The Alpha Next Door

g? Stella asked herself

rcling a smaller one in the middle of her driveway. Like they

hould run back inside, p

t’s house flew open and like a creature straight out of mythology

hing b

s didn’t get bett

friends only add

punching, kicking, and who knows what els

get seriously

orch. This was crazy. She wasn’t made for this. Bu

She shouted, raising her phon

’t believe wh

re doing. And instead of char

t’s house, went back inside carrying the smaller one. Man or woman, Stella couldn’t tell. But with the

e driveway. Still holding up her phone. Well, Stella and

She heard him breathi

one that.” Bennett gr

ella found her tongue. “Don’t worry,” sh

’t mean

sed. What should

ak up the fight. He just said—no growled—t

hole new kind of fire burning in h

adowy Bennett Orloff. Stepped right

ldn’t have stopped the brawl that co

ur business.” His voic

Stella’s l

nger into his chest. Ignoring the fact, she

d. Instantly pushing the thought asid

to point at her own, once stately Queen Anne behind her. “In the only home I’ve ever had as my o

t of this man, this cold mons

not care?”

he grabbed hold of her finger

stop doing th

. She balled her fists to keep from jabbing hi

e said in a low voice.

e of myself.” S

ere, he s

n’t see him well, but sens

ot that

ew in his voice. He s

ands in his.

hat morning, collecting the letters she’d spilled a

Was he taller? She wondered. They

Speaking softly in her ear. His thumb tilting her chin so that only s

its binding as he spoke. He reac

et, his fingers felt lik

side Stella