In the Alpha’s Arms

Offense Taken

“Jesus, Erica,” Alex grumbled his disapproval, “That’s how you talk to a total stranger? You just learned her name and you’re already judging her?” His eyebrows shot up as he pursed his lips.

That was the second time today that Alex had stood up for het. Lita was two seconds away from asking which clone this was because he hadn’t even called her psycho bunny or sticks yet today,

“I’m not judging her, Beta.” Erica snapped. Lita had never heard the title atsed with disdain before. Maybe Erica’s attitude wasn’t specifically directed to Lita. Maybe she thought everyone who wasn’t an Alpha was beneath her.

“It’s just a question, Alex, who pissed in your drink?” The two bickered at the end of the table, with Cole looking annoyed and uncomfortable between

them

“Erica.” Cole said softly, “I told you about being disrespectful with titles. You need to work on that.”

Lita almost laughed at the sudden rush of anger. He handled Erica with such care, treating her as if she were delicate. Was this the same Cole that basically told Lita she was a worthless piece of crap for being human? And that it was ridiculous to think he’d accept their bond? He’d been completely heartless about it.

Erica assured the table that it was only a question, and yet it felt like an insult. The same way what Cole had said felt like an insult. The symmetry stabbed Lita’s chest with precision.

No, Lita thought to herself, she wasn’t fucking any of the men, but she was Cole’s mate. For a moment, she thought about being petty. About burting that fact across the table and starting a problem. But that wasn’t a stranger’s business, was it? And what if he had already told Erica? Then it would only embarrass Liti

“I didn’t think it was a shameful activity,” Erica said, still arguing with Alex. How was I supposed to know it wasn’t common conversation? You know those two talk about it like they’re going out for dinner. Erica tossed her hand in Stage and Jaz’s direction. “And I was trying not to ask why she looks like she was dragged under a moving car, Alex. I was trying to pick a happier topic.”

Lita stiffened, remembering how bad she truly looked. The way the bank manager stared at her and asked if she needed help. The way pedestrians had avoided her and cut her strange looks. Lita’s hands shook. Brian had done the shameful thing, and yet she was walking around with the proof. Lita was walking around like a pariah. How was that fair?

Andres leaned over, “Don’t take it personally, she rubbed us all the wrong way at one point or another. She’s kind of… difficult to read at first.”

“She’s kind of a bitch…” Lita said truthfully, rolling her fork through the sauce until it mixed with the salad.

He laughed lightly, “That too. But she must have something good that Alpha gees in her. He’s a good judge of character.”

Lita doubted that very much. She couldn’t stand people that looked down on others, probably because she was always the one being looked down on Lita certainly knew enough about those types growing up. How many times had she been picked on for dressing out of season or not putting enough effort into her appearance? Even when she’d started dating Brian, they all said he was slumming it with her, which only sent Lita further into his

It wasn’t like they hadn’t known she was rich, they had. They knew her parents were important and ran the elite circles. Hell, their parents often spent time in the same circles. But it hadn’t mattered. There was something about Lita they didn’t like, something that made her an other. That was a hard insecurity to break and here she was, in some basic clothes, covered in bruises and a fragile emotional state. Lita really couldn’t have felt more Inadequate if she tried.

something. She thinks they might tempt Alpha, you know? And if she knew you were his mate… she’d probably be trying to murder you in your

you

you seen yourself?

bruises, of course,” His dice got darker when he said that, like

1/3

Offense Taken

grew hot under his stare, feeling as if she was being seen for who she was for once. Not be or what she was supposed to

she

at first, I’ll give you that,” he laughed so genuinely it made Dia join him, “But

if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were calling me pretty…”

the table.

I mean, grumpy,” Erica scolded, “Maybe faz will help you out. Or Lita, if she is

of ring bunnies, then stie was also insulting Stace and Jaz. Lita looked over at them. Jaz rolled her eyes and drank from a heer. Stace glared

to when Erica said now Jaz has a friend as if it weren’t possible for humans to integrate with wolves. At least, that’s what it felt she implied. It rubbed Lita the wrong way and reminded her of Cole wanting to reject her solely because she was human. It was prejudiced and wrong. It’s not like she was waiting for him to marry her or something, she barely knew the man

over made her

was their deal? Was Erica imagining herself better than humans because she was stronger? Prettier? Richer, maybe? Lita couldn’t understand being so disrespectful to a person

He looked uncomfortable, but not angry. Perhaps it was par for the course with her, and he accepted it. Lita found it odd that he would want to be with someone like that, but she shrugged it off. She didn’t

you?” Again, her voice sounded off. The words were fine, but the tone was

it was jealousy, but it was definitely something. She

at the table would understand, except Erica,

in reassurance that she hadn’t done anything wrong. Lita looked her over. Pale skin, blond hair pulled up into a flawless ponytail, baby pink tennis dress when no one was playing tennis, flawless smile, sparkling blue eyes. Again, she felt insecure. Brody had

“See? It’s fi

of a barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen type,” Lita cut her off, nodding as if coming

said, he choked and laughed out loud, coughing over a bite of spaghetti “Oh, shit.

Brody stille

into a weird snort, “Lita, what the fuck? I thought you were

“And who told you I was nonconfrontational? They

another Laugh,