“Stop wasting your time looking through the pages of that little black book. Come to the bar with us. You know there are new women there every week,” Jordan, Damian’s soon-to-be second-in-charge Beta, said.

With the flick of his wrist, Damian sent the loved-them-and-left-them collection through the air a few feet. It landed on his desk.

“They may be new, but it’s the same thing. I want to find someone who’s more than the same ol’ same ol’. I want to find --” Damian said.

“What’s it matter? You’re only going to be with them for one night anyway. And most single women in the bars around here have their feelers out and are only looking for that one night. They aren’t soul-mate hunting,” Maverick, Damian’s soon-to-be first-in-charge Beta, replied.

“I never said I wanted a soul-mate, you ass. I just want something different,” Damian said through gritted teeth. “And you’re wrong. Nearly every woman I’ve been with in the past year has asked me about them being my soul-mate and hoping for forever. They all want it. They want to tie me down.”

“So maybe you could set a lofty goal for yourself and try finding someone worthy of a second or third date. That would be different,” Jordan said, followed by a hearty laugh. Damian’s eyebrows furrowed. He glared at Jordan through slitted eyes as he scowled.

“Ignore Jordan. What would be different for you, D?” Maverick asked.

“I don’t fucking know. I guess I’ll know it when it happens.”

“Well, you won’t find anything different here in this house, so let’s go out and see what or who we can get ourselves into, literally,” Jordan said.

The Canteen Bar and Grill was busier than normal. Most Fridays the wait was only ten minutes to be seated, but that night the trio was told it would be forty-five.

Jordan began pacing. His senses were instantly on high alert and going crazy. He’d felt it as they were driving closer to their destination, but standing at the hostess table the feeling nearly brought him to his knees. He knew she was near. He scanned the crowd, desperately looking for the woman who was driving him mad.

“It’s summertime, my friends. You know how the change in season increases our business,” the host said.

“Yeah, yeah,” Damian mumbled. “Can we get a drink at least?”

“Sure you can. I’ll have Mindy come over and take your orders.”

Jordan’s pacing continued, but something about hearing her name soothed his beast slightly.

What’s your problem?” Damian asked Jordan.

“Nothing, just… nothing,” Jordan said.

The lobby area was standing room only. The couple of bench seats were full. There were families with small children and couples everywhere.

“Hi, guys,” a small, faint, unfamiliar voice said. Damian looked down at the petite redhead they’d never seen before. “What can I get for you guys tonight?”

It was her. Jordan could feel it deep in his core. She was the one. “How about your number?” Jordan asked. He slightly lowered his head in disgust at his typical forwardness, and for asking for her number.

“Sorry, I’m not on the menu. But I’d be happy to get you a drink. Mark said you all asked for something.”

“We really just want to sit at the bar. Is there anything available?” Damian asked.

It ate at Jordan to hear Damian talking to her so sweetly. That was his way with women. Be sweet, get them to fall for him, and most women did, then they became part of his one-night club.

Mindy batted her eye-lashes as she peered up at him. “Not right now, sorry. It’s so busy in here. There’s a waiting list for the bar area, too.” She gave him a toothy grin. “I can put you on the list, if you like.”

“Yeah, doll, put us on the list,” Damian replied.

Jordan’s Wolf was fighting to get loose and challenge his best friend. But Jordan knew that would be a huge problem on so many levels. They were in a human bar, so shifting would be a catastrophe. He also knew there was no way he’d win.

“What’s the name?”

“Jordan, Jordan D’Nozzle,” Damian said, then laughed. Jordan elbowed him, causing a low rumble of a growl to escape the soon-to-be Alpha’s lips.

“Jordan D’Nozzle, got it.” She looked up through her lashes at Damian. “How about while you wait?”

“I’ll have a Jack on the rocks.”

“Gentlemen, can I get you anything?” Mindy asked.

“A bottle of Bud for me,” Maverick said.

“I’ll have a Budweiser, too, darling,” Jordan said.

“Got it. I’ll be right back, gentlemen.” Mindy frowned at Jordan before she turned on her heels and made her way through the crowd.

Jordan turned to Damian. “Who is Jordan D’Nozzle? You know that’s not my last name. Why would you say that shit?”

“Get over it already, it was just a joke. Douche nozzle,” Damian said, then laughed. “Like little red riding hood gives a rat’s ass what your name is.”

“She does. Or at least she will. Trust me, there’s something between us.”

“It’s called a wall. A huge, sky-high, invisible wall,” Maverick said.

“Good one, Mav.” Damian chuckled. The two high-fived each other.

“And what’s with my soon-to-be Betas drinking Budweiser? When are you guys going to learn to drink like men?” Damian goaded.

“I don’t like hard liquor. I probably never will,” Maverick said.

“I’m drinking the Bud as a warm-up. I’ll get something with more of a kick in a bit,” Jordan said. His insides were in turmoil. Did he let his friends in on his revelation that Mindy was his soul-mate or keep it a secret? Secret, definitely. If he told his friends, they’d mock him all night and beyond. “I think cute little Mindy has quite the kick.”

“She may have, but she doesn’t seem to have any interest in you, my friend,” Maverick said.

“Don’t be jealous, big bro. You’re definitely mistaken on that one. Mindy is my future. You’ll see,” Jordan replied. “And I’m sure you’ll find someone willing to be charitable to you before the night’s over.”

Maverick flipped Jordan the bird. Two little girls giggled as they watched the exchange.

“Great. You’re both entertaining the children with your childish ways,” Damian scoffed.