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Chapter 7 - Indigo

I got out of the tub after Matt left and rinsed off the bubbles. Grabbing a hairdryer, I dried my hair and walked into the cupboard to find something to wear. I picked up a pair of jeans and started looking for a top. While flipping through my clothes, I came across a skater dress. It was dark blue and had a halter neck. It covered enough and showed enough. Maybe this would be a good way of getting Erik’s attention.

I pulled on the dress and brushed my straight hair, and left it down. I put on a pair of hoops and applied a bit of makeup.

Dad said I had to keep Erik interested. Well, this has got to be worth a shot, right? I slipped on a pair of heels and grabbed my leather jacket.

The boys were sitting at the breakfast counter, waiting for me. It was karaoke night at the bar, and the boys loved going and just messing around. As I walked into the room, Ethan looked up first and let out a wolf whistle. I rolled my eyes. “A little ironic, don’t you think?” I asked, and Ethan laughed.

I could feel all eyes on me, and it made me a little self-conscious.

“Are you going dressed like that?” Ash asked, a little annoyed.

“Yes, brother dearest, I am. Erik’s a guy. If you all find this attractive, he would too, right?” I said, twirling around a little.

“The boy is doomed, is all I will say.” Matt laughed and stuck out his arm for me to take. I linked my arm with his and we walked out.

“Shall I call Natalie and see if she wants to come?” I blurted out as the thought dawned on me. Matt froze mid-step, turning to give me an enthusiastic nod that made me laugh. I pulled out my phone and called Natalie.

“Hey, Alex,” she answered. Her voice was quiet and worried.

“Hey, Nat. We’re all going to the bar Erik works at for some drinks and karaoke. You wanna join us? We can come to get you?” I asked.

“Hang on,” she replied, and then there was silence. I waited. “You still there, Alex?” she asked.

“Yeah...”

“Yes, I would love to. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be ready,” she replied, and a smile formed on Matt’s face.

“Alright, we will be there,” I said, and hung up. “Happy dufus?” I asked Matt, and once again, he nodded enthusiastically.

“But we don’t have enough room in here,” Ash pointed out.

“Isn’t Esther coming?” I asked.

“Yeah, she was gonna get dad to drop her off,” Matt said.

“Okay, I’ll go grab my Range keys, and I’ll bring Esther and Natalie. You boys head out.” I started walking back toward the house.

“Alex, can I come with you, please? You aren’t gonna drive in heels with my sister and mate in your car,” Matt said, and everyone laughed. I flipped him the finger as he ran into the house.

Ash and the boys left while Matt grabbed my keys and Esther.

We all got in and drove to Natalie’s. She was already outside, waiting for us. I was in the back seat, so I opened the door for her to get in. She wore a knee-length flowery dress and had a cardigan on. Her hair was down and framed her beautiful face. I caught Matt gawking at Natalie through the rearview mirror, making Natalie shift in her seat uncomfortably. Esther punched him in the chest and started laughing.

“Shall we go, brother?” She laughed. Matt cleared his throat and started the car.

“You look beautiful, Nat. I love that dress,” I commented. She looked a little nervous.

“Thank you! So do you and Esther. Thanks for inviting me, by the way,” she smiled, nervousness making her voice shaky.

"Alex, this was a bad idea." Matt mind linked.

"Why?" I asked back.

"Because now I have a raging boner and a car full of girls." He replied, and I burst out laughing.

My laugh scared Natalie a little, making her jump. “What’s wrong? Why are you laughing?”

Shit!

“Oh, just remembered a joke Ash told me today, and I just finally understood it,” I lied. Natalie nodded, but looked unsure.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at the bar. Indigo was lit up on the roof of the bar. I smirked at the sight of it. We all got out, and Matt was instantly at Natalie’s door, opening it for her.

"Kiss ass." I mind linked him, and Esther chuckled. Matt pulled the finger when Natalie wasn’t watching.

As we walked in, Ash yelled out and waved at where they were sitting. They had the big table out back that opened up into the outdoor deck. We all walked over to them.

The boys already had a few pitchers of beer on the table. Esther went around and sat next to Ash. Looks like her need to be around him was growing more.

Matt pulled a chair for Natalie to sit between him and me.

“Well, hello, there, regulars,” said a voice, and I saw Joey walking towards us. He was the bar manager. We came here almost every day after school. It was our usual hang-out place.

The part we had not told Erik about was that my father owned the place. Indigo was the name of our pack. When dad had this place built, he thought for days about what to name it, and I randomly said wouldn’t it be funny to call it Indigo, so he did.

“Hey, Joe! Can we please have two pitchers of margaritas and maybe refill the boy’s beers” I said, giving him a sweet smile. Joey was cute. A few years older than we are, but age was just a number for us. He was good-looking, and since I was the highest-ranked female, every boy tried.

“Coming right up, boss,” he said, and winked at me.

Ash and Vince got up to go start karaoke. We all sat back and cheered for them. Suddenly, that delicious scent hit me. He was here somewhere. I turned a little, and yep, there he was. Wiping tables and collecting plates. The black t-shirt he wore clung to his form and showed his toned body. Why didn’t he defend himself from his uncle in my dreams? Why did he let himself get hurt? Especially when He had muscles he could use.

Right then, a group of girls walked in and sat in the booth next to the one Erik was cleaning. It was Kelly and her group. They were all humans, so I couldn’t control their actions.

“Hey, Erik! I didn’t know you worked here,” said Kelly. Erik walked over to them and greeted them.

“Yeah, just started. Is there anything I could get you, ladies?” he asked politely. Such a gentleman he is.

"Joey, go take over for Erik, please, before I paint the walls of this place with those girls." I mind linked.

I saw him move quickly and tell Erik to go finish the dishes. My wolf wasn’t liking the friendliness the girls were showing. We were already edgy about all this, and this was making things worse.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Natalie move a little. She had been quiet since we got here.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just wanted to see Erik and tell him I was here.”

“Cmon then,” I said, and grabbed her hand. We walked over to the bar and stood at the counter.

“Hi, Alex! What can I get ya?” said Tim. Another one of our pack members. Joey and he ran this place.

“Can I have the new bar help to go, please?” I said, and Tim burst out laughing.

“You too, huh? You have no idea how many of those lines we’ve heard since he started. It’s like girls only turn up to look at him.”

Of course they did. I facepalmed myself mentally. Next to me, Natalie giggled.

“Hey, Erik. You’ve got another fan girl here!” Tim yelled.

“Can I have a tequila shot as well, please?” I asked him. I need something to soothe my burning blood. He poured me a shot, and I drank it without flinching.

“Damn, Alex, you look good.” Erik was checking me out. Mission accomplished! “But please tell me you’re not driving home,” he said as he walked toward us.

“Erik!” Natalie squealed. She was so happy to see him.

“Nope! I have a driver for that. Trust me. Matt will make sure we both get home in one piece. You don’t need to worry. Besides, I can finish the bottle and still walk a straight line,” I said, and tapped my glass for another shot.

“Are you serious? Finish a bottle and walk straight? You got some kinda magic portion that helps you?” Asked Erik.

Fuck! I didn’t realize what I had said.

“I just have a high tolerance, that’s all,” I lied. Tim smirked and refilled my glass.

“Erik, I needed to get out of the house, so when Alex called to invite me, I said yes,” said Natalie.

“That was sweet of you, Alex. Nat, was uncle home when you left?” She shook her head.

“Okay, well, you gotta get back before eleven, though. I don’t want him getting angry.” Erik looked concerned.

“Erik, don’t worry. She’ll be home on time and safely tucked into her bed. I’ll personally make sure of it.” I said to him and drowned another shot.

He looked at me and smiled. I knew he was wondering if I would even make it to my bed with the way I was drinking. I knew I would not have time to go to bed since I had perimeter duty at midnight. So drinking it was.

“Hey Erik, I dropped my drink! Can you please come and clean it up for me?” called out Kelly.

Fuck, that girl was getting on my nerves.

Erik sighed and grabbed a cloth. Was he not enjoying the attention? He walked over to them and started picking up the glasses from the table and wiping it. Kelly got up and snaked her arms around his waist. I wanted to rip her arms off. Anger inside of me bubbled over.

“Erik, my top is wet, too. Can you help me change it?” She cooed.

I must have been shaking because Natalie places her arm on my shoulder.

“Alex, are you okay?” She asked.

Matt was right next to me after that. He must have been watching, and he knew this would not end well.

“Alex, we have to get you out of here now.” He whispered.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the way Kelly was holding Erik. It was tunnel vision painted red. I was furious. That was never a good thing. I was holding the shot glass I had in my hand so tight it started to crack.

“Alex, come on, we gotta go now,” Matt said louder. “There are humans around us, Alex. They can’t be involved,” he started pulling me out. I pushed him aside and went to leap to grab Kelly. But before I could grab her, Ash grabbed my waist. He wrapped his arms around my chest, and Matt started pushing from the other side. They both pushed me to the edge of the woods. When we were out of sight, they let me go, and I burst into my wolf. A loud howl echoed through the woods, and I growled at them.

“Go for a run, Alex. It will help cool you off. I’ll take Erik and Nat home. Matt, go with her and make sure she doesn’t go looking for trouble.” Ash demanded.

Even though Asher was a pain in the ass, he was still responsible sometimes. If he had been born first, then he would be the next Alpha. But since he was three minutes after me, he would only take the throne if something happened to me. Which under Matt and Ash’s watch would never happen. Matt stripped and handed Ash his belongings and clothes.

“Get my girl home safely, please,” he said to Ash, and burst into his wolf.

I looked towards the bar, and all I wanted to do was go back in there and rip apart Kelly.

"Alex, stop it. You can’t go around hurting people." Matt mind linked. It was the only way we communicated while in our wolf form.

"Come on, let’s go for a run and catch a bunny. That will help you calm down", he continued and pushed me towards the forest with his nose.

I gave in and started running. More howls erupted as my pack knew I was in the forest now, too.

I didn’t know why I was like this. I had to find a way to make Erik mine before I caused any harm to anyone.

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