Chapter 181 CRAVING DANGER
Edeline
I considered the situation, weighing the possibility of being pregnant. If I were, it wouldn’t necessarily threaten the potential offspring, considering it was still early. I don’t usually drink, but on the rare occasions that I did, it had a numbing effect. Maybe a glass of wine would be a safer option. Just one glass might make me feel a bit lightheaded, but it wouldn’t have any serious effects on any potential cells that might be forming.
So, are we going to have a drink with Alpha Conor or what?
It might not be the safest option...
Despite the risks, I was pumped up with excitement at the thought. My heart raced with anticipation. Maybe a glass of wine could help me forget my troubles... I’d been through so much, and there must be a reason why he sought me out...
"Sure. Alright, let’s go," I nodded in agreement.
He flashed me a small grin, his massive figure towering over me as he stepped aside to let me pass.
Heading into no man's land with a powerful Alpha who had killed his own beta seemed like a terrible idea. My wolf protested against the decision, growling in frustration, but I couldn’t sense any malicious intent from him. His demeanor showed no signs of wanting to harm me. I simply did what he asked and marked Percival, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling.
I was craving the thrill of danger; it was what motivated me and helped me avoid sinking into my sadness.
So, I was going to grab a drink, just one, with Tatiana’s fake dad—Alpha Conor, the wolf who took out her real dad. It would surely upset both her and Percival.
Why not kill two birds with one stone?
A smile crept across my face as my heart raced with anticipation. No matter what happened, this was bound to be interesting.
…
Edeline
I gazed out into the night, watching the trees blur past as we sped down the road. The night sky was a canvas of twinkling stars, with the Praimfaya Moon shining brightly overhead. The air felt crisp and cool, a refreshing breeze sneaking in through the cracked window. It was cool enough now to need a jacket at night.
The large black extended cab Ford rumbled steadily beneath us, providing a surprisingly comfortable journey as we drove through the bustling city. The engine's hum was a constant backdrop, a reminder of the thirty-minute drive from pack land to no man's land—the area inhabited by humans.
Just chilling in a truck. No big deal. Hanging out with Conor... One of the meanest Alphas around, second only to the Dark Moon alpha.
Or at least, he used to be. Conor's dad had a reputation for being an absolute beast. No one could touch him. It's almost ironic that he ended up with diabetes and experienced organ failure.
Sometimes, the human side wins over the wolf side.
"So, where are we headed again?" I asked with a sigh, my eyes drifting to the lights flashing by from the buildings and shops. Saturday night, and people were out in full force. But there was this emptiness in my chest, an ache that wouldn't go away. I tried to focus on the world outside, pushing back the overwhelming thoughts and the sadness that clung to me since I formed the bond with my mate.
"We're going to this place called Shortie's," Conor replied. His tone was clipped, leaving me unsatisfied. I found myself stealing a glance at him. For all his rough edges, he was handsome in his own way. If he trimmed his beard and hair, he'd be quite attractive, especially for someone around my dad's age.
But he was older than me, already in his late thirties.
I bit my lip, anxiety gnawing at me. I had a stash of knives hidden away, just in case. Two in my waistband, one in each boot, one strapped to my forearm under my jumper. You never knew. Conor might have some hidden agenda, though I doubted it. Still, it paid to be cautious, especially in areas where hunters liked to track wolves for sport. There had been quite a few wolf killings recently. They thought they were just your typical wild wolves.
Conor didn’t say much as we drove, and my eyes wandered aimlessly. There was no music playing in the background, just the low hum of the engine. His scent lingered in the air—a mix of ash, mint, and a hint of diesel from when he filled up the tank. And that fancy cologne... I couldn’t quite place it, but it clung to him in a way that made me curious.
When we finally pulled into the parking lot of a small building, a flickering neon sign caught my eye. It read “Shortie’s,” but with the "S" and "r" burnt out, it looked more like “ho tie’s.”
I couldn’t help but laugh quietly as we stepped out of the truck. Conor noticed and smirked, glancing my way. “Yeah, it’s pretty funny, right? The place has been like that for years. The owner refuses to fix it because he thinks it draws customers. Sure, whatever.” He chuckled deeply, a sound that sent a slight shiver down my spine. I don’t think I’d ever heard him laugh before. Despite his intimidating presence, he had a way of exuding power effortlessly. But it was different from William's.
As I walked into the dimly lit dive bar, Conor kindly held the door open for me. The place had an air of quiet familiarity—pool tables in the back, smoke swirling lazily above, and a long bar lining the side wall. The shelves behind it were stocked with bottles of spirits, and a balding, plump man was working the counter. A teenager, probably around my age—seventeen—hurried behind him, jumping at every command like it was second nature.
The lighting was dim, but in a way that made everything feel a little softer, a little more secretive. Those green 'tiffany' lamps, like the ones in that painting with the dogs playing poker, were scattered throughout, casting a cozy, muted glow over the room.