Havoc's Mate (Badlands Territory #2) - Lila Rose Page 0,11

brows dipped. “How come?”

It was my turn to shrug. I couldn’t exactly say I dealt with enough people in all the other hours that I didn’t want my downtime to involve more. I’d sound like a bastard.

“Are bars usually your scene?” I asked. If it was, I’d deal with it because I’d want to make sure my mate was safe.

Her cute nose screwed up again. “Not really.” She laughed. “I’m more about having friends over for dinner and drinks. Small gatherings without so much noise.”

Perfect.

She was damn perfect.

“That sounds good.”

She rewarded me with another smile. I had an urge to count the ones I got. It also made me return it with my own. She sucked in a breath. Her heated eyes were on my mouth, and I wanted a damn taste of her lips. I needed a taste.

Slowly, I leaned in. The sound around us lessened when I focused just on Cora Smith. Nothing else mattered except for her. Her nostrils flared. I was close, just a fraction away from sealing my mouth to hers.

“Havoc!”

We stilled. Cora blinked out of her daze and jerked away from me. I was going to kill the person who interrupted us.

Looking up, I saw Brea standing at the edge of the booth glaring down at my mate. A growl erupted in the back of my throat.

“We’re back,” Kathy announced. I stopped the rumble when I noticed Cora staring at me with wide eyes. Kathy moved into the booth, saying, “Sorry it took so long. We saw some people we knew and got lost chatting.”

“Brea, leave,” Alton clipped when he sat beside his wife.

“Havoc, can I have a word?” Brea asked.

“No,” I bit out.

“Please. It’s about… business.”

Cora cleared her throat. “It’s okay. You can have my seat. I really should get going.”

“Probably best,” Brea sneered.

I clenched my hands so I didn’t punch the bitch standing there. Then again, I’d never hit a woman, so I’d sic Kathy onto her. She had no fucking right to approach us. Business was during the day. Brea knew this, yet she was causing my mate to leave.

Cora shifted to get out of the booth. I dropped my hand to her arm. She gasped and looked back. “Stay. The food’s coming.”

“But I need to speak with you, Havoc,” Brea whined.

“Jesus, Brea, get a clue,” Kathy muttered.

“Shut it, Kathy.”

Alton stood. Fuck, this was about to get messy. He leaned into Brea and asked low, “What the fuck did you just say to my mate?”

Brea’s chin came up. The fool wasn’t scared, but she needed to be. “She needs to mind her own business.”

“You need to get lost, bitch. The alpha wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.”

“Alton,” Kathy tried.

Alton smirked down at Brea. “Actually, no one in the pack would touch you. Whatever business you think you have, take it to your parents and then he’ll listen to them. Not you.”

Brea sniffed. Her eyes dropped to me. “Havoc?”

“Listen to your beta,” I ordered.

“Guys,” Kathy snapped.

We all looked to her, and she nodded toward Cora.

She breathed erratically, her eyes wide, and I scented fear.

My heart fractured.

The words we’d said ran through my mind. Alpha. Beta. Pack.

Fuck.

I opened my mouth, closed it, but her name slipped out seconds later. “Cora.”

“Alpha.” Barry, a member of the pack, ran up to the table. “The Johnson brothers are at it again.”

Motherfucker.

“Barry, you need to step in and stop them,” I ordered.

His whole body puffed up. I could scent how proud he felt being asked to do something.

“Got it.” He saluted. Barry turned, dropped a growl, and shifted right in front of us. His shredded clothes dropped to the floor, and he bounded to the other side of the bar.

“Cora, honey,” Kathy said gently.

“Brea, fuck off, now,” Alton growled. I heard her leave, but I was too busy freaking out over Cora and her reaction.

“Um…,” she started, but her lips thinned. I didn’t like how pale she was or how hard her heart was beating or the way her body slightly shook. She moved quickly out of the booth, almost stumbled back. I went to reach for her, but she said, “I’m good.” She nodded and took a step back. “I-I-I think I need some air.”

“I’ll go with you,” I said.

“No!”

Pain stabbed through me at that single harsh word.

“T-Thank you, but I need a moment.” Her smile was shaky. “Ah, thanks for the drink,” she said before swiftly moving toward the door and out it. As I watched her go, each step she took broke a