“What is taking them so long,” Bronx complained. “They’re even closer than we are.”
We were sitting in the car lot for the Wormhole, waiting for Isaiah and his entourage to show up. He wanted to be invited to check the place himself. I only agree because this affects him more than me, and I needed an excuse to leave my pack for the moment. With Emily’s constant check-ups and Bronx’s bickering, I needed a break. Unfortunately Bronx was my second in command and knew more about this place then me. So I had to bring him alone.
“Can’t we just go in and wait for them there? It’s still early so maybe we can get, like, an early bird special on the drinks.”
I was just about to tell him to beat it when Isaiah pulled up. “About time,” I grumbled, getting out of the car.
Isaiah got out of his car with Hunter following behind him. “Sorry we’re late boys. Isaiah had his hands full of pregnant women,” joked Hunter. “He’s so popular with them.”
We started to laugh as Isaiah hit Hunter upside the head. I knew the feeling of hitting your idiotic Beta sometimes.
“Let’s just get this over with. Who knows how long peace will last with them two,” Isaiah said while walking towards the entrance.
The moment we opened the door we were hit with music barring through the speakers like there was a full on rager going on inside. Smoke permeated the air causing me to squint to adapt to the dark exterior compared to the brightness outside. There was a small crowd mixed with werewolves, humans, and other creatures of the night on the dancefloor which was a bit weird being it was only two in the afternoon. I guess anytime is a good time to dance and drink. In one corner of the room, you can see a group of guys yelling and drinking, and throwing obscenities at the workers walking by. They were wearing jackets with a werewolf insignia on the back.
“Well this is so classy,” Hunter jokes, looking around.
“I swear it wasn’t like this a few weeks ago,” Bronx said, looking around a little shocked. “Maybe they change management or something. Let me go talk to my girl. I’ll be back.”
We made our way to the bar since all the tables were taken up or blocked by the dancing crowd. Luckily there was no one really sitting at the bar. The moment we sat down we heard a commotion happening on the other side of the room. Two guys were fighting until one was knocked to the floor. The party stopped until the unconscious man was picked up and carried out the door. Then everything picked up like nothing happened. Bronx motioned for the bartender who was cute, tall, dirty blonde hair in a ponytail with a star tattooed across her left eye. She was a wolf and I can tell by her expression something was wrong.
“Hey, Bets. Long time,” Bronx started with a smile that she didn't return. “What’s new here?”
“You shouldn't be here, Bronx. Didn’t you get my texts?”
“Girl you know I don't read those things, besides why would I want to stay away from you,” Bronx said trying to touch her arm.
She swatted him away. “Maybe you and your friends can find another bar to go to,” she said just enough for us to hear. Though you couldn't really hear much with the music turned all the way up. Maybe someone was using it to do just that.
“Bets, you’re scaring me. What’s going on? Where’s Mirja?”
She looked around cautiously and began making drinks for us to look busy. “Look, I don't know. One day she’s here doing her normal stuff, the next she disappears and we get a new manager.”
That’s not good. The way Mirja talked about this place, she wouldn't just leave Bronx linked me.
Let’s just focus on one problem at a time. Not in the mood to care about a witch.
“I don’t have time for this.” Isaiah placed the switchblade on the bar. “We’re looking for the guy who owns this switchblade?”
Bets looked at the switchblade and her eyes widened a bit. Then she looked over to a group of guys who were by far the loudest in the entire bar. They were all wearing jackets with a wolf insignia that matched the switchblade. I scanned the group and counted about twenty of them. I gauged I could probably take six myself, give or take five, but I wasn't sure about the rest of them.
“Look, don't cause any trouble. These guys don't care for anybody who isn't part of their stupid group and if they see that switchblade it’s gonna be nothing but trouble. So put it away before anyone sees it,” she begged while putting shots in front of us.
“Maybe that’s what I want. I need to know why they attack one of my pack members,” Isaiah said while walking towards the group.
“Woah, woah, woah there, Young Alpha. Let’s not provoke a group of werewolves when we’re severely outnumbered,” I said, stepping in front of him but his eyes were looking past me.
“If that’s what you want to believe,” he said. Hunter stepped and grabbed Isaiah’s arm.
“Alpha, maybe Alpha Zack’s right. We don't need to poke the bear unless it’s necessary.”
Glad someone was thinking straight. I was about to say something when a scent passed my nose. It went as fast as it came but it was enough for my wolf Alexi to stir in my mind.
What was that I asked him.
I don't know but I want to find it Alexi said.
I followed it with my eyes to a hallway where a huge man appeared. He had to be around 6’4, bulky with a full beard.
“Bettie, beer,” he yelled while wiping something off his hands as he made his way towards the gang. Bettie, Bets, scurried to pour him a beer and followed behind him. I guess he was the new manager but I couldn't think about that right now. I needed to find this scent and it was coming from where he came from.
“I’ll be back. Hunter don't let him something stupid.” I gestured towards Isaiah who flipped me off.
I made my way down the hallway and used my wolf senses to pick up the scent. It had to be somewhere in one of these rooms. That man must’ve come from one of them. Two of the rooms were bathrooms and one was an utility closet. When I turned the corner I saw a wolf guarding the only door down this hall. I just knew that’s where the scent came from. It only took me a second to come up with an idea. I turned the corner again but this time I pretended to be drunk.
“Hey, you can’t be back here,” the wolf said, blocking the door. I needed to get closer to him
“I just need the bathroom, man and it’s right behind you,” I said, stumbling forward only putting him a few feet away.
“No you’re going the wrong way. The bathroom is around the corner.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll just relieve myself right here,” I said, unbuckling my pants and turning away
“Not happening,” he said, grabbing my right arm. Perfect!
I twisted my right arm around his and planted two left hooks to his face. Knowing it wasn’t enough to bring him down. I brought my knee up and connected it with his nose. He quickly fell to the ground and a part of me felt disappointed. I was looking for a bit more of a fight. Amateur rogue. I picked him up and pulled him through the door he was guarding. The moment I opened the door the scent hit me like a force.
Mate Alexi replied.