Page 11 of A Love Bite (Werewolf Motorcycle Club #1)

11

J ake

The bar is starting to get crowded, the usual crowd of regulars filling the space with lively chatter and laughter. The booth is becoming too isolated amidst the growing crowd.

“Let’s move to the bar,” I say, nodding toward the stools. “I figure we can still talk there without feeling so hemmed in. Plus, it’ll be easier to get refills, and we won’t be so crowded.”

“Sounds good,” Alex says easily, and Opal nods.

We make our way over. As we approach, I notice that Lila is bartending tonight. She’s a good friend and a damn good bartender, but with the place this packed, she looks like she could use a hand.

“Lila,” I call out, catching her attention. She gives me a relieved smile, clearly struggling to keep up with the rush. “Need some help?”

“You bet,” she says, barely looking up as she pours a drink. “I thought you’d never ask.”

I turn to Alex and Opal. “I’ll be right here behind the bar. What do you ladies need? I don’t mind covering all of your drinks tonight.”

Alex smiles, the tension from earlier easing a bit more. “I think we’re good for now, but thanks, Jake.”

Opal lifts her half-filled glass. “I’m fine yet.”

I give them a reassuring nod before jumping behind the bar, rolling up my sleeves, and getting to work. Lila and I fall into an easy rhythm, years of experience allowing us to communicate with just a glance or a nod. The rush of the crowd fades into the background as we focus on serving drinks and keeping the energy in the bar upbeat.

Despite the busyness, I keep an eye on Alex and Opal. They seem to be relaxing, talking and laughing more freely. It feels good to see them unwinding after such a stressful day. Every now and then, Alex catches my eye and gives me a small smile, which sends a warm feeling through me.

As I mix a particularly complicated cocktail, Lila nudges me with her elbow. “You seem pretty taken with your friends over there,” she teases, a knowing grin on her face.

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Yeah, you could say that. It’s been a hell of a day. Just glad I could help them out.”

Lila raises an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Well, if you keep looking at her like that, she’s bound to notice.”

I feel my cheeks warm a bit, but I shrug it off. “I just want to make sure they’re okay.”

Lila smirks but doesn’t push further, and we continue serving drinks to the growing crowd. As the night wears on, the bar remains packed, but we manage to keep up with the demand. Alex and Opal seem to be enjoying themselves, and I’m glad to see Opal starting to relax and laugh more freely.

Eventually, the rush begins to die down, and I take a moment to catch my breath. I glance over at Alex and Opal, and Alex gives me a thumbs-up, her smile bright and encouraging.

“Thanks for helping out, Jake,” Lila says, wiping down the bar. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“No problem,” I reply, taking a swig of water. “Always happy to help.” I make my way over toward Alex and Opal. “How are you ladies holding up?”

Alex grins at me, her eyes sparkling. “We’re good. You were amazing back there.”

Opal nods, her expression much more relaxed than before. “Yeah, thanks for everything, Jake. We really appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” I say, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction. “I’m just glad you’re both doing okay.”

Tom asks me for a drink, and I get back to it, lost in the easiness of taking orders and slinging ‘em out. I keep an eye on the ladies, though. They seem to be enjoying themselves, the tension of the day slowly melting away. Oh. Looks like they’re ready for a second round of drinks.

“What can I get you for round two?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach.

“Another gin and tonic for me,” Alex says with a smile.

“I’ll take the same,” Opal adds, her mood visibly lighter.

I turn to mix their drinks. My hands are usually steady behind the bar, but tonight, every time I think about Alex, I feel a jolt of nervous energy. As I finish mixing their drinks and place them on a tray, I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

“Here you go,” I say, placing Opal’s drink in front of her.

As I reach to set Alex’s drink down, my hand trembles, and before I can stop it, the glass tips over, spilling gin and tonic all over the table.

I mutter a curse, my face flushing with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry, Alex. Let me get you another one.”

Alex laughs softly, a sound that somehow eases my embarrassment just a bit. “It’s okay, Jake. Really. Don’t worry about it.”

I grab some napkins to clean up the spill, my mind racing. Why do I always seem to get so nervous around her? As I wipe up the mess, I can’t help but glance up at her. She’s smiling at me, her eyes filled with warmth and amusement.

“Let me get you a fresh drink,” I say, and I turn back around.

Lila notices my flustered state and raises an eyebrow. “You all right, Jake? You seem a bit off tonight.”

I sigh, shaking my head. “Yeah, just…nervous, I guess.”

She smirks, giving me a knowing look. “It’s because of her, isn’t it? Alex?”

I don’t deny it, instead focusing on mixing the new drink. “I don’t know why I get so nervous around her,” I admit. “She’s just… different.”

Lila chuckles, patting me on the back. “Well, maybe that’s a good thing. Just be yourself, Jake. She seems to like you just fine.”

I nod, taking a deep breath before heading back to the ladies with Alex’s new drink. “Here you go. Again, I’m really sorry about that.”

Alex smiles, her eyes twinkling. “It’s really okay, Jake. Thanks for getting me another one.”

As I carefully place Alex’s fresh drink in front of her, our hands brush for just a moment. It’s a fleeting touch, but it sends a shockwave through me, a jolt of electricity that seems to resonate deep within my soul. I look up, meeting her eyes, and in that instant, everything clicks into place.

“Mate!” my wolf growls.

Yes. She’s my mate.

The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and for a moment, I’m completely taken aback. This is why I’ve been so nervous around her, why I can’t stop thinking about her. It all makes sense now. She’s the one I’ve been waiting for, the one I’m meant to be with.

Alex must notice the change in my expression because she tilts her head slightly, a curious look in her eyes. “Jake? Are you okay?”

I blink, trying to regain my composure. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, though my voice sounds a bit unsteady. “Just… thinking about something.”

Her smile is gentle and understanding. “Well, thank you for the fresh drink. I appreciate it.”

I nod, my mind still reeling from the revelation. As I sit down with them, I can’t help but steal glances at Alex, marveling at the connection I feel. It’s more than just attraction. It’s a deep, instinctual bond that I can’t ignore.

As the evening progresses, Alex and Opal are both great company, and the conversation flows naturally. Beneath it all, the knowledge that Alex is my mate hums like a steady pulse, filling me with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The thought is both exhilarating and daunting. There’s so much I need to figure out, so much I want to tell her.

But she only got her friend back, and who knows why her friend had been taken in the first place. I need to be mindful that she might not be looking for a relationship.

Especially with a werewolf.

A werewolf in a pack that might be heading toward war with another pack.