Chapter 4
1471 Words
SILAS'S POV
Why did I kiss her? Sure, I didn't like the thought of her in a stranger's car. But I didn't need to kiss her to ensure her safety. She was going to be okay. Rideshares were a regular thing. I didn't need to freak out about something so trivial.
But keeping her safe was already engrained in my mind. I needed to claw myself out of those thoughts and the thoughts of that kiss that left my blood boiling. I shoved my hands in my pocket, hunching my shoulders, and headed back to where the gang awaited me with Lucas.
Lucas, the Beta. I still needed to talk to him alone and find out what Aurora was aware of in our world. But I couldn't be too intense or evident in my interrogation. Despite the rage settling in my stomach, I needed to remain calm that tonight he'd probably see her again and press his lips to hers, which she'd gladly accept. Unlike mine.
Hearing the excited chatter of my friends, I shoved the door open and saw everyone had changed into their casual attire. Lucas was just standing there chatting with Owen, and all of them were waiting for me. Owen saw me enter and stopped talking with Lucas to shout, "Party is here! Let's get going!"
We were headed to our favorite bar, Peaches. They didn't card our younger players; they were an established shifter domain. All the staff were shifters, as were most of the patrons. The occasional human would venture in but would be stonewalled out. They'd mosey on out once they got the hint they weren't welcome. It was my kind of place. Human-free.
I slapped Lucas on the shoulder. "You can ride with me, man."
Lucas nodded excitedly. "Yeah! Awesome. I was going to ride with Owen, but nah, I haven't had much chance to talk to you, so..."
Owen piped in. "This is better, however. Let Silas be our DD. I'll ride with you guys, too."
I glared at him, willing him to leave me alone with Lucas. When I saw him wink at me, I felt my fist clench. Asshole. He was being nosey. I'd fill in him later, but he didn't trust it. Whatever. Owen could sit in the back and keep his mouth shut. "Sure, man. I'll DD you. Lucas has shotgun, right?"
Lucas nodded again. "Yep!"
I slapped my hand against his back harder, causing him to stumble forward. Weak. "Let's get going."
I motioned for the two to follow me, calling out that I'd see the others at Peaches as we left. When we got outside, the night air had gotten colder and crisper. "Where's your jacket, Bennett?"
I shot a glare at Owen. "I left it inside. I don't need it."
"I could have sworn I saw you wearing it earlier."
"You were mistaken."
Owen was too good at playing detective. I glanced over at Lucas, who was oblivious to the entire exchange. "Let's just get going."
Reaching my car, I unlocked the doors so the two could climb in.But I grabbed Owen by the shoulder as Lucas shut his door. "You're to keep your mouth shut. I need to talk to Lucas."
Owen smirked. "Explain everything to me later?"
I nodded. "You got it."
Owen ducked inside as I threw open my door and piled in myself. Lucas was already buckled and looked as excited as a rookie player first joining the team. "You ever been to Peaches?"
He shook his head. "Nope. I've never even heard of it, honestly. I'm mostly...around college and what's there."
I started to back up the car, keeping an eye on him. "College. Human college."
He nodded. "You got me. I'm into humans."
"Why?"
Staring out the window, he shrugged. "I don't know. It doesn't feel like a constant competition with them, as it does with other shifters. You already know you're better, so what are you competing with?"
I nodded. I could see the appeal. It probably made him feel like a king among peasants. "I get that. But you're dating a human, too?"
His eyes darted back to me. "Yeah. Aurora. She's special. She's roommates with a shifter I knew before college. I'm not entirely cut off from shifters. Just like to bed humans and go to classes with them."
"Does she know you're a shifter?"
He scoffed. "Aurora? No way. There's no way she'd take that calmly. She's scared of damn near everything."
"So you don't intend to claim her?"
He laughed. "I can't even bed her. Yet. But I'm working on it."
"I thought you said bedding humans was your thing."
He sighed. "I get to when I get to. But with Aurora, it's just wishful thinking at this point. We've been together six months and nothing. She's a virgin."
I gripped the steering wheel. "But you're sleeping with others?"
"Of course. We have needs. And she's not fulfilling them."
I wanted to punch him in the face. "Then why bother with her?"
He turned in his seat towards me. "What's it matter to you?"
I was focusing too hard on Aurora. I needed to backpedal. "I'm just trying to understand what's so special about that particular human."
He leaned in, smelling. "I thought it was in my head, but you smell like her."
"I saw her outside when I came to my car earlier. But I didn't see her quick enough. I bumped into her. Almost landed flat on my ass."
Lucas eyed me. "Okay, you didn't mention that before."
"I'm supposed to mention that I ran into your girl?"
He shrugged. "Nah, man. I wondered why you smelled like her or if I was just going looney."
I kept my eyes on the road. "Yeah, just a mistake.”
*****
Lucas had no shame. As soon as we entered Peaches, his eyes became round as saucers, eyeing the Omegas prancing around in short cut-off jean shorts serving, and then the dance floor flowing with alcohol, single Omega females, and not enough Alpha and Beta energy around.
It was part of the appeal of Peaches. Being an Alpha, you had your pick of the litter. Lucas being a Beta, he'd have second pick once all the guys arrived. That was the thing about the Guardians, only Alphas played on the team.
Lucas waved his hand at us as he headed to the dance floor. So much for all of us hanging out as I watched him grab the hand of a blonde Omega and pull her towards him. They started dancing intensely and very close.
Owen bumped his shoulder into mine. "Gonna explain why you were grilling Lucas about his girlfriend and where your jacket went?"
I watched Lucas's lips locked on the Omega's as I raised my phone and snapped pictures. This could come in hand later. I looked back at Owen. "Aurora is my mate."
Owen's jaw dropped. "No way, man. How?"
"I don't know. I don't care to know. I just know I need to get her to reject me so that I can go find a mroe sutiable mate than a damn human."
Owen's smile crashed. "But fated mates, man. Why would you turn your back on who the Moon Goddess has specifically chosen for you?"
"She's a human! I can't mate with a human. You know this. You know my father."
Owen looked over at Lucas. "I know. But...she's your mate."
I cotinued watching Lucas with him. "She's happy in love with that tool anyways. So the quicker I get rid of her, the better. I just need to make her hate me right now. Once I've assured myself I can tell her more about...shifters, then I can get her to reject me."
"Why not just use a witch doctor?"
I cringed. "I'm not getting magic involved in this."
"They could just drug her up, get her to reject you, and then you can both move on."
I didn't like the idea of drugging AUrora. "No thanks. I rather get a true rejection, so there's no question about it and won't come back to bite me in the ass later."
"Got it."
An Omega was walking by with a tray of drinks. I grabbed two from her, and handed one to Owen. "To shifter mates."
He rolled his eyes. "To mates."
I threw back my drink, as did he. Slamming the glass down on the nearest table, I glared at him. "I need you on my side, man."
He looked at me. "I am. I don't have to agree with it to be on your side."
"Good. Let's get Lucas tore up now, and take some awesome pictures. I feel like I'll be able to use them to my advantage at a later date."
Owen grinned. "You got it."
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