Alpha. Brother. Mate

SIX

~REMI~

Do you know how much alcohol it takes for a werewolf to get drunk? Me neither. I stopped keeping tabs a long time ago.

“More!” I yelled, slamming down the empty shot glass. The group of college kids sponsoring my drinking cheered less loudly, already bored with watching me drink.

I had started drinking thirty minutes after Clara left. The vast expanse of nothing but trees and grass, the different animal noises and even the fat moon couldn’t stop the fear that had been coursing through me.

Too tired to shift and too scared to sleep, I had come up with a plan. My fool proof plan had been to get drunk like the teenagers in movies and then pass out. I didn’t consider the fact that my body would process alcohol a little differently, making it almost impossible to get drunk. I was tipsy already, so I called progress.

The shady looking club conveniently named Shady's, complete with peeling paint, flashing disco lights and a faulty smoke machine that pumped smoke at random, had seemed like a blast when I got in, but even I was tired of the noise and the lights were starting to hurt my eyes. I was however on a mission. It was my first time drinking–lord knows the Vaughns never kept any alcohol around–and I was bent on getting drunk. If I didn’t get drunk, my entire plan would be a flop. I wasn’t ready for that reality.

“No can do. Those kids stopped covering your tab. You’ve racked up over a hundred dollars and lord knows you don’t look like you’ve got that much cash. Here’s a glass of water. Completely free.” He passed me a tall glass of water and I growled.

“I said more!” I slammed my fists down, satisfied as the glasses rattled.

“Girl, don’t get pissy with me! You’re gonna have to pay up the money you already owe me before I even consider serving you anything,” He scowled at me and I growled back.

“Hey, hey! I’ll pay the rest. She’ll have that glass of water. Thank you.” It was the stranger from the café. Ashton.

“Are you stalking me now?” Was the first think I could think of saying to him. I watched as he fished for his wallet and I couldn’t help but think of the worst. Images of Dylan paying him to capture me flashed through my mind. However, I reminded myself Dylan didn't care about me. He was probably celebrating my departure. After all, I had gotten rid of myself for him. The trash took out itself!

“Why would I do that, Sad Girl?” He dumped a couple of bills for the bartender. “Noah got dumped so I brought him out drinking.” He fixed me with an intense gaze before suddenly winking. “I’m awesome like that.”

We sat in silence for a while, with me grudgingly drinking my glass of water and Ashton keeping an eye on his dancing friend. “Well, that’s my cue. “ He said out of the blue. His friend was no longer dancing . “Do you need a lift home?” He questioned and my chest tightened.

“I don’t have a home.” I replied bitterly. I didn’t mean to say it like that and I regretted it. The air that had been calm a few seconds ago immediately got tense and weird.

He cleared his throat awkwardly once, then twice. “Well, where are you staying? I can give you a lift to your hotel or something,” He sounded dubious as he asked this and I felt my eyes start to water.

“I- I don’t know.” It’s the first time I admit it, even to myself. I’d been very stupid and I only just realised it. “I have – I have nowhere to go.” It was the most pathetic tone I’d ever used.

You're pathetic.

I burst into tears.

The bartender glanced at me with pity while Ashton stared, bewildered. “Hey! Don’t cry.” His words were laced with panic. I tried to stop myself but the floodgates were open already. “You can – You can stay with me.” I must have looked at him weirdly because he paused. “Yeah! I have a flat like ten minutes away. You can crash there for tonight! “ He beamed at me and my crying reduced to a sniffle.

*****

I glared at Ashton and he glared back.

“Take it! It’s worth a lot of money. If it doesn’t cover all you’ve spent on me in the past weeks, then tell me. I’ll find a way to pay your balance.” I shoved the bracelet at his chest and he shoved it back.

“You’re not blind, Rems. Look around you. I have enough money. I don’t need your darn bracelet!”

Indeed he didn’t. Eighteen days ago when he said he had a flat, he had downplayed things. He had a crib, complete with all the modern gadgets Dylan used to yap about.

“Besides,” He continued, "I’ve caught you staring sadly at that bracelet more times than I can count. I’m not taking it from you." He concluded adamantly.

“How do you expect me to pay you back then? I haven’t got any money! “ I complained

“You don’t have to pay me back, Remi!” He exclaimed fiercely. “Allow me do my good deed of a lifetime in peace.”

“Oh, rubbish! I’m going to pay you back! Whether you want me to or not.” I was not a charity case. Not to seem ungrateful for all that he had done for me, housing and feeding me for eighteen days, but I did not like the feeling.

“Well...” He started and I urged him on.

“Well what? Tell me. "

“We’re friends, Rems. Friends help each other out and they tell each other stuff.” I growled, knowing what was coming. “Or aren’t we friends, Rems? I want to help you out,” He sighed. Guilt slowly made me uncomfortable and I sighed along with him.

“Sure, we’re friends, Ash,” I muttered gruffly.

“Then why don’t you tell me what’s going on? Why are you so sad?” He was so sincere, so concerned, so human. I couldn’t tell him.

“You’d be sad too if your soulmate decided they didn’t want you.” I ventured. I watched him deflate.

“That explains everything.” He replied with sarcasm. “You know what? I’m going to school. I have classes soon anyway,” He reached for his jacket. “Here,” he handed me a bill. “I know you’d want to eat something later on.” I glared at him.

“ I don’t want your money.”

“Too bad,” sarcasm dripped from his words. He pulled me into a side hug and with quick thinking and werewolf stealth, I slipped the bracelet Dylan had given me for my sixth birthday into his back pocket. Yes!

“Don’t go to Shady's!” He called as he left the flat.

“You’re not the boss of me!” I called back. If he didn’t want me to go to Shady’s then he shouldn’t have gifted me with a hundred dollars!

As a werewolf with a building thirst for alcohol, I realised the more I drank, which I was doing often, the easier it became for me to get slightly drunk. It was like the alcohol was wearing down my body’s resistance to it, or my body was storing it. I was playing a dangerous game and I didn’t care. I had to forget him.

A few hours later and more shots than Rowan, the regular bartender of Shady’s, would have allowed me, and I felt my head spin. Ashton was suddenly there and there were two of him. I giggled and he cussed, causing me to giggle more.

“Oops,” I laughed, hiccuping slightly as he hauled me over his shoulder and out the bar.

He was trying to get me into the car when a terrifying growl rent the air.