Page 66 of Aries
The woman studied me for a moment, as if considering if I was worthy of being served a drink. For a moment, I thought she’d find me lacking, and honestly, fair enough. I hadn’t exactly won anyone over here.
Okay, maybe I was a dick after all.
Finally, she poured me the double shot I asked for and slid it over. I slammed it back, the warm liquid burning as it went down my throat.
My head was already a mess. I should be more worried that Luca was angry, that this beta was apparently pack, and that my brother was alone with our omega.
“So, are you sticking around?” Briar asked, amusement dancing in her eyes.
She knew the answer, but I shrugged. “It seems so.”
“Well, I can direct you to some temporary accommodations,” she said.
“I doubt that’s necessary,” I said quickly while Leon answered, “Yes, they’ll need that.”
We shared a look, his a glare, mine frustrated. I savored the anger he was shooting my way. It gave me something to focus on.
Leon got up and stormed off to the bathroom. Briar eyed me, giving me a silent warning. The omegas around here were tough as nails. I knew that the girls we brought in were at least in good hands.
A minute ticked by, and I wondered what exactly happened to Leon.
“I’m going to go check on him,” I said, knocking on the bar before standing up and sauntering my way there.
I took slow steps, giving him time, but he still didn’t show. I wondered for a moment if he’d slipped out back, but his scent was strong here. I could feel the panic, the worry, the loss of control.
The beta was spiraling.
Guilt tugged at my gut. I was being a dick on purpose, using it so I didn’t lose my shit. This was huge and everything was riding on if she was our scent match or not.
I shoved open the bathroom door, and he nearly jumped out of his skin. His hands were gripping the sink, head hunched over until I walked in. Now he was standing up, glaring at me.
“Look, I’m sorry for being a dick. I’m freaking out a bit and you were an easy distraction. I didn’t mean to send you into a spiral.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” he huffed. “I’m more worried about Aries.”
“They were scent matches. He was coming for her when they took her and has been searching for her since. Four years in, the cops in their hometown produced a fake death certificate. He spent the last eight years spiraling and taking his anger out on our targets. She’s safe with him, even in a rut.”
He studied me, not saying a word. Those blue eyes were lethal and I found myself grateful he was here more than upset by his presence.
“I’m glad she had someone here to look out for her,” I offered the olive branch. He eyed me with suspicion but I was serious this time.
With that, I walked away. His breath shuddered behind me, but I didn’t look back.
He would join us when he was ready, but I’d done what I intended to do.
Chapter
Twenty
Nikolai
She’s alive.Aries was alive and in my arms. My bite was still fresh on her neck.
Maybe it should bother me that I didn’t stick around with my pack or give them a second thought once I saw her. The rut took over and that was all I was, a feral beast hellbent on claiming the omega he thought he lost.
Aries was still asleep on my chest, her skin pressed against mine, her scent open and calm. My fingers ran lazily up and down her arm as I studied her features.
The girl I left behind was so fiery, yet sweet. She was timid at times, especially when her mom was in a bad mood. Everyone else got the full brunt of her fury.
