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Piper glanced in the mirror and tossed back the last mini bottle of Jack Daniels.
She glanced into the glass, surveying her reflection. She noted her dark hair hung far past her small chest. The green military jacket she wore was frayed and hung loosely over her lanky frame. Piper also wore the same jeans with a large tear in the knee with a simple white tank. She didn't need a bra and didn't bother with dusting any makeup over her freckles. Her lashes were already thick and black without it and her green eyes stood out fine on their own. Her collar bone protruded, looking as if it wanted to escape her body.
She had always been a gangly. Being 5'10 and weighing 115 lbs would make anyone look like a giraffe, as Mac had lovingly called her. But the sharper angles of her cheeks and the way her thighs stood widely apart, made her wonder when she had lost so much weight. In truth, she hadn't bothered much with her appearance since Mac's death. And afterward, she had used alcohol and men to feel good; no need to actually try.
It was already 9:36 p.m. and Piper felt a small nudge of buzz from the alcohol. It had only taken a few hours of sulking in her room until she'd broken down, raiding the mini-bar. After all, if she was to face a bar full of strangers she had the right to arm herself with a little intoxication.
Piper walked to the bar, listening to her combat boots squish away snow. She suddenly hoped Anna would be there. Piper had been berating herself for leaving in such a tizzy earlier. It had taken her a while, but she finally realized befriending the woman wasn't a betrayal to Mac. She wouldn't forget her brother, no matter how happy she felt with Anna.
Piper approached The Rusty Boar, hoping like hell she wasn't too early or making a mistake. Barely any noise came from inside the bar. Taking a deep breath, she threw open the heavy door, walking through with abandon. Piper had expected the small size of the room and the few locals at the bar, she had not been prepared for the small spaced to be packed with dozens of bodies. A roar of people fought to speak over the ACDC song playing courtesy of the jukebox. The group standing directly in front of the door, turned to her, probably expecting a fellow townsperson. She ignored them and pushed toward the bar. Piper took a moment to glare towards the sign that read, "Happy Birthday Taggart."
She couldn't believe Anna had tricked her into coming to a town-wide event. She felt increasingly less bad about her rude departure earlier.
Piper downed a whiskey before sighing deeply and turning to look around. Anna stood in the opposite corner, in the arms of a large Indian man. He had to be her fortune-teller, Charles. He leaned down to murmur something in the woman's ear and Anna looked directly toward Piper.
She gave a small wave and beckoned for her to join. Piper held up the universal, "in one minute," sign and ordered another drink. As the pudgy bartender fetched her double, she turned back toward the crowd.
Entirely on their own accord, her eyes sought out a head of cropped bronze hair. Bran looked just as devastating as she remembered. His charcoal grey shirt and jeans truly made him look like a college student. Piper noticed the blonde viper stood stiffly next to him. She looked like she'd just tasted something sour.
For not the first time, she wondered how Squints had ended up with someone so entirely wrong for him. Piper cursed herself. It was a stupid thought seeing as she barely knew him. Perhaps he was just as awful as his mate. She certainly hoped so, as the shared disposition would eliminate this stupid attraction she'd developed.
A younger girl ordered a beer next to her and then openly stared. "So, you're the new stray?"
The girl was thin and had ash blonde hair. She couldn't be older than mid-twenties and the anger simmering on her face was recognizable.
Piper thought the girl reminded her of herself, "I usually go by Piper."
She snorted, "That's nice. I'm Heather" She grabbed the bottle and threw back a swig before adding, "Welcome to Hell."
"I like you," Piper chuckled, "You remind me of when I was young and stupid."
The girl at first looked pleased by the remark, until a flare of confusion crossed her face. Piper waved goodbye and left the woman standing alone at the bar. She pushed through the crowd, holding onto her drink like it was a life-raft. When Piper was close, she caught Anna's attention.
The women's face lit up. "Piper! I'm so glad you came!"
Anna grabbed the large man's arm, "This is my mate, Charles. Charles, this is…"
"Piper," he supplied with an amused smirk.
"Charles," she smirked, "been to any interesting factories lately?" It was common knowledge in the Detroit pack that when uncomfortable she made lame jokes.
Charles didn't seemed phased though, "Not yet. But I'm keeping my eye open for a golden ticket."
They all chuckled and Piper relaxed marginally. She remembered the woman's comments when they met.
"Anna tells me you foresaw that I'd cause trouble."
"Not trouble exactly just…" He searched for a word, before deciding upon, "…change."
She laughed. "Well, it's all in a days work."
Piper mused at just how much had changed in a day. She'd met Squints. Nearly seduced him. Met his psychotic mate. Befriended an Omega and ended up breaking her sobriety. A days work, indeed.
Charles continued to study her. "She's very unhinged, you know…You could get hurt."
Piper was sure he meant Leah. She was slightly uncomfortable at a knowing look in his eye, hoping that his freaky skills didn't include mind reading.
"Well..." She aimed for innocence, "I'm much more of a let's talk about our feelings kind of girl, but she tripped and landed in front of my gun."
Both Anna and Charles chuckled.
The alcohol was making her bolder, but she wasn't sure if it was the drink or Anna that had made her feel a sudden overwhelming sense of belonging. They all chatted for a while longer, laughing as Charles told her about various quirks Anna had. Anna then proceeded to tease about Charles' cold nose and chainsaw-like snoring. The teasing went on from all sides and then the sorties about funny moments from their respective childhoods began. Piper had been having a genuinely good time until she felt a presence at her elbow.
Squints lingered there, smiling warmly at her. "Hello, Da." "Hi, Bran."
Piper dipped her head with a smile, feeling both buzzed and flushed. "Evening, Squints."
"Squints? I've heard you call him that before..."
Bran frowned slightly. "She seems to think I look like a student, Anna."
"No, not a student. A geek. Someone very, very dork-like," Piper said with a goofy smile. She chuckled when his eyes narrowed playfully.
Charles didn't understand the goad, "I think he means to look unassuming."
Anna's eyes lit up as she agreed with Piper, "I thought the same thing when I met him!"
The Indian chuckled at his mate as Bran rolled his eyes. When the amusement fled, Bran looked strangely at Piper before nodding toward his son and daughter-in-law.
"Charles, Anna. Can you give me a moment with Piper?"
They left, Anna looking slightly worried.
When they were alone, Piper turned toward him, as he openly stared. His pale blue eyes were too much, almost inhuman. His hair was highlighted from the blue and green christmas lights hanging on the wall above them. He looked ...young, happy. Piper was sure it was the alcohol which made her want to lean forward into his lips. Mated! she reminded her cloudy brain. Mated to a psychopath!
Neither of them spoke. Someone behind them laughed loudly and Piper decided tried to shake off the haze of the alcohol lust.
"Can I help you with something? I'm new to town but I'm sure I could ask around for a good divorce lawyer."
He didn't smile. "I apologize for Leah. She's not normally like that."
"I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said."
He smiled a bit micheviously. Piper thought he looked adorable. The kind of unassuming adorable that she'd like to lick from head to-...okay, no more alcohol.
A muscle in his jaw ticked. Please don't be able to hear my thoughts. Please don't be able to hear my thoughts.
"I told her to stay away from you."
"I'm sure that convinced her nothing happened."
"Leah will believe what she likes. The Damage is done."
"Well, Squints... if your mate visits me again, expect me to return her with a few bullet holes."
She saw him choose his next words carefully, "I can't allow that either... You can't harm Leah without issuing a driect challenge."
She glanced toward the Alpha-bitch in question. She was snarling at the poor bartender across the room. Feeling drunk and bold, Piper took a step closer toward Bran.
"That bitch isn't my Alpha. And neither are you."
He didn't react to her proximity but she saw something shift in his eyes and he closed his fists. He practically purred, "If you live here, then I am. It's one of the rules."
"I thought you said there are no rules."
"Piper..." he said her name low and she nearly came undone at the sound. It was the first time he hadn't called her "girl." Piper didn't care for the slight pity in his eyes. "There are some rules... ones that can't be broken."
She wasn't entirely sure what they were talking about anymore.
Despite the confusion, a loud bitch-like sound of "out of my fucking way." called over the music, kicking Piper back into reality. She pushed away from him and swigged the final splash of whiskey in her tumbler.
"Looks like I need another drink…." She turned and walked toward the bar, missing the heat of his body, "…or ten," She mumbled as she pushed through the crowd.
-00000-
Sometime during the night she'd started to flirt. It had been harmless at first. Why yes, I am the new human with the shiny gun. As time went on, Piper started seriously having fun. Well, sure, I'd love to see your collection of animal heads sometime.
Every flirtation she participated in had a sharp bite, but unfortunately, not all of Aspen Creek locals could recognize she was playing them.
The drinks kept pouring and Piper had actually started a decent conversation with a group of young men when a large redhead had joined them. The man to her left slapped his back but continued to ask her intently, "So you're saying, you set the detroit Alpha on fire!"
She laughed as all the men looked astonished. "I didn't mean to. We were playing with some fireworks."
The drunkest of the men mumbled something as the Red head spoke.
"Just wanted to say goodnight, lads."
The men all protested, "You can't leave yet!"
"Yea, it's your party!"
She guessed this man…this wolf, was Taggart. He was fairly big. Wearing a plain shirt, a rope necklace and faded jeans. His hair swept over his forehead, a particularly interesting shade of strawberry-red.
"Happy Birthday."
He smiled a large set of teeth, "Thank you."
"Stay for one more drink," someone begged.
"Yea, the stories she tells are insane!"
Taggart agreed with a sigh. "One more."
He took the stool next to her and the conversation began easily. A round later, the men had left but Taggart remained. She found herself not sarcastically responding to everything he'd said, which was quite an accomplishment for Piper. She was fascinated as he spoke about certain locals. His story about a young woman, "not unlike yourself," he'd said, was especially interesting.
Once upon a time, the girl had shook up the sleepy town. Apparently, she had also been a stray, stealing and then totaling Bran's prized ferrari. Piper thought she'd like to meet the woman.
The man gave an easy smile, "So, why are you here alone, lass? A piece like you must have some pup chasing after you."
Piper had pointedly ignored the feeling of eyes watching her. She glanced sideways and found, through the thinning crowd, Bran whispering something in Fatal-Attraction's ear.
Ignoring him, she smiled boldy at Tag. "Are you flirting with me, sir?"
"Well," he chuckled, "it is my birthday."
Piper waved a hand non-challantly. "I'm not your type. I'm not inflatable."
He laughed loudly, throwing his head back. She also laughed, not caring at being the loudest in the bar. After a moment he caught his breath and with a wicked glint, leaned forward. Piper thought he meant to kiss her, but his mouth instead went to her ear.
"I've heard I'm not yours either, dove...Not enough of a challenge."
As he whispered, she glanced toward the challenge he'd suggested. Squints was still visible through the crowd. But this time, he was looking directly at them. He looked pissed, territorial her mind whispered. Leah was no longer near him.
Piper had the urge to go to him. It was soso utterly stupid that she sucked in a breath, tipping Tag off at his guess.
"Thought so..."
She hook herself. Bran had no right be angry. He was the one with a mate.
"Don't worry, i wont tell."
Piper chuckled. "I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth. "
A familiar tune echoed throughout the room as the music changed.
Aint no sunshine when she'd gone,
It's not warm when she's away.
Visions of young Mac in his underwear, sunglasses and a large white shirt pop into Piper's head. He's on his knees singing into a wooden spoon. Mac had loved Bill Withers. Since a young age they would take turns pretending to sing the song. A large pressure forms in her chest. Tears start to form in Piper's eyes.
Aint no sunshine when she's gone
Mac singing karaoke in a Clarkston Bar, he's making an idiot of himself. Piper is the first to jump on stage with him... The pressure grows, as she struggles for breath. The tears are now blurring her vision.
and She's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away
Mac is in his car, she was in the passenger side, laughing histerically. The song was on again, as loud as the stereo would allow. Mac was singing loudly and poorly. He clutches his chest as he sings. The spot he holds is the same spot the silver bullet hits. Piper can see the blood seep from under his clothing.
The ache has become unbearable as the tears stream down her face and she fights for breath. A hand tugs her off the stool and pulls her through the crowd. The last thing she saw was Charles with a hand on Bran's chest. Bran didn't look happy. A moment later, she found herself in an alley.
Wonder if she'd gone to stay...
Coldness hits her and the hand pushes her against a wall and commands she put her head between her legs. Piper still fights for breath.
"Breathe," the voice- Tag, commands.
After fighting for air, reality seeps in. The loss of breath, the visions, the pain. Piper realized she had just had a panic attack. She had been getting them sporadically since Mac's death. They had always left her frozen with fear, unable to breath for hours. Piper had been hopeful they would end with a change in location. However, it seemed, she couldn't escape her past, even in Aspen Creek.
Her vision returned showing Tag standing above her, smiling.
"Welcome back," he cooed.
Piper heard shouting from inside the bar. A moment later the door swung open, spitting out Bran. His tousled hair and colored cheeks made him looked fierce.
His gaze passed between her and Tag. "What did you do," he accused the man.
"Nothing," he emphasized with an eye roll, "She's fine."
Squints pushed the man aside and grabbed Piper's face. His pale eyes searched his own. He searched for some physical indication that something was wrong.
"Are you alright?"
Piper was shaky but nodded. "Peachy," she said.
"What happened?" he directed toward Tag.
"It was just anxiety, go back inside Bran."
A look of significance was exchanged between the two of them then, but Piper was too tired to notice.
She had begun to shake from the spent adrenaline. Her body vibrated from both shock and pain. The door to inside swung open again. Charles poked his head out. "Da, come inside," he directed, "Leah's looking for you."
At the moment, Piper could care less about Bran's mate. All she cared was the solidness he gave her, his hands on her face, his strength. She blamed the hysteria for what she did next. Raising her own hands over his, she pleaded with her eyes for him to stay.
His lips twitched before he shook her hands off his. The disappointment and betrayal stabbed her. He frowned slightly, "Tag, take her back," before walking inside.
Tag smiled sadly at her, "Some challenges aren't worth it, dove."
She barely had the courage to ask, "did everyone see?"
"No, I made it quite convincing that you were in a hurry to get me home." Taggart grinned.
"But Bran and Charles..."
"They just know things sometimes," he shrugged, "it's their gift."
Tag walked her back to the ugly orange room. He opened the door before smiling sadly at her. With a kiss on her forehead, Tag whispered, "see you tomorrow, dove," and left her alone.