Southern Shifters: Fast & Furless (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Yvette Hines Page B

be an Alpha…I’m not sure I’m the female to be by his side. I’m all jacked up.”
    Halfway up the stairs Niki halted then turned and looked at her. “Brita, I was all kinds of fucked up when I discovered I was pregnant. With my background, and our own screwed up mother, another story, I didn’t think I could do it. I must say myself, it’s going pretty damn well.”
    Brita took the words to heart, using them to bolster her own courage. If Alek even wanted her after her twenty-four hour ghost stunt.
    “He will.” Niki called out as they continued up the stairs to the little miracle.

Chapter Seven
     
     
    “Hey drunk ass. I know someone that’s looking for you.”
    Alek and his two drinking partners in crime turned at the sound of the female voice. Spotting Niki standing in the doorway of the bar, Alek tried to string two words together and settled on one. “Who?”
    “Get your ass up off the stool and find out. Or if you’re too wasted I’ll get Calder to toss you off it,” Niki teased.
    Pointing a wavering finger at Calder, he warned, “Keep your big mitts off me.” He slid from the seat and toggled toward the door.
    “Keep it straight, buddy. You don’t want to jack this up.” Niki directed him toward the door like she was landing a plane on an airstrip.
    He chuckled then was thankful for the cold night air that smacked him in the face, a blessed wake up call. Taking a few deep breaths he walked out into the night and that’s when he saw her. Brita.
    She leaned against the side of her vehicle across the parking lot closer to the house than the bar. The area was poorly lit by human standards, but with the area being filled by shifters of all walks, it was as clear as day.
    “Go get your mate,” Niki urged. “But if you fuck it up or hurt her, I know her twin sister will kick your ass.”
    Alek had no doubt Niki was right. However, at the moment he didn’t care about anything or anyone else but the captivating woman before him. With single minded determination he headed toward her. His brain was still trying to fight off the effects of all the alcohol he now felt like a stupid ass for consuming.
    “Hey there, shifter.” She smiled at him and his world became a wondrous place.
    “Hi, sweetness.” He stopped two feet away from her. He wanted to drag her into his arms, but wasn’t sure how she was feeling at the moment. “Calder said you’d be back.”
    “That’s one intelligent, wise bear shifter.” She maintained her position, standing there with her hands behind her back, a cushion between her and the driver side door of the Jeep.
    “You get everything in your head straightened out?” he asked, wishing things weren’t so awkward between them.
    “Some. Still some shit to deal with, but I think I have time.” She gave him a side look, shadows in her eyes that blended into the surrounding night. “Do I?”
    “With me?” When she nodded, he assured her, “Always.” He moved a step closer. “I’m not trying to rush you. I’d be a fool not to think with all you’ve been through this wouldn’t be tough for you.”
    “Is that why you got drunk?” she accused.
    He dragged a hand down his face. The alcohol would take more than some fresh air and a pretty face to dissipate from his system. “That was a dick move. But, honestly I had to do something to keep from going after you. Most likely making the situation worse.”
    “We all do things at times we wish we hadn’t.” She kicked a pebble away with the toe of her boots.
    “Like closing yourself off to me.” He removed the last foot between them then cupped her face. The feel of her soft, warm skin drew him closer, tempted him.
    “Yeah, like that.” She lowered her gaze, ashamed.
    “I’ll try my best not to smother you when you need space, but you have to let me help you. Even if it’s just being beside you through it.”
    She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth that appeared sharper than usual as she