Alpha Ruby

Angry Statue

Ruby

The bathroom was definitely not what I expected. You know, the normal sink, toilet, and mirror? Nope. Non existent in here. Instead there is a staircase leading down to who knows where. Having faith in my friends, I proceed down the stairs one hesitant step at a time. I was only halfway down the staircase when I heard and could smell Gabby skipping down the stairs in a hurry. That girl ran straight into me, which I can't blame her considering it's dark. We both tumbled down the stairs, and laughed so f*****g loud when we fell on the floor at the bottom. "What is this place?" I asked her, hearing music blasting from down the hallway. "Hell." I heard a voice that belonged to Xander. He stared at us on the floor and let out a sexy chuckle. Helping both of us up, we walk together further down the long hallway. "Seriously, where are we?"

Patting me on the back softly, "I'll be at the bar if you need me." The bar? In a library! WHAT?!?! I feel beyond flabbergasted.

"Come on, girl! Time for the real fun!" Gabby shrieks and pulls my hand. Entering the huge room that I never would have guessed was underneath a library, was booming. I can only assume the walls are soundproof considering I didn't even ear any of this from upstairs.

I quickly spot the bar section and see Xander chugging a beer and chatting with some human guys. This place looks like a freaking disco or something. There's awesome music playing, colored lights flashing, and a sparkling disco ball in the center of the ceiling. Everyone looks to be having a blast on the dance floor and I am loving it! Gabby grabs my hand, and I thought she was leading me to the dance floor, but I was wrong.

"We're not dancing?" I asked her through link. "Oh, we are! After we watch the other dancers first." I was confused and my wolf was too. Yet, here I am, following Gabby down another set of stairs. Damn! How large is this place?

When we enter, my mouth drops to the floor. I see why Xander wasn't interested.

Max

"You ready to go, Anne?" Grabbing her purse from Travis's office, we wave him goodbye after he tosses me his car keys. "Yep!"

I open the passenger side of the car for her, then proceed to get in on the driver's side. Anne is a single mother of three kids and works two jobs. She's a waitress here at the pub, and a bartender at a strip club. I admire her work ethic and how she works her ass off to provide for her family. Having no car, she walks to the pub which is only a block away. However, the club is further, so I always drive her to it then return to the pub for Travis. I have my own car, but it doesn't make sense for Travis and I to drive separately to the same place when we live together. Anyway, there's no way in hell I was going to let her walk so far after working all day at the pub. She quickly became one of my best friends when I moved here, and it helps that she's not attracted to me. We are both very much into the ladies.

"So, seems like Travis is happy with the new owner." She begins the conversation. When I don't respond, she plops her elbow on the center console with a hand under her chin. "Hmm, seems like somebody here doesn't like Xander?" Ugh. Just his name makes me want to punch something. "I thought he was nice, and his two friends are smoking. I bet you that brunette left you her number. So, what happened during your meeting with him? Come on, spill."

My wolf scoffs in my mind. That brunette doesn't even come close to Ruby. He mutters to me and I agree. Avoiding her first question, I answer the second one with my own question. "What makes you think the brunette left me her number and not the red head?"

Keeping my eyes on the road, I can just tell she has a smirk on her face. "Uh, for the obvious reason. That red head is dating Xander. He named the pub after her for crying out loud. So, I highly doubt she would be interested in you. No offense."

"Shut up." I tell my wolf who is growling so loud in my head that I am finding it difficult to concentrate on the road.

"None taken." I state through gritted teeth.

"Don't f*****g lie to me, Max. You have the hots for her, huh? I've never seen you this bent out of shape. That's why you don't like Xander, isn't it? You barely know the woman! Plus, I saw you flirting with the brunette."

"Let me out, Max! Let me out!"

Taking a deep breath, I calm myself before saying something I would regret to Anne.

"You're right. I don't know her, but I want to. I've never seen anyone as beautiful as Ruby. As for Xander, I just think he's smug and a complete asshole. Now, can we talk about something else?"

"For now, yes. But don't think I'm dropping this topic forever."

Rolling my eyes, I hear her giggle. I pull up to the the curb and hop out of my seat and swiftly get to the passenger door before Anne could open it for herself. She hates that I do this for her, but I can't help it. It's how I was raised. "You know I can do that myself." I let out a short laugh, "A simple thank you would be nice." She rolls her eyes at me, "Thank you, Max."

"MAX! Do you smell that?" I stop in my tracks the second I walk Anne into Harry's Bookstore. She's nearby! Ruby is here? Oh hell no. Don't tell me she's downstairs. I feel my blood begin to boil at the thought of her eyeing naked men up and down on the stage. "Max?"

I turn my attention back to Anne. "I said bye, but you're just standing there like an angry statue. It's weird. What's going on with you?"