Chapter 74

Amber’s POV

I was having a really bad night. I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything but memories of that footage and of the things Chase said to me about Julian. I hadn’t wanted to believe him, but the evidence was clear.

Not only did Chase have the black eye, but he also had the video to show the act.

Julian had lashed out in an uncharacteristic show of violence. Only then did I learn that maybe that violence wasn’t so uncharacteristic after all.

Ug, I didn’t know what to believe.

But I was so tired of staying in, worrying about it.

So I hired a babysitter, then went with Anna to the local bar. There was only one in town. It was a smaller kind of place, a microbrew that had their own selection of beers. They had other drinks too, though, which I was grateful for, because I truly felt like I needed something stronger tonight.

In preparation of this, Anna did the driving. The parking lot was packed, showing how busy the bar was. But, as it was the only bar in a 100 mile radius, it was typically pretty crowded.

After some circling, Anna found a spot and parked.

“It’s been a while since we did something like this,” Anna said.

As a professional Healer, I didn’t want to gain any kind of negative reputation by frequenting bars, so I avoided them most of the time, choosing to drink a glass of wine at home if I felt the urge.

I wasn’t a big drinker anyway. I typically liked being in charge of my mind and my faculties.

Tonight though, after stressing so much all day, I was ready for a taste of relief and an escape for a while. Tomorrow, I could go back to being responsible.

Tonight I wanted rum.

Walking into the bar, Anna and I saw many familiar faces. We knew almost everyone in the small town, so that wasn’t unexpected. People said hi to us as we entered. A few of them had new ailments they wanted me to look at right there in the bar.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t unusual either.

When I finally made it through the crowd, I noticed Chase sitting at the bar. He seemed distracted by something, yet when he spotted me he immediately perked.

“Healer Amber!” he called. He grabbed his drink, slipped off the barstool and came closer. “What a pleasant surprise.”

Unable to take myself fully out of my job at any time, I found myself inspecting his bruise. It seemed to be healing since this morning. A good sign. His healing factor was still quicker than that of a human, then, though remnants of the bruise would likely last a couple more days.

“And who is your beautiful friend?” Chase said, eyeing Anna.

“This is the patient that charmed Carla?” Anna asked me.

I nodded.

“Chase, this is Anna. Anna, Chase.”

“A lovely name for an alluring woman,” Chase said.

Anna gave me a look, as if to ask, Is this guy serious?

I gave her a returning look to tell him that he was.

Chase called the bartender for us. “Whatever they want, it’s on my tab.”

Anna considered him. “Maybe he isn’t so bad. But I’ll get the second round.”

“Fair enough,” Chase said.

I hadn’t expected to see Chase tonight, and that didn’t really fit in with my plans to complain about Julian. I didn’t want to do that in front of Chase, especially when Chase likely still hard feelings about Julian and the punch. He’d probably try to talk me out of my feelings for Julian.

Anna would too, but I at least trusted her.

Chase was still a wildcard in my eyes. I was happy to help him with his heart condition, but with the way he flirted, I felt like he wanted something more from me. I hoped I was wrong.

The bartender came and took our order. I wanted a double shot of rum in my Rum Runner. She nodded at all of us, then went to make our drinks.

“So, what brings you out here tonight, Chase?” Anna asked. “Our little bar here can’t compare to what you must be used to in the city.”

“While it’s true I’m used to more options, this place isn’t without its charms,” Chase said. He paused a moment, glancing at me. “Truly though, I needed to clear my head and I couldn’t do that sitting in a hotel room.”

“Did something else happen?” I asked.

“I saw something. Something that confused me.”

“At the hotel?” Anna prompted.

“Yes,” Chase replied. “I saw a woman entering a man’s room while carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses.”

“That’s not so strange,” Anna said.

“Perhaps not,” Chase said. “But I know them both, and… Given what I thought I knew, I didn’t think they would be a pair that were together.”

I had a sinking feeling again, as if the floor was preparing to open and swallow me whole. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“Amber… Forgive me,” he said. “But aren’t you in a romantic relationship with Alpha Julian?”

I froze, the bar suddenly becoming very quiet around me as all the blood rushed to my ears. “What did you see?” I asked.

“Perhaps it would be better if I showed you,” he said. “When it happened, I thought it so strange that I had better record it.”

Chase was on his phone again, opening that gallery. He clicked on a video and turned the screen toward Anna and me. This time, the recording was one clearly taken on his phone. If there was audio, I couldn’t hear it in the crowded bar, though the pair were far enough away that I wasn’t sure Chase’s phone could pick up audio anyway.

I stared wide-eyed and unblinking as the scene on the phone unfolded.

Olivia was standing in front of Julian’s hotel room door, then Julian himself. They were talking for a while. In my heart, I begged Julian to send Olivia away. But he didn’t. Instead, after a moment, he let her inside.

“When did this happen?” I asked. To me, my voice sounded so far away.

“Half hour ago, maybe?” Chase said. “I’d really only just got here before you two arrived.”

I stood up from my stool. The bartender was only just now placing my drink down in front of me. I downed it in a few strong gulps, gathering some liquid courage.

“I’m going,” I said.

Anna and Chase both looked at me with surprise.

Anna said, “You shouldn’t have to see what they are doing in there.”

Chase said, “I didn’t show you this to encourage that…”

“I don’t care,” I said. “I’m going.”

I needed to confront Julian myself. No cameras. No lies. Just me and him and the truth.

Olivia’s POV

For the past forty minutes or so, maybe even more than that, Olivia has been watching and waiting for Julian to stop talking about Amber long enough to actually drink that drugged glass of wine she had given him.

Instead, he was pacing, walking back and forth, jumping between only two topics of conversation no matter how hard Olivia tried to move the subject along.

If he wasn’t complaining about Chase, he was worried about Amber.

“Amber is fine,” Olivia said, not for the first time. “It’s you I’m concerned about. Drink. You’ll feel better.”

He looked down at the wine glass. “Maybe you’re right.”

Finally!

Olivia leaned forward with anticipation as Julian lifted the glass to his lips.