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If Eddie wanted to get to know her too, we were going to have to decide who got to go up to her first. It was serious, so, of course, we played rock-paper-scissors. He lost and I was happy with the win. I think if I would have lost, I still would have figured out a way to have her. I would have just played the best three out of five, five out of seven, or whatever it would’ve taken.
Eddie pushed his dirty-blonde hair from his face and slicked it back. I could tell he was irritated with the loss, but he would take it like a champ, and I wanted him to see that it was all for the best. As soon as I saw her, I was meant to get to know her. There was something special between us.
“Hey,” I said to the beautiful blonde. I sat down next to her at the bar, and she turned those beautiful eyes towards me. They were innocent, needy, and a little bit fearful. It was a hell mix of feelings, and I found it difficult not feel some kind of way myself. What about her made me feel so strangely?
“Hi,” she said back to me. Her voice was smooth, and there was a slight lilt at the end that I really loved to hear.
“You are new around here, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Calvin.” I would have usually said something about the pack that I was in, the Dark Riders, but since I wasn’t sure who she was just yet, I didn’t think I should say too much.
“My name is Eliza. Nice to meet you.”
“Why was are you here all by herself, Eliza?” When I really looked at her, I could see the sadness hanging over her. I wanted to be the one to take that sadness away. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
Eliza shrugged. “Let’s just say that I have had one hell of a day.” She smiled to herself and laughed, and I wondered what that was about.
I waited for her to say more, but when it became clear that she wasn’t going to elaborate, I asked, “Why don’t you tell me about it? I have been told many times that I’m a good listener.” I was hoping she would, because I really was interested. I wanted to get to know her. I wanted to turn that frown around, make it a smile. She was a beautiful woman who was obviously going through something. What kind of man would I be if I didn’t at least try to help her?
She finished her drink, and I motioned to the bartender to get her another. I had a feeling that she needed a little bit of liquid courage to get through her story. The bartender brought the glass over, and I thanked him and silently pushed it her way.
“Well, for starters, today was the day I was supposed to become queen.” She didn’t say anything else for a minute, just laughed so hard she actually snorted. I wasn’t really sure what was so funny about that, but she definitely had my attention now.
“A queen, huh?” I asked.
“Yep. But you don’t believe me, do you?”
“You have to admit Eliza, it is one hell of a tale. But it wouldn’t be hard to imagine. You are beautiful, and I can see how you could be a fated mate to a king alpha. But you said you weresupposedto become queen today. That means that it didn’t happen. What changed?”
The answer hit me about the time our eyes met, and I almost wished she wouldn’t say it out loud. I didn’t want to embarrass her more than she probably already was. I really wished I hadn’t said anything. It was obviously a painful memory, and I was just trouncing on it. The conversation had taken a turn for the worst.
“I was rejected by my mate and kicked out of my pack. So now I am here, trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do next, and, honestly, I don’t have a clue. My people take care of bison, and while it was great for us because nobody else did it, now I don’t know how I’m going to get a job since that’s the only animal I have experience with. I think I picked the wrong town and might have to leave again if I can’t find something soon.” It all came out a rush, and when she was done speaking, I could see the relief on her face.
Unfortunately, I didn’t feel any relief from hearing all of that. The bison ranches in the area, hell in the whole state, were run by a pack we had been fighting with for as long as anybody could remember. Now, we were fighting over territory, they wanted more, and we weren’t going to give up any. That was fine and all, until I realized the beautiful creature in front of me was one of them.
“Are you a member of the Bransom Country pack?”
“Yes.”
I couldn’t help but let it show on my face that I wasn’t all that happy about it having my suspicion confirmed.
“Why do you look upset about that?”
I felt embarrassed. I had nothing against her, nothing personally, and I didn’t want to say or do anything to hurt her feelings. Instead, I told her what pack I was from. “It’s got nothing to do with you. It’s just that I’m a part of the Dark Riders pack.”
She nodded. She understood what that meant. “I should probably get on my way, then,” Eliza decided.
“Why?”
“I am not trying to start anything with you. I just wanted to drink, and I was trying to find a job. I didn’t know this was a territory that other shifters couldn’t be in.”
Her change in demeanor was immediate and it made me feel bad. Why had I told her that she was my enemy? How could that be so, when I didn’t even know her?
“You don’t have to go anywhere. I was just surprised that you were from the Bransom Country pack, it just threw me off. It’s fine, though, really it is,” I tried to assure her.
Eliza said nothing, pressing her lips together. I had no idea what was going through her mind.
