Chapter 5 - Blame It On the Juice

How is this place still so damn busy? People were still milling about though not as many as before. I decided to wait by the fireplace and do a little people watching. I left a note behind for my Mom so she wouldn't worry, letting her know I stepped out. Since we broke our vows we could no longer mind link. Of course, no one knew that my mother could mind link to begin with. We had to continue with the lie that she was a normal human who happened to fall in love with a werewolf. It happens. Not completely rare but strange, especially for an Alpha. Most were obsessed with ensuring their line and would choose a she-wolf over a human. My Dad didn't really give a fuck! He was stubborn and prideful but also considerate and warm.

Before I could get lost down memory lane I settle in for the wait hoping that they wouldn't make an appearance and I could go back to my room and eat junk food in my baggy sweatpants without judgment. Pretty sure there were a few episodes or movies that I could binge on because I knew sleep wouldn't come easy for me. I struggled to sleep at night thanks to Alex. I was always scared that he would come into the room at night, which he sometimes did if he wasn't able to see his ladies for his release. He would use my body for his own satisfaction, always leaving me battered. I could have easily destroyed him but it was a risk I couldn't take.

I watched as a young couple seated a few feet away whispered in what looked like a romantic moment. There was a light shining in his eyes when he looked at this sweet girl next to him. His hands delicately pushing a stand of hair out of her eyes, a slight blush tinting her ivory cheeks. They were a lovely pair. My heart softened just slightly for them. I was happy for them in my own twisted, sad, bitter way.

My mind and eyes were torn away from the tender moment, saving me from spiraling into a dark place, by the sound of music blaring and laughing. It sounded like it was coming from the Blue Moon Lounge. I checked my watch, ten after seven, not yet time but decided to check out the commotion anyway. The closer I got the doors of the lounge the clearer I could hear the laugh of Caleb followed by a deeper, more reserved laugh. It was at this point I realized that there were multiple people singing along to the music that was playing. I couldn't see into the room because of the blacked out windows but I could smell a large number of wolves behind the door. My anxiety spiked – the noise triggered the memory of my twenty-first birthday. I refused to live that night now – I forced myself to open the door to reveal a sight I was not prepared for.

Caleb was standing in the center of the room, demanding the attention of about 20 other wolves around him, Theo trapped in a headlock with a smile on his face, singing Lizzo as loud as possible. They were still in their matching outfits from earlier and seemed to be having the best time of their lives. So much for the big, bad Beta and the scary Gamma. I scanned the room and everyone acted as if this was the most normal occurrence to grace the Blue Moon lounge. I started questioning the Beta's reputation and if I could sneak out without being noticed. Before I could make way back out of the room Janie noticed my presence and bounced over to grab me.

"Hey girl! I'm happy you came back! Can I get you a drink?" She seemed really lovely and she seemed perfectly fine with the show being preformed, "Ignore them. They do that sometimes. Not often but you know." She started to drag me to another part of the bar while the not so impromptu karaoke show continued.

"Do they take requests or is this their own show?" I asked taking a seat while barely tearing my eyes away from Caleb unbuttoning his shirt as Ava Max's "Kings & Queens" starts.

Guess he meant it when he said he wasn't shy. Amara certainly didn't mind.

"Oh no. They will literally sing anything that comes on. Theo usually goes for more rock songs but Caleb knows how to put on a good performance. Do you want a drink? You look like you could use one." I gave her a grateful smile as she started mixing something up.

"Do you want it with or without booster?" As if the question was the most natural thing to say.

"I'm sorry, what?" The confusion must have been evident.

"Oh. I forget that some of the smaller packs don't use it. It's a special mixture used to slow your metabolism so you can feel the effects of the alcohol longer. A lot of shifters use it. It's completely safe in moderation. You literally have to have a license to be able to purchase and distribute it." I decided to skip the "booster" tonight.

I watched Caleb and Theo for a three more songs, ideally speaking with Janie while waiting for the conclusion of their performance. Her and her mate, Sebastian, were bear shifters who both worked for the The Perserve. She worked behind the bar while Sebastian worked as security for special events. They had been married and living in the city for four year. I was having a really good time talking with her when I felt a sweaty arm drape across my back, fully expecting it to be Caleb or Theo I turned to look to find a severely drunk wolf in my face.

"I saw you when you came in....you came alone but you aren't leaving alone...hehe" The smell of booze was overpowering as he breathed into my ear. My disgust for this man must have been evident because he tightened his grip.

"You need to take your hand off of me before you lose it. I only give one warning." My anger that another man felt he could claim my body without my consent spurred me on.

"You have a fat ass. I like that in my she-wolves." He bent back as if to check me out but stumbled slightly. I was about to strike when I heard deep growls from behind. One so close that it vibrated within my chest.

"Take you fucking hand off of her or lose your head." I peeked behind me to see Caleb and Theo flanking me.

"I say we still take his hand for touching her." Theo's eyes were a flame with rage.

Before he had time to answer I grabbed his wrist and twisted with as much force as I could without actually breaking his arm off. He howled in extensive pain, his eyes rolling into the back of his head while falling to his knees. Keeping pressure on his now shattered wrist, I forced him to the floor and pressed my boot to his chest. Not enough to kill him but enough to know that I was in control.

"You ever think of putting your hands on another fucking female without her permission again I will hunt you down and rip your windpipe from your throat with my bare hands." I could see the reflection of my glowing eyes in his glossy ones. At this point the entire room was watching and I couldn't stop. I felt a strong hand press into my shoulder, I tensed from the unknown touch but calmed with I realized that it was Theo.

"Cate. I have you. Let him go. No one is going to hurt you." I slowly released the man's arm which he quickly cradled to his chest. I heard Caleb give orders to have the man sent to the hospital for care. I knew I was in trouble now and mentally prepared to be sent to cells.

"Cate. Let's take a walk." Caleb started buttoning his shirt and leading the way out of the lounge through the back door.

Caleb lead the way while Theo walked at my back. Neither speaking. Both completely unreadable and stoic. Caleb seemed to already know where he wanted to go as we passed signs for the wolf trails. I watched as the pathway and lights gave way to well worn dirt path. I could smell that we were alone out here. My fear growing the deeper we walked into the forest, the cold air biting into my skin causing tears to prick in the corner of my eyes.

I should have let them handle it. I shouldn't have done that.

Finally, we stopped. Caleb kept his back to me. I tightened my senses so that I could hear and feel Theo at my back, was making no move but his breathing was erratic. After what seemed like hours, Caleb turned around.