The bar was unusually quiet that night, though the stillness carried an undercurrent of tension that made Seline’s wolf stir uneasily. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but something was different. The usual rowdy laughter and lively chatter seemed subdued, replaced by whispered conversations and cautious glances. It was as if the air itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
Seline wiped down the counter, her gaze flickering over the patrons scattered throughout the bar. Most of them were regulars, but there were a few unfamiliar faces in the mix. That wasn’t unusual; ever since the warlocks started pouring into town, the bar had become a crossroads of sorts for strangers. But tonight, those strangers included more wolves.
She’d noticed them earlier in the evening—a group of four shifters sitting at a corner table, their presence commanding despite their casual demeanor. They were younger than most of the wolves in Austin’s pack, their energy wild and untamed, like a storm barely contained. They hadn’t caused any trouble so far, but their sharp eyes and the occasional growl made it clear they were on edge.
Seline had learned to trust her instincts when it came to shifters, and every instinct she had told her to keep an eye on them.
By the time the clock struck midnight, her unease had only grown. The bar was nearly empty now, save for a few stragglers nursing their drinks and the two groups of wolves—the newcomers and a trio of Austin’s packmates who had taken up residence at their usual table near the back.
She was just about to start cleaning up for the night when the tension finally snapped.
A low growl echoed through the bar, and Seline’s head shot up in time to see one of the young wolves rise from his seat, his eyes locked on a member of Austin’s pack. The other shifter stood as well, his expression hard and defiant.
“Don’t start,” Seline called out, her voice firm as she stepped out from behind the bar.
But it was too late. The two wolves lunged at each other, their movements a blur of speed and aggression. Chairs toppled, glasses shattered, and shouts filled the air as the other wolves joined the fray.
“Dammit,” Seline muttered under her breath, darting forward to intervene.
Most people would have run in the opposite direction, but Seline wasn’t most people. She was the bartender, and the bar was her territory. It was her job to keep the peace, no matter how dangerous things got.
“Enough!” she shouted, shoving her way between the brawling wolves. She grabbed one of them—a young, wiry male with wild eyes—and pushed him back with more force than he was expecting. He stumbled, his surprise giving her just enough time to turn to the other wolf.
“You. Sit down. Now.”
The shifter hesitated, his lips pulling back in a snarl, but the look in Seline’s eyes must have convinced him to listen. He backed off, his chest heaving as he glared at his opponent.
Once she was sure the immediate danger had passed, Seline turned to the rest of the wolves, her voice cold and commanding. “If you want to tear each other apart, do it somewhere else. Not here.”
The bar fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the wolves she had separated. Slowly, they retreated to their respective tables, though the tension between them remained palpable.
Seline let out a breath, but the relief was short-lived. She knew the rules—any altercation involving wolves had to be reported to their Alphas. It was a law of the town, one meant to keep the peace between the different packs and ensure that disputes didn’t spiral out of control.
The last thing she wanted to do was call Austin, but she had no choice. If she didn’t, the situation could escalate, and that was a risk she couldn’t take.
She pulled out her phone, her fingers hesitating over the screen for just a moment before she dialed his number.
The phone rang twice before he answered, his deep voice cold and clipped. “What?”
“There was a fight at the bar,” Seline said, keeping her tone professional. “Your pack was involved.”
A pause. Then, “I’ll be there.”
He hung up before she could say anything else, and Seline resisted the urge to hurl her phone across the room. She didn’t have time to dwell on her frustration, though, because the other Alpha arrived just minutes later.
He strode into the bar with an easy confidence that immediately drew everyone’s attention. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair tousled as if he’d just rolled out of bed. Despite his relaxed demeanor, there was an air of authority about him that made it clear he was the leader of the newcomers.
“Well, this is a warm welcome,” he said, his voice smooth and laced with amusement. His dark eyes scanned the room before settling on Seline. “And who might you be?”
Seline crossed her arms, her expression unimpressed. “I’m the bartender. And you must be the Alpha.”
“Loyd,” he said, flashing her a charming grin. “And you are?”
“Seline,” she replied shortly.
“Well, Seline, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He stepped closer, his gaze raking over her in a way that was both bold and playful. “Though I have to say, I wasn’t expecting someone quite so… captivating.”
Seline blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. She wasn’t used to being flirted with, especially not by someone as confident and charismatic as Loyd.
“I’m just doing my job,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“And you’re doing it beautifully,” Loyd said with a wink.
Despite herself, Seline felt a small smile tug at her lips. It was the first time in weeks that she’d felt even a hint of amusement, and she couldn’t deny that it was a welcome distraction from the storm of emotions she’d been dealing with.
“Flattery won’t get you out of trouble,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, I’m not trying to get out of trouble,” Loyd replied, leaning casually against the bar. “I’m just trying to get to know the intriguing woman who managed to break up a fight between two packs.”
Before Seline could respond, the door to the bar swung open, and the temperature seemed to drop. She didn’t have to look to know who had just walked in.
Austin’s presence filled the room like a thundercloud, his golden eyes blazing as they locked onto Loyd.
Seline felt his anger before she even saw his face, a wave of raw, unrestrained fury that made her wolf bristle.
Loyd, however, seemed completely unfazed. He straightened, his grin widening as he turned to face Austin. “Ah, you must be the infamous Alpha of this fine town. Nice to meet you.”
Austin didn’t respond. His gaze flickered briefly to Seline, and the intensity in his eyes made her heart skip a beat.
For a moment, the two Alphas simply stared at each other, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension.
And Seline, caught in the middle, couldn’t help but wonder if she had just made things infinitely more complicated.