Savage Bonds

Know Your Place

Juni slumped against the counter, relief flooding through her as the door closed behind Luka. She could breathe again without his cologne making her feel ways she didn't want to acknowledge.

Her relief was short-lived.

The door opened again, and overbearing perfume invaded her space before Lauren even made it to the counter.

Of f*****g course Lauren would show up now, when Juni's defenses were already worn thin from dealing with Luka's sad attempt at flirting.

"Well," Lauren said, her voice dripping fake sweetness as she sauntered up. "Isn't this interesting. I saw Luka leaving. Did he finally notice you exist?"

Juni straightened, pulling her professional mask back into place even as Asena snarled beneath her skin.

"What can I get you, Lauren?"

"Oh, you know my name." Lauren's smile widened, but there was something sharp behind it. "How sweet."

Don't take the bait, Juni told herself. Just make her drink and get her out of here.

"Well, we've lived our whole lives," Juni replied evenly. "What would you like?"

"Hmm." Lauren studied the menu board as if she didn't order the same basic s**t everytime. "You know, I'm feeling adventurous today. Surprise me."

Sure she was. Juni bit back her irritation and waited.

Lauren continued, leaning against the counter like she owned the place, "Make it something complex. I have time to wait. I have a date with Luka later, so I'm in no rush."

There it was. Juni kept her expression neutral. "Sure. How about a caramel macchiato with an extra shot and vanilla syrup?"

"Perfect. You're so good at this." Lauren's tone was patronizing, like she was praising a child for coloring inside the lines. "I don't know how you do it. Being on your feet all day, dealing with people. It must be exhausting."

"It has its moments," Juni replied, starting to steam the milk. The machine's hissing provided a welcome cover for her irritation.

"I imagine it does." Lauren settled onto one of the stools, clearly planning to stay and chat. "You know, I saw you at the gym this morning. You're quite the fighter."

Juni's hand tightened on the steam wand. "I train sometimes."

"Right, with Elora. She's such a sweetheart." Lauren's smile turned predatory. "It's nice that you two are friends. But eventually Elora will have to find some friends on her level."

The milk pitcher creaked under Juni's grip. "Her level?"

"Oh, you know what I mean. Elora will be Beta someday, standing beside me and Luka as we lead the pack. And you'll still be here, making lattes and living your quiet little life." Lauren tilted her head, fake sympathy dripping from every word. "But that's okay. Not everyone is meant for greatness. The pack needs worker bees, too."

Worker bees. Juni's wolf snarled beneath her skin, and for a moment, she wondered what Lauren would say if she knew whose daughter she was talking to. If she remembered that Juni's father had been one of the pack's greatest warriors before he died protecting ungrateful pack members like her.

"I suppose we all have our roles to play," Juni said carefully.

"Exactly! You get it." Lauren clapped her hands together like Juni had just solved a particularly difficult puzzle. "I was just telling Luka this morning how refreshing it is to meet someone who knows their place in the pack hierarchy. No drama, no ambition beyond their station. Just... comfortable with being ordinary."

Juni's grip on the espresso portafilter tightened until her knuckles went white. Ordinary. Her father had been anything but ordinary. He'd been respected by everyone, including Lauren's father. But apparently, dying in service to the pack wasn't enough to earn your daughter lasting respect.

"Speaking of Luka," Lauren continued, oblivious to the dangerous stillness that had come over Juni, "he mentioned he might stop by here more often. To show support for pack businesses. He is so thoughtful."

"Very thoughtful," Juni managed, her voice steady despite the rage building in her chest.

"He's always been considerate that way." Lauren's voice took on a dreamy quality. "He's going to make a wonderful Alpha. Strong, Protective of those who can't protect themselves."

Those who can't protect themselves. The irony was so thick Juni could choke on it. Her father had died protecting people who couldn't protect themselves. But apparently, his sacrifice meant nothing if his daughter served coffee for a living.

"Your drink," Juni said, setting the cup down with more force than necessary.

Lauren picked up the cup and took a delicate sip, her eyes never leaving Juni's face. "Mmm, perfect. You really are talented at this."

"Will that be all?"

"Actually, I was wondering..." Lauren set down her cup and leaned forward conspiratorially. "Are you planning to come to Tula's tonight? I know it's not usually your scene but you should come by." The way Lauren was asking, with that fake concern and underlying smugness, made it clear this wasn't a friendly invitation.

Juni's stomach dropped. Elora had mentioned going to Tula's. But now Juni wasn't sure if she wanted to go.

"I haven't decided yet," Juni said carefully.

"Oh, you should come. I think it would be... educational for you."

"Educational?"

"It's a different crowd than you're used to. More... sophisticated. But I'm sure you'll find your place." Lauren's voice carried a challenge now. She was daring Juni to prove she belonged.

Juni almost laughed. If Lauren only knew that Juni had been raised in that environment, that she'd grown up around pack politics before choosing to step away from it all.

"I'm sure I can handle it," Juni said, her voice carrying just a hint of edge.

"Sure you can!" Lauren's laugh was bright and fake. "I just meant that it's different from... this." She gestured around the coffee shop dismissively. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you feel welcome. After all, we have to look out for each other. Pack solidarity and all that."

Pack solidarity. From the woman who'd just spent ten minutes putting her "in her place."

"How thoughtful of you," Juni said through gritted teeth.

"Well, I should run. I have a mani-pedi appointment. Can't keep my man waiting, you know?" Lauren stood, smoothing down her perfect outfit. "Oh, and Juni? If you decide to come tonight... wear something nice?"

The condescension in her voice made Juni's wolf bare its teeth.

"I'll keep that in mind," Juni said, her voice dangerously quiet.

"Wonderful! Well, I'll see you tonight. Maybe. If you decide you're up for it." Lauren headed for the door, then paused, looking back with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, and Juni? Thanks for the coffee. It's so nice to have people like you keeping things running smoothly for the rest of us."

People like you.

The door closed behind Lauren with a soft chime, leaving Juni alone with her rage and the lingering scent of nauseating perfume.

For a long moment, she stood perfectly still, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Then, with a growl of frustration, she grabbed the nearest dish towel and threw it across the room.

"Sophisticated," she muttered, starting to clean up Lauren's area with violent efficiency. "Know your place. People like you."

"Let me rip her throat out." Asena snarled in the back of her mind. "Just five minutes. I'll show her sophisticated."

"Down, girl," Juni said aloud, but her voice lacked conviction. The truth was, she wanted nothing more than to shift and show

Lauren exactly what the daughter of Marcus Sullivan was capable of. But that would mean stepping back into a world she'd deliberately left behind when her parents died.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Elora: Still on for tonight? I promise it'll be fun. You need to get out more.

Juni stared at the message, Lauren's words echoing in her mind. Not everyone is cut out for that environment. Find your place. Know your station.

She typed back: Yeah, I'm in.

If Lauren thought she could intimidate the daughter of one of the pack's greatest warriors into staying home, she had another thing coming. Juni had been hiding in the shadows for three years, letting people forget who she was, what her family had sacrificed for the pack.

Maybe it was time to remind them.

Maybe it was time to stop letting people like Lauren rewrite her history.

She glanced at the clock. Six hours until Tula's. Six hours to prepare for whatever Lauren had planned.

Because one thing was certain, Lauren hadn't invited her out of pack solidarity. This was about Luka, about territory, about putting the coffee girl in her place.

Well, Lauren was about to learn that Juni Sullivan didn't stay where people tried to put her.

"Tonight," Asena purred, anticipation thrumming through their shared consciousness. "Tonight we remind them who we really are."

"Tonight," Juni agreed, a dangerous smile playing at her lips. "We stop being invisible."