"Hey darlin I'll take the beef burger with everything and a side of curly fries."
I put on my best smile knowing that guys like these, the trucker types give better tips if you smile at them like they have a chance. Even though inside my nose was wrinkling and my gag reflexes were struggling from the smell of three day old layer of grim on their skin.
"Coming right up."
Turning I approached Grunter Ereni's husband. A bear shifter his tanned skin and dark almost black eyes that always seemed to look angry all the time made those that didn't know him shy away. Though the truth is he was nothing but a teddy bear at least to me anyway.. Sure if you got him mad he could snap your neck in two seconds fly but considering most shifters lost their temper at the drop of a hat it took a lot to get him angry. His skills in the kitchen were nothing short of amazing everything always tasted like it came from heaven.
I took a deep breath of air once I was far enough away from the customers allocated in my section. The need to rid my nose of their scent before I threw up becoming desperate.
"That bad eh?"
I smiled chuckling at Grunter as he winked at me passing over the small container I left behind the counter for times such as this.
"Thanks I definitely need this if I have to go back over there."
He smiled a I opened the lid. A sweet smell drifted from the cream inside. Cherry blossoms perforated my nose as I applied the cream on my top lip. It was the best way to block out smells. If all I could smell was the cream then I couldn't smell their stench. Simple but affective as I grabbed the meals for another table that was right next to stinky. Taking a deep breath of the cream I smiled back at Grunter.
"I'm going in if I go down tell Slo it's his fault."
Grunter chuckled his broad chest rumbling making the chuckle sound more bear then human.
"Females are always so dramatic."
"I heard that."
Ereni walked in from her office upstairs faking being offended. It didn't last long though as she kissed Grunter on the cheek. His dark eyes drinking her in like they were still in the honeymoon stage even though they had been together for more then twenty years. They were true mates something not often found among our kind. Some think they've found it only to realise they were married when their true mate comes along. Slos told me stories of it happening. The original couple getting divorce one of them ending up heart broken because once you found your true mate there was no stopping the pull you felt towards each other.
I hoped I never found my true mate I'd hate to be tied down to a pack let alone to a mate. Nope that was definitely not for me.
"Are you just going to stand there all day? hurry up the foods getting cold and if a customer complains about cold food it's coming out of your pay."
Snapping to attention I quickly took the meals to their table. However in my rush to put the plates down I spun to quickly my foot slipping on some grim the early customer had dragged through the diner. I felt myself falling a small sound escaped my lips as I closed my eyes waiting for the impact of the ground.
When it never came I felt strong arms wrapped around my back breaking my fall. Opening my eyes I stared up at my saviour. His brown eyes with flecks of gold stared down at me almost like he could see into my very soul. There was something sinister about them but even so I couldn't seem to look away. I faintly heard a ringing in the back of my mind making me blink. Had I hit my head? Was that where the ringing was coming from?
"Are you alright?"
His voice didn't register as I took in his ridiculously handsome face. His toned body I could feel through my clothes as he held me in his arms. This male was definitely wolf that I could tell but it was like I was frozen in his arms unable to move. Somehow I could sense something very dark with this male however I couldn't help feel a pull towards him. Even as he leaned in and took a deep breath with his nose taking in me scent his eyes flashed as he did like my scent pleased him in every sense of the word.
"KANDRA!"
My name seemed to snap me out of whatever spell I was under as I stepped out of his embrace. Our eyes still locked I felt Grunter pull me back til he was blocking the new comers view from me. His hands growing into claws, his eyes glowed yellow as he faced the male before us.
One look around showed that all the humans inside the diner had frozen in place. It was fae magic, an ancient spell cast to protect the secret of the supernatural world. It didn't always happen in the same way but the spell would automatically freeze every human or would just erase their memory if some how they did manage to see anything out of the ordinary.
"Kandra stay back."
I turned to face Ereni, she was standing behind the counter the phone to her ear. That must have been what the ringing was earlier. Her eyes were glued to the mysterious stranger.
"What's going on?"
Ignoring me she spoke to the male still staring down Grunter like he was an annoyance. An obstacle in his way that he'd like nothing more then to squash.
"State your name and pack."
It was not a request but an order as one of the oldest werewolves Ereni had the ability to compel lesser wolves.
I waited for his answer his lips curving into a smile as he chuckled. The sound sounding shivers down my spine. Something in my mind buried deep feared that sound.
His brown hair tied back into a loose man bun at the base of his skull the shorter strands on his forehead kissed the side of his face. His strange gold flecked eyes looked passed the wall of Grunter to rest on me.
"I said state your name and pack."
I couldn't look away as the force of those eyes pulled me in. Slowly I made to step forward but faster then even I could move Ereni was at my side her hand wrapped around mine holding me back. Her touch pulling me out of the strange trance I seemed to be in.
The strangers eyes met hers that evil smile spreading wider as he took her in from her stronger build to her greying hair.
"Ereni. I have heard about you."
His voice charming an lure that tugged at my ears making my body respond in ways I would never have thought I would ever feel towards some one so full of darkness.
"Still a loyal servant I see, such a pity. Your talent is being wasted in a back water diner."
Her lips pulled back in a low growl as she pulled me back further so that I was behind both her and Grunter.
"How are you able to resist my order?"
The arrogant air around him seemed to swell with pride at her question. The cock sure way he held himself like he was above everyone and everything.
"Who ever you are you had best leave now."
His eyebrows rose at this seeming surprised that she was not offering up a challenge.
"Time has made you soft Ereni. no matter you are right seems now is not the time. I merely come to check on something."
His eyes turned back to me as they glowed with what could only be described as desire.
"I have already waited many years what's a few more days."
Before I could even blink he was gone from the diner leaving a thick air of foreboding in his wake. The second Grunters bear hands were back to human the diner sprang to life like nothing had happened.
Ereni tugged on my arm pulling me upstairs towards her office Grunter not far behind. Both shifters were on edge I could hear both of their heart rates exhilarating as the door was closed behind us. It wasn't just their hearts going a mile a minute it was mine as well. Who was that guy? What was he doing here? Questions swarmed in my head making my heart race more.
Unlike Ereni and Grunter I was not as in control of my shift as they were. While they were clearly shocked at what had happened they were not in danger of shifting. My wolf however was bursting to escape the confines of my human body. It wasn't til my hands started extending into claws that Ereni noticed my control slipping.
In an instant she was in front of me. Being half a foot taller she had to bend down to meet me at eye level.
"Kandra control your wolf. Take deep breaths."
I tried but every breath I took only increased the fear. His eyes still haunting my vision. I cried out as my bones started shifting. I tried to move away from her not wanting to hurt her but she held on. She placed both her hands on either side of my head. Her eyes glowed with power.
"Calm down now."
I felt the weight of her order push down on me, but my fear was too much. Her order shattered as more of my bones shifted my canines stretching in side my mouth. Surprise and fear entered her own eyes as she growled in frustration. I could see her mind at work thinking of another way to stop the shift. Suddenly she froze.
"I'm sorry Kandra."
Before I could stop her she grew a claw on one fringer as she sliced down my arm. Not enough to cause any real damage but enough that the pain was all I could think about. My left hand gripped the cut blood pooling around my fingers. Panting I sighed as the shift instantly stopped every part of me human once more. Erenis hands returned to my face.
"Better?"
I nodded.
"Ye... yes...thank...you."
She nodded turning as Grunter now armed with the first aid kit started tending to my arm. I let him work as I watched Ereni pace the office.
"What's going on Ereni? Who was that down there?"
She stopped her pacing her eyes meeting mine the look of worry etched in the creases of her forehead.
"I don't know but he's the least of our worries."
I shook my head what could be worse then someone who could withstand her orders. Grunter now bandaging my arm looked up at his wife.
"Why? What's going on?"
She looked at Grunter silent, but I knew they were communicating through their mindlink. Something all pack wolves could do. Usually the mindlink only worked when we were wolves but as a mated pair they could also do it as humans.
"I see. This is not good Ereni. We need to get Kan out of here now."
I bulked.
"Wait what? Why?"
I had never seen Ereni afraid of anything. Sure the guy downstairs made her worry maybe fear for our lives but the fear in her eyes as she spoke her next words were enough to petrify me.
"King Vericus is on his way to Asheville."
One word fell out of my mouth before I could stop it.
"Fuck!"
Ereni scowled at me. She hated when I used swear words. But considering the situation I'm sure it was warranted. I went into panic mode as Grunter tied off the bandage.
"I need to get out of here. Out of North Carolina fast."
I started towards the door my breathing picking up again. Just as my hand reached for the doorknob Grunters hand halted mine.
"Kan calm down he's not here for you. All we need to do is get you back to the cabin before they get here."
Ereni nodded.
"That's right. The cabin is protected they have no reason to go there. Grunter you take her home, I'll stay here and wait for Vericus and the others. I'll buy as much time as I can. Once she's safe come straight back."
I shook my head thinking about the Male from downstairs. As if she could hear my thoughts she added.
"Don't worry he may have been able to resist my order but there's no way he'll resist the wards on your cabin. Now go both of you there's no time to waste."
She started ushering us out the door but paused just before we reached the main part of the diner.
"Kandra you must promise to stay inside the cabin until either me or Grunter comes to get you. Do you understand?"
I nod as she gave me a quick hug untying my apron as she did before Grunter grabbed my hand pulling me towards the exit. The second we entered the tree line both of us ran at full speed not even human eyes could track our progress through the trees.
the trees blurred by we were running too fast to have any kind of conversation. My mind was bursting with questions that were left to churn inside my head.
It made me realise There was still so much about the supernatural world that I didn't know about. Slo had filled me in on the basics but since I wasn't a pack wolf there was no need to tell me about pack life. Not too mention I travelled way to much my search for my past taking up all my time there was no point in me worrying about it.
Now however I wondered if maybe I should have asked more questions. Learnt more about the dangers of the supernatural world. Clearly there were things scarier then the king of all werewolves. It left me kicking myself for not asking about all of it. Then maybe I would have been prepared when that mystery wolf appeared. Could have done more then just stand there stunned while he threatened those that had taken me in.
I mean I know he didn't technically threaten anyone but the look in his eyes clearly showed he was not there just to get a meal. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know he was willing to fight for whatever it was he wanted.
Then there was King Vericus. It was obvious he was coming because of this stranger. I groaned internally. Why of all times and places did this have to happen when I was in town. I must have the worst luck in the entire world. I should never have come back here. I should of stayed away from North Carolina. I'm such an idiot.
That's it as soon as it's safe to leave I'm out of here. I knew Slo would be upset about me leaving but after what happened there was no way I was sticking around. I'm not a pack wolf none of this has anything to do with me. The best place for me was far away from any pack especially the red eye pack and their king. Eventually Slo would understand.
My mind was made up by the time we reached the cabin. Grunter reminded me again not to leave until either he or Ereni came to get me then disappeared back towards the diner. Quickly going inside I locked the door and all the windows. Not that it would help against any sup. If they were strong enough to get passed the wards I doubt a locked door or window could stop them but it still helped to calm my nerves.
The cabin now secured I dropped heavily on the couch and waited. I didn't know how long I'd have to wait but staying still helped to keep my wolf in check. My fight or flight reflexes warring against each other. I knew I had to stay and wait for confirmation that it was safe but everything in me felt like I had to run. Run far and run fast. It took everything I had to stay where I was. The worst part was not knowing what would happen next.