The alpha and his stubborn thief

Chapter 4 - Frustration

Cassie downed her shot and hissed as the alcohol burned her throat. She still saw the perfect face of her mate in her mind, and even though she had already downed four shots, it was still clear as day to her.

“I’m going to need someone to take my mind off him and that stupid bond,” she grumbled under her breath as she looked around the bar, but no one caught her attention. 

It was then an arm snuck around her waist, and the smell of cigarettes and booze filled her nose, and she had to use all her might to keep herself from gagging.

“What’s a sweet thing like you doing here?” a rough voice whispered in her ear, and Cassie tensed up once she smelled another scent under the vile one.

He had alpha blood.

“Sorry, not interested,” Cassie replied as she wiggled her way out of the wolves’ grasps.

“Why you’ve got to be like that,” he suggested with a pouty lip, “At least give a guy a chance to buy a beauty like you a drink. Name's Hector Rover,” he added and gave her a wink.

When she heard the name, it clicked for her. She had heard of an alpha, next in line to a small pack not far from here, that had been setting up a small base in town. He had been causing problems at a few places around, and the rumor was that he wanted to claim the town as his own. He was also known for having a new girl on his arm every week and sometimes every two days.

He was close to 1,9 meters tall, and his muscles bulged underneath his too small white shirt. He was bald and could probably be considered handsome, but Cassie didn’t even stop to consider that, since his smell was repulsing.

“Still not interested,” Cassie sighed and signaled to the bartender to pour her another shot.

“Careful of you might pass out before the fun starts,” the man chuckled and bit his lower lip as the bartender handed her another shot.

“I’m not a lightweight,” Cassie scoffed as she downed the shot, “And trust me, there isn’t going to be any fun,” Cassie added with air quotes.

“Got to love it when they’re feisty,” the man said, and took her in, and Cassie groaned in disgust but saw a chance to get something out of this.

“Tell you what,” Cassie announced and smirked, “How about a little drinking game?” 

“Now we’re talking, but you clearly don’t know who you’re talking to,” Hector chuckled, “What are the stakes?”

“You win, and I’ll give you ten minutes off my time for you to try convincing me you’re worthy of my time,” Cassie said with a sweet voice, “I win, and you’ll get the hell out of my sights for the remainder of the night.”

“You know what, I’ll take those odds,” Hector grinned and gestured to the barkeep to come over, “What drinking game do you prefer?” 

“Let’s go with shots and take turns until one gives up,” Cassie shrugged, and Hector nodded to the bartender to give them ten shots to start.

“Ladies first,” Hector offered, and Cassie rolled her eyes and downed the shot quickly. 

Hector took the next shot, and while he was throwing his head back, Cassie twirled her finger as she looked at his second shot. She downed her second shot and did the same thing to his third shot, and it rolled like that until they had both downed five shots.

“Damn girl, you can hold your liquor,” Hector blurted flirtatiously, clearly starting to feel the effects of the shots.

“And you seem to have trouble standing,” Cassie said with a smile.

“Like hell, I’m going to let some tiny girl drink with me under the table,” Hector grunted and gestured to the bartender to give them four more shots.

They both downed the sixth shot, and Cassie twirled her finger around his seventh. She took her seventh and looked at Hector with a smile.

“Don’t leave a girl hanging.”

Hector gave her a wink and took the seventh shot. As soon as he put the glass down on the table, he took a deep breath and shook his head.

“You alright there?” Cassie asked, trying her best not to chuckle.

“I’m…,” Hector said slowly and put his fist up to his mouth, and stopped himself from retching. Then he turned on his heels and bolted towards the bathroom.

“Guess I win,” Cassie chuckled and gestured to the bartender to give her something to drink.

Cassie wasn’t any regular rogue, which was also why she liked to keep to herself. Her mother had been a witch, and although she hadn’t practiced much, she knew enough to get annoying guys like Hector off her back, since she could change the alcohol level of a drink. It also didn’t hurt that she had a high tolerance for alcohol due to her being a werewolf.

She took small sips of her drink, feeling even more frustrated since her free night was turning out to be a bust. She may be desperate, but she still had standards.

That was when she smelled the sweet smell, she was trying so hard to forget, but she could also feel excitement bubble up within her.

“Are you following me?” she asked and glanced over her shoulder to her mate, who walked up the bar, not bothering to call over the music since she knew he could hear her.

“We just decided to change scenery, and I happened to recognize your face,” he shrugged and smiled at her, “I just wanted you to thank you for offering the first round, but also to tell you that I paid for it,” he said and gestured to the bartender to give him one beer.

“Why deny a free round on the house?” Cassie said with a raised brow.

“Maybe because it’s against the bar policy, and it would have been taken out of your paycheck,” her mate said with a grin as he paid the bartender and took a sip of his drink.

“You figured that out, huh?” Cassie shrugged.

“Why’d you offer something that wasn’t an option?

“Seemed cheaper than to risk you telling my boss I spilled drink all over you,” Cassie chuckled, and her mate laughed with her.

“I still don’t know your name,” he added with a curious grin.

“That’s because I haven’t given it to you,” Cassie winked and finished her drink. 

“My name’s Joshua,” her mate said and gestured to the bartender to give her another drink, and she could feel the butterflies in her stomach again as she heard his name.

“So, you think I’ll tell you my name because you told me your name and offered me a drink? Cassie questioned with a raised brow.

“Nothing of that sort, just think of it as thanks for a good offer and good service,” he shrugged.

“A good offer you refused.”

“Well, I felt it was a bit too much for you to pay for an entire bottle of whiskey.”

“You think I can’t afford it?” Cassi scoffed and crossed her arms.

“Nothing of the sort,” Joshua said and raised his hands in defense, “I just got the feeling from the bartender that it might be a little too much.”

“I’m going to kill her,” Cassie mumbled and cursed Tabitha and her poker face.

“I believe she had your best interest at heart,” Joshua smiled.

Cassie sighed, knowing she couldn’t argue about that, and took a big swig of her drink. She finished her drink and stood up from the bar. 

“Leaving so soon?” Joshua asked.

“The night’s a bust, so I don’t feel like staying longer,” she shrugged and walked around him, heading for the door.

“Are you sure that there’s no way to turn it around?” he said softly as she turned around to face him. He looked deep into her eyes as he seemed to be memorizing her face.

“I doubt it,” Cassie said with a smirk and tried to remind herself that getting mixed with him was a bad idea.

“How about one dance?” he whispered in her ear, and she could feel her skin tingle from his breath. 

“I don’t dance with strangers,” Cassie whispered back.

“Well, at least I’ve told you my name,” he smirked.

“Yeah, and it sounds like trouble mixed with future regrets, and I’m not sure you can handle me,” she whispered seductively, and she smiled to herself as she could see his body tense up. It seemed like she could affect him even though her scent was covered.

“Well, you’re not exactly making me want to stay away,” he breathed, and Cassie could see the lust in his eyes, and she felt her heart skip a beat when she pictured him between her legs.

No, this was a bad idea.

“You’re practically drooling, and you're still thinking of running away,” her wolf suddenly decided to add.

“I thought you were blocking me out because you were mad at me?” Cassie groaned, not liking her timing.

“And I AM mad at you,” Alexa huffed, and Cassie could feel her roll her eyes, “But I just wanted to tell you that you’re making a mistake. I know you can feel the mate pull.”

“Never said I didn’t.”

“Then why are you being so stubborn!?” her wolf practically growled in her mind.

“You know why!” Cassie barked back, “And I thought we were on the same page on this?”

“Clearly not,” Alexa grumbled.

“Then I guess this time. I’m the one who’s going to shut you out.”

“You know you’re only doing it because you know I’m rig-“ Alexa started, but Cassie blocked her out before she could finish.

“So, how about that dance?” Joshua asked with desire in his eyes, and Cassie knew that things would not stop at dancing if she were to accept.

But would she want to stop? 

“I think…,” she began, but stopped once a man stepped right up to them.

“She’s taken,” Hector hissed at Joshua, and Cassie could see the lust in his eyes replaced with rage in a fraction of a second.

Great, two alphas’ going at it was just what she needed to top her night.

“Excuse me?” Joshua said calmly, but his body was tense. 

“You heard me,” Hector continued, “She’s mine.”

“You are?” Joshua ignored him and asked Cassie, but not taking his eyes off Hector.

“I’m most certainly not,” Cassie answered and crossed her arms.

“Seems like she disagrees with you,” Joshua shrugged.

“This isn’t your territory,” Hector growled threateningly.

“I’m positive it’s not yours either, or am I mistaken?” Joshua glared at him.

If Cassie were a normal human, it would have sounded like they were just arguing like two hotheaded boys fighting over a girl. Not two werewolves about to tear each other's throats out.

“Leave now if you want to keep all your limbs,” Hector threatened.

“Excuse me,” Cassie sighed, “Do I have anything to say about this?”

“Stay out of this!” Hector barked, and the two alpha idiots continued glaring at one another.

“Alright, now you’ve done it,” Cassie muttered and walked between the two guys and turned to face Hector, “I do not appreciate people talking to me like I’m just a speck of dust in the corner.”

“I told you to-, “ Hector continued, but Cassie raised her hand and cut him off.

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you “told” me. I don’t take orders from you! And if I remember correctly, the deal was for you to leave me the hell alone if I’d beat you in a drinking game,” Cassie said while pointing her finger towards him, “And by the small vomit stain on your shirt as evidence, I’m pretty sure I won.”

Cassie crossed her arms and leaned her head to the side. Hector stood there frozen with a glare on his face. Cassie could feel Joshua’s tense body behind her, clearly not liking the danger that a normal “human” was putting herself in by standing between two angry alphas, but at least he knew how to keep his mouth shut.

“You’re going to choose him over me?” Hector finally snorted. 

“I’m not choosing him over anyone. I’m simply choosing everyone else over YOU,” Cassie shrugged, and it was clear that Hector was not used to being rejected by a girl, especially a human girl.

“Fine,” he growled, glared at Joshua, and turned on his heel.

Cassie watched him head for the door, and once the door closed back on his heels, she turned around to face Joshua. He still had his eyes on the door, undoubtedly not liking the subtle threat in Hector’s eyes before he left.

“You want to get out of here?” Cassie questioned, which made him drop his eyes down on her. She knew this might not be the best idea, but she had to admit that she was curious.

“What?” he asked, surprised, but a grin appeared on his face.

“Let’s just say that I want to take you up on that dance. That is, if you’re up for it,” Cassie whispered into his ear and slid her fingers down his chest, and stopped at the hem of his pants.

“It was getting too hot in here anyway,” Joshua replied with lust-filled eyes and nibbled on his bottom lip.

Cassie turned around and headed for the door, feeling the tightness in her stomach rise in anticipation.