Behind The Alpha Book 2 WES

WES

“Who’s got the shots?” I hold my hands out as I approach the hi top.

“HEY!” The Alphas all greet me and Thea. Grey wanted to take us out to Falcon for a proper celebration. After everything that’s happened, we need this.

I want this. It feels great not being the lone wolf anymore.

I sit Thea down and park my ass next to my brother. I kiss Theas head and ask her what she wants.

“That pink drink with the umbrella.” She smiles as she points out a drink another lady has.

“What my flower wants, my flower gets.” I grin and flag the waitress down.

Falcon is slammed. They’ve started a country night on Fridays once a month. Line dancing, western themes and bad karaoke. It’s not my thing, but Thea seems to enjoy it, so why not? The dance floor is filled with new age cowboys. I’ll admit, it’s kind of appealing. She’s dancing in her tiny blue, long sleeved, off the shoulder dress and looking so goddamn hot. Her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail and full of small braids. Really though, she could be dirty and wrecked and I’d still find her the hottest creature on the planet.

Grey passes me a beer. “Thanks.” We clink our bottles together.

“No problem, Wesley.” He grins. He’s proving that my ass kicking hasn’t changed a thing.

“Whatever.” I tip my bottle back. “You’re not getting me tonight. Everything is too perfect.”

“My brother a mated man. I knew there was someone for you.” He grabs my shoulder and shakes it.

“It was nothing like how I pictured it would go, but I don’t think I'd choose to do anything different.” I smile around the table.

“I give it a solid 7.” Luke tips his bottle back.

“What? 7? My story was epic. We found a creature that we didn’t know existed before. We kicked assed. We locked up Artemis.” I lean on the table as I list off the things that happened.

He puts his bottle down. He points to Grey. “Killer cowboy.”

We both sit back. “WHAT?” We turn our heads to each other and back to him. “NO WAY!” We both say at the same time.

Luke leans on the table. “You helped him, double mint. For that you will be forever docked points.”

“That’s not fair.” I look around the table.

“It is what it is.” Mica chuckles.

I point to him. “You shut up. You made us targets for psychotic teenage gang members.”

Luke squints his eyes. “Oh, yeah.”

Mica points to him. “You touch my 9 and I’ll knock you out.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, pin cushion.” Luke smirks.

Mica fakes a punch at him and Luke flinches as he cackles.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Any story that ends in mates is a 10 in my book.” William grins and drinks from his bottle.

Gideon leans back, crosses his arms and turns to him. “Did you have money on Wes?”

“Yes, I did.” He smiles.

“You won, didn’t you?” Mica crosses his arms.

He leans his head back and nods. “Sure did.”

“Oh, come on. Bets?” I throw a hand into the middle of the table.

“We bet you’d die alone with cats.” River grins.

“I said dogs.” Jayson supplies as he raises his hand.

“You know what? Screw you guys.” I wave them off.

“Awe, come on, Wes. We’re just playing.” Bastian chuckles.

“I think it sounds fun. How do you play these bets?” Thea grins as she rests her chin on her fingers.

The guys look at each other and I turn to her. “In simple terms, you put money on something and everyone else does too and if you win, you get everyone’s money.”

“Ooo…I like that. It’s like a game?” She slightly wiggles in her seat.

“Kind of, I guess. We'll put you the next time we play.” I run my finger around her bare upper back. I love touching her.

“Great!” She chirps.

“THEA!” We turn and it’s a tidal wave of Lunas and sisters.

All the Lunas are here except for Ricky. Her and Zander aren’t here yet.

Dieti grabs her hands. “Come. We’re dancing.”

“Dancing?” She says.

“Yes. It’s surprisingly fun when you can feel the floor.” Faye says.

“Ok. Can I?” She asks me.

“Sure.” I chuckle. She didn’t have to ask me, but whatever.

She kisses me and slides off her chair. Hartlyn, Mia and Sammy surround her and she disappears with the group into the crowd of Jean, plaid and cowboy hats.

I shake my head with a smile and go back to my beer. Some things never change.

Grey crosses his arms. “What’s the news on our prisoner?”

I didn’t want to bring up Artemis tonight, but since Grey did, I’m curious to know what’s going on with that.

River takes a big gulp of beer. “He’s tight lipped. He hasn’t given us anything useful. We’ll break him.” River nods.

“Any word on Mike?” Jayson asks from beside him.

River shakes his head. “It’s gone cold. Emily’s beside herself.”

“I can imagine. She still has her bond?” Bastian asks.

River nods. “At least we know he’s still alive.”

Mica sits back. “What about bond sickness?”

I arch a brow. “Bond sickness?”

“If a mate pair is separated unwillingly for a certain amount of moons, one or both will start to get sick. It’s like the bond is trying to break, but can’t. It’s fatal.” River informs. “We’re keeping a close eye on Emily.”

“How long?” I ask.

“Not sure. It depends on their marks. Could be weeks. Could be years.” He picks at the label on his bottle.

“Hopefully we find him before that happens.” I nod.

This talk kind of killed the mood, but it’s good to get updates for Theas sake.

“Is this the Mate party?!”

I turn in my chair to see Ricky, Zander and Nala approaching the table.

“Give me a hug, hard stuff!” She grabs me and hugs me tight. “Congratulations. Thea is wonderful!” She says into my neck.

“Thanks, Ricky.” I chuckle.

She steps back. Zander throws his hand to me and I take it. “Nice going, Wes. Nymphs aren’t easy to pin down. You did it in spades.” He smiles.

“It wasn’t easy.” I rub my neck and chuckle.

We set up three more chairs.

Nala sits beside me. “Wesley. I give my most heartfelt congratulations. I’m proud to have you as my sisters mate.”

“Thank you. Is that why you’re here? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a bar.” I look her over.

“True. I don’t usually like to frequent this…scene. I’m here for Thea. It’s a happy occasion for her.” She sits tall and proper in her chair.

I point to her. “You want a drink?”

“Beer is sufficient.” She nods.

“Ok. A round of beers.” I wave the waitress down again.

“So, what did we miss?” Ricky looks to us all.

“Luke did the rating already.” Jayson supplies.

“Darn it. What did you give him?” Ricky asks Luke.

“A 7.” He says then burps. He chugs another mouthful.

“7? What? It’s at least an 8.” Ricky crosses her arms.

He leans back. “Killer Cowboy.”

“Oh.” She nods. “Sorry, Wes.”

I groan and shake my head.

“I think it’s a great story. If I didn’t want my 10, I’d give it to you.” Zander says, picking up his beer and drinking half of it.

“You know you don’t really own that 10.” Luke eyes him.

“Deep…dark…hole.” Zander narrows his eyes.

Luke visibly fights breaking into hysteric laughter and sits back. “I could say so many things right now.” He whines as tears form in his eyes.

Ricky points at him. “Luke! Don’t you dare.” She laughs.

“Ok, but it’s killing me. Just know that.” He practically cries as his head hits the table.

Ricky leans on Zander and looked to me. “I think it’s a romantic story.”

“They all are.” William lifts his beer to the table in an informal toast.

I turn to Nala. “What about you?”

She glances at me. “Me?”

“Yeah, you.” Ricky leans her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand. “We hardly see you anymore. Are you in love?”

She adjusts her wrap around dress. “I am not.” Her tone is cold and direct.

“Have you been?” I ask.

“Once. A long time ago.” She supplies.

The table grew silent as we all blink at her.

She eyes us all. “No. I will not.” She lifts her chin.

“Oh, come on, Nala. We know nothing about you? What happened? Was he cute? How come you’re not together?” Ricky has this hopeless romantic look on her face.

“No. I won’t share.” She insists.

“Why not?” Zander asks.

“Because….” She looks around the table. “It is not a story you would want to hear.”

“Yes, we do.” Ricky sits up. “Yes, we do, don’t we guys?” She motions her hands around the table.

“I’ll even rate it.” Luke tips his bottle back.

“Come on, Nala. We’re family.” I thumb to Grey and me. Grey rests his chin on my shoulder.

“Please….” We both say at the same time with puppy dog faces.

She arches and brow and side eyes us. “Is this the future that’s in store for me?”

I look at Grey and he looks at me. We turn to her. “Pretty much, yeah.” We both nod.

“Will you two stop that! You’re making my skin crawl.” Luke cringes.

We look at him and chuckle.

Nala sighs and her cat eyes meet all the eyes staring. “I will warn you. This isn’t typical of what you’re used to.”

“As long as there’s love in there, we don’t care, Nala.” Ricky smiles.

“And don’t spare the dirty parts.” Luke points to her.

“Luke!” Ricky slaps his leather covered arm.

“What? It’s not a good story without messy drama. What were you thinking I meant?” He smirks.

The table snickers.

“Hey, where’s Jesse? Shouldn’t he be here?” I ask her before she starts.

Nala adjust herself in her seat. “He had prior engagements and will not be able to make it, but he sends warm wishes.” She side eyes me.

“Damn. I like that guy.” I mumble.

“Ok. Nala start your story.” Ricky gets comfortable on Zander’s chest.

She folds her hands in her lap. “You really want to hear this?”

“YES!” The table yells.

“Alright.” She leans on the table. “As much as I believe the past should remain in the past, I will tell you…”