Free Resisting the Alpha by Jessica Coulter Smith Page A

and you, started showing up here half-dressed.”
    “I’m
just getting an order to go, Betty Lou. Besides, my shirt was soaked.”
    She
snorted. “It’s your own damn fault for running around in this storm like a
lunatic. It would serve you right if lightning struck your sorry ass.”
    He
smiled. Despite her harsh words, he knew the older woman secretly had a
fondness for his wolves … and for him. She always gave them extra-large
portions and usually threw in a slice of pie for Micah. He claimed a stool at
the counter and waited for her to pretend to cool down before he placed his
order.
    “Pot
roast sandwich with a side of mashed potatoes.” He gave her his most charming
smile. “And a slice of peach pie, if you have any.”
    She harrumph ed. “And I suppose you want
the pie for free. Like I’m running a charity here.”
    Micah’s
smile widened in response.
    Betty
Lou shook her head and headed into the kitchen to place his order, grumbling
under her breath. Micah swung around on the stool and faced the diner, taking
in the other patrons. A group of his wolves sat at a back table and he nodded
to them. Before long, Betty Lou returned with one large plate full of hot food
and a smaller plate with a slice of pie.
    “You
might as well eat here,” she grumbled. “You’re already inside and sitting at my
counter. Can’t get much worse. Just don’t shift in here!”
    Jeez , Micah thought. You do something one time and people
never let you forget it .
    Micah
faced the counter and dug into his food, suddenly feeling ravenous. When the
bell jingled over the door again, he inhaled deeply. Wolf . And by the slight scent of lilacs, he knew it was Josette.
Micah didn’t acknowledge her, thinking she was probably pissed at him for
ruining her friend’s wedding. He didn’t have to wait long before she approached
him.
    “Alpha.
May I sit here?” she asked, indicating the stool next to him.
    He
chewed his food in silence and studied her, trying to gauge her emotions. Finally
he said, “Sit.”
    She
slid onto the stool and folded her hands in her lap, swiveling to face him.
Josette chewed nervously at her lower lip, but Micah waited patiently for her
to say whatever was on her mind. She usually only approached him when she needed
reassurance, or help getting her pack mates off her back. As the omega, she was
picked on, no matter how many times he told his wolves to treat her with
respect and to help take care of her. She was their weakest link, but had a
calming effect on those she graced with her presence.
    “I
just wanted to tell you that I understand why you did it.”
    He
swallowed hard, nearly choking on his food. That wasn’t the response he’d
anticipated.
    “I’d
wondered how long it would take you to notice,” she said. “I just wanted you to
know that you had my support, and I’m sure Bridget will come around.”
    “What
in the hell are you talking about? I only stopped the wedding because she was
going to run roughshod over that guy and would be miserable inside a year.”
    A
small smile tugged at Josette’s lips. “Is that what you’ve told yourself?”
    As
someone who had a tendency to sit back and observe those around her, Josette
usually had good insight into people’s motives … but she was dead wrong this
time. Micah had only stopped the wedding as a favor to Josette. She might have
shown her friend support, but he knew that his omega wouldn’t want Bridget to
make such a colossal mistake. That was all––nothing more.
    “I
don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Josette
arched a brow. “So it’s a coincidence that you have to find a willing woman
whenever Bridget is around? I doubt I’m the only one who’s noticed your
reaction to her. Here’s a hint: wear baggy jeans if you don’t want people to
know how you feel about someone.”
    That
time he did choke on his food.
    “If
it’s any consolation, I think Bridget secretly feels the same way about you.
She only chose Paul