An Unlikely Mate

A Chance at Freedom

The next two days felt like a detox. He was resolved to kill his feeling for Amelia and he was confident he could. He had been a fool before. How hard could it be to get over a human? In the back of his mind he knew she was his mate, which made things so much more complicated. But he talked himself into believing she was nothing more than a shallow crush. He would withstand the pull... he had to. Rebekah's memory would keep him strong. His heart clenched at the thought of her... his beautiful mate. He missed her like a part of himself had died with her.

The following two nights at the bar only confirmed his confidence. He was happy working like he had before, no distractions. He loved owning the bar with Lucious. It had been a fun idea they wanted to play with while they were here under their current identities. It had worked out well and been so much more enjoyable than they'd hoped.

However, all good things have to come to an end, and sometimes they come crashing down. Amelia's days off flew by and he found himself anxiously waiting for her to walk through the door. His heart almost stopped when he saw her hand in hand with her boyfriend. They kissed before he bid her goodbye. Is this what dying feels like? His heart ached and he broke out in a cold sweat. He clenched his jaw so hard it hurt. His fingers were making splintered dents in the bar top.

Lucious snapped him out of it when he called his name.

Alexander practically ran to the office.

"I might have found a replacement for Amelia and we can use her having had her boyfriend in the breakroom as a reason to fire her.I feel disgusting using that, but it's all I can scrape up."

Alexander thought he'd be relieved to finally be rid of her. To not feel the constant need for her. However, he found himself thinking of all the reasons this was wrong. She'd be so upset at losing her job, especially over something so stupid. She'd have to find a new job as well. The city wasn't cheap. What if she had to move in with her boyfriend? His stomach lurched. Other jobs didn't pay as well as they did, what if she had to get more than one and overwork herself just to make ends meet? Because of him. He would be responsible. She didn't deserve this... "No," he said finally. "She stays."

Lucious raised an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest. "Oh? And how will you manage that?"

"I just will. It's not fair to her."

"It's not fair to her to have feelings she doesn't understand. Feelings that will grow. She doesn't know why she's drawn to you and you just push her away. It's confusing for her."

He hadn't thought of that. But still, she'd be out of a job in this city. She could find new work, but it wouldn't be the opportunity they gave their employees. "Still, it's not fair to her. She needs to stay."

"You know what will happen to you if you don't accept her or reject her. We all know." Lucious' face had grown serious.

"I am aware. I will handle it."

"I will let her stay for now, but if I get even a hint that you can't handle this I will get her out of here. I'll make her leave the city if I have to," Lucious said.

Alexander knew he would do as he said, so he resolved to try harder to fight the bond. He cursed the mate bond. It was the best thing they could hope to experience if it worked the way it should, but it was hell if it didn't.

He went back out to the bar and did a security round. He pulled a couple out of a bathroom stall and told them to get a room. He called a cab for a man who was almost black out drunk and made sure he made it to the car.

Next, he restocked the bar, napkin holders and toilet papers. Normally, he'd sit at the bar and enjoy the atmosphere between tasks, but not tonight. He stood by the door watching. He couldn't sit near her, so he'd keep an eye on things instead.

Everything was going smoothly until a fight broke out at the bar. He could sense Amelia's tense emotions. He stalked over and pushed the fighting pair apart.

"What's going on?"

"I was just leaving," one of the men said.

"Yeah, he sure as hell was," the other man said with a snort.

The first man tried to lunge at the other, but Alexander blocked him. He ordered both to leave, but to not continue in the parking lot or he'd get the police involved. They left, but Alexander followed them to the door and kept an eye on them until they were out of sight.

He made his way back to the bar to find out what had happened. To his dismay, the other bartender wasn't there. Just Amelia.

"One of them bragged about tipping me a lot, the other claimed it wasn't fair to get a shot with me like that. I informed them both that I'm seeing someone. That's when they started fighting."

"That's what it was over? Trying to get a date with you?"

She whipped the towel she'd been holding down on the counter. "What? Just because you don't like me, you think others couldn't possibly want anything to do with me?" She was clearly angrily.

"No, that's not what I meant!" He tried to defend himself.

"Oh, enlighten me then!"

"It's just... there are plenty of women in the bar, fighting over one of them just doesn't make sense."

She rolled her eyes. "Maybe they like what they see. It doesn't have to make sense to you."

"I don't dislike you..." he said softly.

"You could've fooled me," she said with a smirk.

He turned and walked away before she could say anything that might make his self control shatter. She thought he didn't like her. That was good... but it also cut through him like a knife.