You Broke Me First Phoenix Mountain Series Book 3

I walk into the pack house. “Craig?” I call out.

He comes out of a hall. “Here.”

“Hi. I need to charge you up.” I pull off my crystal from neck.

“Sure.” He pulls it out of his shirt.

I touch mine to his and they both glow white.

I watch the crystals and Craig raises his head to me. “So. How’s it going with Mr. Smooth talker?”

I eye him. “You mean the dumpster king?”

He chuckles. “Yeah. He seems genuinely interested.”

I huff. “Trust me. There’s nothing genuine about that guy.”

“Come on, Allie. Throw the guy a bone. He’s trying.” Craig leans to my eyes.

“No, thank you.” I grumble.

“You could have some fun. I’ve never seen you have fun. You never go out.” He says.

“I go out.” I remove my crystal and put its chain over my head. “I prefer to drink alone.” I pull my hair out and center my crystal.

“That’s not fun, Allie.” Craig tilts his head to me.

“If I want fun, I pick something up and kick it out before morning. I don’t need anything else.” I throw on my coat.

“That’s no way to live, Allie. All you’re doing is making yourself miserable.” He says as he crosses his arms.

“Craig. I appreciate your concern. I’m fine, really. The Alpha can try, but he’s not getting what he wants.”

I turn and walk out. “I'll get what I want.” I mumble to myself.

****

Hours later, I escort Bear to the council meeting. As we walk in, the Alpha was coming up the hallway. At least he had the mind to shower. Surprising since the garbage is where his mind is most of the time.

My face is stone as I stand behind my Alpha.

Darcy looks around Bear and waves. I don’t reciprocate.

“Hey, Bear. I got to get that list from you, man.” Darcy looks up at him.

“Yes.” He grumbles.

“You gonna be home Friday?” He asks.

He grunts and shrugs.

Darcy presses his lips together. “Ok. I’m driving all the way out to your place. You better be there.” He points to him.

Bear looks at his finger and up at his eyes. He crosses his arms and glares. A low, deep growl started from his chest.

Darcy pulled his finger back and smiled. Chuckling, he slaps Bears bicep. “Hey. It’s fine, big guy. I’m sure you’ll get it to me whenever.” He laughs.

Bear arches a brow.

Darcy side steps. “Allie. You up for coffee after?”

Bear steps in front, between us, his arms still crossed and leans to him. His growl got a little louder.

Darcy arches back. He smiles. “Ok. Not a good time to talk. Um…see you inside.” He turned and scooted his ass inside.

I almost felt a chuckle brew. I clear my throat. “Thank you.” I bow my head.

Bear bows his head. “You're welcome.” His voice is so deep, I feel it in my chest even when he talks quietly. He gestures me into the council room and follows me in.

I take my spot with the other protectors on the wall by the front door and Bear takes his wall spot by the table.

Just in front of him sits Darcy. His chair is turned and he’s facing me. His arms leaning on the chair arms and he’s playing with a pen between his hands.

He’s giving me that smile he always gives me.

I eye him and he bounces his brows. He bites his lower lip as his eyes undress me, I’m sure.

I pull out a hand from my pocket. I check my nails.

I look at him with a stone face

and snap my fingers.

His pen snaps in half and ink pours into his lap.

“Fuck!” He shoots up. “Damnit.”

I casually put my hand back into my pocket.

I watch as he’s crying over ink on his favorite jeans. The other Alphas and a couple Lunas come with paper towels.

Craig leans over. “Funny, but not called for.”

“It was worth wasting the power.” I eye him.

“Allie. You can’t use your magic on your charge. Azriel will not tolerate it.” Craig warns.

“He’s not my charge. He’s yours.” I arch a brow.

“They’re all our charge. You cannot attack the Alphas. Fix it now.” He tilts his head.

“Fine.” I grumble. I raise my hand and extend my forefinger. I twirl it in a small circle and the ink on Darcy’s jeans disappears. He looks down and looks back at me.

I smirk with my arms crossed.

He narrows his eyes and sits back down.

“Good girl.” Craig nods to me.

“He better stop staring at me or the next one I won’t take back.” I warn.

I watch as Darcy pulls himself into the table. He takes his pen and tosses it behind him.

That made the corner of my lip tick up a bit.

****

Craig was right. I haven’t been out since I took this job. Since Bear was staying over in Phoenix for a few days, I decided to take some time for myself.

I was told of a club called Starlight. It was the best in the city.

So I’m wearing a short, open back spaghetti strap white dress. The top droops down low between my breasts.

My hair is pulled up in a neat bun. I’m hunting tonight. I have a ton of tension I need to release.

My face is confident and stone as I walk in on my white high heels.

The prey seems easy here. I catch the eyes of several as I walk in. I won’t acknowledge any of them until I have a few drinks and see what else this place has to offer.

I strut up the bar. The bartender stops and smiles. “What can I get you gorgeous.”

“White wine.” I say.

“Coming right up.” He taps the bar and turns to get my drink.

I sit on one of the bar chairs. The bartender puts my drink down on a napkin. I pay him and grab my glass.

Turning to the floor, I scan the floor.

There’s eyes I like. I give tiny smiles to those men that really peak my interest.

My eyes travel across the room as I sip my wine.

Then like the parting waves, I see him.

My eyes lock with blue eyes from across the dance floor.

He doesn't break contact as he drinks his beer.

I don’t break contact either as I raise my glass to my lips.

As I swallow, I notice his tight shirt and his tight on top jeans. I don’t want him, but I can appreciate the work he put into his body.

I turn back to the bar and order another glass of wine.

I wait, glancing at the faces around the counter. The bartender, puts my glass down and a thick arm throws a twenty on the bar.

“Let me get that.”

His scent of oak and herbs fills me. I scowl because I know who it belongs to.

I turn to Alpha Bourne and his irritating smile.

I reach into my clutch. “I don’t need you to do that.” I hold a twenty in my finger tips and hand it to him.

He pushes my hand back and I almost feel a slight shock when his fingers touch mine. “I want to.”

“Well, I don’t want you to.” I push the money to him.

He tilts his head. “I insist.”

I shake my head. “Fine.” I shove the money back in my clutch. “Thank you.” I grumble.

I grab my glass and take a sip.

“So. You do have fun.” He smirks.

“If you call this fun.” I respond.

“Ok. We could have some fun. Wanna dance?” He asks.

I arch a brow. “No.” I turn to the bar.

He leans on it beside me. “Come on. I’m a decent guy. I promise. We can have a great party.”

I look at him and huff a laugh. “With you? No thanks.” I turn back to my drink.

“OK. What’s your problem?” He asks in an irritated tone.

I turn to him. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I’m trying here. Like really trying and you’re like a fucking vault. What’s it gonna take?” He says.

“Alpha. Maybe the reason you can’t get in is because I don’t like you.” I eye him.

He shakes his head. “No. Impossible. I’m very good at judging people and you definitely like me. You’re just fighting it for some reason.”

“Oh God. You are full of yourself aren’t you?” I get up and head for the front door.

“Or you’re in complete denial. You can’t tell me you’re not the least bit curious.” He says from over my shoulder.

“I am not, Alpha Bourne.” I hold my chin out as I step outside to the fresh air. The heat inside was getting to me.

I pull out my phone to call a cab.

“One kiss.”

I turn to him and scrunch my brow. “What?”

He holds up his forefinger. “One kiss. You kiss me and if you feel nothing, I’ll leave you alone, but if you do…you go out with me.”

I stand in front of him with my head held high. “One kiss.”

“One. That’s it.” He grins.

“You’ll leave me alone.” I tilt my head to him.

“Completely.” He crosses his arms and waves them apart while staring into my eyes.

I contemplate while chewing on my bottom lip. My eyes flick to the ground and back up to his.

“Ok. Just one.” I say.

He moves in. “Just one.” He says as his lips meet mine. The heat in my body rises as his tongue meets mine. My mind races and my hands move to his arms. He has my head in his hands as he deepens the kiss.

I let out a little moan as my heart races and I start to sweat.

My nails slightly dig into his muscles.

My eyes fill with stars and my cheeks flush.

He slowly pulls back, sucking on my bottom lip.

His lips play with mine. His eyes are slits. “Tell me you didn’t feel that.”

I look into his eyes. “I felt nothing.”

His grip on my head tightened a bit “You’re lying.”

“No. I’m not.” I defend.

“I felt it, Allie. I felt you. I felt you release.” He says on my lips.

“You’re mistaken, Alpha.” I swallow.

My taxi pulls up and honks.

His lips make a few more circles. “I know you felt what I felt. I know you wont be able to fight me for long. You’ll break, Allie and when you do, I’m going to fucking tear you apart.” He smirks and let’s go of my head.

I look at him and get into the cab. He stands with his arms crossed. Staring at me.

I tell the cab where to go and lean back into the seat.

My fingers go to my lips and my eyes look at nothing.

I wrap my arms around myself. This can’t happen. I won’t let it.

I look out to the city. He won’t get in. He won’t ever get in. I’ll make sure of that.