Born Mine
Chapter 39

I got home absolutely furious and everyone seemed to notice because they stayed out of my way. I slammed my door harder than I should have and sat cross-legged on my bed. I knew I was overreacting but the truth was that it hurt to know that the only person I considered a friend was willing to ditch me if Darius ordered it.

Amid my raging thoughts, I caught sight of something on my bedside drawer. It was the receipt that Liam had scribbled his phone number on. I knew I shouldn't call him but a more sinister part of me nagged that it would be killing two birds with one stone- I would hang out with someone that did not have any ties to Darius and I would simultaneously piss Darius off, it was a win-win.

Before I could overthink my actions, I dialed the number. It went unanswered and I face palmed myself at how stupid I was. I pulled off my work clothes and changed into something more casual then prepared for bed when my phone rang. It was Liam's number and I hesitated before swiping right.

"Hi, it's Leindra," I said as soon as I picked up because I knew he didn't have my number.

"Hey, I was outside when you called. To what do I owe the pleasure? It's been two days since I gave you the number."

"Things have been really busy with work and the girls in the town. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tomorrow. I get off work by ten now and I would love to be your guide around town although I don't know a lot of places myself."

"All I need is a nice coffee shop or restaurant; I'll be there by ten."

I was smiling to myself when I hung up. There was a nagging feeling in the center of my chest that told me what I was doing was wrong but I pushed it away until it was nothing but an echo in the back of my mind. I had a life to live and at that moment, Darius Lunar had nothing to do with that life.

I fell asleep excited for the prospects of the next day.

I woke up earlier than usual to another nightmare but I couldn't remember the details

of the dream. It faded into the recesses of my mind as I woke up. I went into the kitchen to retrieve a cup of coffee when I heard Grandma hobble in.

"If you're not careful, you might begin to grow coffee beans on your head," she mused

as she walked in. "Although that might not be a bad idea considering it will cut down the cost of groceries."

I playfully rolled my eyes at her.

"Are you okay?" she asked and I nodded. "You didn't look so good last night. Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Not unless there is something you want to tell me."

I had decided that I was done giving out information for free. I hated the fact that I was constantly kept in the dark by everyone. Grandma knew a lot more than she was letting on and Serena was bound by what Darius allowed her to say. I felt a pawn in their game and it pissed me off so I was going to conduct my own investigation. I was going to be my police and I was going to replace out the truth for myself.

"Don't do this, Leindra." Grandma's voice had gone soft. "I am trying to protect you."

"Lying to me is not protection." She opened her mouth to speak but I cut her off. "I think I should go. I have work a bit earlier today."

I walked out of the kitchen before she could utter another word and I didn't see her for the rest of the day. When I left for work, she was already out of the house and I left a note on the fridge to say I would be back late. When I got to work, Serena was already at the bar and I avoided her gaze.

"Leindra," she began but I practically ignored her. "I understand that you're upset but giving me the silent treatment is not fair. I am as much a victim in this as you are."

"You decided to feed into his delusions and watch me like I was some sort of caged animal that belonged to him."

"You're overreacting." She realized the error in her words when I raised a brow. "You cannot fault a wolf for acting like a wolf the same way I will not fault you for acting the way you are. We do not exist by the same rules that you do. I will always be loyal to Darius because he is my Alpha but I am loyal to you because you are my friend."

"If push came to shove would that still stand?” She stayed silent. "I can't be friends with someone who is only doing it out of duty. At the end of the day, if Darius asks you to throw me in the trash you will and I'm fine with that, I just need you to leave me the fuck alone. I want no part in your bullshit."

"Leindra," she began but I was done answering her.

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For the first time, my shift dragged and was as uncomfortable as hell. The patrons noticed too because they kept casting sideways glances at Serena and me. I never noticed how close we were until we weren't. I spent my break alone in the back with my head buried in my knees and the moment I felt her presence, I stood up and left.

Darius and his friends walked into the bar around 8 and I made sure to ignore them too. Ian tried to get served at my end of the bar but I ignored him. I wasn't going to play their game anymore. If they wanted to play then it was going to be my board and on my terms. I just couldn't wait for ten because that was when my game started.

For the last few minutes of my shift, I had a smile on my face and I could feel both Serena and Ian watching me carefully. Darius was pretending not to look at me and I didn't mind because it also meant that I pretended not to look at him.

As soon as the clock struck ten, I took a step back from the bar and I saw Liam standing in front of the bar.

"You have got to be fucking with me," Serena said from beside me. I hadn't even noticed when she walked up to me. "Are you going out with him? You don't even know him."

"I don't know you either but I work with you every day. There is a higher chance of me getting hurt by you than by him."

"That's not fair and you know it. It isn't even the same thing. If you want to get back at us then fine, you did, now cancel the date."

"How bold of you to assume that every life choice I make is about you," I sneered and brushed past her. "If you would excuse me, I have a date to go on."

I walked towards the front door but was blocked once more by Ian. I raised a brow at him and he shrugged as if to say he wanted no part in it either. He gestured to someone behind me and I knew without turning around that it was Darius who was standing there.

"Let me go, Ian."

"I'm just doing my job, Leindra. For what it's worth, this is one time I don't quite mind it because I don't trust that guy."

"This isn't about you," he hummed but didn't move and I finally turned to look at Darius.

He looked like he hadn't slept a wink since last night and I hated that I was worried about him. I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him the most bored expression I could muster.

"You can't stop me from going out with him."

"I stop every single shop in this town from letting you in through their doors."

"Do that and I'll go to his hotel or house or wherever he is staying," his eyes narrowed and a growl emitted from his chest. "You don't get to tell me what to do anymore because you're a dick and I am done being your pawn."

Before he could respond, I turned on my heels and practically pushed Ian out of the way. I know he allowed me to move him because if he wanted to, he could have stood there without budging.

Liam was standing in front of my car patiently. He was wearing a flannel shirt and jeans but that wasn't what caught my eye, it was the hint of a bandage that peeked out through his opened buttons and the reddened bruise on his wrist.

"Did you get hurt?" I reached out for his arm but he pulled it back. "How did that happen?"

"I'm clumsy, don't worry about it. Are you ready for us?"

I could feel the nagging voice in my head telling me to go back into the bar but I took

his hand and nodded.