Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Val stepped away from her and moved toward the long table he’d pulled outside, and lined up used beer cans and bottles.
She hated guns.
“Val, you know we have other weapons, right?” she asked.
Big wolves that would come out when truly called to protect.
“We’re dealing with humans, Amelia. Humans that don’t need to know we’re wolves. We can scare them off with our big shiny guns.”
“This seems a little extreme. What if we just let them have a drink and then leave?”
“Then they’ll come back.” Val shook his head. “Not having that. They need to know not to come back.”
“Don’t you think we just need to … I don’t know, wait and see what the trouble is?”
Val shook his head. “I haven’t chased down bunnies, Amelia, or rats. I’ve got a couple of empty beer cans and bottles. If you don’t want to lose your job, you’re going to prove to me that you can do this.”
Amelia gritted her teeth, annoyed. She liked her job. It was the only job she could get. There was not going to be another one for her. Pissing off Val was not an option.
“Now, I’m going to talk you through what you have to do. I know you haven’t shot a weapon before in your life—”
She didn’t let him finish his statement.
The shotgun was already loaded with two shots. She fired both shots, opened it, loaded the case, and took another two shots. She did this until the can and bottles were gone.
All she needed was a single shot on each item. She’d taken them all down. Lowering the shotgun, she stared at Val’s shocked face.
“I don’t believe in violence, Val, but it doesn’t mean I’m not capable of taking care of myself.” She had learned to fire a weapon after her father had taken her out. He’d gotten so angry with her because she refused to follow his methods.
Amelia had come to realize that she could learn without it harming anyone. Her dad had wanted her to shoot things. Not happening. Maybe that was when her parents started to lose patience with her.
“Wait a minute,” Val said, coming toward her. “Are you … you’re weak. You can’t defend yourself.”
“Okay.” Amelia handed him a gun. “Can I go and restock the fridge?”
“No. No. You can’t go anywhere.”
She stood, waiting.
Val stared at her. “You’re not weak, are you?”
Amelia took a deep breath. “Yes, I am.”
Val glared at her. “No, you’re not. I’ve watched you. You pick up your dogs without breaking a sweat. I’ve seen you run as a wolf. You’re not weak, but the pack thinks you are because you don’t believe in violence. You could take them on, couldn’t you?”
No one had ever dared to ask.
When it came to the deer that was injured, she carried it to the vet and lifted it in her arms.
Amelia knew she was strong. She didn’t know if she was strong enough to be considered an alpha, but she had never cared to try. No woman had ever made it within the club.
“I don’t believe in violence, Val. Can we leave it at that?”
She had also taken a few beatings from the pack, and the truth was, none of them had hurt either.
“You just … Amelia.”
She started to walk back to the bar and then turned to glare at him. “What? What do you want me to say? That I’m an outcast and probably could kill every single fucking person who ever said anything nasty to me? That I might be able to take on one or two of the Poison Wolves MC? I don’t know. I know that I am strong. I know that I am capable, but I … refuse to hurt others. That is my vow, Val. I will never hurt anyone.” Amelia grabbed the door handle about to yank it open.
“What about for the safety of the pack?” Val asked.
She glanced at Val and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
After entering the bar, she went straight to the stock room, picked up a large crate of beer, and carried it through to the front. The fridge was empty.
Alpha had announced the town hall meeting, and they all had to go to it that morning. It was why she was late to work, and why she ended up walking here with Val.
Val entered the bar, and Amelia put the large case of beer on the counter.
He sat down on the chair and watched her.
“No one will believe you, you know,” Amelia said.
“I always thought you were different.”
This made her laugh. “I am different.”
“I know, but those are choices. You’re … different.” He pointed at her body.
She rolled her eyes. “Can we just focus on getting this bar cleaned and ready for opening?”
“You’re right, no one will believe me, but I feel a little better knowing that you can handle yourself.”