Page 40 of Challenged Mate
“Let’s go Blair.” She grabbed my hand and yanked me out of my chair. I almost landed face-first on the floor.
When I got my balance, I looked back at Chase pleadingly. He just laughed and mouthed the words,have fun.
Kayla’s grip was strong, and I almost tripped three times by the time we reached the club-half of Miko’s. There were only three other people around, and one was the bartender.
A breeze rustled the bottom of my dress. I turned and saw an external door propped open. Well-dressed shifters walked inside after being greeted by the bouncer.
“Let’s get a drink.” Kayla dragged me to the bar before I could respond. I didn’t think she needed another drink, but I wasn’t her mom. I wouldn’t tell her what to do, but I would keep an eye on her just in case.
I knew we were in Wilds Pack territory, and we should be safe from the usual fears a girl on the town had to worry about, but Girl Code demanded I watch out for any sketchy behavior around my tipsy friend.
The stocky bartender noticed our approach. He stopped wiping the bar top and flipped the white towel over his shoulder as he greeted us, “Hey ladies. What can I get you?”
Kayla plopped onto one of the barstools, shoving me towards the one beside her. I gripped the edge of the bar to avoid toppling over the side of the stool.
“A glass of pinot grigio, please, Hank.” She leaned towards me and breathed in my face, “Best not to mix types of alcohol, you know?”
I nodded.
“You got it,” the bartender responded, then turned to me. “And what can I get you, Blair?”
I blinked, taken aback by his casual use of my name. “Do you have Corona?”
“We do.”
“Then I’ll have one of those, please.” Beer would have the lowest alcohol content of any other drink in the place.
“Coming right up.”
When Hank turned around, Kayla leaned over again and whispered, “Totally banged him in high school. Great lay.”
I choked on saliva but managed to get it together by the time Hank returned with our drinks.
“Enjoy,” he told us after returning with Kayla’s credit card.
“Thanks for the drink,” I told her.
For the first time, I wondered what I was going to do about money. I’d used what little cash I’d brought with me to fix my phone, but it wouldn’t last me much longer.
I mean, I knew I would be mating the pack alpha. I’d likely have access to his funds, but what about before that?
I still didn’t know when the mating ceremony was supposed to happen. Would I have to rely on the kindness of others for a simple meal once I ran out of money?
Unaware of my thoughts, Kayla clinked her glass against my beer bottle and hollered, “You’re welcome! Cheers to having an awesome night!”
I forced a smile and sipped my drink, telling myself to save my worries for later. I needed this night out, and I refused to let my day-to-day worries ruin my fun.
Not tonight.
Ten
Within ten minutesof sitting at the bar, the club completely filled up. Kayla and I opted to stay in our seats rather than join the crowd on the dance floor. That’s where Chase found us. He sat on the stool next to mine, nursing his own Corona.
“Kayla. Blair? Hey!”
Both Kayla and I turned and watched Jenny force her way through the dancing bodies, tugging along a petite redhead. “I didn’t know you two were coming out tonight!”
“Hi,” I greeted the shifter with a genuine smile.
