Alpha’s Baby(31)

Sara’s concern for me amazed me. We hadn’t really known each other when I came to NSU. Our friendship had been one of convenience, really, yet she had taken up for me after the night of the Sacrifice as if she’d been a childhood best friend.

“You know, you might be right,” I said. While I’m sure the stress was causing me to crave food a little, the theory did not totally convince me. In my mind, it was more likely pregnancy cravings. But of course, Sara didn’t need to know that. “Kappa had a lot of nerve for making me pretend to go out with that asshole, Jace.”

Sara took a sip of her drink. “Oh, yeah. Whatever happened with that? You were complaining about him every day and then suddenly, you stopped.”

“I stopped pretending to be his girl,” I replied, fingering my burger. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I figured that the investigation was almost through, and I didn’t think it was going to influence the final decision one way or the other, so I told Jace to fuck off.”

Sara reached across the table and gave me a high-five. “Right on, sister!”

We both shared a good laugh and then Sara asked, “What about Stefan? What has he had to say about all of this?”

I froze. After our steamy sex session in the janitor closet, Stefan and I had agreed to cool our relationship again until we were away from here.

“He just wants me to be happy,” I replied quietly, taking a sip of my drink.

Sara was staring at me. “That’s cool, but uh . . . hey, I’ve been thinking. Do you think you could get Stefan to go out with me?”

I nearly spit my drink into her face.

“Are you okay?” Sara asked when I began hacking and coughing. “I’m just saying, your stepbrother’s really hot, and if he’s single . . .”

I held up a finger. “Hold that thought,” I gasped. “I’ve got to go to the restroom.”

I got up and left the table. To be honest, I was partly evading Sara’s question, but I really did have to pee.

The nearest bathroom was closed, so I had to go to another one, down a corridor behind the food court.

The area was deserted and no one was in the bathroom. After relieving my bladder from what seemed like a gallon of fluid, I washed my hands, checked my makeup in the mirror, and then walked back outside.

I only got two steps before I heard a deep voice growl, “Why have you been hiding from me, Bella?”

I turned around to see Jace Randall staring at me, standing near the women’s bathroom door. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked like he hadn’t slept for days. Dressed in a dark hoodie and sweats, he looked like he was dressed for a foggy day and a jog, not a bright, sunny one.

My body went cold all over as I realized Jace must have been stalking me.

“I tried to be nice and give you a chance,” Jace continued, not giving me a chance to respond. “But you didn’t want me. All because you're in love with your stepbrother.”

I glanced around. No one was nearby. “I’m not in love with my stepbrother,” I refuted.

Jace sneered. “Save it. We know that you are. I can see it in your eyes whenever his name is mentioned.” Slowly, Jace began to advance on me and I began to tremble. I debated on running away, but I knew Jace was going to catch me.

I’m sure someone is around here somewhere, I thought. I mean, it's not THAT far from the food court, for crying out loud. He can’t be trying to harm me in such a public place.

I tried to calm my nerves, thinking that Jace was only here to rant and rave his displeasure at my rejection. I’d let him say his piece and then go on about my way.

“First your brother comes here and takes over the top Alpha spot, and even when he screws you, his own stepsister, he becomes even more popular.” Jace scowled at me as he advanced. “How is that even possible? Can you tell me that, Bella?”

My mouth was dry and I had no reply. Nothing I could say would make him stop hating Stefan, so why bother?

“And can you also tell me why you rejected me over him?”

“I didn’t reject you because of him,” I said tersely. “I rejected you because you are an asshole and I’m not attracted to you.”

Jace stopped directly in front of me, his eyes burning. “I’m afraid that’s not the correct answer, Bella.”

Looking into his eyes, I was hit with the sudden realization that Jace had come after me with an agenda, and if I didn’t act, I’d be in serious trouble.

Not giving him a chance to show me what it was that he was going to do, I surprised him by clawing him across the face with my long fingernails, drawing blood and some of his skin.