Alpha had heard the footsteps but ignored them, figuring if someone was going to attack him while his back was turned, they'd end up thrown into the river and he could go on with his miserable day.

The voice took him off guard. "Anderson?" he said, turning to face the kid. "Blaine Anderson, still in it, who would have thought. You like? I think they make me look dashing." They were a humiliating reminder of when he'd let his guard down and been sent running, but that wasn't a topic for polite conversation.

He looked up Blaine up and down. "Looks like this one's been rough all around."