In Between The Alphas
Chapter 26

I'm really enjoying my job and it helps that I don't really have to relate with people or make any friends while I'm at it. Diana is different though; she doesn't ask any questions or try to pry into my personal life, we are work buddies and that is all there is to it. Amelia has also become my favorite tiny human. She clings to me from the moment I walk in and doesn't let go until her mother comes to pick her up. Thankfully her mother seems just as easy going as she is; she hasn't given me any dirty or snide looks. "This is the first time I'm actually getting your scent," Diana said as I walked in and when she saw the expression on my face she continued, "I'm sorry I've been told I have no filter sometimes. I didn't mean it in a bad way; it's just that I've never actually noticed your scent before." "That's okay, I used to hide it but I don't need to anymore."

"Is it because you used to stay in a human town?" she asked and my eyes widened in surprise, "I'm sorry I just asked Jake how you two met and he told me you met in a human town; I was just putting two and two together." "I was just surprised that's all," I said with a sigh, "But yes I used it in the human town because I wanted to blend in."

"That's good and all but you know humans can't smell us right?" she asked, "So there was no need to hide your scent; the only people who could have figured out what you are would have to be another werewolf." That is exactly what I was trying to avoid.

"I guess I know that now," I said with a small laugh and she gave me a smile. "Before I forget; I made some brownies yesterday and I brought some with me today. Would you like some?"

"Of course," she said and I went over to where I kept my bag and took out the tin of brownies. She took a bite and moaned out loud, "I swear you're in the wrong line of work; you should consider opening your own pastry shop." "I don't bake as an occupation," I said quickly, "It's just a hobby."

"I don't know how to convince you otherwise but you should really change your mind. I mean- oh wait Logan can you come over here for a second," I turned and saw Logan and Jake walk in. Jake sent me a small wink and I responded with a smile. "I need you to try this."

She held out a brownie to him and he raised a brow in confusion. "If you want me to try one of your horrible experiments I will but please don't ruin brownies for me," he said, "I happen to enjoy them."

"Oh shut up and eat the damn thing," she scoffed and he rolled his eyes but took it from her and took a small bite. His face was still carefully guarded and I wondered if he actually hated it.

"Well either you became a magic cook overnight or someone else did this," he said and she rolled her eyes.

"First of all, rude," she said as she hit his stomach with her elbow, "Second, it was Charlie who made it."

He turned to me in shock, "They're really good Charlotte."

"Thank you," I whispered and he just gave me a brief nod. I turned to Diana who gave me an 'I told you so' look.

"Why do you call her Charlotte anyway?" Diana asked, "You sound like some boring old grandpa; just call her Charlie." "Her name is Charlotte," he said then turned to me, "Isn't it?"

"Well it is," I said then forced my eyes to the wall and away from his piercing gaze, "But everyone calls me Charlie."

"It's a good thing I'm not everyone then."

My eyes went to him unconsciously and I saw him looking at me. I quickly turned my eyes away and they landed on Jake who was looking at me with a huge frown on his face. In face it looked like the vein on his forehead was going to pop in a second. "Why do you look like someone kicked your puppy?" Diana said to him and he just shook his head and forced a smile on his face.

"I'm perfectly fine Diana, stop being so nosy," he said then turned to me, "I'll be here to get you in an hour."

"That's unusually early for you to leave work," Diana said and he shrugged.

"I want some alone time with my girlfriend," he said and I blushed at the insinuation, "Besides Logan doesn't mind. He can handle things without me, can't you?"

"Of course," was Logan's simple reply and with a wink from Jake they were gone.

I kept staring at the door after they had left and I didn't even notice until Diana let out a loud breath.

"I told you the brownies were good."

Jake did come to get me after a hour and he drove s straight home. In fact, I started to get a bit worried when I noticed he hadn't said a single word to me since he came to get me.

"Is everything okay?" I asked and he just grunted in response, "Are you sure? It doesn't sound like everything is okay."

"I'm driving Charlie," he said in a rushed breath, "I don't like to talk while I drive."

I knew that was a lie but I kept quiet either way. We got to his house and he didn't even look at me before exiting the car and I just followed behind him in silence. I waited until he sat down on the couch before I spoke.

"Will you tell me what's wrong?" I asked and he ignored me then went over to the kitchen and returned with a can of beer, "Really? You're not going to talk to me."

"Oh so now you want to have a conversation with me," he said in an incredulous tone, "It didn't seem that way earlier."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You were basically letting Logan eye fvck you," he spat and I couldn't help it, I let out a loud laugh.

"You're joking right?" I asked, "I was covered in vomit and food, we barely even spoke to each other." "I'm not blind Charlie."

"What has gotten into you?" I asked and he just let out a loud sigh.

"Let's forget about this," he said and I couldn't agree more, "I didn't come home to argue with you."

"Then what did you come home for?"

"To do this." He pulled me towards him and kissed me. K!ssing him was the last thing I wanted to do but in order to avoid another fight I kissed him back. He lowered me to the couch and when I felt his hand start to go under my shirt I stopped him. "Jake," I said as I broke away, "I really don't want to do this."

"But you would with Logan if he asked right?" he spat and I gasped.

"Get off me," I said and when he didn't reply I pushed against his chest, "Get off me now."

He pushed off me with an eye roll and I couldn't help the growl of frustration that came out of me. "How could you even say something like that?"

He opened his mouth to speak but then a pained look took over his face and he squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened them again he looked panicked.

"Charlie, please you need to," he stopped mid-sentence and the same pained look came over his features again. It was so intense this time that he fell to the couch.

"Are you okay?" I asked but as I made to touch him he slapped my hands away. He opened his eyes again and he looked normal, "What just happened?" "Nothing," he said in a curt tone, "I have to go."