She couldn’t believe Gage knew about her crush this whole time. It had started so long ago, and he’d never said a single word. Did that make him the perfect gentleman? The man she had thought he was and the one she saw in private were like two different men, and she wanted them both.
The way he touched her body, the command of his voice, it spoke volumes.
Gage was stopped a couple of times by members of the pack. He answered their questions politely, dealt with their problems, and arranged a follow-up meeting with them. No one else interrupted them as they entered the diner.
The silence was deafening.
They were all watching, clearly wondering what the hell he was doing with her. She had to wonder the same thing, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
Gage walked toward a spare two-seater table and eased out her chair. She sat down and he leaned in close to kiss her cheek.
The cold affected her.
When she was alone with Gage, she felt the warmth, the acceptance. The pack, they made her feel cold and lonely. She stifled a shiver, not wanting to spoil lunch.
“What do you want?” Gage asked.
Picking up the menu, she saw instantly the veggie burger and fries.
The waitress, who happened to be Tiffany, rushed over. She turned her back on her and focused her attention on Gage.
Constance didn’t mind. The less cold attention she got, the better.
“Hello, Alpha. What can I get you today?” Tiffany asked.
He gave his order and just when she thought Tiffany was about to turn around, she, in fact, walked off, but she didn’t get far as Gage grabbed Tiffany’s wrist and emitted a low, warning growl.
Heat filled her cheeks as they became the center of attention. Gage never seemed to do things small or low-key. This fucking sucked. She hoped the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
“I don’t know who you think you are,” Gage said. “But you will take Connie’s order.”
“Sir, she isn’t pack anymore. Tanner made sure of that. I don’t know who she thinks she—”
Tiffany never got to finish. The growl had Constance going to her knees in submission, as did the rest of the pack.
“The last time I checked, I was the alpha here. I’m the one to expel people from the pack. Constance Button is a very active member. I picked her as my mate, and as such, you will all treat her with respect.”
Constance could only see his boots in front of her face. Chancing a look up at him, she saw his hand was poised for her to take. Part of her wanted to shake her head and tell him no, but this was Gage. The alpha of the pack, and there was nothing she could do to offend him.
“If you are ready for my son to take over from me, then I suggest you arrange for my expulsion at the town hall in three weeks.”
“I don’t want your position, Dad.”
With all the commotion, Constance hadn’t even seen Tanner inside the diner.
She saw him, though, on the floor with the rest of the pack, submitting to his father. Had Gage known he was here? Was this a test to show the pack his son didn’t have what it took to lead?
Either way, Constance pressed herself against Gage’s side, not wanting to look at anyone but him.
“Now, you will take her order, or so help me God, you will be on a warning strike, Tiffany. My son’s piece of ass or not, that doesn’t guarantee you a place in this pack. Understood?”
Constance had never known him to expel anyone from the pack. He was known for being a mild-mannered man. There were sides of Gage she had never even witnessed before. Who was this man?
She didn’t fear him. He didn’t scare her, but she was intrigued by who exactly was he.
Gage had her sit down in the chair and then demanded the others get back in their seats.
With her hands in her lap, her appetite was long forgotten.
Tiffany was a little shaken, and she saw tears in the girl’s eyes, as well as hatred. Tiffany had never liked her. This went back to them being kids.
“What can I get you?”
“A vegetable burger and fries. Thank you.”
She glanced away, finding Gage looking at her. Tiffany wrote it down and made her escape. The diner was so quiet.
“You didn’t need to do that,” she said, keeping her voice low.
“Connie, I will not have you treated that way. You’re a member of this pack, and they will treat you as such.”
She wanted to dispute it but figured he’d already shown his alpha colors for one day, and she didn’t want the pack to think he was angry with her. They already hated her.
Locking her fingers in her lap, she stared down at the table, not knowing what to say.