Contentious

4 - Touched

— — Alex — —
I stare dumbfounded at our joined hands. This... I was not expecting this. My eyes snap back up to his face as he pulls his hand free, slumping back to the table to finish his drink. He doesn't exactly look happy anymore; maybe he's already courting someone else. My possessive side is already growling at that.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine." He says aggressively. He doesn't sound fine to me. "It's just a lot..." the hand clutching his now empty glass gestures at me, his other hand still holding his slumped head off the undoubtably sticky table. "I guess we should go somewhere quieter to talk, huh?"

"I'd like that" I reply. "I'll just grab a bottle of water before we go if that's alright?" I don't wait for an answer before stalking back to the bar, giving myself time to get the irritation borne out of the fear and worry that he won't want me under control. I need to handle this well, whatever happens. A spark is rare, not quite as rare as true mates, but close. It's a good sign, but no relationship can work if both sides don't make an effort.

Mates didn't work exactly the ways most humans expected. It was more like our magic could sense compatibility. So if true mates were 100% compatible, then creating a spark only happened when over 90% compatible. Some mates never reached that stage, and sparking on first touch was almost unheard of. It also meant it was going to be damned hard to resist the need to bond until my mate was ready. Shit, I really had to stop thinking like he was already mine. Now I was getting over the shock I was cautiously optimistic but one look back at his slumped figure told me he didn't feel the same. And he didn't even know I was a rogue yet. At least he hadn't tried to run, so that was a good sign, right?

Thinking of running, I send a quick text to my friends.

Alex: Ditched you guys for better company ;P See you tomorrow?

Almost immediately I get a reply; Matt must be guarding everyone's stuff at the moment.

Matt: K

Then a few seconds later...

Matt: Calm. Breathe. Luck

I almost do a double take... three words; he really did get the Matt stamp of approval?!

——Nathaniel——
I watched his ass as he walked away, damn it looked good. Shaking my head slightly I tried to focus on what to do now. Think, Nath, think... okay. I needed to know his name and pack, what he was currently working as. Probably an enforcer with all that muscle, but he could just like to work out. His age! I mean he looks about my age but maybe I should know his birthday?! I don't know!! I sigh again...

My plan to have a stress-free evening away from any shifters has not worked out at all... and I don't need any more demands on my time.

Stupid sparking hands!

I could just leave, but some part of me says this is my chance to not just be the disappointing younger brother. The one who was never supposed to become alpha. I've spent years training to be Alpha, I am Alpha now, and I still don't seem to live up to my parents expectations. But my mate would put me first, right?

Plus, he is hot!

I part my fingers where they cover my eyes to peek at where he's ordering water at the bar. As I do he turns to look at me, raising an eyebrow. Damn, I'm making a mess at this... I must look like such an idiot. Why would he even want me?