The Nymph’s Alpha

Chapter 8

Ayla POV

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather just grab some wine and we can drink at your place?” I asked Nicola for the tenth time since leaving my parents flat.

No matter how hard I tried to fight her on things, I always somehow seemed to cave in and do what she wanted, I think it’s because she is so domineering and dynamic, that I couldn’t really help but say yes to her. I squirm in the fake leather seat in the back of the taxi feeling underdressed, especially in comparison to Nicola. I hadn’t brought many of my clothes when I went back to Marcus’ flat, I just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible so I grabbed the first things my hands landed on and threw them into the bag but Nicola was a force to be reckoned with when she wanted something. I must admit she did have a way of making me feel good about myself, and she had managed to pull off making me look somewhat decent. She went through the few clothes I did have, picking out the nicest top which was a simple white top which wrapped around and fastened at the side with some brown buttons that ruched up making it look quite sexy especially when paired with the tight jeans Nicola had brought for me which made my derrière look curvy and her cute black ankle boots.

“No!” she shouted as she reached over and paid the taxi driver.

“Now let’s get you laid. You know what they say, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.” She winked, the taxi driver’s eyes locked with mine in his mirror and I felt my cheeks flush whilst Nicola sashayed her way into the pub not too far from my parents flat.

Nicola had always had confidence, you could see how sure of herself she was by the way she walked, she always held her head high looking the world straight in its eye and she never faltered once, her stride was powerful but so alluring. When Nicola walked into a room all eyes turned to her, I was sure everyone had just been sitting around waiting for her to enter before the place came to life. Sometimes I felt like I was hidden in her shadow but I didn’t mind, she always had my back, even after 5 years of barely seeing each other, I knew she would be there for me. I followed behind her, the heels on the boots I wore clipped against the concrete path leading inside. I wished I could slip away, but I knew if I left, she would hunt me down and drag me back kicking and screaming, and then I would have to listen to her moaning about it for the rest of the night. If I give her this tonight, then I will be able to get some peace for a few days whilst she builds her strength up for our next night out. I take a deep breath, push my shoulders back and walk into the pub. The large room is already full of people, the smell of perfume and overpowering aftershave mixes with the alcohol. Nicola is standing at the bar, already flirting with a dark-haired guy whilst waving the bartender over. She sees me walk in and her eyes light up and a devilish smile flickers across her face as she points toward me, making the guy turn and wave at me. I feel my cheeks heat up again and wish I had gone with my gut and run back home heels and all. I stroll toward them and smile.

“Hey, this is Stuart,” Nicola announced. Her eyes crossed as she puckered her full red lips behind his back, making me laugh.

“Hi, Stuart.” I politely smiled. “Can I please have a vodka and coke?” I quickly asked the bartender, who had come over to stop Nicola from waving at him.

“Sure.”

The sound of people laughing loudly drowns out the sound of my ice clanking together in the glass. I take a sip, letting the cold drink slip down my throat soothing it from having to practically shout to have a conversation. Nicola is shamelessly flirting with Stuart when she grabs my arm and pulls me down so my ear is next to her mouth. Her warm minty breath tickles my ear making me move my head away.

“Look at the hottie that just walked in!” She shouts.

When we first arrived the place was busy, but not packed, now the pub was rammed full of bodies all smooshing together making it incredibly hot. Usually, the town is always busy on a Thursday night, but I’m surprised this pub is, it’s not as close to town as you think. It's hard to see who Nicola is talking about but I strain my neck trying to look over all the people. We have been standing by the bar for an hour talking with Stuart and I have just ordered my third vodka and coke, hoping to drown my sorrows and forget about how shi­tty my life is at the moment. I look to where Nicola is looking, following the line of ladies straining their necks to look at whoever had just walked in. I can just about see dark blonde hair moving through the masses. The man walks past a small gap allowing me to catch a glimpse of the man I had met earlier on.

“That’s Micha. He lives in the building my parents do,” I shout back smuggish.

“You know him?”

I nod my head whilst smiling at my best friend, her eyes light up as her lips curl up into a half-sultry smile. Nicola puts her glass down on the bar and drags me away from Stuart, pushing me toward my new neighbour.

“Introduce me!” She demands, pushing me toward the table he is sitting at.

“I’ve only just met him, Nic.”

“And now I want to meet him.” I can hear the smile in her words.

“Hey, Ayla!” Micha shouts as I get closer to the table.

“Micha, fancy seeing you here!” I answer.

I feel Nicola push me toward my neighbour.

“I'm just waiting for my roommate. There he is.”

I turn around and see another handsome man walking toward us, I can see all the girls from the bar looking at him also and as my eyes scan across his handsome face I can see why. He's tall with light brown hair and piercing blue eyes. His shoulders are broad. He is wearing a very smart, and expensive-looking suit, the shirt seems to cling to his body.

“Eric, this is Ayla. She lives below us.”

“Ayla, it's good to meet you. I've heard a lot about you,” he says as he shakes my hand.

I look at him intrigued.

“Your mum,” he answers, making me smile.

I feel someone grabbing hold of my shoulder and pulling me closer.

“Introduce me!” Nicola shouts into my ear.

“This is my best friend Nicola. Nicola, this is Micha and Eric.”

Nicola pushes me to the side and takes Micha’s hand and shakes it, I can see her fluttering her eyelashes and I have to stifle my laugh.

“We will leave you to it. It was good to meet you, Eric.” I say grabbing Nicola and pulling her away.

“Spoilt sport. I wanted to stay there.” she pouts, making me laugh.

“I know but I don't want my neighbours avoiding me because you slept with them and then dropped them.”

“But they look so yummy!” she pouts, making me laugh more.

I spun her around and pushed her back toward the bar and back to Stuart who was sitting patiently waiting for us to return. I waved the bartender over and ordered myself another drink whilst Nicola moved closer to Stuart and began shamelessly flirting with him. She was like a goddess of flirting, every flutter of her eyelashes and flick of her blonde hair had Stuart inching closer to her. After another hour I had officially become the third wheel, Nicola was busy eating Stuart’s face, my ears rang from the live band that had begun playing half an hour ago, the room looked fuzzy, and the opportunity to leave was now. The last few days had been some of the longest, hardest days I'd ever experienced, and as fun as tonight was, I was excited about crawling into my bed and sleeping the next few days away. I slipped out of the pub swaying slightly as I walked. The heels on the boots had changed in the short space of time I had been wearing them, they seemed uneven, or maybe it was the concrete floor, maybe that had a slight slope to it. I took a deep breath of the fresh night air feeling the coolness hit my lungs, sweeping away the stuffiness that sat on my chest from the bar. A row of taxis sat just outside the bar waiting to take people wherever they needed. I opened the door of the first taxi, the light in the back flicked on and Taylor Swift filled the cab.

“Are you trying to sneak out?” a deep voice from behind asked, startling me.