In the Alpha’s Arms

Routine, Right?

“So where the hell’d you end up last night?” Lita asked Ace, changing the subject from her exam back to his escapades. She tried to ignore the small pokes and prods she felt all over as the doctor inspected her.

“Well, one or two ladies might have been kind enough to keep my company at the club after you left,” Ace grinned, rolling his tongue over his canines. Lita giggled and shook her head.

“Jesus, you don’t waste time.”

“What? Not everybody’s got a hot mate ready and waiting in their hotel room, sweetheart. I had to make due with what I could,” he shrugged. She could tell he was joking but there was also the edge of something else in his voice. Something she knew not to touch with a ten foot pole. The heat between them was dampened, not extinguished.

The attraction between them hadn’t completely died out but it was different. He was more like the funny best friend who just happened to be hot as hell. All she could think about was Cole and at this point, she was growing antsy. Lita couldn’t stop her eyes from fluttering up every time a stranger walked by. Where the hell was he?

Something thumped against her knee to check her reflexes. It was odd, almost like the doctor was looking for something, some sign of an underlying issue but that wouldn’t make any sense. Routine, she assured herself. She had been beat up pretty bad a month ago. It made sense that he’d want to verify everything healed properly. Lita focused back on Ace as people poured in and out of the doorway behind him.

“Oh that’s what we’re calling it now? Making due?” Jaz walked up eyeing daggers at Ace, “Thanks for clarifying…”

Ace immediately turned bright red, looking every bit as flustered as he must have felt, “Er shit didn’t see you there, Jasmine….uh you look nice today…”

Jaz and Ace? Lita couldn’t contain the shock spreading across her face, or the bemusement in her voice, “The way you say Jasmine sounds mighty… personal.” She crackled her throat a little, stifling a laugh. Dr. Morgan walked back to his bag.

“Mmhm once an asshole, always an asshole I see. At least you’re good in bed,” Jaz glared, turning her attention to Lita. The anger dropped into glee as she looked at her friend, “Bitch where the hell were you last night? You never came back to the room. Tsk, Tsk.”

Now it was Lita’s turn to turn red, “You know where I was… and speaking of it, has anyone seen Cole? I wanted to talk to him before his next fight…”

barely contained intrigue. She couldn’t wait to spread the news, “He’s in the back room getting ready. Saw him talking to some older guy a few minutes ago. He’ll probably be out soon.” It shouldn’t have been awkward. They were adults. And the whole pack regularly had

cut in as he walked back over. Lita looked away awkwardly. He’d obviously missed the conversation the first time so now she had to be uncomfortable twice, “I only ask because the scent is so…uh… familiar? And I’m just trying to locate the mark… make sure it doesn’t get infected.” He choked on his spit. Ace’s face lit up like Christmas

You let him mark you? Damn, I thought sexy time for sure but the full blown claiming? I did not see that coming,” Jaz squealed a little too loudly, “Stace is going to be so happy to hear it. She gave him an earful yesterday! Lita got her maaark. Lita got her maaark.” The singsong voice Jaz used almost made Lita’s awkwardness go away. Almost. They were still talking about her having sex after all, and in the middle of

okay, I worked hard to get those two

at Lita’s brain but she

he gave her

proud!” “Will

just need a vial of blood and you’re free to go. I’ll give you a cream for the…

Routine, Right?

one in particular, already feeling the panic sparking up. She hated getting her blood

a band around her arm, “How bout a story to distract you? Ace why don’t you tell Lita something about time you

seriously trying to take your mind off it… Probably the most scared

shift,” the doctor

Jaz asked, turning

I think Cole was twelve. It takes a push, if you could call it that,” he mumbled. Lita gave him a questioning look and he sighed, “it’s usually triggered by rage. An uncontrollable rage

say a thing, Brody came

that wasn’t stitched, giving Lita a desperately charming smile. He slid over beside the exam table and flashed

I’ve ever met,” Ace shook

a

groaned, flinching slightly as Dr. Morgan drew blood from her arm. He held