Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 87: Chapter 87

Katie POV

“I’m sorry?” I ask politely, but inside I am stewing. Seriously? This shit, again!

“Forgive me,” she clears her throat. “The juice of the day is fresh pineapple. For a minute there, I thought you were a celebrity. That doctor from Grey’s Anatomy. Your hair, you know? I’m being silly and rambling, forget about me. What can I get you?”

“It’s okay,” I smile brightly. What a nice change to be mistaken for an actress and not a dead girl. “I’ll have a glass of juice, please, and maybe a slice of vanilla cake.”

“I’ll have the same,” Mason smiles, eyeing her closely.

The woman hesitates before turning away, and I am suddenly hit with that same creeping déjà vu I have been experiencing multiple times since coming here. I blink hard, trying to drive it away, but when I open my eyes, I notice something else about her ... she kind of looks like me.

She has similar brown-red hair, only hers is cut short, and she has a heavy dusting of freckles across her nose.

Is Mason seeing this, too?

I glance at him and see his eyes flitting from her to me, then back again, a curious expression on his face. So, it is not just me.

“Excuse me,” I call her back, and wait until she is at our table again. “Do I know you?”

I have not sense such a strong pull towards someone since ... well, I guess since earlier today with Kane and Axel. This seems to be happening a lot here in Constantine.

“No, no, I don’t think so,” she replies hurriedly. “What is your name?”

“Katie,” I answer.

“Nice to meet you, Katie,” she says softly in a sad voice.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Gabriela’s angry voice fills the café, and I look frantically around until I see her storming towards us.

Our waitress’s face turns ghostly white, and I feel sorry for her. It must be scary as hell when your Luna storms towards you like a bull seeing red.

“I’ll just leave you to it,” the waitress mumbles before scurrying off.

“We’re having a drink,” Mason answers plainly.

“You stole a truck,” Gabriela hisses with a clenched jaw.

“You did what?” I gape at Mason. “Are you insane?” freeωebnovēl.c૦m

“I borrowed it,” he replies nonchalantly. “I was going to return it.”

“You’re not supposed to come into town,” Gabriela says in an ice-cold voice. “Especially not with her. We were very clear in our instructions.”

My head snaps up.

“What instructions?” I frown.

“You’re not allowed to leave the mansion,” Gabriela answers firmly. “You’re rogues; everyone here can smell it. And they might not welcome you as warmly as we have.”

I hold Gabriela’s gaze, but her stony expression does not flinch.

“If someone wants to give us shit for being rogues, then they’ll have to deal with me,” Mason grunts.

“You know it’s not that simple,” Gabriela replies. “You’re in Council territory. There are consequences to your actions.”

“Is this true?” I gape at Mason. If we are at risk of being targeted for being rogues, then why the hell would Mason bring me here?

“I understood it as a guideline,” Mason shrugs. “Not an instruction.”

“Are you out of your mind?” I hiss, glaring at him. “You deliberately put us both at risk. Thank Goddess, I didn’t listen to you and bring Stella along.”

My stomach dives. Stella! If Gabriela is here, then ...

“Where’s Stella?” I ask urgently, looking at Gabriela.

“She’s with Kane and Axel. They’re watching her and the twins,” Gabriela answers.

“I can’t believe you, Mason,” I grunt, standing up. Here I was, worried about vampires when the Constantine pack with their council and rules might be the real threat all along. “I can live with you bringing me out here, knowing the risks, but Stella?”

“No offence, Gabriela, but you’re overreacting,” Mason locks eyes with her. “You know nothing would’ve happened to us. You’re just scaring Katie, so she’ll obey your rules.”

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Gabriela’s lips pull into a thin white line. “Until it’s not. And apparently, you’re willing to risk it.”

“Come on, Katie,” Mason says, standing up. “Let’s go.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you in a stolen truck,” I cross my arms.

“I’ll take her home,” Gabriela offers. “We have things to discuss.” freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Mason scoffed. “You can’t just fucking ...” Mason starts, but stop midway, and takes a deep breath.

His face is red, and his fists are clenched. He obviously wants to fight, but he is doing his best to hold back. I silently pray that he will not lose it here. Shit is already complicated enough without dealing with the consequences of Mason blowing up on Gabriela. There is no way an Alpha like Kane and Axel will put up with someone tangling with their mother.

“Fine,” he huffs. “But you better get her home safe.”

“I’m the Luna for a reason,” Gabriela replies. “I know how to take care of people.”

“I’ll see you soon,” Mason nods at me, and then walks out.

“I’m sorry about all that,” Gabriela sighs as she leads me to a big black SUV outside the cafe. “I just want you and Stella to be safe.”

I bite my lip and nod. I do not know how else to respond. I am mad and disappointed in Mason. I wish he had told me about the rules instead of blindsiding me. This is exactly why I cooled things off with him. He is always plotting or hiding something.

“Oh, wait,” Gabriela stops, and I turn to look at her. “I’m just going to pay your bill.”

“I’m so sorry,” my fingers fly to my mouth. “I’ll repay you when we’re at the mansion.”

“No need, child,” she smiles warmly at me. “This isn’t on you.”

I feel like a worm when Gabriela returns to the café. Bloody Mason! Not only did he get me into trouble, but he also left without paying. Sure, we did not have the time to eat or drink anything, but we ordered, and it is not the waitress’s fault that Gabriela showed up.

Through the window, I watch Gabriela tap the waitress on the shoulder. Her face is twisted with anger, and the waitress looks a little scared.

Lily awakens inside me, scratching around, her ears perking up to hear their conversation. I walk to the window, pressing myself against the outside wall so they cannot see me.

“She can’t come around here, it’s too hard,” the waitress says, her voice shaking. “What if Selena had been here?”

Selena? Who is Selena?

“Don’t worry,” Gabriela says. “She’ll never leave the mansion again.”