Page 20 of Unknowingly Adopting the Alpha
Maybe shifters tended to stick to shifters because of that, but Jeremy seemed open in his interest in me.
“Do others in your pack date humans? I asked, forgetting all about the hobby talk for now.
He choked on his food, slamming his chest and then drinking down a few gulps of his water.
“Sorry, what?” he rasped.
“I was just wondering if it was normal for shifters to date humans or not. Maybe you prefer to date others that know of your world, someone you can share that with? I will never be able to shift, or know what it feels like.”
“We, um,” he began, searching for words. “We tend to stick to shifters ourselves, mostly. Some packs are old school and don’t allow humans to join.”
My eyes widened at that, then fear took over. “What about your pack?” He was Alpha, he decided these things, right?
“I will accept humans in my pack if they become a mate to one of my packmates, but others in my pack might not agree with that.”
“What will happen if they don’t?” My voice was small, and hell, Ifeltsmall.
“Then they can leave,” he shrugged, like it was that easy. “Or fight me for the Alpha title. I can befriend whoever I want to.”
“You’re willing to risk all of that? For me? A human who ran you over and can’t seem to do anything right? It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Jeremy seemed so determined for us to be friends, but I still couldn’t understand his reasons. I found his company was like a big comforting hug, but I doubted he felt the same way about me. It might be because he was a shifter, and they were basicallyteddy bears who could move. But I was just a human. Nothing I had going on seemed special enough for Jeremy to fight someone just to be my friend.
His smile was a tad sad. “I seem to gravitate toward you, Cass. Your mere presence is a balm to my very core. It doesn’t matter how we met, or when. My wolf and I like you. Simple as that.”
“Huh.” Could it truly be that simple? Then again, here I was, totally cool with him being a wolf. Maybe it was a compatibility thing. Perhaps certain humans just took to shifters more easily?
Jeremy seemed to notice my confusion, as he gently grabbed my hand in his on the table. “Cass-”
“Jeremy!” A guy said, standing next to our table. I jumped in my seat, having been so into the conversation I’d failed to notice his approach.
Jeremy groaned. “Darius,why?”
The guy, Darius, just beamed back at Jeremy. “Are you two on a date, perhaps? Wouldn’t want to impose or anything.”
Jeremy seemed to shoot daggers out of his eyes, and I shared his desire in making the man disappear.
“We are,” Jeremy lied with a growl. “You and I can talk later.”
“No can do,” Darius stated with a smile, then sat down next to me, making me scoot further against the window. The bench could easily fit two people, but Darius was big like Jeremy and I suddenly felt like a small child next to him.
While Jeremy glared and Darius grinned back, I felt out of place. Jeremy had told this guy that we were on a date— I would ignore the butterflies in my stomach for now—so technically, Darius was the unwanted one. Although he knew Jeremy; likely for years. He could even be in his pack. I was the odd one out. The new guy in town. Watching them eye one another, I felt forgotten…unwanted. I couldn’t even get out and leave them to whatever they were doing, being locked in against the window and all.
Mentally sighing, I turned my head and decided to watch the people passing by instead. As soon as they were done talking, I would drive home. Others needed Jeremy and I had no right to claim all of his time and attention, even if I really wanted to.
“I’m telling you,” Darius' voice had a note of anger to it, making me focus back on whatever they were talking about. “Marcus is truly losing his shit over it.”
Jeremy snarled when he responded. “Because he’s human?”
“Yes,” Darius stated, clearly as angry about it as Jeremy was.
It sounded like I was already causing Jeremy issues, merely just spending time with him. How I wished I could be a shifter right now. Seriously, I would gladly be a bird shifter or a mouse just to escape this situation. I detested being an inconvenience, and knowing it was something that could hurt Jeremy only made it worse.
They continued to talk about people I didn’t know and I felt increasingly more like the third wheel. I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Um, sorry,” I said, interrupting them. “I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Oh,” Jeremy blinked, and Darius moved out, sitting instead right next to Jeremy. They were so close together that I couldn’t help but notice it and the way Jeremy reacted. He swallowed, his eyes widening. Jeremy liked Darius. There was hurt in his gaze and seeing as they paid me no attention, I slid out and watched them continue their conversation, as I walked right out the front door.
