10: Mr. Stone!

WARNING: This chapter contains a scene of assault!

Dina’s POV

My brain literally felt like mush and was about to drop out of my ears. I groaned and let my head rest against my art table. We were about 2/3 done with this project when Josh and Sherly – another one of my study buddies – suddenly started to argue about the assignment. I happened to agree with Josh on the direction we should take, which resulted in Sherly leaving in a rage. Now it was just me and Josh left and because he was an IT nerd and this was a practical project, I was basically stuck with all the work now.

I sighed.

We had finished the blueprints and now was just the modeling left. I had been using the school’s 3D printer (which was why Josh was a great help) for all the parts, but unfortunately, Sheril had left with the instructions and now she was refusing to pick up her phone. I just needed to make sure I had all the pieces before I started to put them all together. I tried texting Sheryl about the situation, but all I got as a reply was the middle finger. I growled angrily at the phone, making Josh look up from the game he was playing on his phone.

“That’s it! I’m done,” I sighed and threw the phone back into my backpack. “I’ll finish the build myself. Meet me here again tomorrow?” I asked Josh, while I started packing. I was fuming. And not just about Sheryl. My meeting with Angela Danvers was still fresh in my mind and a part of me wanted to track her down and find out what her deal was.

something about her just didn't sit right with me...

But because I was a sane person – and I didn’t want to get a restraining order – I resisted the urge. Much to my wolf’s dismay. She'd already carved out a pretty little headstone for the obnoxious blond. And while I was all for my wolf's dark humor, I still had to remind myself that said obnoxious blond was probably considered family to Alpha Stone. In a "she said/she said"-situation, Alpha Stone would most definitely take Angela's side.

What was that famous saying again?

The maid did it!

“How about we go back to my place to finish things?” he suggested instead with a warm smile and got up. “Get this shit done and over with?”

“I can’t,” I replied with a sigh. “I have work, remember?” While it sounded like heaven to get this stupid assignment over and done with at this point, I also knew it would just be me working and Josh playing on his phone -just at his place instead of school. Sure, he would have the occasional input about what I did wrong and get insulted when I told him no. He could be really childish like that sometimes, which was something I didn't want to deal with right now.

“Then how about your place?”  he continued; much to my surprise. “It’s not like it’s going to take long.”

Yes, it would, but I was still surprised. Why was he so eager to get this done? Had he gotten into some sort of trouble again? I knew he was smart, but he was also lazy as shit, so it was usual for him to be behind on assignments. I could just ask, but with a wolf's pride, he'd probably just feel like I was baby-ing him or something. And if he really needed the extra credit, then maybe---? But then again--- Arg, I wasn't sure...

“I don’t know,” I said, hesitantly. I really wanted to help, if he was in some kind of trouble, but I also didn’t know what alpha Stone would say about me bringing people home to study. He told me to prioritize my homework, but he'd also emphasized that he didn't want people over.

“It’s not really my house," I said, trying to let him down gently. "I just live there because I work there. But---”

“Then we’ll stay in your room,” Josh quickly suggested and came up to me. I wanted to say no, but part of me also wanted to be a good friend here. And we would be in my room the whole time, so perhaps it didn't really count?

“Ok,” I sighed, giving in and Josh's face lit up as he flashed me a bright smile. Yeah, he was definitely in trouble again, but macho-pride dictated that he couldn't ask for help, I assumed.

Men!

“But I have to pick up a few things first,” I said and grabbed the keys to the alpha’s red Honda; the car I mostly used to get back and forth from school. Josh didn't have a problem with that and I didn't really see a problem with him tagging along---

Until I ran into problems!

As we walked into the supermarket, I stumbled upon a recipe for Chili Con Carne and because it looked fairly simple (as in I probably wouldn’t completely destroy it!) I decided to give it a shot. I also got other essentials, like the ingredients for pancakes. Because that was the only thing I could do AND eat – literally! I tried making porridge once and Alpha Stone left the house without having his breakfast. His last words were: “NEVER do that again!”.

But hey!

Live and learn, right?

I was sort of starting to enjoy my culinary exploits. It was fun and for a reason, I still didn’t understand, Alpha Stone let me. I knew that the alpha had a vicious reputation, but sometimes I could swear that he was actually really kind and considerate. and yes, I understood why a harem of women was tripping over themselves to be with him.

Hot, strong, and nice!

He was like the perfect triple-chocolate cookie, that you knew was bad for you, but you ate them all anyway.

No regrets!

*Sigh!*

Too bad he would never look at me that way...

When I walked up to the cash register, the girl rang up my total and I used some coupons and paid the rest with Alpha Stone’s credit card. He'd given me one the other day and told me to buy whatever I needed with it.

And that's when the problem started...

“He makes you pay for everything?” Josh gasped loud enough to make every aunt and granny in the line turn their heads toward us. I looked at him, horrified. I HATED the spotlight and feeling every eye in the store on me, I was feeling slightly suffocated. And as if things couldn't get any worse, we were in a human shop.

Judgment come onto me!

“No,” I gritted in a low hiss, moving closer to Josh, feeling nervous while also trying to restrain myself from punching Josh in his perfect square face. “This is Alp--- Mr. Stone’s card!”

My eyes darted around the store, and sure enough, here and there people were sending me disapproving glances. Great! Now I'd be labeled as the idiot sister that let her brother beat her around AND the bimbo maid that got screwed over by the alpha.

Yep! This was my life now...

“Mr. Stone?” Josh scoffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking unimpressed. And I audibly gasped. Oh good goddess, how could he be such a moron?! He just insinuated to the entire world population that "Mr. Stone" was my Suger-Daddy or something...

“He’s my employer,” I hissed, hoping that my voice carried this time. Because while the pack was enormous, the human tow closest to it was a medium small one. Or at least small enough for word to travel and there was no way this wouldn't somehow come back to the pack, making even more rumors start to spread.

“You always buy dinner for two when you cook for your boss?” Josh asked with contempt in his voice and gestured to the stack of food I’d bought. I glanced at him, hoping my glare would kill him.

What the shit was his problem?!