Shattered Bonds of the Shadowed Alpha

Three years had passed since that fateful night. Danny's hand grazed my backside for what felt like the fourth time that evening. I clenched my jaw and kept pouring the drink, pretending not to notice. The bar was dimly lit, with wooden stools lining the counter and a few scattered tables under low-hanging lights that cast long shadows. I slid the beer to the customer, a burly man with a scruffy beard. "That'll pair well with our grilled steak bites," I said, nudging the menu his way. He eyed me curiously. "Steak bites, eh? This place used to serve nothing but cheap burgers." "We've upgraded," I replied, tapping the glass. "Try the fries on the side if you want something hearty." He grunted and nodded. "Fine. My name's Harlan. Haven't seen you here before. You new?" "Anna," I said, punching in the order. "Been here three years." "Three years? Must've been a while since I passed through. You're part of Jax's pack?" My finger slipped on the screen, entering the wrong item. I fixed it quickly, steadying my breath. "Yeah." Jax Bishop. Alpha of the Shadow Ridge pack. Owner of this rundown spot, now called The Howling Moon. My supposed mate, though he'd made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me. Harlan leaned in. "Hard to imagine him stashing someone like you out here. No wolf scent on you, though." "I like it quiet," I muttered, dodging Danny's reach as he passed behind me. The bar wasn't hell, but it beat my old life. Parker, the old manager, had kept things civil. He'd treated me like a person, not prey. But now he was gone, and Danny ruled with his slimy grin. Harlan chuckled. "Heard Jax lets strays hang around sometimes. Are you one of them?" Danny sidled up, his arm brushing mine. "She's Dirk Langley's daughter," he announced, like it was a punchline. Harlan's eyes widened. "No kidding?" My stomach twisted. Even now, my father's name carried weight. The rogue who'd terrorized packs, kidnapping and worse. Until Jax ended him. Harlan leaned forward. "So, you're paying for his sins, huh? Working it off?" I gripped the edge of the counter. My wolf stirred faintly inside, but I pushed her down. She was too broken to surface. "Not exactly," I said evenly. Danny's hand landed on my hip, pulling me close. "She's got her uses." Harlan laughed. "Bet she does." Something snapped. I grabbed a nearby fork and jabbed it into the wood beside Harlan's hand. He yanked back with a yelp. "First," I said calmly, "I'm no one's toy. If that's what you're after, leave. Second, touch me again, and you'll regret it." Danny growled and yanked me away. "That's no way to talk to paying folks." His eyes flashed amber as he shoved me down. "Kneel. Now." My wolf surged, fear overriding everything. I dropped to my knees, tilting my head back in submission. Tears stung my eyes. "Beg," he snarled. "Please," I whispered, hating every word. "Forgive me." Danny smirked, towering over me. The door swung open then, and the air shifted. Danny and Harlan straightened, heads bowing. Jax. I felt him before I saw him that pull, that unwanted heat from our bond. My wolf whined inside, desperate for him. Jax Bishop strode in, his presence filling the room like a storm. Over six feet of muscle, dark hair tousled, eyes sharp as knives. He perched on a stool and pulled the fork free, examining the mark in the wood. "Evening, Anna," he said, his voice low and edged. "Causing trouble already?" The bar fell silent. His guards lingered by the door, watching. I rose slowly, keeping my eyes down. My wolf trembled, urging me closer, but I stayed put. Jax twirled the fork. "The bar's closed. Everyone out." Murmurs rippled, but no one argued. Soon, it was just us, plus one guard Jensen, I recalled. The one who'd held me that night years ago. "Pour us drinks," Jax ordered. I moved behind the counter, grabbing two whiskeys. My hands shook slightly as I set them down. Jax sipped his eyes on me. "When Parker said you wanted to work here, I thought you'd last a week. Now it's my top earner. Who knew displaying Dirk's kin would draw crowds?" I swallowed hard. He'd known? Parker must've reported everything. He frowned at the glass. "This from the Willow Creek distillery? Rival pack stuff." "Didn't know," I said. "It's popular." "Parker didn't teach you pack lines?" "Parker's job was keeping me alive," I replied, voice tight. "He did that. No funeral for him, though?" "There was. You weren't welcome." Pain twisted in my chest. Parker had been gruff, but fair. The only one who'd shown kindness. "Maybe just say why you're here," I pressed. Jax set his glass down. "Fanged wait, no, The Howling Moon is mine. I check in when I want." I crossed my arms. "Parker's gone. You're replacing him with another watcher?" He grunted, draining his drink. "Tell me how he died." I blinked. "You tell me. Suicide, right?" Jax's eyes narrowed. "You believe that?" "No," I said firmly. "Parker wouldn't. He... he cared about this place. About me, maybe." Jax leaned back. "The note said otherwise. Blame the isolation, watching you." "That can't be," I whispered, hands clenching. "He had no friends left, but suicide? No." "Quiet," Jax snapped. I bit my tongue. Parker deserved better than this dismissal. Jax stood. "Danny's promoted. Your new boss." My gut dropped. "I quit." "You can't," he said flatly. "This is your cage, Anna. Stay put, or next time, it's worse." He turned to leave, Jensen following. "You don't get it," I called. "Danny's dangerous. He'll " "I know," Jax said without looking back. The door shut, leaving me alone in the dim light. I sank against the counter, heart pounding. Three years of this, and now it has worsened. But Parker's death nagged at me suicide didn't fit. Something was off. Footsteps echoed outside. The door creaked open again. "Anna?" a voice whispered from the shadows. I froze. Who was that? Before I could respond, a figure stepped in, face hidden. "We need to talk. About Parker. He didn't kill himself." My breath caught. "Who are you?" The stranger glanced around nervously. "Someone who knows the truth. But if Jax finds out..." A low growl sounded from outside. The stranger's eyes widened. "Run," they hissed. "Now." But it was too late. The door burst open, and Jax stormed back in, fury in his eyes. "What the hell is going on here?" I stared between them, pulse racing. This night was far from over. **** I wiped the counter again, though it was already spotless. The bar's wooden surface gleamed under the faint bulbs, the air thick with stale beer and faint smoke from the grill. Danny hovered too close, his breath hot on my neck. "Watch it," I muttered, stepping aside. He chuckled. "Just helping, Anna." Harlan, the customer, watched with amusement. "Feisty one, ain't she?" I ignored them, focusing on the order. My mind wandered back to that night, Jax dragging me here after killing my father. Parker had taken me in, grumbling but kind. Now, without him, the walls closed in. Danny's hand slipped lower. I spun, glaring. "Enough." Harlan laughed. "Dirk's blood runs hot, eh?" I froze. How did he know? Danny grinned. "Told him. Everyone knows who you are." My wolf whimpered inside, buried deep. I wouldn't let her out, not for them. Harlan reached across the bar. "Come on, tell us your story." I slapped his hand away. "Back off." Danny's face darkened. "On your knees. Apologize." The command hit hard. My legs buckled, the wolf forcing submission. "Sorry," I choked out. Jax entered then, the room shifting. He scanned the scene, eyes landing on me. "Clear out," he barked. The bar emptied fast. Jensen stayed silent. "Drinks," Jax said. I poured, hands steady despite the tremor inside. He tasted his. "Not bad. But rival brew." "Popular choice," I said. He nodded. "Parker's work?" "Mine, mostly," I admitted. "He kept watch." Jax's gaze sharpened. "His death, you question it?" "Yes," I said. "Not suicide." "The note disagreed." "What did it say?" He smirked. "Curious?" "Tell me." "Later," he said, standing. "Danny runs things now." Panic rose. "He'll ruin it. Ruin me." Jax paused at the door. "Perhaps." Alone again, I paced. The phone rang oddly for closing time. "Hello?" "Anna," a familiar voice crackled. "Danger. Get out." The line died. Danny appeared, eyes glazed from drink. "Phone's off-limits," he slurred, advancing. I backed away. "Stay back." He lunged. I dodged, heart slamming. This was it fight or flee. But as I reached the door, shadows moved outside. Jax? No. Someone else. The knob turned slowly. I held my breath, waiting for whatever came next.