Blue Collar Alpha

Pitstop

Priscilla

“Hello, Priscilla. Are you ready to come home to Hope Springs?” Jack grins, and I get lost in his brown eyes for a moment.

My father is right next to Jack, giving me the look.

I sigh and shrug, “I guess.”

“You’ll love it,” Jack says.

“It’s lovely,” Dad adds. “Quaint but lovely.”

‘Quaint means it’s a dump,’ I think to myself.

“Come along, dear,” Mom ushers me into the dining room.

Dad is chatting with Jack, and I huff. We sit at our table, and Jack sits beside me again. I jump a little when his hand brushes against mine, and the sparks fly.

“Sorry,” Jack mutters.

I pull my hand back and offer a faint smile. We stare at each other for a moment.

“Aww, look at my baby girl,” Dad interrupts us. “See, you are going to love being with Jack.”

“Dad,” I hiss and turn away from Jack.

An omega comes up to get out lunch orders. I am not hungry, so I ask for a small salad and tea while Jack orders a sandwich. He keeps looking over at me, making my heart beat faster.

‘You keep looking at him,’ Sapphire snickers.

‘Only because he is looking at me,’ I snort. I pull my phone from my pocket and check for any new messages from Jasper. I sigh and set it facedown on the table.

“What’s wrong?” Jack asks.

“Nothing,” I mutter and fold my arms as our food arrives. I look at the salad and pick at it, but I don’t eat.

“Are you not hungry, dear?” Mom asks. She is sitting on the other side of Dad with Oscar on her lap.

I shrug, “No.”

“Nervous about going with Jack?” Dad winks, and I roll my eyes.

Jack glances hopefully at me, but I say nothing and take a sip of my tea. “My Mom is going all out for dinner tonight,” Jack tells my parents. “She is really excited. My sister Emily and Karlena are helping too,” He continues.

“Who is Karlena?” Mom asks, and I huff.

‘Who cares?’ I think to myself.

“Isn’t she Connor’s mate?” Dad interjects.

“Yes, Sir,” Jack responds.

“Jack, son,” Dad puts his hand on Jack’s arm. “We are both alphas. You don’t have to call me sir.”

“Sorry, my mother would be angry if I didn’t,” Jack chuckles.

My eyes linger on him again as he speaks with my parents.

‘You want him just as much as I do,’ Sapphire speaks up.

‘Shut up,’ I hiss at her. I push my plate away, “I’m done.” I stand up.

“Priscilla,” Dad growls. “Sit. You will wait for Jack.”

I sit in a huff and pick up my phone. My heart sinks when there are still no messages from Jasper.

‘Where are you?’ I text him. ‘I’m about to leave for this Hope Stinks Pack.’ I stare at my phone, waiting for a reply. I give up and stuff it in my pocket when I see my father eyeing me.

A few minutes later, everyone is finally done with lunch, and we are heading out of the packhouse. My mother is sniffling and tearing up. She keeps dabbling her eyes with one of Dad’s handkerchiefs.

“I am going to miss you, little sister,” Caleb slumps his arm over my shoulder and kisses my cheek. He glances at Jack who is staring at us. “You be nice for Jack.” He ruffles my hair and lets me go.

Kayla is carrying Oscar on her hip. My nephew seems occupied by a stuffed Ironman doll. I wave at him, and he barely notices.

I sigh as we get outside, and Jack’s truck is waiting for us with all o my stuff in the bed.

Dad hugs me, “Please be good, Priscilla,” He whispers in my ear.

I say nothing as he lets me go, and Mom hugs me.

“I love you, sweetie,” She sniffles and kisses my cheek.

I say nothing as she releases me, and I step towards the truck. Jack’s assistant crawls into the back while Jack holds the door for me. I turn to my family and give them a small wave before getting into the truck. Jack closes the door and jogs around to the other side. I fold my arms and glare out the windshield.

Jack gets into the truck with a grin, “Have you met my Gamma, Isaac?” He gestures to the other man.

“Hi,” Isaac holds his hand towards me,

“Hi,” I mumble but don’t shake his hand.

“Strap in,” Jack tells me. “It’s going to be a few hours.” He starts the truck, and some old rock and roll blasts out of the speakers. “Sorry,” Jack turns it down. “What do you want to listen to?”

“Not this,” I sneer.

“Right,” Jack snorts.

“Put it on 94.5, Jack. That’s the top 40 station,” Isaac suggests.

“How the hell do you know that?” Jack laughs and changes the station.

I ignore them and watch as we drive away from the packhouse. My parents have gone back inside, and I cannot help but be upset.

“Are you okay?” Jack asks.

I shrug.

We ride in silence for a few moments. The only noise comes from the truck and a Katy Perry song on the radio. Jack keeps glancing at me like he wants to say something but hesitates.

“Look,” Jack’s fingers graze my arm, and I jump from the tingles. “Sorry,” He pulls his hand back. “I wasn’t happy that your father forced you to come with me.”

“You don’t want me?” I glare at him.

“I do,” Jack smirks. “Of course I do. But I want it to be your choice too. I hate that you are being forced.”

I shrug, “It’s whatever,” I mutter.

“But I promise I will do everything I can to make you feel welcome at Hope Springs. We aren’t a big pack, but we are tight-knit, right Isaac?”

“Right,” Isaac responds. He is looking at his own phone. He holds it up, “Lauren baked her famous cupcakes for you, Priscilla,” He grins. “Lauren is my mate.”

“I don’t like cupcakes,” I fold my arms.

Isaac frowns, “I guess the kids will love them.”

I look out of the window and watch the trees fly by. Jack and Isaac chatter among themselves while my mind wanders.

‘You like cupcakes,’ Sapphire chimes in. ‘You ate half a dozen last week.’

‘Good cupcakes,’ I huff.

‘How do you know Lauren’s aren’t good?’ Sapphire counters.

I roll my eyes and sigh. I hear an old-fashioned phone ringing and look over to Jack as he fumbles with his phone. The truck swerves a little, and I yelp. “s**t,” He curses before putting it to his ear, “Jack Watson?” He speaks. “Oh, hi, Ricky,” He responds. “What went out?” The truck swerves again, and Isaac leans forward.

“Give me the phone before you kill us,” He says and takes the phone.

I am a little shocked that Jack gives him the phone. ‘That’s not how an alpha should act.’

“This is Isaac. Jack is driving,” He explains.

I tune them out and look at my phone. Jasper still hasn’t messaged me. There are a couple from Cora and Paisley, so I answer them.

“Okay,” I hear Jack say. “Priscilla,” He says, and my heart melts. “We have to make a stop before heading to the pack. I hope that’s okay.”

“Whatever,” I shrug.

We drive for hours until we stop at some bar. I want to wait in the truck, but I have to pee, so I follow Jack and Isaac inside. There is a foul smell hanging in the air when we step inside. I sense the bar is full of rogues and Jack doesn’t seem fazed.

“They won’t hurt you,” Isaac leans in. “We get along with the rogues here in town.”

I nod, “Where is the bathroom?” Isaac points it out. I walk away as Jack is talking to a guy behind the bar. I enter the dirty ladies' room, and an older-looking blonde woman is washing her hands in the sink. I slink into one of the stalls and do my business. The woman is still by the sink when I finish.

She smirks at me, “You are new.”

“I guess,” I mutter as I wait for her to move from the sink. “I just want to wash my hands.”

The woman steps aside, “Yeah, it’s a small bathroom. I’m Miranda,” She holds a damp hand out at me.

I stare at her hand as I wash mine. “I’m Priscilla.”

“Nice to meet you, Priscilla,” Miranda smirks and walks out of the bathroom.

I finish washing my hands and walk out. I don’t see Jack, but Isaac is talking to a few guys at the bar. The lady from the bathroom is sitting at the end of the bar staring at me. I walk over to Isaac and tap his shoulder, “Where is Jack?”

The other men eye me creepily, and Isaac leans towards me protectively as a gamma should. “Ricky needed him to fix something in the back,” He points to a door. “It should only take a minute. Want a drink?” He asks.

I shake my head, “No, I’m good.”

“Who is that, Isaac?” One of the other men asks.

“Oh, this is Jack’s mate, Priscilla,” Isaac grins and keeps close to me.

“Jack’s mate?” One of the men laughs. “Damn, are you a model, Priscilla?” He grins at me.

“I could be,” I smirk and notice Miranda glaring at me.

“Yeah, I’ll order the part when I get home, Ricky,” I hear Jack say as he and the bartender walk out of the bak. He smiles at me as he steps towards me.

I can’t help but smile back.

“Thanks, Jack,” Ricky pats Jack on the shoulder and looks at me. “Who is she?” He grins. “Want a drink, beautiful?”

I can smell he is another rogue and back away.

Jack lets out a low growl, “She is my mate.”

Ricky throws his hands up, “Whoa, I didn’t know, Jacky.” He laughs. “Do you want a drink?” He asks me again.

I shake my head, “No.” I glance at Miranda, who is fuming

She downs her shot and slinks over to us. “Jack,” She touches his arm and glances at me. Sapphire growls in my head as I feel a tinge of jealousy as Miranda paws Jack.

Jack pushes her away, “Miranda.”

“Do you want to have fun tonight?” She slurs.

I narrow my eyes at her. I am ready to deck her and claim what’s mine. ‘What’s wrong with me?’

‘Jack is yours,’ Sapphire laughs.

Miranda tries to touch Jack again, “Come on, Jack. Look at her and look at me.”

Jack backs away, “Stop it, Miranda.”

“Don’t make me throw you out again,” Ricky chimes in.

“You guys all suck!” Miranda spats and glares at me before slinking out of the bar.

Jack wraps an arm around me, “Sorry about that. Let’s go home now.”

“Old girlfriend?” I ask.

“Something like that,” Jack mumbles as he leads me out of the bar.

Miranda is a few feet from the door, smoking a cigarette. An ugly scowl forms on her face as we walk by her. I shudder as I get into the truck.

“Don’t let Miranda get to you,” Jack says as he shuts the door.

I feel a vibration in my pocket and look at my phone. I squeak when I see a message from Jasper.

“What was that for?” Jack laughs.

“Oh, something funny, Cora posted,” I lied as I read the message from Jasper.

‘Where is Hope Stinks?’ He texted.

‘I don’t know,’ I respond. ‘I’ll let you know when I get there and check maps.’

‘I will come get you as soon as you send me the directions.’ Jasper responds.

‘Fine,’ I text him.

Jack keeps glancing at me.

‘I have to go,’ I text Jasper. ‘I’ll talk later.’ I pocket my phone.

Jack is gripping the steering wheel, and his knuckles are turning white. I can sense his wolf is close to the surface. I reach over and touch his hand. He lets out a deep breath and calms down.

I pull my hand back and look out the window.

“We are almost home,” Isaac says in the back.

“Great,” I mumble.

We pull off the highway and head down a dirt road past small houses. As we approach an old-looking farmhouse, there are several fields and a huge barn. A few dozen people are gathered outside as we pull up.

Jack stops the truck and hops out. He jogs around to my door and opens it with a grin. He holds his hand out to me, and I clasp it. I step out of the truck, and a woman who resembles Jack approaches us. She has a large bouquet of colorful flowers in her arms,

“Hello, Priscilla,” She smiles at me. “I am Elizabeth Watson, Jack’s mother. Welcome to Hope Springs,” She says and hands me the flowers.