Chapter Twenty-Four Sam

“W hat the fuck is wrong with you?” I spat, pointing a threatening finger at Roger.

“I… I thought you’d be happy to see me,” Roger replied, his brows furrowed in confusion. “Or at least, I hoped you would.”

“It’s been over ten fucking years, Roger,” I growled, punctuating each word. “Or did that little detail just slip your mind?”

“No, I… I know it’s been a while. But we’re mates, right? You and me against the world, just like the old days.”

“The old days,” I said through clenched teeth. “Died the moment you decided you wanted to be Alpha instead of my mate.”

“But… I thought… well I hoped …”

“Well you thought fucking wrong!” I surprised myself with the amount of venom in my voice. “Did you think you’d waltz in here after ten years and I’d just forgive you? Do you know what I’ve been through because of you?! What I had to do to survive? I’m lucky to still be alive after you abandoned me and let your family kick me out of the pack!”

He was silent as I glared at him, the heat rising around my neck. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to punch him or kick him square in the nuts, but I did everything I could to stop myself from being violent.

“Thankfully there were other people out there in the world that helped me get back on my feet. That made it possible for this hotel to exist. And now, here you are, darkening my doorstep once more. Tell me, did you come here to try to win me back or do you actually need my help?” I gave him a good once over. “Judging by how shitty you look right now, I’m guessing it’s the latter.”

His lip quivered as he stared, and I could see I’d hit him right where it hurt. There was an internal struggle going on behind those eyes. Something had happened, I just wasn’t sure how bad it was.

“I… I had no idea it was so hard for you,” he replied slowly.

“Yeah well, it was really fucking hard, and it’s your fault.”

That’s when the tears finally welled up in his eyes. “They… they kicked me out.” he said, his voice cracking. “Another Alpha challenged me for my leadership and he… he won.”

I felt a small pang of regret, but I quickly pushed it away. My anger was justified.

“So you got the shit beat out of you, lost your position, and your grand plan was to show up here and force yourself on me?”

“No… No, I came here because… well, I have nowhere else to go.” He glanced up at me through those tear-soaked lashes. His eyes always turned from gray to light blue when he cried. I’d forgotten then. “And because I still love you.”

Instead of the jolt of anger I was expecting at those words, I felt only pity. My heart broke as I stared at this beaten down shell of a man I once knew. A decade ago, he was young, ambitious, full of life, and confident enough to attempt to take on the entire world. Now he was pushing forty and while he was still handsome and strong, that love of life was all but gone from him. His confidence was shot, and I could tell from the way he rounded his shoulders and made himself small that he was terrified. Coming here was the last thing he ever intended to do, especially under these circumstances. And his love for me? Well… I had a feeling it was the only thing he had left to cling to.

I heaved a great sigh, placing my hands on my hips. Shaking my head, I just stared at him, feeling more and more sorry for him by the moment.

“I’m happy you still care for me, Roger,” I said softly. “But you and I both know we were over a long time ago. Maybe we can be friends again someday. For now though, you’re my tenant and that means you’re going to keep your hands to yourself, got it?”

There was a look of surprise on his face. “Y-You’re going to let me stay?”

“This is a hotel for rogue wolves to get back on their feet. So yes, you can stay.” I pointed a finger at him, putting on a serious tone. “But I’m not joking about the hands and the lips. Keep them to yourself. You’re lucky my mates didn’t beat the shit out of you when they came in.”

“Mates? As in two ?” I wasn’t sure if he was shocked or curious. Maybe a bit of both. “Those guys that came in?”

“Yep. They’re both Alphas and they’ll kick your ass if you touch me again. And I’ll let them.” I didn’t stop to hear his reply. “You’ll stay on a different floor than me and you’ll be kind and courteous to everyone here. You won’t get any special treatment and you’re going to keep our interactions strictly business until I can stand the sight of you again. And I don’t know how long that’s gonna take, Roger. I’m still fucking pissed at you.”

He hung his head, but he didn’t try to argue. Apparently, my ability to shut him up remained intact. When it came to arguments between us, I was usually the winner despite his Alpha status.

“I’m sorry your pack kicked you out and I’m sorry some other Alpha beat the shit out of you. Do you need any medical supplies?”

He shook his head. “I healed up already.”

“I’m assuming you need clothes and toiletries?”

A simple nod.

“And have you eaten today?”

“Not for a few days…”

“Alright,” I said, trying to calm myself down. “We’re going to grab you some warmer clothes, I’ll take you to your room to get cleaned up, and then you’re gonna walk three blocks down to the bakery and Andy is going to feed you a good meal. After that you’re going to stay in your room until tomorrow morning. Then we can get you fed again so you can start regaining your strength. Wolves can take time to recover when they first arrive, but after that they either have to find a job or work for the hotel. And I know a certain wolf that is looking for help with the laundry and janitorial rounds.”

Roger crinkled his nose at that, but I cut him off.

“None of that,” I snapped. “We all have to do our part if this hotel is going to keep putting wolves like you up for free. You’re not a spoiled little Alpha now, you’ll have to pull your own weight.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, be better.” I really had just about zero fucking patience for Roger and his antics. Riding the line between hating him and being his savior was not what I thought I’d be doing the morning after I’d completed the mate bond with my boys. “Come on. Let’s grab some clothes and get you up to your room.”

I led Roger through the hotel to the laundry facility where I kept spare clothing for incoming wolves. We spent the better part of five minutes sifting through it until we found something warm and in his size. Fitting Alphas was always difficult. I expected them all to be jacked and tall, but it turned out they came in a lot of different sizes. In order to have enough for everyone, I practically had to run a thrift store in the back of the laundry room. Still, we were able to fit him, and I grabbed a key from the front desk as we headed to the elevator. Roger would be staying on the third floor on the far opposite end of the hotel from me. It was about as much distance as I could hope for.

“So,” I said as we got into the elevator. “Why did the Alpha challenge you?”

“What?” The question seemed to take him by surprise. And the fact that I was talking to him at all.

“The Alpha that beat the snot out of you,” I repeated. “Why did he do it?”

“Oh…” Roger looked at the floor, shifting his feet nervously. “It’s not important.”

“Roger.” My tone made him jump.

“Fine,” he sighed. “Someone caught me out with another man… well, men . At a bathhouse.”

“Old habits die hard I see,” I scoffed. “How long were you Alpha of the pack?”

“Six years.”

“And in all that time you didn’t think to change the laws? Or maybe start telling your wolves to quit being such assholes?”

“There were rumors about you and I… I didn’t want people to think I was… you know…”

“Gay?”

“Yeah.”

“You being a single male leading the pack didn’t make them suspicious?”

He furrowed his brow as he looked up at me. “I wasn’t single. Dad picked out a Luna for me before I took over.”

“Jesus fucking Christ Roger…” I just shook my head, grinding my palms over my eyes. “Please tell me you don’t have kids at home…”

“No! God no…” He sounded almost sad about it. “Her and I… well, we don’t have a lot of chemistry.”

“Couldn’t get it up, huh?” I scoffed. But then I stopped myself, giving myself a mental kick. Roger was a tenant now, not someone for me to abuse. As much as I wanted to berate him, it was unprofessional of me. “I’m sorry,” I said before he could reply. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

The elevator dinged and we got off at the third floor. I led him to the far end of the hotel and opened the room for him, letting him inside.

“Toiletries are in the bathroom cupboards. You’ll find towels and soap and toothbrushes, everything you might need. I think there’s some disposable razors in there too.”

“Thanks…”

“And I’ve got three rules while you’re here. No drugs, no fights, and no prostitution of any kind. I gotta keep this place above board if I want to stay open.” I placed his key on the table and headed back to the door. “I’ll call Andy and let him know you’ll be showing up. He and Josh will make sure you get a good meal.”

I was just about to leave the room when Roger spoke up behind me.

“Th-Thank you, Sam,” he said softly. “For letting me stay.”

“That’s what I do, Roger. I take care of my own.” I gave him one last irritated glance. “It’s time for you to learn to do the same. And to accept yourself. Nobody here gives a shit who you like to fuck. But they will care if you’re a good friend and a good neighbor.”

He nodded, knowing exactly how pointed that comment was. “I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Now, if you don’t mind, I have to go clean up the mess you just caused with my mates. And you better fucking hope they aren’t already gone because so help me Roger, I will bury you where you’ll never be found.”

With that last satisfying threat hanging in the air, I slammed the door closed and took off down the hallway.