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The Denver Alpha 25
JULIET Leave it to Astrid to pop up right when I’m more pissed off at her brother than I ever have been, intent on giving him the cold shoulder to make him suffer for it. It’s not as if I could turn down her dinner invitation. I’ve always liked Astrid and am happy to see her, even if it does mean sitting beside her brother and trying to play nice throughout the meal while suppressing the urge to stab him in the arm with my fork. There’s no way the others don’t pick up on the tension between us. In fact, judging by the looks they’ve been throwing our way, I know they do. Cole is in full on business mode, all polite smiles and courtesy laughs, while I’m still silently fuming about this morning. I try to push it aside for the sake of everyone else, but I’m not near as skilled as Cole is when it comes to burying my emotions. I tend to wear them on my sleeve, which makes for a slightly awkward dinner. It’s not all bad, though. Astrid and Brock announce that they’re expecting and we’re al
The Denver Alpha 26
COLE The first thing I notice when I wake up is that the light’s different. It’s brighter than usual, filtering in through the cracks in my blinds and bathing the room in a warm glow. I usually wake to pale grey light and the chirp of birds in the early morning, but today’s different because the sun’s already higher in the sky. I’ve slept in. For the first time in recent memory, I didn’t set my alarm. Any disruption to my rigid schedule would typically throw off my day, maybe even my entire week- but as my eyes start to adjust to the light, it hits me that I’m not alone. Another first: I’m waking up with someone beside me. No, not just someone. Her. Juliet Anderson, the woman who has infiltrated my every waking thought since the day she arrived here in that pale blue sundress, batting her eyelashes and playing all sweet and innocent. I was hooked from our first hello. Now she’s fast asleep in my bed, her hair pooled on the pillow beneath her like spun gold, looking so angelic t
The Denver Alpha 27
JULIET I press my thighs together tightly and swivel to dangle my legs out the back door of Tobias’ SUV, careful not to flash the long line of clubgoers waiting outside of Zodiac as I hop down from the vehicle. The skirt I’m wearing tonight is sinfully short; a high-waisted black pleather number that I’ve paired with a lacy maroon bodysuit and heels to match. And if you think I wore this outfit with the intention of driving Cole crazy, then you’re absolutely fucking right. The man is going to lose his shit in the best way when he sees me tonight. I can’t wait. Shay hooks her arm through mine, tugging me sideways so Kylie and Eddie can climb out of the SUV behind me. Meanwhile, Tobias comes around the front of the vehicle and tosses his keys to the valet. “Dang, is it always like this on a Monday?” I ask, elbowing Shay and nodding to the crowd of people waiting to get in the club. They’re lined up all the way to the corner of the building and there’s no telling how many more are wait
The Denver Alpha 28
COLE “This must be some kind of misunderstanding.” The cop shakes his head, shoving a piece of paper in my direction. “I’m sorry, Mr. Bauer, but it’s all right here. Your liquor license has been suspended until further notice.” He flinches as I snatch the paper out of his hands, my eyes skimming the words upon it. It looks fucking official, I’ll give him that- but there’s no way this can be legit. I run all of my businesses cleanly. Not only that, but my relationship with the chief of police all but ensures that things like this aren’t sprung on me. I continue scanning the document, reading the reason listed for the suspension and jerking my head up to lock eyes with the cop again. “Serving minors?” I ask in disbelief, my composure slipping as my agitation rises. “Are you fucking kidding me with this shit?” The officer- Banks, according to the name badge on his uniform- flinches again, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. He may not know what the alpha energy rolling off me
The Denver Alpha 29
JULIETThe cold metal of the handcuffs digs into my wrists as I shift positions against the hard plastic seat in the back of the squad car, leaning forward to alleviate the pressure against them. They’re cuffed behind me, leaving little room for comfort as I’m jostled around with every turn we take and every bump in the road.I can’t believe this is happening again. The first time, at least I could cry foul because I hadn’t actually done what I was being accused of. That’s not the case tonight, though- which has me nervous that I may not get out of this one as easily. I know Cole’s well-connected, but I’ve yet to learn how far his reach really goes. As it is, my stomach’s in knots, twisted with uncertainty about my fate.The officer driving the car suddenly takes a left turn at high speed, sending me sliding across the back seat and slamming into the door. My head thumps against the window and I cry out on impact, but the only response from the cops is the sound of their low chuckles
The Denver Alpha 30
COLEThe last time I allowed my emotions to rule me, I got a girl pregnant. Margot Kinney was a beautiful distraction at a time when our pack was in turmoil, all coy smiles and shy glances across the bar. With her natural blonde hair and sweet girl nextdoor vibe, She was my type to a T, and once I approached her and introduced myself, it didn’t take long for us to wind up in the back office of the club together. I was looking for an escape that night and I found it between her thighs.What I thought was a single night of passion turned into a life-altering event. Margot showed up at the club two months later to tell me she was pregnant. After a lot of back and forth with my advisors, I decided to do the unthinkable; to let a human in on our secret. It was the only way to secure a future for my son- a risk I had to take and a revelation that she didn’t take well. When Margot asked for time to process everything, I granted it to her, knowing she’d be back. She didn’t come from money or
The Denver Alpha 31
JULIET Cold. Empty. Numb. Last night emotionally drained me, and I woke up today still exhausted. I haven’t left my room. Have barely left my bed. I turned my phone off to silence all communication, though Shay showed up with a sandwich this afternoon and made me tell her what happened as I forced down a few bites. I’m still angry. Heartbroken. But more than anything, I’m just tired. Tired of trying so hard to assert my independence in a world that will never see me as anything but a weak, naïve, sheltered little girl. Tired of being made to feel like asserting myself is somehow wrong, and that I should bite my tongue and bow to the authority of the men in charge. No more. I refuse to swallow my opinions or live my life as a mindless piece of arm candy. I’m done pretending to play the part of the perfect daughter and sister of the alpha. I want to be seen. Heard. Respected. I really thought Cole was different. I thought he was beginning to see the real me; to treat me as an equal
The Denver Alpha 32
COLEA dull humming sound rouses me from sleep, and when I force my eyes open, the light spilling into my bedroom through the cracks in my blinds is brighter than it usually is. It takes me a second to realize it’s because I must’ve forgotten to set my alarm again, and I’m immediately brought back to the last time I forgot to set it and accidentally slept in.I woke up with Juliet in my arms that morning. I’d spent the night buried inside her, finally giving into the temptation I’d been resisting since the day she arrived and making her mine in every sense of the word.Was that really just days ago?So much has happened since.I roll over to find the other side of the bed cold, feeling her absence profoundly. It’s no wonder I was drawn to Juliet like a moth to a flame; that I was powerless to resist the pull between us. She’s my fated mate. My other half; the one person who was meant just for me.And I fucked it all up.The humming sound starts up again, a buzzing that I realize is co
Latest chapter
The Denver Alpha Epilogue
JULIETTwo Months LaterIt’s not a traditional wedding by any means. There’s no bridesmaids or groomsmen, no towering wedding cake with roses made of icing. No real pomp or circumstance. I do wear a white dress, though, looking every bit the blushing bride, and Cole looks so handsome in his suit I can hardly stand it. The ceremony isn’t one you’d see at a typical wedding, either. The vows I take aren’t just to Cole; they’re to the entire pack, to swear me in as their official Luna. We mix in a few of our own vows to each other and sign a marriage certificate while we’re at it, though, and it’s still beautiful and meaningful and perfectly us. The ceremony itself is brief, only for the members of the Denver pack, but the reception afterwards is far less intimate.Everybody’s there. Cole’s parents traveled in, my own family made the trip, and all of the six-pack alphas and lunas are in attendance, too. In lieu of some stuffy, formal reception, we host it at Jokers nightclub, closing it
The Denver Alpha 42
COLEI didn’t tell Juliet there was a step four.I’m a planner, and it was no accident that I chose last night for my grand gesture to make her mine. It was in hopes that if all went well, I could officially introduce her to the pack today as Luna at our annual end of summer gathering. Rumors have already been swirling since the morning I staked my claim in the packhouse kitchen, and if I’m being honest, the whispers started long before that.Guess I wasn’t exactly subtle about wanting her. But now I get to officially announce the news; that we’re fated, marked, bound to one another for the rest of our lives. That Juliet will be joining our pack and leading it alongside me.I could’ve told her about today, but then she would’ve had time to worry about how the news may be received rather than just embracing her moment. She might’ve taken Tayla’s cruel words to heart instead of allowing the rest of the pack to speak for themselves.So yeah, I’m springing it on her. But it’s with the be
The Denver Alpha 41
JULIETI should’ve known Cole had something up his sleeve when he told me to dress to the nines for dinner tonight. Even more when I walked into the living room to find him looking all dapper in a suit- not just his usual slacks and a button down with the sleeves casually rolled to the elbows- a full blown suit: black pants and jacket with a charcoal grey dress shirt underneath and a black silk tie around his neck.Cole always looks sexy as hell, but when he rose from the sofa dressed in that suit, I swear my heart stopped beating for a few seconds, the sight of him stealing my breath. Then he started devouring me with that dark-eyed gaze, smoldering eyes assessing me until heat burned through my veins and I felt like I could catch fire at any moment.When our eyes locked, the emotions that crashed through me- desire and fierce possessiveness and love- suddenly had my insecurities screaming to the surface, Tayla’s words from last night echoing in my brain. They flew out of my mouth li
The Denver Alpha 40
COLE“What do you have for me, Rico?” I ask as my head of IT steps through the threshold of my office at the packhouse, pausing from my discussion with Sam to give him my full attention.“We wiped everything,” he replies, a flicker of pride shining in the rich brown of his eyes. “Shame it turned out that way, because we pulled some pretty damning evidence off of the guy’s phone. For a man involved in organized crime, Holley sure was sloppy.”“Prison would’ve been too good for him,” I mutter, tossing a crumpled piece of paper into the wastebasket. “You’re sure you got all the cameras?”Rico arches a brow. “Do you really have to ask?”I don’t. The IT team that works for my pack is good at what they do; they leave no stone unturned when I set them on a task. This time, it was locating and hacking into any surveillance cameras in the area of Club Atlantis last night to wipe the footage. If the bodies are ever found, the cops will have a hell of a time trying to piece together what happene
The Denver Alpha 39
JULIETMy adrenaline must finally be waning, because exhaustion hits me like a lead weight when I park the Camaro in the underground garage at the packhouse and head inside. My mind feels a little fuzzy, my neck and shoulders stiff. The muscles in my thighs burn as I ascend the stairs from the garage, my breathing labored by the time I reach the landing at the top. I practically sigh in relief when I step through the door into the familiar foyer, hardly remembering a time I felt so glad to be home.Home.If Cole and I seal our bond, that’s what this packhouse will become to me, permanently.No more Westfield. No more six-pack. When I return there, I’ll merely be a visitor. An outsider, like I was when I came here. Like I still feel I am.On the precipice of such a major life change, I feel like I’ve got one foot in each world, struggling to decide which way to jump. I know how I feel about Cole, but it’s everything else that goes along with being his mate I’m unsure about. As Alpha, h
The Denver Alpha 38
COLEThe shrill scream that pierces the air makes my blood run cold.I was just thinking that it was taking Juliet way too long to come outside, but I wouldn’t allow myself to jump to the conclusion that something had gone wrong.Then that scream…Something primal deep within me knows right away that it’s her. My wolf thrashes within my chest, biting and clawing to get free. My body trembles with the effort it takes to keep him contained as I throw open the door of the Camaro, leaping out and abandoning my vehicle on the curb.I take off in a dead sprint around the dark building beside Club Atlantis, guided by the sharp tug of the mate bond being pulled taut. Even though we haven’t sealed it yet, the bond snapping into place on the night of the full moon is strong enough to guide me to the side alley between the buildings. Just as I round the corner, I hear Juliet cry out in pain again, and the sound of it is enough to send my wolf hurtling forward again, my shift imminent.It’s a mir
The Denver Alpha 37
JULIETMy heart’s beating so fast that it feels like it’s going to lurch out of my chest. The interior of Atlantis nightclub is dimly lit in hues of blue and purple, the bass beat from the music pulsing into the soles of my feet as I stride through the main floor toward the VIP area. Although this whole plan was hatched from my idea, every angle examined to ensure it’ll be executed seamlessly, I’m still jittery with anticipation as I take the first steps to put it in motion.The bouncer at the entrance to the VIP section is tall and stocky, dressed in a well-tailored suit with his hair slicked back neatly. He gives me a once-over as I approach with confidence, my tight red dress accentuating every curve and my stiletto heels clicking against the floor, then angles his chin down to murmur something into the microphone on his lapel. Pressing a finger to the earpiece he’s wearing, whatever response he receives has him drawing back the black velvet rope and stepping aside to grant me entr
The Denver Alpha 36
COLELife has a funny way of working out. When I look back on how things were when Juliet first arrived in Denver, it’s crazy to think how far we’ve come. Back then, I wanted nothing more than for her to turn around, go home, and stop disrupting my life. Now, I can’t imagine it without her.My mate.A grin spreads across my face as I watch Juliet from where I’m parked at the curb on Denver U’s campus. She’s chatting with a few other students, including Tobias, as they exit one of the school buildings and start down the walkway. My possessive side flares as she laughs at something Tobias says, but I try to tamp it down quickly, not wanting to put a damper on her first day because I can’t control my own jealousy.I shouldn’t be jealous. Juliet’s mine, and Tobias wouldn’t step a toe out of line with her unless he had a death wish. Still, I can’t help but want to be the only one who makes her laugh like that. The only one who captures her attention.As if she can read my thoughts, her gaz
The Denver Alpha 35
JULIETI close my eyes as I step underneath the stream of hot water cascading down from the rainfall showerhead, tipping my head back and combing my fingers through my hair to wash out the shampoo. It smells like Cole, and so did the body wash. It’s a little ironic that I decided to take a shower so I didn’t walk into breakfast reeking of him, but by using the products in here, my scent is still a dead giveaway as to where I’ve spent the night. Part of me likes that. My wolf preens at the thought of everyone knowing I’m his. That he’s mine.I hear the shower door open behind me, resisting the urge to squirm under the weight of Cole’s attention as I hear him step inside. With my eyes still closed, I may not be able to see him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel the weight of his stare practically eating me alive.His feet slap against the tile as he moves closer, and despite the temperature of the water and the thick steam surrounding me, a shiver runs down my spine. My inner animal s
