The Alphas Fated Mate

Party Plans...and The Jerk

Aria woke up on Thursday with Liam’s cold nose on her neck. He seemed to be watching her constantly. She had woken up the night before to get a drink of water and there Liam was, watching and waiting on her before her feet were even out of bed. It was like he thought if he wasn’t right beside her, something would happen. He had become protective that way, which was surprisingly fine by her. She felt at ease when he was with her. Some might say she had been craving company of any kind since Dad’s death, but she thought she had had plenty of people around, just none as comforting as Liam.

She gave him a quick scratch behind the ears then rolled out of bed. She rushed through her morning routine with him by her side, so she could start getting the fishing supplies together. Today they were going to the party at the lake with Bon.

After getting the poles and tackle box organized and packed into the truck, she started making a lunch for them. She tossed slices of turkey to Liam as she put together the sandwiches and even cut up an apple to feed him. He wouldn’t touch the dog food she bought him at the vet’s office, but he was all too happy to eat whatever she was eating.

They were just finishing up a second apple when her cell phone started to play the ringtone she had programmed for Bon. She dug it out of her pocket and hit the talk button, “Hi Bon! What time will you be here?”

“I’ll be there soon. I thought we’d hang out till it was time to go.”

“I’d love to Bon. We’re just having lunch, so I’ll make you a sandwich too.”

“Make me two, I’m starved. See you at around two?.”

“Okay, two it is. See ya and be careful,” she replied, then ended the call. She made Bon’s two sandwiches and cut an apple to go with them. By the time she had put everything away and wiped down the counters, Bon was pulling into the driveway and bouncing up the steps.

She held the screen door open for her, “Your sandwiches are on the table. What do you want to drink?”

Slipping into the seat where she set her plate, “Got any sweet tea?”

“Do you even need to ask? Of course I do.”

“I figured as much. I’ll take a glass of that please,” Bon mumbled around a mouth full of apple.

She poured them both a glass and sat down in the seat across from her. “So who’ll be at this party tonight?”

Bon swallowed her apple and then said, “Well, most of the people from our graduating class and maybe a couple of others. Why, is there someone in particular you’re hoping to see?”

“Oh no, nothing like what you’re thinking.”

“And what am I thinking Aria Michael?”

“That I want to see one of those skeezy guys we graduated with because I have some long harbored crush that I’ve been keeping from you. Well you can get that out of that cute little head of yours Bon Anne Harris. I’d rather eat my own toenails then date one of those guys.”

“Your own toenails, really Aria? They aren’t that bad. Trace is easy on the eyes and he seems to have taken a shine to you.”

Trace Clark, hearing his name made her skin crawl. He came across as one of the sweet country boys but he definitely wasn’t. He was hotheaded and arrogant. And he did not enjoy being turned down by her. They dated a few times but nothing came from it. It didn’t take her long to learn that Trace liked to collect women like Jay Leno collects cars. And she wasn’t interested in being his shiny new car. Last time she saw him was about 3 weeks before Dad died. She’d agreed to go to his friend’s party with him, but they never made it that far. He pulled over on one of the side roads and attempted to stick his tongue down her throat and his hand up her shirt. Luckily she had her handy little mace keychain and sprayed him right in the eyes before hopping out of his pick-up and walking home. She hadn’t seen him since and she never thought of telling anyone what had happened. She was a little too embarrassed that she fell for his lies in the first place.

“Trace can find someone else to take a shine to because I’m not interested. Trust me Bon, he’s the king of the jerks. You need to stay clear of him.”

“Okay, okay! It’s not me that he’s interested in anyway, it’s you. But I definitely wouldn’t choose my toenails over him.”

“Subject change!” she cried, ready for a new topic.

“No fair! There’s something you’re not telling me, Aria Michael Williams, and I want to know what it is,” she said, shaking her finger at her.

“Okay fine I’ll tell you but seriously you can’t tell anyone, especially not Brian or your Dad. They would freak out.”

“Promise! Now spill.” She relayed the story of Trace trying to jump her in his truck and then waited for her response.

“That jerk off! Why didn’t you tell me before?” She asked and she could see the hurt and anger brewing behind her eyes. Of course she was upset with her for keeping such a huge secret but she was pretty sure the anger towards Trace was winning out. She may be sweet and bubbly most of the time but get on her bad side and she’ll rip you apart and not think twice about doing so.

“I would’ve Bon, but I was embarrassed that I fell for his lines.”

“You couldn’t have known Blu. I can see why you don’t want Dad and Brian to know though. They’d tear him limb from limb then leave his remains for the wild animals to dine on.”

“They’re just a little protective,” she said smiling at the thought of her two adopted father figures.

“That’s an understatement,” Bon laughed then becoming serious said, “We don’t have to go to the lake tonight. Trace will probably be there.”

“No we’re going Bon. I’m not letting him scare us away. You’ve been excited about it for days now. He wouldn’t dare try something with so many witnesses. Plus it’s been a year, he’s probably set his sights on someone else.”

“Are you sure? We could hang around here if it would be too uncomfortable,” she politely offered though she could see she’d rather be at the lake. Not that she blamed her, she’d started looking forward to it as well.

“No I want us to go. And if he does try something you can just take him down with your mad ninja skills.”

“Yes, I know I’m a ninja master. All five foot nothing of me could easily take down his over six foot frame. Easy peasy!” She tried to say in a menacing voice but couldn’t do so without laughing hysterically.

“For a shorty you can be pretty scary at times Bon,” she stated trying to keep a straight face.

“Hey now don’t be doubting us shorties, we play dirty and take out the knees first.”

“I’d never doubt those scary knee breaking skills of yours.”

Throwing a slice of her apple at her head, “Oh hush! This subject is closed. I think it’s time you go pick out what you want to wear tonight so we can see if I approve.”

“Are you insinuating that I can’t dress myself?”

Looking her up and down, “Well Blu, if we’re judging on who wears country chic the best you’d win hands down, but I do believe it’s time we give the tank tops and jeans a break. Do you even own a skirt?”

“Does a jean skirt count?”

Massaging her temples to ease the imaginary headache she was apparently causing, “No, Blu, it does not count. Now go into that room of yours and dig up something that isn’t made of denim.”

“You do realize we’re going to the lake not a fashion show, right?” She asked as she got up to comply with her order.

“There’s no time like the present to start dressing more like a girl than like a farm hand.”