Beauty and The Beta (Bailey)

9

Chapter 9 Bailey

I strolled the sunshine-filled footpaths of pack, having got bored with sitting around at home, it was truly not the place I wanted to be staying for long. My job searches were not proving successful whatsoever. The school here had a fully equipped teaching staff, though I am sure Miles would ensure there was no hope of a role there for me anyway. He seemed determined to make my life as difficult as he could for me. I have no clue why, but it was like he was determined to punish me for being his fated mate….

Going along similar lines, none of the packs nearby would even speak to me regarding work. The schools within the nearby human communities I had applied to had yet to get back to me, and as time went on, the less hopeful I became that my applications for the teaching roles there were successful. And much could be said for the ones slightly further afield too. It seemed nothing was going to work. I was giving up hope. I really began to wonder if Miles was influencing these in

some way.

“Hi Bailey.” I heard a deep voice approaching behind me, and turned to see the warrior, Harley, who had been on guard as I arrived home earlier in the week.

“Oh, hey Harley. How are you?” I smiled at him, actually surprised he would even speak to me. Very few others our age bothered to, all choosing to ignore me.

“Not bad, just on the way to the gym for training.” He told me, lifting the bag he was carrying, as if he was showing me his kit.

I nodded. “Bit warm though.”

He grins. “I am a warrior, we don’t have a choice. Have to train every day.” He says with a shrug, and I nod in agreement. “Though I do have time free for ice creams later if you fancy something to cool yourself down?” he adds with a cheeky smile, and a twi nkle in his deep green eyes.

I chuckle at his brazenness. “Oh, is that right?”

He looks at me a little sheepishly now, and I can see a hint of color on his cheeks. His dark hair flopping forward over his face as he looked at the ground, obviously a little embarrassed. “Sorry, was that a little forward?”

I smiled at him. He looked quite sweet, all embarrassed, I have to say. Far from the co cky image the warriors generally have. “Took me by surprise, I will say that much.”

“Yeah?” he looks to me with a tilt of his head, but the smile across his face his was so genuine it gave me butterflies. “In a bad way?” I have to say it feels quite nice to have someone here pay me attention. It happened every now and again whilst I was away studying, but back here at pack I had always felt invisible…

“No, not in a bad way at all. Though, it is not often guys in the pack bother talking to me, Harley.” I admitted with a shrug. “So, you may want to consider that offer carefully, unless you are only doing it to make me feel stu pid?”

-• Lim “I don’t be if -a ha lundred Luther —– Dail…..

am going to say this, I am not like that. And, how about we say screw them? We will go for that ice cream, yeah? Meet me after training. What do you say?” he looks at me like he is waiting. nervously for my response, like he is unsure of himself.

As we reach the door of the pack gym, Harley pauses, still waiting for his answer, so I smile at him. “Aww, I guess I had best not keep you waiting, had I? That sounds good, thank you, Harley.”

“I thought you were not going to give me an answer then. Trying to torture me there? Seems I may have to keep my eye on you!” he playfully winks at me. “I shall see you in a few hours then, Bailey.” He lowers his head to softly kiss me upon my cheek, taking me by surprise, before he winks again, and walks inside the gym.

I moved across the parking area to the doors of the packhouse, my head a whirlwind of confusion at what the hell had just happened! Harley had known me for years…. had been in my classes at school… where had his interest come from all of a sudden? I know I have changed a little since school, thanks to my roommate at college being a dab hand with a make-up brush, and giving me a few lessons in make-up and also on how to tame my mane of curls. So, I now look a slightly better styled version of me, if nothing else. Plus, my eyesight had improved once my wolf had arrived, so I could rid myself of my glasses…

But, I still do not see there was that much of a difference that I would catch the eye of a warrior. A small part of me can’t help but wonder if he was doing this for a dare…

“Bailey! There you are.” I heard my Dad’s voice, the moment I stepped inside the packhouse, instantly distracting my train of thoughts.

“Oh, hi Dad, are you okay?” I looked up to smile at him, only to find the expression upon his face. was not a happy-looking one. No. In fact, he looked far from impressed. Did I even want to know what was bothering him?

“Hmm, heard you have been causing chaos with our upcoming Alpha.” He says with a shake of his head, and before I even had a chance to defend myself he began lecturing me again. “Bailey, you have barely been back five minutes and you are causing problems. It is something we can do

without. I know you and Miles do not get on, but he will be your Alpha one day, so show him some respect. It isn’t difficult just to fall in line, is it? I think you need to go and find him and apologize.”

I looked at my Dad in shock. Well, that explained the miserable face I suppose but did he actually expect me to apologize to that fool? Wonderful.