Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sanctum Lodge, Sanctum
Iperch at the scratched wooden counter of the bar in Sanctum Lodge. I shift on the leather stool, staring down at the amber dregs of my third whiskey, before I down it.
I deliberately slouch in my seat, as if I’m tipsy.
I’m not.
I have been drinking with the other Adonis enforcers, as well as while I’ve traveled alone on the road, long enough to be able to drink most people under the table.
But I need to set the trap.
Despite the snowstorm, which is rattling the windows, I am warm sitting at the counter of this small bar. Several Betas and Alphas are settled in booths out of my eyeline behind me.
I deliberately don’t look around.
But I am aware of them.
I am aware of everything.
The bar’s walls are covered in faded photographs of the surrounding mountains, Champion ranch, and cattle.
The Christmas decorations still haven’t been taken down. They look sadly neglected. A Christmas tree droops in the corner, shedding its dead needles. Mistletoe is pinned above the bar.
I am dressed in a violet velvet dress, which clings to my curves with a slit up my thigh.
Bird whistled, when I pulled the new dress out of the shopping bag this morning. He begged to help me both dress and to style my hair, which I have clipped back from my face with swallow clips that match my earrings.
I had seen the bird jewelry in the shop and thought of my Omega. I hadn’t been able to resist buying them.
Bird wouldn’t be with me during my mission in the evening. Yet with these clips, I would feel close to him.
“Do you know anything about styling hair?” I asked, suspiciously.
Bird laughed, tossing his own hair. “As an elite, don’t you think I had to do my own hair for dinner parties and events?
My papa loved helping me to get ready, but he was never allowed to…
” His expression dimmed with a sadness that hurt me.
“He wasn’t permitted out of his room most of the time.
Mom only saw him as the breeder. But Papa is amazing.
I hope that I can introduce you to him. He’ll be relieved to see how you treat me.
It’s what he’d say to me: All that matters is that your Alpha is kind. ”
My chest was tight. “Am I kind?”
That was the first time I had been accused of that.
Bird cupped my cheek. “The kindest because you don’t even realize it.”
“I should throw more things at you,” I grumbled.
Now, I pat at the hair that Bird helped to pile on top of my head. I artfully stretch my neck as I do it, which allows me to spread my scent over the bar without making it look like it’s deliberate.
Instantly, the closest Alphas duck their head like they’ve been challenged. A tall rancher stands up and hurries out.
The bartender, a weathered Beta in jeans and a flannel shirt, turns away and pretends to be inspecting the shelves of bourbon, gin, and local beers.
When I hear footfalls approaching behind me, I hold myself still and don’t react.
Bingo.
But then, I sniff.
A delicious scent washes over me of peaches drizzled with honey.
My eyes fly open.
It’s the same scent as the Beta who caught my elbow and steadied me on the sidewalk yesterday.
Have I made a mistake?
Is the Beta who is joining me now at the bar and sitting on the stool next to me simply another local?
Or is this sweet-smelling Beta much better at his job than I gave him credit for? He wasn’t up in that room opposite watching me. Instead, he was on the sidewalk, stalking me, while I thought that I was hunting him.
I shutter my expression, while I study the prettiest Beta I’ve ever seen.
He is small for a Beta, more like an Omega. He is athletic, however, with a strong jaw, which has the shadow of stubble. His eyes are a stunning honey color in his tanned face. They match his honey blond hair, which drips in silky waves to his shoulders.
He is wearing a brown sweater, pants, and flamboyant green scarf and jacket. The buckle on his belt is a flashy, metallic joker card.
He appears to be in his mid-thirties.
My heart beats faster.
If this Beta was mine, I would never let him out of my sight. He looks like a model. Surely, it’s not safe for him to be in his bar alone. Another pack would want to steal him.
Is this the Beta from the Hunter pack? Why is his scent singing to me, as if he’s a siren?
Is this his trick?
His talent?
My mind becomes hazy. My mouth waters, and I lick over my sharp teeth.
If he was an Omega, then I’d crave to bite into his fucking neck.
I clench my hands until my knuckles are white around my glass.
He is just another job, and one that will end up bloody under my fangs, but not in a fun way, by the end of tonight.
My gaze drops to the Beta’s soft, kissable lips.
I force myself to look away.
Suddenly, the Beta tumbles forward like he’s slipped off the stool, and now, it’s me reaching forward to steady him by the shoulders.
This close, his intoxicating, sweet scent makes me heady.
“Sorry. It looks like we keep falling for each other.” The Beta’s voice is seductive but with steel underneath it.
Cat and mouse game it is then.
I deliberately make my gaze half-hooded. “Looks like it. You were the hero who helped me yesterday.”
“Just call me the savior of beautiful Alpha damsels.”
I push the Beta back into his seat, trying not to lose myself in his flirtatious gaze. “Or I could call you by your name.”
This is one of the Hunters.
I know it in my gut.
He is finally making his move. Except, he doesn’t know that this is me making my move.
He taps his fingers on the bar like he has a hard time staying still. “It’s Joker. Since we’ve already fallen into each other’s arms, however, you can call me Jokes.”
“A joke?”
“A Beta walked into a bar. Ow.”
I wrinkle my nose. “That was bad.”
“Shut me up by telling me your name, baby.”
“As long as you swear never to call me baby again.”
Joker places his palm over his heart. “Scouts honor.”
“If you were in the Scouts, then I’m a nun.”
Joker leans closer. “Please tell me that you’re not a nun. Because I’m this sweet, innocent Beta staying alone in town and I’ve just met this hot as fuck Alpha who I am hoping may be into taking me to her hotel room and keeping us both warm, you know?”
It’s an effort not to snort.
He’s the furthest from sweet and innocent.
He needs to believe, however, that he’s luring me in like he must do with his other marks.
One-night stands between Alphas and Betas on the road are common.
Maybe I was wrong that the masked Alpha is bonded to him because how could an Alpha bear to use his Beta like this?
I know that I couldn’t.
Is it different because they are both ex-military? Are they merely brothers-in-arms and not actually bonded?
Okay, Joker Hunter. I’ll play your game, while trapping you.
Excitement vibrates through me to finally have a name to put to one of the mysterious pack who I have been researching.
“At least buy me a drink first.” I tap the rim of my empty glass.
Eagerly, Joker bounds to his feet, rapping on the counter. “Two more whiskeys. Doubles. Put it on my tab.”
The bartender turns back, slamming down a second glass. Then he grabs up the whiskey bottle and starts to pour out the drinks.
Joker turns to me with a flourish.
He has higher energy than Bird, even pretending to be tipsy because I’m sure that Joker is playing the same undercover trick as I am, and I didn’t know that was possible.
He points at my drink. “One fresh whiskey. Now, I’m owed a name.”
I can’t hold back the huff. “A romantic, huh?”
I take a deep swig of whiskey.
Joker glances at me heatedly over the rim of his glass. “Pfft, what’s the point of romance when you can be tied down and pegged until you see stars?”
Shocked, I spray the whiskey over the counter.
Joker laughs.
I wipe my hand over my mouth.
Okay, I may have messed up my seductress routine.
Joker grabs a handful of serviettes and wipes up the alcohol. “Not your kink?”
I narrow my eyes. “You’ll find out after we finish our drinks and I take your sweet, innocent ass up to my hotel room, won’t we?”
I expect him to blush, but instead, he looks delighted.
Joker hops to sit on the counter, ignoring the bartender’s scowl. “So, your name?”
“Switch.” I am certain that Joker would know my Adonis pack name, but part of me wants to give him something real of mine.
That damn scent of his.
“Switch.” Joker’s eyes sparkle, as he leans closer. “Guess that means you are one, right?”
Brat.
I shock Joker by grabbing his long hair and hauling him closer across the bar; his pupils dilate. “Then why aren’t you called sub?”
Joker smirks. “Because someone may mistake me for a sandwich, although I do love being eaten.”
I groan, tugging on his hair again because I love his moan.
We obviously do both share an exhibitionist kink, even if we’re both acting.
We are, right?
“You’re really bad at jokes.” I let Joker go with a shove.
“Who said it was a joke?” He smooths down his jacket.
I take another swig of whiskey. “Why are you traveling here alone in this type of weather? Where’s your pack?”
This is the difficult part.
Here we go.
What type of lie will he tell?
Joker sits straighter. His gaze becomes sharper.
“I’m a swimmer and a coach,” he replies, smoothly.
To my surprise, that sounded true, or at least, like there’s a grain of truth in it like the best lies.
“I love sport, running as well. I only feel free in the water or on the track. I’m meeting a fellow coach to talk about training. Boring career shit.”
“That doesn’t sound boring. But also, not safe on your own.”
“I’m not an Omega.”
Surprised, I arch my brow. “You’re pretty enough to be one, especially with a scent like that.”
For the first time, Joker frowns. “Is that what you see when you look at me? Someone weak? Who can’t protect themselves? Who doesn’t deserve to be independent?”
Shit.
After everything I have been through with my own dynamic, I have just insulted someone else based on their dynamic.
I didn’t intend to.
I meant to needle Joker just enough to draw a reaction because getting underneath someone’s skin is the best way to throw them off balance.
But I shouldn’t have done it that way.
Joker’s reaction is truthful.
I’ve hurt him.
When I mean to kill him, I shouldn’t care.
Except, I do.
Am I missing something crucial here?
Why is Joker looking at me like I have already stabbed him?
I shake my head. “I don’t think any of that. I just know how dangerous a lot of people are in this town. I was worried about you, Jokes, but I had no right to act protectively. That’s some Traditional Alphasphere bullshit, where Alphas assume other dynamics are underneath them. I’m a liberal.”
Joker’s expression softens. “Good because my cock is so hard right now that it hurts, but I wouldn’t touch a Traditional, not even for a pity fuck. Even my horny cock has morals.”
I’m glad that I don’t have a mouthful of whiskey or the counter would be watered again.
I quirk my brow. “An ethical cock.”
“Also,” Joker murmurs, “a pierced one.”
I swallow, trying and failing not to imagine the piercing.
Damn, Joker is good at playing this game.
I struggle to wrest back the control, sitting back and smoothing down my dress. “As long as you know that it’ll only be for one night. I am busy tomorrow.”
Joker shrugs. “Your loss, Switch. But one nights are my specialty.”
I bet they are.
My expression hardens. “I’m in town to put on a show for the Champion pack.”
Joker’s eyes steel as well. “Uh-huh? Impressive because they’re hot shit around here. Well, infamous. What type of show? Are you a rancher? Circus performer? Wait, please tell me that you’re a stripper…”
“I’m a magician,” I growl. “Look underneath your glass.”
Joker glances down, before gasping.
He slides out the Joker card that I slipped underneath his glass earlier, when he was listing wilder and wilder guesses about my job, despite us both knowing that I am on the run.
He holds up the card. “Oh, you really are a magician.”
“Quite the icebreaker, huh? There is a thrill to being in control and manipulating reality. No one can see through my illusions. I can trick someone, and they never see the truth before it’s too late.”
I grin, baring just a little too much of my canines.
Unsettled, Joker shifts on the counter, before he slides the card into his jacket pocket.
He pats his pocket. “A souvenir.”
If he believes that he’ll be able to take my fingerprints from the card, then he’ll be out of luck.
I study Joker, before finishing my drink. “Ready?”
He nods, before he glances up at the mistletoe above his head, as if he hadn’t been planning this move all along. “Look, mistletoe. You’d better kiss me. It’d be rude not to.”
I stand. “It would be unlucky if I didn’t.”
Our gazes meet like we’re both daring the other to back down.
Joker’s gaze, however, is darting back and forth from my eyes to my lips.
He wets his lips.
I lean closer.
Closer…
Joker’s sweet peach and honey scent drizzles over me.
I shiver, and my eyes close. I stroke down the Beta’s cheek.
My lips almost graze his.
Then I stumble like I am tipsy, knocking our heads together.
“Ouch.” Joker grabs my shoulders, while I hold onto his, deliberately dragging him off the counter.
He staggers, barely stopping himself from tumbling to the floor.
Joker laughs. “How many of those whiskeys did you have?”
“Five.” I allow him to hold onto my arm, as if I need him to help me stand.
I don’t.
Did Joker order a double whiskey to make sure I wouldn’t be able to fight back when he attacks?
When he captures me? Kills me?
Joker wraps his arm around my middle. “Same as me then. We can take advantage of each other.”
I never would.
If he’s drunk, then he can’t consent.
He has no idea that I don’t intend to fuck him tonight.
We are both playing a role right now: The Alpha and Beta on a hookup at a hotel bar.
I can’t let the act drop.
“Are you sure?” I allow Joker to lead me out of the bar, although he is staggering as well. “Do you want me to take you back to your room?”
“Why don’t we use your room?” Joker suggests. Of course he does. “What number is it?”
“Thirteen.” I lean more heavily on Joker, as we climb the stairs, attempting to sound casual. “Unlucky for some, but where you’re going to get lucky.”
He winks. “I thought that I was the one who made bad jokes?”
“You’re the pretty Beta seducer.” I take a deep breath of Joker’s sweet scent, wishing that everything we’ve acted could have been real.
Yet the thrill of the hunt still rushes through me, as we stumble down the corridor toward my hotel room and what awaits inside.
“And you’re about to get everything you deserve. ”
“I hope so.” Joker looks up at the door to my room. “We’re here.”
Adrenaline rushes through me.
The moment has come to turn the tables.
Joker is the gorgeous honeypot of the Hunter pack. I wasn’t lying when I told him how dangerous people in this town are.
Yeah, me.
Joker can’t say that I didn’t give him fair warning that he shouldn’t be here alone.
He believes that he is luring me to my death, but I am luring him to his.
Time for the predator to become the prey.