Page 14 of Half Wolf Mate
“He showed me, rather.”
Her jaw dropped. “So, you know what you are to him, then?”
“Yeah, nothing but a disgusting half-breed, apparently.”
Violet blinked. “He did not say that to you.”
“Not in so many words. He told me to leave.”
“He did what? But you’re his fated mate.” She threw her hands up. “I don’t get it.”
“What’s a fated mate?” I asked.
The heavy sigh she blew out fluttered her bangs. “I think that’s a conversation you and Cole should have.”
“Since he doesn’t seem too keen about any further interaction with me, I demand to see your leader.”
Her eyebrows kicked up. “You mean our Alpha?”
“Sure, if that’s what he or she is called.”
“It’s a he. Why do you want to see the Alpha?”
I folded my arms over my chest and lifted my chin. “My mother was once a part of your group.”
“Pack.”
“Uh huh, and I think I have a right to see the leader and ask for help. Technically, you’re my people, too. And who the hell is Cole Grayson to tell me to stay away?”
Violet nibbled her lower lip. “Well…”
“Look, you’ve been nice to me, and I don’t want to be rude. Can you just tell me who I can talk to?” I’d reach my wits’ end. If I didn’t sort this out this craziness soon, I’d lose my shit.
She smirked. “I like you, Sydney. You’re surely going to shake things up around here.” I frowned as she scribbled on a piece of paper. “If you want to see the Alpha, stop by this address tomorrow at four.”
I took the paper with an address on it warily because Violet wore that mischievous grin again.
“Thanks for this.” I held up the piece of paper. “And I’m sorry for snapping.”
She nodded. “I get your frustration.”
As I walked to the door, I glanced over my shoulder with a suspicious frown. Why was Violet still smirking like she was in on some big secret?
Chapter 8 Sydney
I said I’d stay away from Macy to keep her safe, but I was desperate. Standing in front of her diner, I peered inside. It was well past eleven p.m., but I’d seen theOpen 24 Hourssign before I left. Strangely, there were more customers inside in the night than there was this morning.
Big city folk must be night owls. Back in Falls City, the place would be like a ghost town at this time of night. Everyone would be at home, locked in. I stepped inside the diner and searched the room for Macy. A chill ran up my spine the further I advanced inside. The atmosphere felt different from earlier. Or was it the diners who freaked me out rather than the restaurant itself? Most of them just stopped talking to stare at me. It was beyond weird.
Heads turned, and gazes followed me as I walked to the counter. The hairs on the back of my neck seemed to stand on end, especially when I made eye contact with a man occupying one of the back booths. He looked gaunt and pale and wore a black leather get-up. The two women beside him were dressed similarly and had the same pallor. However, they were hauntingly beautiful.
My gaze skated away from them, only to collide with another man’s who watched me through hooded eyes. He looked dark and dangerous. The way he lifted his nose in the air made me frown. It was the same way Violet and Cole had sniffed the air. What was with everyone in New Orleans?
The more I looked around, the more I felt like a mouse who had just foolishly wandered into a den of hungry predators. Everyone watched me as if I was a piece of meat. I almost turned tail, and ran back outside, but then Macy appeared. She pushed the swinging doors back door open with her hip and turned around carrying a tray.
When she saw me, her face lit up. “Sydney! I knew you’d be back.”
I nervously swept the room and gulped. “You did?”