Chapter 26: The Alpha in Sight

They took a break to eat and drink, finding a small bar with few patrons at the late hour. Desiree went to relieve herself and wash up a little. When she returned to the bar she took a seat next to James, who produced a bag of coin. She looked at him curiously.

“Slight of hand,” he confessed.

“Give it back,” she ordered.

“Just enough for food and a drink.”

“Okay,” she conceded as she inhaled the promise of hot honey ham and whipped buttery potatoes.

Moments later, as she relished the warm dish of food in front of her, a fluttering of blue wings took her by surprise. She leaped up and took note of Bluebell as she took her perch on Desiree’s seat.

“I guess she knows you,” an old voice croaked from behind her. Desiree turned as an old woman stood from a booth and walked toward her. “Don’t see as well as I used to. Can you tell me your name?”

“Desiree Sweetkane.”