“Where did she go.”

Franny tried not to shrink back as Zachariah snarled at them, his pheromones coming off in waves. She was an Omega, this kind of confrontation made her want to put her tail between her legs and run or lay down on her back and show her neck. She looked to Oscar, still leaning against the bar, radiating calm.

“She didn’t say. She walked over to Camelia, that’s all I know,” Franny said turning her eyes back to Zachariah’s, his normally chocolate brown eyes darkened to almost black in anger. “It’s not like she saw you and ran off or anything, haha…”

Before she could finish speaking Zachariah’s hand had shot out, around her throat, “Don’t push your luck Francesca, you get away with more than most Omega’s because of who your family is to this pack but you continue to disrespect me and my position and I will show you what it used to be like for worthless Omega’s like you.”

A low growl caught Zachariah’s attention. He looked over at Oscar, who was no longer calm. He had drawn himself up to his full 6’5” height making Zachariah look short. His eyes, that before were amused now glinted with murderous rage.

“Let her go mate.” Everyone around them quickly moved away at the sound of Oscar’s voice, not wanting to get drawn into a fight between two wolves.

Zachariah snarled, pushing Franny away, hard, into the bar and turned to face Oscar. “Oh, the big bad rogue beta wants to prove something. You really think you can take on an Alpha…MATE?”

Franny looked between the two, frantic. This was all getting so wrong. She could feel bruises forming on her neck and back from where she had hit the bar.

Zachariah had changed so much from the boy she knew growing up. He was shy and timid but once puberty hit and his wolf started to come in, he changed. Now he was domineering, overbearing, quick to take offense and obsessed with power and hierarchy. It was extremely offensive and infuriating to him that Cecilia did not agree to be his mate and he was not letting it go.

The two men stood a few feet apart, bodies tense and radiating pheromones. Everyone was retreating back from them, knowing they could shift and fight at any moment. Franny cautiously approached Oscar, gently resting the tips of her fingers on his bicep.

“Oscar? Please, lets just go.” Oscar didn’t take his eyes of Zachariah and placed a hand on top of Franny’s.

“BOYS!” Camelia’s voice echoed around them as she stormed between them, her tiny frame vibrating with fury, “If you continue to cause a scene here, I will be forced to take extreme measure as the proprietor of this bar. This is neutral ground and you will not like the consequences if you violate that.”

Zachariah and Oscar finally broke eye contact and looked at Camelia, the tension starting to dissipate. Zachariah looked back to Oscar and Franny.

“I will find that bitch tonight. If you see her before I do, you tell her its time to get her mind right and do her duty or else. I’m done playing games and I will get what I want.” He turned leaving the bar, the crowd scrambling away from him.

Franny let go of a tense breath looking at Camelia, “We’re going to leave too Hun. Sorry for the disturbance.”

Camelia pulled Franny into a quick hug, “Don’t worry love, I know how these hot-heads can get.”

Franny smiled and turned back to Oscar. He was staring at her neck and the bruises blooming there. She could feel the fury coming off him in waves.

“Oscar?” he blinked, his eyes moving up to meet hers.

“Are you ok Franny? How bad did he hurt you?” Oscar’s voice was soft as his hand came up to touch the bruises on her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed briefly at his touch. Franny grabbed his hand, a smile coming back to her face.

“Don’t you worry your pretty little head. I’m the big bad wolf remember. You won’t even know anything happened tomorrow.”

Oscar smiled, starting to relax.

“That you are. That you are.” He let her lead him from the bar and out into the night.