MATED TO THE ALPHA AND HIS BETA - Season 5 Episode 82

Stella

“I only brought one mug,” Selena said.

I shook my head. “That’s okay. I don’t really like coffee.”

“Huh.” She moved past me to one of the comfy armchairs. She put the carafe on the small table between them and plopped herself in the chair, her legs sprawling. The mug dangled limply from her hand. She didn’t pour anything into it.

“I mean, it’s okay. I just don’t…I mean, I don’t need a mug, that’s all. I can get one if I want to,” I hastily amended myself. Drinking coffee was an adult thing to do, right? Only littles didn’t drink coffee.

“You’re talking way too fucking loud,” Selena said.

“Sorry.” I coughed into my hand. After a second, I locked the library door, but I wasn’t sure if I should sit in the chair next to hers.

Or leave. I could leave. Maybe I should. She clearly didn’t want anyone around her.

“What are you doing in here?” She sat up straight enough to pour her mug full of coffee, then slouched back to sip it slowly. She grimaced. “Fuck, that’s gross. And hot. Ugh. Is there any alcohol in this room? I need some hair of the dog.”

“I don’t…understand what that…” Quickly, I accessed some of that internal library, seeking a knowledge skill that would let me extrapolate the meaning of her phrase from context. “Oh. That works?”

“It’s supposed to.” Selena’s gaze was still hidden behind those dark glasses, but I could feel her eyes boring into me. “I don’t usually drink that much, but last night felt weird.”

I looked around the room for something that would help her and found a small bar car stocked with decanters, crystal glasses, and even a bottle of wine. My own stomach churned at the sight of that. I held up a decanter of clear liquid.

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“This?”

“Ugh…” Selena groaned. “If I never see tequila again, it’ll be too soon.”

“I think it’s—” I took off the cap and sniffed. The alcohol stung my nostrils. A quick scan of internal information. “Vodka?”

“Oh. Sure, that’ll be fine. Maybe. Fuck if I know.” She sounded lazy and kind of angry, but there was a small tremble in her voice that I could tell she was trying to hide.

Anyone else wouldn’t have noticed it at all, so I pretended that I didn’t, either.

She held up her mug, the coffee sloshing, and I added some vodka to it. Selena sipped. Grimaced. Sipped again. This time, she shrugged and fell back against the chair again.

“Is it working?” I asked her.

She snorted. “Maybe. I might have to hurl. Who knows.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Look,” she said, barely concealing her snarl. “I don’t need your sympathy, okay? I’m fine. Why don’t you go play with some toys or something. Leave your old auntie alone.”

Irritation straightened my back. “I’m too old for toys.”

“No, you’re not. You’re like, three years old.”

“I…” My frown felt like it was carving deep grooves into the sides of my face. I tried to smooth my expression, but the waves of aggression rolling off her were a lot to fight. I cleared my throat.

“Oh, that’s right,” she said with a sneer before I could find the words to say anything. “You’re special. Special, Celestial, Stella. Tell me, honey, why are you in here hiding from my sister?”

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“I was just looking for a book. I’m tired of her hovering over me. That’s all.” It felt disloyal to say that about my mom, even if it was true. “Why are you?”

“Because I don’t want to see her. Duh.” Selena glugged back the rest of her mug and held it out. “More.”

“It’s a little early to get drunk, isn’t it?”

“Did I ask you?”

“Well,” I said after a moment’s hesitation, confused about why she was being so mean. My brow furrowed, and I didn’t try to smooth it. “You literally just did.”

“Ugh,” she said again. “You’re like a damned little robot, aren’t you? Taking everything literally? Shit, I can see you processing like a fucking laptop.”

My mouth popped open in shock, dismay, and…yes. Anger. “What an incredibly rude thing to say!”

“That’s me. Rude AF.”

Again, I had to scan to interpret what she meant, and when she smiled snidely, I shut off that internal search.

“It means ‘as fuck,’” Selena told me. “Which is totally different than ass fuck, in case your little…” She twirled her finger around in a circle in my direction. “Whatever the fuck you have going on in there can’t figure it out.”

My chin went up. “I don’t have anything going on.”

Her laugh did not sound like she thought I was being funny. “Sure you don’t. I’ll say it again. Go away and play with your toys, you infant.”

“I’m not an infant! I’m grown enough to go to The Silver Crescent, just like you. Only I’m not stupid enough to get so drunk it makes me hungover!” This was partly true, anyway.

Selena sat up. “Liar. I’d have seen you, or someone would’ve noticed the special Celestial in our presence.”

Briefly, I transformed into Elleah. Then back to my usual appearance.

“Holy shit,” Selena breathed. “That was you?”

Then she burst into hysterical laughter.