The Wrong Bond

4

But watching this woman—whoever she was—work was doing a number on me. The desire I felt took over my entire being, and it scared me. I would have blamed it on the alcohol, but I hadn’t even taken a sip yet.

I could hear bits of their conversation, and my interest was piqued. I focused a bit and tuned out the other noises in the bar. Suddenly, it was like I was standing between them as they spoke.

“I hope they tip well,” the woman said as she tossed a rag over her shoulder.

“What if it they’re Eltons?” the man asked.

She sneered. “They wouldn’t dare. They’re too uppity for downtown life, and they’d be signing their death sentence by coming to this bar. Half the wolves downtown would have their heads if they showed up here.”

Wow, feisty. Another downtown Elton hater. Surprise, surprise.

“Are you part of that half?” I suddenly asked, before I could stop myself.

She glanced up at me, and I could see the shock evident on her face. I knew she’d had no idea they were being listened to.

I smirked at her, loving the effect I had on her. “I’m waiting for a response.”

“You shouldn’t eavesdrop on conversations that have nothing to do with you. It’s not polite,” she spat out, and as if on second thought, she asked, “Do you need anything?”

I looked down at the beer. “I’m fine for now. My friends over there offered me a beer.”

Her eyes moved from me, to the men I’d been sitting with a few minutes ago, and then back to the beer.

“I wouldn’t drink that if I were you,” she said.

I looked down at the beer, my brows furrowing. “And why’s that?”

She walked over and leaned on the counter in front of me. The scent of vanilla mixed with mint wafted from her, making me dizzy with need. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me.

“Too much fizziness, the color doesn’t look right, and it has a foggy surface. I’ve served enough beers in my lifetime to know that this one is poisoned.”

My gaze returned to the beer, and I suddenly remembered the pin on my lapel with the Elton logo. A chill ran down my spine as I understood what was happening: the rogues must have recognized me.

“Thanks for the heads-up,” I said, pushing the beer away. “Guess I’ll stick to water tonight.”

Her eyes lingered on the pin for a moment before meeting mine again. “It’s not safe for you here, you know. Wearing that,” she said as she nodded toward the pin, “is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.”

“But they should attack me physically instead of being cowards.”

She shrugged as she wiped a beer mug clean. “Going against the Eltons without a real plan is a death sentence.”

“And you?” I asked her. “Where do you stand?”

Her eyes locked on mine, and I felt something within me stir, something I’d never felt in all twenty-nine years of my life.

“I’m just trying to make it through the next five hours of my shift.”

There was a weight in her gaze, a quiet strength that both intrigued and drew me in. My wolf, usually restless and aggressive, seemed oddly calm in her presence, almost…captivated.

Ethan nudged me, breaking the spell. “We need to go, Shawn.”

I nodded, but my eyes lingered on the waitress for a moment longer.

“Thanks for the warning,” I said softly.

She gave me a small smile. “Stay safe, Shawn.”

As we slipped out of the bar and into the waiting car, I couldn’t shake the image of her from my mind. Her scent, her eyes, the way she carried herself—it was all-consuming. And the fact that she was a downtown wolf, the kind my father would never approve of, only made the attraction stronger.

And if liking a downtown wolf drove my father into a spiral, well, that was just a win-win.

CHAPTER 2

SHAWN

“A

re you trying to get under Alexander’s skin, or is this something else?” Ethan asked me as the car drove down the uneven streets leading to Mark’s Bar.

It was the third time this week that we were making this trip, and as much as I wanted to give all the credit to the fact that I loved getting under my father’s skin, I just couldn’t.

I genuinely loved talking to Arlene and getting to know her more every time we spoke. Ever since our first conversation, I’d been hooked.

I shrugged and then responded, “I’m just getting to know her.”

“I understand trying to care for the downtown district, but if your father knew you were ‘getting to know’ a downtown wolf, it would send him to an early grave.”

I laughed softly, the idea of my father’s reaction almost comical. “Maybe that’s a bonus, but it’s not the main reason.”

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Shawn. Arlene seems great, but you know how your father is.”

I sighed and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Can we go just one night without talking about the man?”

“We certainly can, but I prefer having fine wine at Riley’s instead of the urine-like beer at this bar.”

I smirked at him. “But doesn’t it make you feel so alive?”

“You only get an adrenaline rush because you’re doing something you shouldn’t be.”

“I get it,” I said, my tone serious. “But I can’t help it. Every time I’m around her, I feel… alive. She sees through all the bullshit, and she doesn’t care about the Eltons or uptown power plays. She’s just…Arlene.”

Ethan gave me a thoughtful look I’d seen a lot over the course of my life.

“If you’re serious about this, you better be prepared for the fallout.”

I nodded, accepting the challenge. “I know. But I’m not backing down, and we have no idea what will happen next,” I reminded him. “It’s just a fun feeling for now.”