In the Alpha’s Arms

Dry Ass Attitude

“Erica!” Cole snapped, the sound harsh and unforgiving. All pretrese of being delicate fell away as he glared a hole in the side of Erica’s head.

What the hell did she mean about Stace? Lita wondered, looking across the table. And if looks could kill, the one Stage sent to Erica would have done just that. Gutted her alive and then burned the leftovers. There was something unspoken that Lite would have to ask about later. She realized she was developing quite a lengthy list of things to ask later.

“Sure, you don’t knock it,” lat rolled her eyes, clearly more pissed about what she said regarding Stace than herself, “Somehow you’ve just always got something smart to say though. What the hell was the point of saying that? We’re all gown, here,”

“That’s not true, you’re just sensitive, Jasmine. And maybe some of us are use grown than others…” nodding her bead in Lita’s direction. She hadn’t heard anyone call Jaz by her full name and it sounded particularly gross coming out of Erica’s mouth. It was as if she spit it out. Jaz glared, but Stace nudged her to calm down.

“Enca, I think you’re being bitchy today… starting your pup cycle soon?” Stace asked calmly: Lita was still trying to figure out what the hell Erica meant, why she understood Stace being a bunny, but not jaz. Lita didn’t like it at all, feeling the heat rising in her chest. Jaz was sweet, and she’d been so accepting of Lita from the second she met her. Stace was caring and strong, And she hadn’t iced her out for keeping the truth from them.

“You b-“Erica began before she was cut off.

“Maybe we should change the subject,” Cole growled, looking at Lita with hard eyes. He was definitely pissed, and she didn’t care one bit. Lita snorted. That was kind of funny, getting under his skin the same way he was getting under hers. And it was especially funny that he had the nerve to be mad as he sat next to his whole fucking girlfriend. Did he tell her he tried to finger Lita in the hallway a few hours earlier?

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“I agree, this entire dinner is going to shit, Mark laughed, “Though I’m always down for a cat fight. I could go get a bucket of water? Really make it interesting, ya know?” Everyone ignored him.

“Well, anyway, Lita, you look young, how old are you?” Erica wanted to further her point about Lita being a child.

“Nineteen

“See? A little young to ruin yourself that way, is all I’m saying. I wasn’t trying to start anything,”

“Ruin myself? I’m sorry I don’t follow. Are women not allowed to like and have sex while the men are?” Andres kicked her foot and Brody smirked down at her. He gave her a look that was hard to read, but it made her smile. Either way, Lita was getting really sick of everybody playing footsie under the goddamn table. They needed to man up and say something back. They were fucking these women, but they wouldn’t defend them at all? It was getting under her skin.

“I agree with Lita, it’s an unfair double standard,” Brody pointed his fork at Erica, “I don’t like slut–shaming.”

Lita looked at him, totally amazed. If drawn hearts could have popped out of her eyes like a cartoon, they would have. Finally, a man at the table. And he wasn’t even sleeping with anyone. In fact, it was odd that the one man not sleeping with anyone was the one to say something.

“Definitely,” Mark laughed, winking at Jaz, “A little skill goes a long way. No one wants a sack of potatoes. Personally, I don’t think losing your virginity ruins anything about a wonun.”

“You just like taking the virginity, you clown. Well, I do too…” Alex laughed.

“I like the after part too!” Mark argued. “And when the hell is the last time you even dipped a toe in the dating pool? The stone age?”

“You fuck anything that moves. I’m–selective, that’s all. It’s okay to want to wait for your mate bood, Marky–Mark As if he was only just realizing what he said, Alex froze, eyes shitting to Ots, then Cole. Even Mark made a face like Alex was about to get in trouble.

Erica shifted uncomfortably in her seat, confused by the sudden tension.

did we even get here? Cole mumbled to himself, “I need a fucking

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Dry Ass Attitude

one,” Erica said gently, obviously not liking the direction of the conversation. “And the mate bone is an archaic way to

“Another ons

and cutting her off.

we’re honestly better without it. This way, you know It’s genuine,

instincts.”

her breath, then said it aloud,

Stace, I didn’t mean to insult

that you’re

sentence, Erica. I mean it.” Colle

from feeling like Erica had just

not saying it that way, guys. It’s hard to explain. I just think a chosen mate is more natural,” Erica spooned some food in her mouth. She completely ignored the silent daggers aimed at

table, her chest stinging

it sounded like it came from Stace’s

downing

table, but she shook her

brothers, total babies though,” Erica laughed, “You’re probably lucky you don’t have siblings. Though they would have been able

banged his fist against the table, shaking

muscled arm just to have a distraction, Lita made herself say, “Or

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the room dropped their silverware in shock. Lita was on the verge of smiling, but she kept her face neutral for the effect. Stace was bright red, trying

Where was all that

say that out loud?” she asked, pretending to

“What do you

found he was suppressing

sorry

I’m such a lid.” Erica looked like she was about

bark and no bite. Surely enough of what they had said would provoke a proper light. Even though Lita didn’t

lot,” she gritted her teeth, “Cole said you got beat up recently. I guess

“In the kitchen,

make conversation with me,” Lita

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Dry Ass Attitude

the female items, Lita?