Sometimes earlier…
Maddox was approaching the beach and his steps slowed down.
If he showed up there without Tatiana, people will be asking questions he was not willing to answer.
Did he have answers to those questions? He was not sure.
What will he say? That his mate was not willing to give him a chance? ...to give THEM a chance?
Sure, some things can't be fixed. That morning was a stain that won't be removed no matter what he does.
Maddox didn't think it was a big deal, but obviously, Tatiana thought otherwise.
He wanted to apologize, but he realized that would be insincere. What would he apologize for? It's not like he did it on purpose.
Why can't she accept that he made a mistake and it will not happen again?
Maddox didn't have a time machine to fix the past. However, there were things they could do in the future. They could create many happy memories that will make that bad one fade into insignificance.
Unfortunately, Tatiana was not willing to give them a chance.
She wanted him to do some courting nonsense like he is a human or something. He hated it, but he would still do it if she said specifically what she wanted, but this… what was that 'picnic was a good start' and 'figure out the rest on your own' bullshit?
Mate bond or not, Maddox was not willing to play those ambiguous games. Was Tatiana asserting her dominance? It didn't seem like it but then… what the hell was she trying to accomplish?
Maddox felt a headache coming.
So far, he met numerous challenges that he dealt with either at the negotiating table or in the fighting ring, and this situation was completely new and he didn't know how to approach it.
He needed a drink. And plenty of them!
Maddox remembered that there is a bar nearby and considering that there are only a few buildings next to the beach, it was not difficult to find which one offers seating and sells liquor.
There was no air conditioning, and the massive ceiling fan only stirred blistering heat that was prickling one's skin.
The bar looked deserted.
Whoever was not working, went to find relief in the lake.
Maddox took a seat at the bar and waved at the bartender, "Scotch!"
The young man looked at Maddox lazily. It was too hot to be enthusiastic. "Which one? We have…"
"Any is fine", Maddox grumbled. "And leave the bottle here."
The first drink stung his throat. It was strong and nasty, just what he needed in order to forget about his predicament.
One glass, two, three… Maddox stopped counting and he wished for the buzz to come faster so that his mind relaxes.
"Hard lemonade…", a female voice came from Maddox's left and he glanced there to see a female leaning over the counter and talking to the bartender who looked like he was in a strange state of hibernation in order to preserve his energy.
Maddox was always an ass guy, so his eyes moved from her bare back that only had a string of her bikini top running over it, over her slender waist, down to the hot shorts that revealed long slender legs and framed the ass that looked oddly familiar.
Her behind was not so well-rounded compared to the ones he prefers, but she was not bad. Where did he see that ass before?
The bartender acknowledged her order and started moving to fetch the drink in slow motion.
She slid down into the barstool next to Maddox.
"Alpha Maddox", she called. "What a coincidence to bump into you here."
Maddox couldn't remember her face even if his life depended on it, but she spoke like they were familiar. "Do we know each other?"
"Uhm… We met this morning. In the packhouse."
Maddox needed a moment to process this information and then pieces came into place. "You are the Omega who was peeping through the window into the garden during breakfast." Just moments before he smelled the addictive scent of strawberries and his eyes landed on Tatiana, his mate. If he could go to back then... there was no point in thinking about it.
Lisa grit her teeth. Before Tony dumped her, no one addressed her as Omega, and she couldn't get used to it. Her father was Beta! But this was Alpha Maddox, and she couldn't allow her temper to flare.
"Yes. That's me. Lisa."
Maddox's brows came together. "Did Damon send you here?"
"No. I am here with friends and got a bit thirsty." She gestured toward the bartender who was rummaging through the refrigerator. He was obviously taking advantage of the opportunity to soak in the chills from the fridge.
Maddox nodded in acknowledgment and turned to focus on his drink. The only person he would give face was Damon, and he didn't want to deal with anyone else.
Lisa couldn't believe that he just ignored her.
When she was with Tony, everyone treated her with respect, yet now others were treating her like air.
She bit her lower lip while wondering if she should leave… but how can she just leave?
Lisa had a hard time on the beach. Tony and Kalina were lovey-dovey for everyone to see, and even Talia was cozy with Damon, playing cards and Damon let Talia draw on him.
And what about Lisa? She was stuck with her so-called friends in the middle of a crowd of unimportant people.
Everyone acted like things were normal, but Lisa couldn't handle that normal. Just a few weeks ago, she was the one in the VIP section, and now she was reduced to a nobody!
Feeling her temper rising, Lisa decided to go for a walk. Who would guess that she will end up seeing Alpha Maddox going to a bar?
Didn't he go somewhere with that tall brunette? Did he go to the bar to fetch drinks for them?
Lisa stood next to the bar and peered inside. She was surprised to see Maddox drinking on his own.
A few glasses later, Lisa confirmed her suspicion… something went wrong with Maddox and the brunette! He was upset and this was her chance to comfort him!
Sure, Maddox is not really her type, but if she could get close to Maddox, that might be her ticket back into the VIP bunch, and she will also get access to Tony, and she can ask him for an explanation.
That all sounded great in Lisa's head, and she made her way into the bar. She was wearing a bikini top, and hot shorts, and even though she was not heaven-defying beauty, Lisa knew that she was pleasing to the eyes. No man will say no to her if she makes the first move.
Who would guess that after she approached Maddox, he would ignore her?
"How come you are here drinking?", Lisa asked with the bestest smile she could produce.
Maddox's hand paused. He glanced at her and within a second confirmed that she was coming onto him.
