32- Fighting and flirting


    Bemy nods.


    “Yep, the Alpha position is not technically handed through family ties, but it is quitemon as


    dominance runs in families, although there is a big nature versus nurture debate about it all. Megan is


    much higher in the pack hierarchy than Tristan is. Marrying her would definitely raise his status, and


    should something happen to me, he would be a serious candidate for the new Alpha.” 1 frown.


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    “What about Megan? Couldn’t she be the Alpha. Or is there some annoying, guys only type rule


    happening here?” Bemyughs.


    “Don’t worry, we aren’t being all sexist about this. Women can be Alpha. Technically whoever I end up


    with would be considered the Alpha female. There’s a reason I’m expected to hurry up and find a mate.


    Usually the job of Alpha is considered a job for a pair. That’s why if something were to happen to me


    and Megan took over, marrying her would make Tristan the Alpha. Really


    two should be phrased as ‘one of the Alphas‘ as in plural since there are basically


    two of them. A Shifter has the same authority that their mate has and they are allowed to speak on


    behalf of their mate.” How did we get back to discussing Bemy’s rtionship issues? I was trying to


    avoid this kind of discussion. I sigh internally. All I’m getting from this is that if I tell Bemy about our


    red thread, I’ll get power and a whole bunch of responsibilities that I really don’t actually want. Yippee.


    “So basically if Tristan marries Megan, you should probably watch your meals and avoid. wandering


    alone in dark creepy alleys because he’ll be after your ass.” I sum up. Bemy


    shrugs.


    “That’s about it.” He agrees.


    “Wow, sucks to be you right now.” I sit back in my chair,fy now that I’ve finished eating.


    “I disagree, right now I’m having a nice dinner with a beautiful girl. I’d say this is actually at pretty good


    day.” The smile he is giving me is all charm, his golden eyes are focused on me and he looks as


    handsome as I’ve ever seen him. I really wish he would stop. I kind of awkwardlyugh and avoid his


    gaze. I let my long hair fall into my face slightly to hide. Sensing my awkwardness, Bemy changes


    the topic..


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    “Would you like something for dessert?” I shake my head.


    “Nah, I’ve been promised cookies in exchange for ying babysitter and nurse today. I’ve gotta leave


    space for those. If you’re nice I’ll even let you try a few. Maggie makes the best. cookies.” I smile at


    him, pushing my hair from my face a little. I feel much more confident with this kind of conversation. I’m


    surprised to find Bemy is frowning, his eyes are narrowed at me.


    “You were very cosy with Darrien today.” I roll my eyes.


    “Didn’t we already have this discussion?” I remind him. He shakes his head.


    “That’s not what I meant to say. I understand that Darrien is your friend and that you trust. him because


    of what he will be to my sister one day. But you really shouldn’t let men you barely know into your


    home.” I re at Bemy.


    “Like you can talk. You’ve stayed the night twice now.” I’m working hard not to raise my voice in the


    restaurant. Bemy looks mad.


    “That’s… well it’s different. Just, promise me you won’t invite anyone else into your home like that. Not


    even the guards I assign you. It’s… inappropriate.” I cross my arms and angle myself away from


    Bemy.


    “I will invite whoever I want into my home. I get to decide who I am going to trust. It’s my decision, not


    yours.” I say stubbornly. Okay, so I have no intention of inviting anyone weird into my home or anything


    like that, but still, I don’t appreciate Bemy trying to boss me around. He res at me and opens his


    mouth to respond. He never gets the chance as the oblivious server takes this moment to bring us our


    bill. I reach for it. It is definitely my turn. to pay for a meal. It’s gone in a sh, Bemy using his


    superior Shifter speed and reflexes to take the bill before I get the chance. He slips some cash inside


    and hands it back to the server and tells her to keep the change. Throughout the entire interaction he


    never takes his eyes. off me. Irritated, I stand up to leave. I wonder if I could just call a taxi, it would be


    morefortable than a car ride with Bemy right now. As Bemy stands, the annoying hostess from


    earlier approaches us. She looks nervous and has a scrap of paper in her hand. When she speaks, she


    stares at the floor.


    “Alpha Kane, I was hoping you would ept this.” She holds out the paper. I can see a phone.


    2/5


    number. Is she seriously trying to give him her number right now? This isn’t a date, but she doesn’t


    know that. It’s like she has no dignity at all. So much for sisterhood, it’s clearly every girl for herself in


    this world. I nce over at Bemy he looks pissed off, but then again he was already angry at me so


    it’s hard to say if this is actually a change or not. I step forward since I’m the one being insulted here. I


    hold out a hand for the paper. She looks horrified, but when Bemy gives her a small nod, she relents


    and reluctantly hands me the paper. I paste on a smile.


    “It’s so sweet of you to give Bemy your number. I’m sure it will be useful if for some reason he has


    trouble contacting your older brother or something.” Okay, so that was a little petty I know. But she’s


    being super rude to me. I basically just pointed out that she is a stranger to Bemy and rified that


    he and I are on a first name basis. I nce back at Bemy and see a small smirk sneaking through his


    angry expression. He decides to make the point a little clearer. He leans–in closer to me and lowers his


    voice, it looks like his words are only for my ears, but the woman has Shifter hearing just like Bemy


    and he knows it.


    “Let’s go back to your ce. You promised me dessert.” he asks. I have to fight not to blush. I know


    he’s just talking about cookies, but the way he said it, it’s hard not to think that he’s implying something


    else. Is this what he sounds like when he’s flirting? Maybe I don’t need to worry he’s overly interested


    in me because I’ve never heard him speak in that kind of tone before. Obviously he is doing so for the


    benefit of the hostess. I try not to be too awkward and ruin the point he is trying to make. I find I’m


    struggling to find words so I just nod. The hostess gapes as Bemy steps close to me and ces a


    hand on my lower back to guide me towards the exit. Knowing that the hostess is still staring, I not–so–


    subtly drop the piece of paper with her number on it onto the floor by the doorway.


    As soon as we’re out of sight, I yank myself away from where Bemy’s warm hand rests on my back.


    “I haven’t forgotten that I’m annoyed at you. I just didn’t like her attitude.” I inform him. I ignore the arm


    that Bemy offers me and storm over to where the car is parked. He hits the beeper and I open the


    door and climb into my seat before he gets a chance to try and open the door for me. Bemy climbs


    into the driver’s seat but doesn’t start the car.


    “Why are you so angry? I’m the one who just had my protection thrown back in my face.” I practically


    growls. Oh right, I ignored his arm again. Well, he kind of deserved it. I roll my eyes at him and angle


    myself away from him to look out the window.


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    “Because you’re being a controlling jerk again.” I try and keep my voice calm. I don’t really seed.


    “I’m trying to keep you safe.” I can’t see his face but Bemy sounds super mad.


    “No, assigning me guards is keeping me safe. Telling me not to invite them into my home is controlling.


    They’re guards that you chose. Clearly they aren’t a danger to me so your only concern is what is and


    is not appropriate. Well, it doesn’t matter because what I do is up to me and it is for me to decide if I


    think it is eptable to invite someone into my home.” The more I talk the louder my voice gets.


    “I just-” Bemy starts but I cut him off.


    “Tell me one reason why I shouldn’t invite them in that is relevant to my safety.” I demand. Bemy


    hesitates.


    “I suppose I am just a little concerned that the men might expect more than you intend.” his words are


    quick, like he knows I’m not going to like them but he’s decided to get them out anyway.


    “I am not a child Bemy. I am capable of dealing with men without a babysitter. I’ve been. doing it all


    my life, I don’t need you to manage my rtionships. Now take me home.” Bemy starts the car but


    we don’t move.


    “Ryann I-” I shake my head.


    “I’m done talking right now Bemy. So just drop it.” Finally he gives in and drives me home.


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