The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf

Quietly preparing the platter, I hear a loud thump; someone is angry. I'm just glad I'm in here and not out there with all that commotion. I pull my hood up to hide my bruised eye. I can't cover my split lip so figure I'll just bite over my lip to hide it when needed.

After approaching the counter, I ask the first man for his order; I avoid eye contact and keep my head down for all the orders. All these guys sound very grumpy and annoyed. Jim comes over to me.

‘Alpha, I mean Ryker, over there, would like a vanilla milkshake with some cookies.’ I nod and write down the order; I have served everyone except for Ryker.

Lifting a big platter of biscuits and dips, I wince with the weight in one hand; my broken rib is under strain. Ryker stares at me.

Pausing for a moment, I inhale a deep breath and hold it, to brace myself for the pain, lift the platter again and put it on the table where most of the men sit. In the kitchen, I exhale while keeping my hand pressed against my ribs. Shit! Ryker's order. Quickly walking to him to serve him his order, he stares directly at me and squints; wondering what or who is under my hood.

All the other men are shouting over each other about some guy named Zenith, and a town called Shady Crest, and something about rogues, which is strange because Jim referred to me as a rogue earlier. A map is sprawled across the table in front of Ryker; the men are drawing circles and squiggly lines on various parts of it and talking about setting up posts here and there.

I’m suddenly feeling really nervous, as the diner becomes quiet and all eyes are on me; I could sense them on me. I nervously place the milkshake and the plate of cookies on the table next to the map.

‘Milk and cookies sir,’ I say, softly.

‘Wait,’ Ryker says, before I can leave his table. ‘What is wrong with your ribs?’ Ryker asks.

‘Nothing sir,’ I reply, wondering how he knew I was in pain.

‘You struggled to hold the platter; it’s causing you pain,’ he observes. ‘Why do you smell so strongly of vanilla and cookies?’ He asks.

‘It might be the vanilla milk and the cookies,’ I say, turning in the direction of the kitchen.

‘Remove your hood rogue!’ He demands. I freeze; I look at Jim for help.

‘Astrid, go and have your break love. Ryker, I told you to leave her out of all this.’ I run to the kitchen and out the back door.

‘She should smell like a rogue if she is a rogue. She smells like vanilla and cookies,’ Alpha Ryker declares.

‘She literally just served you a milkshake and cookies,’ Jim explains. Alpha Ryker lets out a growl and glares at Jim.

she served me. My wolf is extremely restless right now. I'm struggling to

the diner freezes, looks at each other

Ryker yells. His Beta wolf, Seth,

could be your mate,

an Alpha. It's unheard of. The Moon Goddess matching an Alpha and a rogue? Don’t be ridiculous,’

the cups, mugs, and plates. The men leave the diner, and I breathe a sigh of relief, as I hear all of their car doors slamming. My body relaxes knowing they have gone. Thinking Jim is behind me, I am just about to tell him that I’m leaving as well,

making eye contact with him; I’m aware my hood could fall at any moment, revealing the abuse I

see Jim,’ I say, gently. His arm suddenly barricades the space between me and my exit, as he

demands. I shake

I try to move backward. I’m suddenly pressed against the wall with nowhere else to go. I’m trapped between his body and the brickwork in one swift movement.

thinks I've already left,’ Ryker whispers, twirling my long

good; even my wolf is struggling to stay calm,’

a pet wolf?’ I’m crying

frightened of me Astrid?’ He

are, and also a rogue, then you should be scared. I don't know if I could

Mates. I promise I won't be a problem to you if

down at my face, my

just want to go home. Please let me go.’ I

if you are not my mate,’ he

You’re an arrogant, vain, obnoxious human being. Please

an angry growl, he punches the wall above my head. I drop to the ground

that again. How dare you refer to me as an arrogant, vain, obnoxious human being,’ he scolds. Hugging my knees, I

me

at me. He is in deep reflection; curiosity, and a pensive expression consume

my wall?’ Jim shouts, before helping me up off the ground; the pressure of his hand on my broken ribs makes me

ribs. Please tell

concern for me replaces any anger he previously felt toward me. He takes a step closer to me, inhaling the air around me sharply. I move behind Jim; still sobbing quietly. Ryker looks away; me distancing myself from him has offended him somewhat. His fists are clenched by his side as though he contains something

just a young innocent girl! Did you break her ribs?’

didn't touch her Jim. She called me an arrogant, vain, obnoxious human being. I got angry