When He's an Alpha (The Olympus Pride 2)

Havana’s brows met as she realized something. “Actually, she’s not as miffed with him as she once was, not even after all the crap that happened just now.” She still had that mental door firmly closed, though.

“Really?”

“Really. I mean, she wasn’t exactly pleased to see him, but she didn’t snarl or anything. She just watched him closely.”

Bailey grinned. “Ah, she’s impressed by his persistence. She likes that it hasn’t been so easy to send him on his way.”

“I guess,” said Havana. “I suppose it’s soothing her wounded ego.”

“He’s also proving himself to be strong, tenacious, and highly focused on you—she’ll like all that. She’ll even respect it.”

Havana lifted one shoulder. “Maybe.”

“You do realize that if he wins her over and you keep turning him away, she’ll go from being ‘off’ with him to being annoyed with you, right?”

Actually, no, Havana hadn’t thought of that. “It won’t happen. I got through to him just now. He won’t be back unless it’s to discuss a landlord issue or something related to the auction business.”

“Aren’t you even a little smug that he struggles so much to stay away from you? I would be.”

“Not smug, but it does make me feel a tiny bit better about the entire situation. It’s not a good thing, though, because I need space from him. I’ve made that clear.”

“Don’t expect it to make much of a difference. You’ve made a lot of things ‘clear’ to Tate since you chose to walk away. It hasn’t stopped him from coming back to you again and again. Face it, he’s hooked. He just hasn’t accepted it yet.”

“Can’t say I agree with you on that. In any case, I’m done talking about him. Why did you come looking for me? Is something wrong?”

“No, I was coming to let you know that Elle called and invited you, me, and Aspen to hang with her and Bree at the Tavern on Saturday night.”

The Tavern, a bar-slash-restaurant-slash-pool hall, was the pride’s local hangout. “What did you say?”

“I said I’d talk to you and Aspen and then get back to her. Aspen’s up for it. I’m all for a night out, although I prefer our usual bar near Enigma. But if we go far from home, we make it easier for Gideon’s goons to get near you. I’m not good with that. Plus, the Tavern is cool. And hanging out with pallas cats is always fun. Also, I like Elle and Bree. We had a blast with them last time.”

Havana smiled at the memory. Elle was a hoot, and Bree—who was both the primary omega and Alex’s mate—was probably the only person who had the ability to keep Elle out of trouble.

Havana’s smile dimmed as something occurred to her. “Tate might not like me hanging with his sister. I mean, I don’t think I’d like it if my ex bed-buddy hung out with my family—that being you and Aspen.”

“I don’t think Tate would begrudge you having fun with his sister. He’d probably like it, since it’ll mean you have backup if you need it while out.”

True. And Havana really could do with a night out. “All right, we’ll hit the Tavern with Elle and Bree on Saturday.”

“Awesome. By the way, don’t rush back upstairs. Take your time down here.”

“Why?”

Bailey pulled a face. “Well, Aspen’s animal and mine got into another brawl. My mamba bit her a few times. The bearcat got pissed and offloaded her anal glands on my snake, the dirty bitch. Don’t worry, Aspen dug out that special bleach you bought and scrubbed the floor to get rid of the stench, but it’s still just a little smelly up there.”

Havana shook her head, sighing. “Your mamba started the brawl, didn’t she?” It was more of an accusation than a question.

“Hey, the bearcat grabbed my snake and lashed her around like she was a goddamn rodeo whip.”

“Before or after your mamba bit her?”

“Before.”

“I’ll rephrase. Before or after your mamba first bit her?”

“Oh, after.”

Havana briefly flicked her gaze upward. “Is there any chance at all that maybe one day your snake will stop taunting Aspen’s bearcat purely for the sake of it?”

“You’ve asked me this question dozens of times before, and you always seem so surprised when I say no.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

She was going to end up punching the bitch. Seriously. There was no way this night wouldn’t end in a barfight. But Havana had never had an issue with those. She found them sort of cathartic.

She’d been at the Tavern for a few hours now. She, her girls, Elle, and Bree had claimed one of the burgundy leather cushioned booths. Throughout the evening, they’d drank shots and cocktails while also munching on the complimentary bowl of nuts that Elle had swiped from the long bar.

The scents of beer, leather, oiled wood, and hot and spicy foods were heavy in the air. Too heavy for her devil’s liking, but she was fussy that way.