A Beta Before An Alpha
Chapter 9

Zac's Point of View

The last few days have been weird. I can't get Lauren out of my head. I didn't text her after Sunday when she was at the gym. I wanted to, but Paul said I should “play it cool’ I don't want to play it cool with her, but I listened to him because I don’t want to push her away and ruin my chances. I went to Peggy's on Monday, hoping to see her, but she wasn't there. Peggy said she’s off Mondays, but she would be working Tuesday. I went there for dinner on Tuesday alone, just to see he because I couldn't get her out of my head. It wasn't busy, so we chatted and joked around. I enjoy her presence so much, and she consumes my thoughts.

It seems like each time I see her, the pull to her is stronger. I was going to head there for drinks last night, but Paul said I would seem desperate if I went every night. So I'm going to head there for dinner tonight. I never go to Peggy's during the week, but I can't stay away; I need to see her again. “Where are you going, Alpha?” Malcolm asks.

“Oh, I'm headed to Pegey's for a bite to eat and a beer”

“You've been going there a lot lately. Did they get a new cook or something?” He asks, cocking an eyebrow.

“Are you keeping tabs on me now, Malcolm?” I ask, and I use an intimidating Alpha tone because I can't stand the though of him pressing me on this.

“Of course not. Sorry, Alpha. Jenny is feeling better. Did you want some company?” The first instinct is, no, I don't. don't want anyone to get in the way, but then I realize I might not look like I'm f*g stalking her if I'm there with a friend, “Sure.” When we get to Peggy's at just after 6 pm, there are only about a dozen people in there, and right away, my eyes find Lauren. She's talking to ol’ Jerry at the bar. She's smiling broadly, and I'm jealous of the bastard. I want her attention. I wa her to smile and laugh with me. I know I'm more attracted to her than I have ever been to anyone else, yet it surprises me each time I see her. I keep hoping I imagined how beautiful she was or how intoxicating the sound of her voice and laugh were, but it's not my imagination. It takes my breath away each time. Damnit. Why is this happening to me?

“Let's grab this booth,” Malcolm says as he slides in.

Damnit! I wanted to sit at the bar like Jerry!

“So, what did the builders say today about the new warriors building?” Malcolm asks. She's coming over, and I feel my he rate quicken. Our eyes are locked, and she’s smiling as she approaches.

“Well?” Malcolm asks. What the hell is he yammering on about?

“Yeah, sure!" I answer as I direct my attention back to Lauren, as she reaches our table.

“Hello, gentlemen! How are you guys doing tonight?”

“Hey! Great!” I admit. 'm not lying. I'm suddenly feeling fantastic. 1 look at Malcolm, and he’s smiling like a fool at me. 1 mind-link him,

Fk off

He smiles wider at me. WTF?

“Ym doing great! I don't think we've met; 'm Malcolm... and this is my friend Zac” he says.

“I'm Lauren. We haven't met, but Zac and I have," she answers.

“Hmm,” Malcolm smirks.

Lauren scrunches her nose for a quick second and then brushes off his weird behaviour. Thank Moon goddess.

“You guys want a menu tonight? Or just coming for drinks?” She asks.

“Il know what I want. I don’t need a menu,” Malcolm says, and I agree. We both order our regular. Lauren leaves to go get 0 beer, and Malcolm is mind linking me to harass me right away.

-I thought you had a newfound love for Peggy's burgers. Now, this makes a lot more sense. More like a newfound love for Peggy's staff-

-1 don't know what you're talking about.-

“You're pretty obvious. -

-Am 1? — [Shit. Am I the creepy stalker guy?]

“You are, but she’s into you too, so it's all good.-

She is? Are you sure? How do you know?

she lights up when she looks at you. It's obvious.-

[I'm beaming; my smile is so wide. I can’t contain it. Malcolm is grinning and shaking his head at me.]

I don't know what the hell is going on with me. She's not my mate. I touched her hand, and there weren't sparks, but I car stop thinking about her. She is consuming me. -

That is weird. Be careful, though. You don't want to get too deep with someone if you're waiting for your mate-

I just shrug. The thought of hurting or rejecting my mate used to be the last thing I wanted to do, but now that's not the case. The last thing I want to do now is give up Lauren. I'm screwed.

Lauren's back with our beer.

“So Lauren, what brings you to this little town?” Malcolm asks. She gives him the same line she gives everyone and then looks at me and smiles.

“What did you do before you came here?” he presses.

Her face lights up, and she smiles. “I worked at a daycare with little ones,” she answers. She obviously loved her job. Malcolm got real information out of her too. Maybe it was a good idea to bring him along.

“Do you miss it?" I ask as I hold her gaze.

“I do, it's easy to get attached to the kids, but I do enjoy this too. Everyone in this town is a real gem, so it's been fun!” Two guys walk into the bar and catch her attention.

“Lauren!” They shout and wave.

“Your food will be ready soon, guys,” she smiles and heads towards the two men.

“Hey guys!” she greets them.

Thanks to werewolf hearing, I listen to their conversation. They call her by name, and she calls them by name, so she kno them.

“I saw the flyer at the gym today, very cool!” She beams.

“Thanks for the idea. I started advertising on social media, and I have four new clients sign up today,” he says excitedly. He's smiling at her like he adores her. Everyone fg adores her. Shes gorgeous, and she’s funny and sweet.

“That's great! I might have to check it out!” she smiles.

“Oh, look at him gawk at her. Could he be any more obvious?” I scoff.

“He could... if he were you. You're way worse. Only she doesn't seem to reciprocate his feelings,” he admits.

She nods and smiles at whatever they say to her, then takes their order. As soon as she steps away, I see one of them checking out her a*s, and it has me LIVID! I hear the guys talking about how hot she is and how much M ark wants to “lock that down. f**k off, Mark!

When we're finished eating, we make our way to the bar to have a drink. And by have a drink, I mean get closer to Lauren. Malcolm is actually not busting my balls and is being a good wingman. She moves around serving everyone, but Malcolm and I take any opportunity we can to interact with her, and I take any opportunity I can to steal a look at her. She's so beautiful.

-Ask her to come and check out our pack. You keep saying that you want to grow the pack.- Malcolm mind-links me. That's not a half-bad idea. When she makes her way back, I make my move.

“Lauren, do you like being... unaffiliated?”

It's the best way I know how to ask if she likes being a rogue in front of humans. She furrows her brows.

“It hasn't been that long; I guess I haven't given it very much thought,” she answers.

“Well, maybe you might want to come and check... my place out? Maybe it would be a good fit for you?” I ask. She looks li she’s thinking it over.

“Isn't that frowned upon?” She asks. Referring to bringing a rogue into the pack lands, and she’s right, but I don’t care.

“I get to decide, and I don't think so.” She smiles broadly.

“You can come and check it out, no pressure,” I add.

“Sure! That actually sounds really nice the more I think about it I can't keep the grin off my face.

“Can 1 pick you up tomorrow morning?” 1 ask.

“Sure. What time?”

“10 am?” 1 ask.

“Suret”

“Where do I pick you up?”

“Here”

“You don't want me to know where you live?” I question, and she chuckles.

“I live in the apartment,” and she points up.

“Oh. Okay." I smile sheepishly.

“There's a separate entrance in the back of the building she adds.

“Okay, well, I'll pick you up then.” 1 decide to finish this beer and get out of here before I do or say something I regret, anc she changes her mind. I close our tab and leave a good tip.

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night. I was really overthinking what I would show Lauren and what I would say. I ju feel a lot of pressure not to mess anything up. I also hope to get a little more information about her past. I lead my first warrior class of the morning at 8 am, but I asked Paul and Malcolm to lead the rest of them for me today.

I grab a quick shower before heading out. I stop by a great little bakery before I head to Lauren's. I pick six cupcakes; a vanilla, a chocolate, a red velvet, a cinnamon swirl, a chocolate peanut butter, and a white chocolate raspberry. She does; have a favourite apparently, but she loves cake. Are cupcakes a weird thing to give her? I don't think so. She said she love cake. I second-guess myself for a minute but decide to go for it.

This woman does things to me like no other. It's scary and weird, but also exciting. I pull up behind Peggy's and see a staircase to the attic that Lauren lives in. I wonder if it's a proper apartment or just a bed in a dusty attic. I make my way the staircase, and when I get to the door, I can hear talking thanks to my werewolf hearing. I can't make out their words, but Lauren isn't alone. Who would be there? I knock on the door, and it soon swings open.

She smiles, “Hil” she chirps.

“Hil” I respond, and 'm suddenly just as happy and cheerful as she is.

She motions me in. She’s so beautiful; I have to remind myself to breathe. Her hair is down today; I've only ever seen her hair tied up before, but it's beautiful. She's wearing a loose white sweater and tight dark blue jeans. I also notice her plac is small, but it's bright and clean, and it smells so good. It smells like her.

A female voice cuts in, “What? Who is that? Is sexy Alpha there already?” A woman's voice comes from her phone, which is on speakerphone.

Lauren takes a sharp breath, “SADIE! Geez! BYE!” Lauren scolds and then hangs up. I bite my lips to try and hide my smile. “Sorry about her. I'd like to say she’s not always so obnoxious, but I'd be lying she says with rosy cheeks.

“Oh gosh, stop the smirking. She came to that conclusion on her own,” she chuckles.

“I didn't say anything" I smirk, with one hand up in surrender. Her pink cheeks tell me that her friend didn't come to that conclusion on her own, and that brings me so much joy.

She looks at my other hand, “What's with the box?" She asks, changing the subject.

“Oh, its for you,” I smile and hand it to her. She lifts the lid and sees the cupcakes. Her eyes grow wide, and so does her smile.

“Thank you! How sweet! Mmm. Let's eat them now,” she smiles.

“It's 10 am. Why don’t you eat them after when you get home after," I offer.

“If these are sitting here waiting for me, I am going to be looking for any excuse to get back here,” she laughs.

I really don't want that. “Come on,” she motions me into her kitchen. She grabs some forks and offers me a drink.

50 what do we have here?” she asks.

I tell her each flavour. “Mmm sounds so good,” she says excitedly.

She dips her fork in the cinnamon one first, and I just watch her. She rolls her eyes, “So good,” she gushes. I chuckle; I'm s glad I got the cupcakes now. I overthought it for nothing.

“Get in on this," she orders. I grab my fork and take a bite, and she starts chuckling at me.

“What?” I ask

“You went for the chocolate first,” she smirks. “I knew you were a chocolate kind of guy," she says while nodding her head and now I'm laughing too.

“It was a coincidence,” I smirk, but I do actually like chocolate cake.

“Sure,” she smiles as she tries another one. We spend half an hour eating cake and talking. She's so easy to talk to, and she’s funny. She's always making me laugh, and 1 love that.

When we're ready to leave, she grabs her coat and bag, “I can take my car if you want, and I can just follow you, so you don't have to drive me back after?”

“That's okay. I'll drive," I smile, and then our eyes lock. The only way to describe the few seconds we stand there quiet, lo: in each others’ eyes, is intense and intimate. I want to just pull her in my arms, and if I knew she'd let me, I would.

She finally breaks the spell we were under, “Uhm... she says and then shakes her head. “Ready?” She asks, and I nod.

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