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“Is he all right?” one of them muttered. “He’s never been like this before. He’s always been fair.”
Things had changed between Stone and Amelia recently. At least, they had changed for Stone. His obsession with her kept growing, becoming more possessive.
But I saw two shifters, Will and Ben, exchange a knowing glance. They were both tall and muscular with blonde hair. Just like I'd run with Stone and Brennan since we were kids, they had been inseparable with Joshua. They'd had a reputation as little shits back when we were kids too, the kind of kids who yes sir'd all the adults and bullied the younger kids mercilessly.
But they had stopped hanging out with Joshua the last few months--at least in public. I was pretty sure that it wasn’t because Joshua had offended them, but because they realized how easily it would be to catch their little rebellion if they spent all their time together.
"He's still our alpha." I rubbed my jaw, letting my anger at Stone show on my face as my gaze flickered toward the house.
Will said, "You all right, man?" He clapped my shoulder.
"It's just a punch. We're all used to taking those."
Will nodded, but he looked at me as if he knew it was more than that.
It was a betrayal.
And no matter how much I loved Amelia, I had never betrayed Stone.
* * *
That evening,I made a rare trip down to one of the village pubs. By day, the place served burgers and chicken tenders for lunch. Retired shifters day-drank and told their old stories, and tired shifter moms brought their kids in for lunch and a trip to the arcade in the back. In the afternoon, the place filled up with teenagers playing pool and the scolding voice of the bartender as he told them to clean up after themselves, to tip the waitress, or banned them from playing the Jukebox--they had a playful personal vendetta around him that revolved around Nickelback. I would've been surly if I'd listened to 'Something in Your Mouth' eight times in one afternoon, too.
After that, the crowd switched to couples coming in for dinner and dancing after work. Shifters tended to be romantic, in their own way, and no matter how big or dangerous they were, they loved to dance.
But by now, there were no kids or teens--and few women--lingering in the bar. Nothing good happened after midnight.
I finished my first whiskey and raised two fingers for another.
The bartender, Claud, gave me a questioning look. "Long day?"
"Aren't they all?"
"Too true."
I sipped my spirit, letting it burn down my throat. It was a welcome sensation, almost pleasurable. Almost.
A woman slid onto the bar stool beside me and flashed me a smile. "Hey there, stranger. I don't usually see you in here."
I knew her vaguely, Leah Lorton. In pack territory, we all knew each other at least vaguely. She was pretty, with long brown hair and thick lashes. I was pretty sure she and Shaw had been an on-and-off thing for a year, though she hadn't been Shaw's only.
I inclined my head.
"I'll have what he's having," Leah told Claud. "It seems to be making him so happy."
"I'm fine," I said. "Sorry I'm not a fan of small talk."
Leah didn’t seem bothered by my curt response. Instead, she leaned in closer to me, her hand brushing against my thigh. "What are you a fan of, then?" she asked, her breath hot against my ear.
I didn't answer her, instead finishing my whiskey and signaling for another. I wasn't in the mood for games or small talk or anything that would distract me from my troubles. The punch from Stone earlier had been both unexpected and unwarranted. It had gone further than we'd discussed. Was it a bit of improvisation, knowing Will and Ben were watching?
Or was his growing bond with Amelia driving him mad?
Leah didn't seem to be taking the hint. "Come on, we could have some fun," she said, her hand moving up my thigh. "I bet I can cheer you up.”
I pushed her hand away, my patience gone. "I said I'm not interested. Find someone else to harass."
Leah withdrew, her face falling. "Fine. You could've just told me you already had a girl."
