CHAPTER EIGHT
HARPER
“Hello Harper, how are you?” his gray eyes sparkle.
I smile as I approach the white diner counter. “I’m good, Rick.”
At the counter, we’re exposed and visible, but I could slip away swiftly if necessary. Conversations buzz around the diner, with nearly every table occupied.
“Are you ready to eat?”
He grins with a charming, crooked smile.
“Yes, I’m starving,” I reply, settling into one of the green chairs beside him.
I shrug out of my jacket as my eyes move over him. His skin is a warm tortilla hue. He stands about five ten, lean. He’s studying to become a doctor. His black hair is closely cropped, and the dark circles under his eyes reveal late nights spent buried in books.
I scan the menu.
“I appreciate you responding to my ad,” I say with a grin.
The server comes over and takes our order then Rick and I slip back into our conversation.
“My friend’s on the newspaper staff, so that helps,” Rick says, furrowing his brow. “I have to admit, I was surprised to see such a beautiful omega like you searching for a beta mate.”
The server returns, setting our milkshakes down before us.
I lean my elbow on the counter and scratch behind my ear. “About that. My ex-boyfriend’s pack brother ordered every alpha to stay away from me. I feel like that’s for the best. I’d love to be with someone who values me.”
He smiles from ear to ear. “Eres digna de ser valorada y atesorada,” he says in Spanish.
“What did you say?” I ask.
“I said you are worthy of being valued and treasured.”
My shoulders relax. “Thank you.”
Maybe he’s the mate for me. He can’t knot me but that’s okay. I don’t have to have a knot.
In my gut I know that’s a lie. I need an alpha. Hmm, maybe I’ll look further. My alpha mate could be in the next city over. He’d have to be an alpha the Barclay pack can’t control.
After leaving the English building, I hopped into my BMW SUV and drove home to spend time with my grandmother, having taken three scent suppressants and showered beforehand.
I’m embarrassed that they’re losing effectiveness quicker than I anticipated.
I don’t want to overuse the scent suppressants and disrupt my chemical balance.
“What do you like to do for fun?” I ask.
“I coach middle school basketball at the rec center up the street. You should come see the kids play. They’re good.”
The server returns and places our meals in front of us. We thank him respectfully.
Before popping a fry in my mouth, I glance at Rick. “I’ll have to come to the next game.”
The server approaches, setting a strawberry cheesecake shake before me.
I lick my lips. “I didn’t order this,” I say.
“It’s from the gentleman in the booth by the window.”
I turn my head to the right. Sawyer lounges in the green booth, his back against the window, one long leg stretched across the seat. He raises two fingers to his temple in a casual salute.
His brown hair is perfectly styled, those pink lips unbearably kissable, and his stormy gray eyes silently telling me he wants to knot me tonight.
“Shit,” I whisper under my breath.
I pick up the drink and glance at Sawyer. “Thank you.”
Instead of engaging more with Sawyer, I turn my attention back to Rick.
The nerve of him to show up here and send over my favorite milk shake. I chose a chocolate milk shake tonight precisely to avoid dwelling on all those good times the guys and I shared at the diner by our high school.
“Is he your friend?” Rick asks.
I shrug nonchalantly. “Yeah, we went to high school together.”
“You say that like it’s nothing. He’s a part of the Barclay pack and a wide receiver for Greywood Panthers. Which makes him one of the most popular guys in school.”
I rub my brow. “Are you a fan?”
“Yes, he and his pack helped our football team win the championship last year.”
At this point I’d lost my appetite, but I tore into my burger anyway. I wasn’t going to give Sawyer the satisfaction of ruining my date. Even though that’s what he was here to do.
I continue to talk to Rick like I can’t feel Sawyers eyes burning a hole in the side of my face.
Rick looks past me at Sawyer for the hundredth time.
“Would you like to meet my friend?”
His gray eyes light up. “That would be great.”
Without turning around, I simply wave Sawyer over.
“Hey, kids. How’s it going?” Sawyer greets from behind.
“Sawyer, meet Rick Jiménez. He’s premed and a huge football fan.”
“Is that right?” Sawyer stays just behind me, stretches out his long arm, and shakes Rick’s hand firmly.
“You can never have too many great doctors,” Sawyer says, laying it on thick.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Sawyer. You crushed it in the last game.”
“Thanks,” Sawyer replies, the smile audible in his voice.
I raise my hand toward the server, who turns to me. “Check, please.”
Leaning in close, Sawyer murmurs in my ear, “If you pull money from your purse to pay, I’ll take you over my knee right here and force your scent to make an appearance.”
“I wouldn’t dream of letting you pay, Harper,” Rick says as the server drops the check into his hand.
“That’s a true gentleman,” Sawyer says, feeding Rick’s ego.
I stand up and slip my arms around Rick’s neck, but the low growl thrumming in Sawyer’s chest warns me to step away.
When I pull back sweat beads on Rick’s forehead.
“I’m sorry, Rick. Sawyer’s like an overprotective brother.”
“Brother my ass,” Sawyer snaps.
“Is something going on between you two?” Rick asks.
“Yeah, she’s my mate,” Sawyer says casually now sipping my strawberry cheesecake milk shake.
I glance at Rick. His eyes look like they’ll pop out of his head.
“We’re nothing, Rick. We went our separate ways in high school.”
“Not really. Since I’d been stalking you at Lexington. I only killed how many alphas?” he pretends to count on his fingers.
Rick turns beet red. “I had a nice time. Good night.” He rushes out of the diner.
I pivot and scowl up at Sawyer.
He snickers then drops a kiss on my neck. “Don’t be upset, little omega. At least I didn’t take him into the back room and hang his short ass on a coat hook. Bashing his face just for smiling at you crossed my mind first. I chose to be cordial. You already think I’m some obsessed alpha.”
I shrug on my jacket. “You are. Besides, he’s not short. He’s five ten.”
“I’m six six, Harper. I could tuck him under my arm and sprint across the football field to the endzone, effortlessly.”
“You can’t go around harassing my potential mates,” I say.
His eyes darken. “I can because you’re my mate. Scent match. We’re fated mates, baby.”
“We’re nothing, Sawyer,” I object and saunter out of the diner.
“You know that’s not true,” he says as he falls in step with me.
“Thatcher said you all are looking for a mate.”
Sawyer chuckles. “No, we’re not.”
I arch a brow at him.
“Well, the rest of the pack says they are looking for a mate. It’s not true. You’ve got those guys all kinds of fucked up. I heard you perfumed and Archer and Dustin lost their shit over you.”
“Yeah, well it won’t happen again,” I say with confidence.
“Now that I’m awakened, I’m going to the heat clinic.”
Another possessive growl rumbles in his chest. “No, you won’t. You are a part of the Barclay pack.”
I halt my steps and stare into his beautiful gray eyes. “Mr. Legacy, go back to your pack.”
He chuckles. “The guys said you were upset we didn’t tell you about our destiny. I promise we would’ve told you when the time was right.”
“Don’t you see? I was the girl who was with your pack since we were young. I should’ve been the first to know.”
His fingers brush gently across my cheek. “You’re right,” Sawyer murmurs before leaning in to claim my lips. His broad hand slides down to rest on the small curve of my back.
My small hands explore the firm planes of his chest as I press my lips firmly against his. The sound of Sawyer’s low purr wraps me in warmth. Reluctantly, I pull away. My heart pounds wildly against my ribs.
“The guys are acting like total jerks. You’ve always been the glue that holds our pack together.”
I exhale softly. “Good night, Sawyer.”
He falls into step with me and we continue onto the campus.
“I’ll walk you to your dorm. Grab what you need. Don’t forget me and Thatcher’s clothes.”
My brows bunch together. “You two had no right to break into my dorm room.”
“We didn’t. Your roommate let us in.”
“Unbelievable,” I mutter.
Then I freeze on the pavement. “What do you mean get what I need?”
“You’re moving into the Legacy house.”
“No, I’m not,” I grit out.
The killer could be one of them.
He checks our surroundings then leans into my ear. “Someone’s killing female students from Greywood University. Specifically, omegas.”
A chill runs up my spine, and I take a step back. “I know about the murders. And all signs point to the Wolves.”
I bite down on the corner of my lip pondering on his words. I wasn’t aware omegas were killed.
His brows lower. “Who told you it was the Wolves?”
“My friend.”
I had to be vague and protect my source. Don’t think the guys are aware of my blog.
“I have protection,” I point at my purse.
While I was at home earlier, I grabbed my Glock from the family gun safe. Didn’t think I’d need it in Greywood. My hometown. But with a murderer on the loose I’d be sure to protect myself.
“It’s not up for discussion, Harper.”
“Please don’t make me. I won’t feel safe with you guys.”
“Damn it, Harper. You know us. We don’t run around killing women.”
I glance at the ground then meet his gaze. “I don’t know you all anymore. I plan to solve the murders on my own.”
“Honestly, it could be a member of the wolves,” Sawyer says. “We sent them all to their dorms. Archer has assigned our most trusted wolves to watch the recruits and other members. We have an empty room. You can turn it into a nest.” He winks.
I don’t waste my time arguing with him.
“Will it be just the five of us in the house together?” I ask.
“Yes. When you attend classes one of us will be with you.”
“I’m keeping my door locked and I’m bringing my gun,” I add as I quicken my steps to get to my dorm.
“Fine,” he growls.