ALICE
I’ve been holed up in this hotel room for days, ignoring the incessant calls and texts from Cameron and Lorenzo. I’m still too angry with them to face going home, where everything reminds me of that bitch Hannah and all she’s stolen from me. It’s bad enough she took Alex, but now the two people who were always on my side have turned against me, too. I feel like I have nowhere left to turn.
Flipping on the TV, I hope to find something mind-numbing to watch, but instead, I’m confronted with images of Alex and Hannah, his eyes shining with sickening adoration for her. White-hot rage boils in my veins as I watch, my knuckles turning white from gripping the cigarette too tightly. It should be me by his side, not that conniving whore. “Fuck!” The scream tears from my throat, echoing off the walls.
Another man stands with them, handsome but not as striking as Alex. The naked desire in his eyes as he looks at Hannah makes my stomach churn with disgust and jealousy. I wonder who he is, and as I stare at him, an idea takes root in my mind-reckless and impulsive, but perfect if it plays out. I stub out the cigarette and grab my keys, storming out the door before I can reconsider.
I fling my keys at the valet with a careless flick of my wrist, barely registering the startled look on his face as I storm into the hotel lobby. My heart is pounding with anticipation and anger. Only when I reach the front desk do I realize – I don’t know the other man’s room number. Squaring my shoulders, I decide to try my luck anyway.
“Good day, how may I help you?” the receptionist asks as I approach, her customer service smile firmly in place.
“I’m here to see one of your guests, Collins. Please let him know Hannah is here to see him,” I tell her, my fake smile masking the nervous anticipation bubbling beneath the surface. He doesn’t know who I am, but he’ll definitely agree to see Hannah. That look in his eyes I saw tells me he’s fascinated by her.
“Okay, ma’am. Just a moment,” she responds, her voice laced with professional courtesy as she picks up the phone.
I turn away, my foot tapping impatiently on the polished floor as I wait for her to make the call. Every passing second feels like an eternity, my hopes riding on the outcome. I desperately hope he agrees to work together when we meet; my plan could be a game-changer for both of us.
Turning back around, I see her drop from the call, her apologetic expression confirming my fears even before she speaks. “I’m sorry, but he isn’t answering. If you have his cell, you could try that instead?”
I force a tight smile, trying to hide my disappointment. “No worries, thank you.” Spinning away, frustration coils in my chest as I ponder my next move. But just when it feels like luck has abandoned me, fate intervenes. Collins himself walks into the lobby at that very moment.
A triumphant smile spreads across my face as I move to intercept him.
“Hello, Alpha Collins.” I purr his name, using my most seductive voice. He stops, his eyes raking over my exposed legs and cleavage, courtesy of my strategically chosen outfit.
“Do I know you?” One eyebrow quirks as his gaze lingers on my cleavage, barely concealed by the plunging neckline of my top.
“Allow me to introduce myself.” I extend my hand with a coy smile, relishing his obvious attraction. “I’m Alice Kinsely.”
Recognition flashes in his eyes, followed by a sly smirk. “Hannah’s sister?”
“The one and only.” I mirror his expression, holding his stare brazenly.
“And what can I do for you, Alice?” His eyes roam over me again, scorching me with their heat.
“It’s more about what we can do for each other.” I gesture between us suggestively, stepping closer to him.
He frowns slightly, confusion creasing his brow. “What exactly are you proposing?”
“Do you have somewhere private we can talk?” I glance around the busy lobby meaningfully. “I’d rather not discuss the details here.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.” His tone is clipped, the earlier warmth vanishing from his expression.
Now it’s my turn to frown, thrown by his sudden change in demeanor. “Why not? You haven’t even heard what I have to say.”
“Because just looking at you, I can already guess why you’re here.” His voice is cold. “And I should let you know right now, I would never stoop so low as to partner with someone who hurt the woman I want just to get her.”
His words slam into me like a physical blow, stealing the breath from my lungs. I reel back, stunned by the disdain twisting his handsome features.
“Goodbye, Alice. Don’t ever try to seek me out again.” He brushes past me without another glance, leaving me gaping after him in shock and humiliation.
Rage swells in my chest, burning away the sting of rejection until all I feel is blinding, all-consuming fury. “Fuck!” I scream inwardly, my hands balling into fists at my sides. That bitch got in my way again without even being here. Why couldn’t she just disappear? I hate her so viscerally in this moment; I could kill her with my bare hands if she were to cross my path.
I spin on my heel and storm out of the hotel, my body trembling with the force of my anger. So help me, God, if I see Hannah anytime soon, I might actually try to end her miserable life. Anything to stop her from ruining mine.
HANNAH
The second we enter our room in the sky pack house, I kick off my heels and unzip my dress, collapsing face-first onto the bed with a groan. Today has been one hell of a day.
Suddenly, I feel Alex’s hands are on my legs, his touch sending a shiver of awareness through my exhausted body. A soft moan escapes my lips as he begins massaging my feet with strong, dexterous fingers.
“Feel better?” he murmurs, his deep voice washing over me like a caress.
I nod against the pillow, then point over my shoulder with a pleading pout. “Here too, please?”
He chuckles huskily and climbs onto the bed, straddling my waist as he works the tension from my shoulders with skilled hands. The room fills with the sound of my contented sighs, and if you didn’t know better, you might think we were in the throes of passion.
Suddenly, the door bursts open without warning, Cameron and Lorenzo barging in like men possessed.
“Alex!” Cameron’s voice lashes out urgently, shattering the peaceful moment.
I yelp and clutch the covers over my half-naked body, my heart pounding. “Why the fuck didn’t you knock?” Alex snarls, leaping off the bed to confront his brothers.
“Sorry, brother, but it’s urgent,” Cameron says, pacing the room like a caged animal. “Have you seen Alice?”
“No,” Alex replies, his brow furrowed as he watches his brothers.
“When was the last time you spoke to her?” Lorenzo demands, looking just as agitated as Cameron.
“I can’t remember,” Alex admits, shaking his head.
“Is everything alright?” I ask, slipping out of bed, the covers concealing my state of undress.
“We haven’t heard from Alice in three days,” Lorenzo admits, his expression haggard with worry as he runs a hand through his disheveled hair.
“Three days? Are you serious?” I gasp, shocked that it’s been so long since they’ve had any contact with her.
“Yes, and the last time we spoke, we had an argument with her,” Cameron confesses, and suddenly, their distress makes perfect sense.
“What did you argue about?” Alex inquires, and Lorenzo fills him in on the details.
“Her parents?” Alex asks, rubbing his temple like he’s fighting off a headache.
Lorenzo nods wearily, his shoulders slumping. “They don’t know where she is either. We’ve looked everywhere.”
“Okay, this is what you will do-” Alex begins, slipping into Alpha mode, but he’s cut off by the ping of Cameron’s phone.
Cameron’s entire body sags with relief as he reads the message, a shaky laugh escaping him. “They found her. Her mom just texted me – she’s back at their pack house.”
The breath I hadn’t realized I was holding whooshes out of me in a rush. Thank God. She’s safe.
“Thank you, Alex,” Cameron says, grabbing Lorenzo’s arm as they hurry out of the room. Alex shakes his head, loosening his tie and pulling it from his neck.
As I watch them leave, something they say about their argument with Alice echoes in my mind.
“Are you really done with Alice?” I ask, the words tumbling from my lips before I can stop them, my voice small and uncertain to my own ears.
Alex’s eyes snap up to meet mine, holding my gaze steadily as he nods. “I am. Completely.”
I don’t know how to respond. We weren’t fighting currently, but we weren’t really a couple either, and his lingering attachment to Alice is a big part of why. Now, he’s saying he’s done with her, and while I should be happy – it’s what I’ve wanted, to have Alex all to myself – the pain he’s caused me with his attachment to her doesn’t simply vanish with his words.
“That’s good to know,” I finally reply, my voice barely above a whisper. I turn and walk to the bathroom, needing a moment to myself.
I let the hot water sluice over me in the shower as my thoughts whirl like a storm. If Alex is truly, finally ready to let Alice go and commit to me, do I have it in me to open my heart to him again? To risk more hurt and betrayal down the line? The mere thought of it makes me catch my breath.
But I can’t live stuck in the past forever, letting old wounds fester and poison any chance of future happiness. If he proves himself worthy of my trust and shows through his actions that he’s sincere… I owe it to myself to at least try to forgive him. To open myself up to the possibility of more between us, however slim.
Stepping out of the shower, I swipe the steam from the mirror and meet my own determined gaze. I will keep an open mind and an open heart – but only if Alex shows he truly deserves it this time. I won’t let myself be played for a fool again. This is his last chance… and mine.