benji, gesturing for Eden’s water to be refilled, which he happily obliged.
