Page 19 of Alpha Bond

Fuck it. I should have left her in my room.

“Take a seat.” I indicate a bench at a table near the counter displaying an array of food designed to line bellies for long hours in the field. A short, squat male is heading our way, his thinning gray hair tucked beneath a crisp white cap.

“Mr. Jagger Law,” he says. “The usual?” He’s speaking to me, but his eyes are on Sierra. “Coffee. Black?”

“You got it, Bert.”

“And for your…guest?” He’s still looking at her.

“Green tea, if you have it?” Her request hardly surprises me. She strikes me as the type who’d lean toward wholesome fare.

“It would be my pleasure.” Bert beams as he pulls a white dish rag from off his shoulder and wipes his already clean hands on it. “I’m Bert. I’m the cook in this place, for my sins. You’re new here, yeah?”

Sierra shoots me a hooded look before nodding. “Sierra. Just passing through.”

“That so?” His face warms. “Well, maybe we can convince you to stay a minute. Been a while since we had any she-wolves join us. And God knows that Jagger here could use—”

I stand abruptly, cutting him off. “I’ll get us something to eat.” I narrow my eyes on him before turning to her. “We serve ourselves from the canteen.” I nod over at the counter where food is set out. “I’ll get something for you. No sense in going up there and drawing more attention.” I scowl at Bert, who gives a wry grin.

He pats Sierra on the shoulder. “Hope you enjoy your stay, Sierra. This is a good place you’ve found yourself in. Don’t let Jagger here put you off. He’s just crusty. But his heart’s in the right place.”

“For fuck’s sake, Bert, get back to your cooking,” I mutter as I turn away. I’m not going to get myself involved in whatever Bert’s trying to sell the female.

At the counter, I set out two trays and pile a pair of plates with steaming mounds of bacon, egg, and fresh toast. Appraising stares burn into my back as I do it, but I ignore them. If this damn assignment doesn’t earn me some points with Titer and the beta committee, I’ll lodge a complaint. By the time I get back to the table where Sierra is waiting, the cook has returned with a mug of coffee for me and a cup of tea for her. She sips it as I put the trays down.

“Figured you’d still be hungry,” I say as I slide a plate in her direction. That’s all I get to say before she grabs a slice of toast and shovels it into her mouth. She’s got a piece of bacon in her other hand, and it follows the toast with equal haste.

“Mmmm…” she moans around a mouthful. “So good!” She chews and swallows before grabbing a fork and ladling egg in after the bacon. “Mmm…” she groans again. The sound shoots straight to my groin.

Fuck it.

“Yep. Hungry.” I reach for my own cutlery and start feeding myself. But it’s hard not to watch the feverish way she attacks her food. “How long has it been since you were getting regular meals?”

“Too long.” She reaches for her cup and slurps down a mouthful before shoving another piece of bacon into her mouth. More toast follows. Then egg.

Jesus. The woman eats like a rabid animal.

“Now that’s what I like to see. A woman with a healthy appetite.”

Sierra drops her fork with a clatter and stares past my shoulder.

I twist my head to see the tall male standing behind me. Tension tightens my gut. “Morning, Heller. Something I can help you with?”

“Nothing I want from you, Law. Just stopping by to greet our new guest.” He reaches a hand to her. “I’m Gage Heller. Good to have you with us.” He doesn’t seem to notice the way she shrinks back from his hand. I do.

“She’s off limits.” I get straight to the point. Sierra’s eyes widen at me. Humor flashes in Gage’s green stare as he turns his focus on me.

“That so? You gonna try to convince us you already staked a claim, Law?” He chuckles, then looks back at Sierra. “Don’t let him fool you. Jagger’s not mate material.”

“I never said I was.” My fists have clenched. “Just that she’s off limits.”

“Says who?” Gage’s shoulders straighten, his biceps bunching. “I don’t see a sign.” His nostrils flare, and I know he’s taking in her scent. Which is a problem. It’s captivating.

“I…” Sierra begins, then stops when I rise to my full height. It brings me eye to eye with Gage. He’s a big male and muscular with it. But so am I.

“No sign needed.” I set my jaw. “Titer tasked me with taking care of her. So that’s what I’m doing. Back off.”

“Why? I don’t mean her any harm.” He shoots her an engaging grin. “Just being friendly.”