Savage Bonds

Who's your Alpha?

Luka pushed through the bar doors, ignoring Jake's muttered "This is a mistake" behind him. His wolf had settled slightly during his time outside, but the moment he spotted Juni at the pool table, that fragile control threatened to snap again.

She was bent over the table, lining up a shot, looking completely unbothered by the chaos she'd caused. As though she hadn't just had him dragged out of the bar in front of everyone. Like she hadn't just destroyed his entire worldview with a few well-placed words.

Asher was leaning against the wall nearby, beer in hand, watching her with an appreciative smirk that made Luka want to put his fist through the wall. Or better yet, through Asher's face.

Definitely his face. Onyx growled.

"Juni," Luka said, approaching the table.

She didn't even look up. Just sank her shot with perfect precision before straightening and reaching for her drink. The dismissal was so complete it made his jaw clench.

"Juni, I need to talk to you."

Finally, she turned to him, and the smile on her face was so sweet it was terrifying. "What do ya need?"

The casual question, like he was just another customer at her coffee shop, made something twist in his chest.

"I need to talk to you," he repeated, aware of how desperate he sounded.

"Yes you said that already. Why?" She walked around the table eyeing like a predator.

"Alone."

Juni laughed—actually laughed—as she moved to line up another shot. "I don't think your girlfriend wants you talking to me."

"My what?" Luka blinked, confused.

"Congratulations, by the way." She glanced at him over her shoulder, that dangerous smile still in place. "I didn't think you were going to make it official."

Elora and Asher both snickered at that. Luka shot them a glare but neither seemed to give two shits what he thought. a going theme tonight.

"What the f**k are you talking about?"

"Oh, you didn't know?" Juni sank another ball, then straightened to take a swig of her whiskey. "That's funny. Your pretty little girlfriend came by the coffee shop today. Made sure to let me know you were her man."

She moved closer then, close enough that her scent, whiskey mixed with that coffee and vanilla that drove him crazy, filled his senses. He could see the gold flecks in her dark eyes.

"Marked her territory real well, like a dog pissing on a fire hydrant." Juni laughed and then continued, her voice low and mocking. "Told me all about my place in the pack hierarchy. How some people are meant for greatness and others are meant to serve coffee."

Luka's stomach dropped. "Lauren said that?"

"Oh, so you do know her name at least. That's sweet." Juni stepped back, returning to her game. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm in the middle of kicking Elora's ass."

"Juni."

"Luka." she parroted. Luka went to step towards her.

"Nope. We're done here," Elora cut in, moving to stand beside her friend. Her usual friendly demeanor was gone, replaced with protective fury. "You need to leave her alone, Luka."

"This doesn't concern you, Elora."

"Like hell it doesn't." Jake appeared at his other side, clearly prepared to drag him out again if necessary. "You're harassing her.

Again. After she made it crystal clear she wants nothing to do with you.You're being a fuckin dick."

Juni laughed. "Yeah Luka you're being fuckin dick."

This b***h. "Are you mocking me?"

Juni gave him a wicked smile and pressed a hand to her chest with feigned innconce. "I would never." Asher was covering his face up now, his shoulders shaking.

"Juni I am trying here."

Juni asked, not even looking at him as she chalked her cue. "To what? Please, enlighten us all about what the great Luka Brenner is trying to do."

The sarcasm in her voice made him see red. "I'm trying to fix this!"

"Fix what?" She finally looked at him again, and the amusement in her eyes was worse than anger would have been. "There's nothing to fix. There's nothing between us. There never has been and there never will."

"That's not—"

She tilted her head, studying him like he was a particularly boring specimen and walked towards him slowly. "Name one real conversation we've had before today. One time you've asked about my life, my interests, my family. Tell me one single even trivial fact that you know about me. You don't even know my last name do you?"

The silence stretched between them, damning in its completeness.

"That's what I thought." She turned back to the table. "Eight ball, corner pocket."

"This isn't over," Luka said, his voice rough with frustration.

"Yes," Juni said calmly, sinking the eight ball with perfect precision, "it is."

Asher slow-clapped from his position against the wall. "Beautiful game, Juni. Really showed who's in control of the table."

The double meaning wasn't lost on anyone.

Luka took a step toward him, but Jake's hand on his chest stopped him. "Don't. You've embarrassed yourself enough for one night."

"0Better listen to your friend," Juni said, setting down her cue. "Before security has to get involved. I'd hate for the future alpha to get banned from the only decent bar in town."

She moved to walk past him, clearly done with the conversation, but Luka shifted to block her path.

"We're not done here," he said.

Juni's eyes narrowed. "Move."

"No."

"Luka," Jake warned, but Luka ignored him.

"I said move," Juni repeated, her voice dangerously quiet.

"Make me." The words came out as a challenge, his alpha dominance bleeding through. "You've had your fun, made your point.

Now you're going to stand there and listen to what the f**k I have to say."

The bar went quiet. Conversations died mid-sentence. Even the music seemed to fade as every wolf in the vicinity recognized what was happening—their future alpha was pulling rank.

"Or what?" Juni's voice was deadly calm, but Luka could see the fury building in her eyes.

"You really want to find out?"

She tried to step around him, but he moved with her, using his size to keep her trapped between him and the pool table.

"I'm not done talking to you," he growled.

"Well, I'm done listening." She tried again to leave, and again he blocked her.

"You need to remember who the f**k you're talking to."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Someone dropped a glass across the bar, and the sound was like a gunshot in the stillness. Every eye was on them, waiting to see what Juni would do when faced with a direct alpha command.

She looked up at him, and the expression on her face made his wolf actually whimper. It wasn't fear. It wasn't submission. It was pure, undiluted disgust.

"I know exactly who I'm talking to," she said, each word precise and cutting. "I'm talking to a spoiled little boy who's so used to getting his way that he can't handle the word 'no.' I'm talking to someone who thinks his daddy's position gives him the right to control everyone around him."

"That's enough Juni!" He tried to get control of the situation but it was spiraling.

"I'm talking to a pathetic excuse for a future alpha who has to use his rank to force women to pay attention to him." She stepped closer, and despite himself, Luka found himself stepping back. She poked her finger in his chest. "Is that what you're going to do, Luka? Use your alpha command on me? Try to force me to stand here and listen to whatever bullshit you've come up with? You don't even know what you wanna say."

The challenge hung in the air between them. He could do it. Could put the full weight of his alpha dominance behind his words and make her submit. Make her listen. She seemed to have read his mind.

Juni laughed—actually laughed—at the look on his face. "I would think twice before you try, though. You've already embarrassed yourself enough tonight." She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a mock whisper. "The alpha thing doesn't work on me, sweetheart."

The casual dismissal of his power, the condescending 'sweetheart,' and the complete lack of fear were a slap to the face.

"That's not possible," he said before he could stop himself. "Every wolf submits."

"Do they?" Her smile was sharp as glass. "Then why haven't I?"

She smacked his cheek and then pushed past him. This time, he let her go, too stunned by her claim to react immediately.

"For what it's worth," she said, pausing to grab her black leather jacket from a nearby chair, "Lauren's perfect for you. You both think the world owes you something just for existing."

Juni shrugged on her jacket and headed for the door, Elora falling into step beside her.

"Juni f*****g Sullivan!" Luka's voice boomed across the bar. "Don't you walk away from me!"

Without even turning around, Juni raised her hand and flipped him off over her shoulder. "Stay golden, pony boy."

The dismissal and the complete lack of respect for his authority made something snap inside him. He was across the bar before anyone could stop him, his hand clamping down on her arm just as she reached the door.

"I said..."

The punch came out of nowhere. One second he was grabbing her; the next his head was snapping back, pain exploding across his jaw as her fist connected with perfect precision.

Luka stumbled back, tasting blood, his hand going to his face in shock. The entire bar had gone dead silent again. "What the f**k?"

"Touch me again," Juni said calmly, shaking out her hand, "and a broken jaw will be the least of your problems."