Page 38 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
Bea
One showerand one meat loaf later, I look more like my old self, even if I feel nothing like it.
Courtney and I take a mug of coffee each down to the beach, digging our toes in the fine sand and watching the waves cruise lazily into the shore. Court has the shotgun resting beside her and I have the alarm Aunt Julia gave me hanging around my wrist.
I guess I’m finally taking all the warnings about my safety seriously.
“I need to find a new job,” I say, taking a sip of my coffee.
“You already have a job.”
“Not one I can go back to.”
“I thought you were doing well in that job. You shouldn’t have to give it up just because those dudes are assholes.”
“I know but,” I sigh, “I don’t think I could bear to see Axel every day. Or any of the others.”
I wiggle my toes in the sand. Finding this job in the first place had been hard enough, and if I suspected I’d only landed it in the first place because Axel was pursuing me, everything that has happened since has only confirmed it. If I can’t find anything, I’m going to have to go back to Naw Creek. I can’t live on thin air, and I can’t expect Courtney to keep subsidizing me.
“There’s always Hooters,” Courtney reminds me, “or cam work. You may as well put your amazing tits to good use.”
I stare down at them. “You really think they’re that good?”
Courtney snorts. “Like you don’t?”
I think about it. I think about all those cruel, dismissive words from Karl. I think about how those alphas used me as part of some sick game they have going on. I dismiss all those thoughts and consider my boobs objectively. It’s been a long time since I’ve said anything nice about myself out loud. It’s been a long time since I believed it.
But this isn’t some tale of Cinderella being rescued by Prince Charming. I’m going to have to rescue myself. Just like I did in that clinic – before the alphas rocked up and interfered anyway.
“Yes, actually, I think they are pretty good.”
Courtney smiles at me. “You’re doing much better than I thought you would be. Considering everything that’s happened.”
“I don’t have a choice, Court. I either fall apart or I keep going.”
She rests her coffee on her knee. Above us gulls screech at each other in the sky and behind us, a car engine rumbles.
“What happened in that clinic, Bea? Why did they take you there?”
I take a long gulp of coffee. “I … I don’t know … there was this one doctor who was certain I’d taken something that had turned me from a beta to an omega. He wanted me to tell him what it was. He was pretty persistent.” I glance at her. “He was the one I stabbed with the needle.”
Courtney lifts her palm and I high five her.
“I still can’t believe Dr. Hannah was in on it.”
“Me neither.” Another person who’s betrayed me. I’m going to have to look more carefully at who I place my trust in.
I straighten my legs and feel the cool sand against the backs of my thighs. The rumble of that engine grows louder and we turn our heads to see a black SUV trundling down the track. No flashy sports cars today, but no doubting who it is.
Courtney picks up the shotgun. “I guess it was only a matter of time before they rocked up again.”
“But why? They’ve had their fun. Their stupid bet. Can’t they leave me alone now?”
We watch as the two front doors open and Axel and Angel climb out. I’m surprised to see them without their packs. I’m even more surprised to see them together. They walk towards the beach house and knock on the door.
I’m tempted to signal to Courtney that we should go hide out in the sand dunes, but then Axel’s head snaps around and he spies me.
“Oh crap,” I mumble as both men lumber across the sand in our direction.
