The slow swagger he was pulling was such a sight to see. I'm drooling, again, over the owner of those gorgeous bottle green eyes. I've drunk my fill of his voluminous black hair and red kissed lips before I bring my attention back to the problem at hand. The jeep. In Atlas' hand was a fancy tool box.
"My, oh my, you're drooling at the man." that mind link was so sudden that I jumped a foot away from Craig. Is it Craig? Did he just mind linked me? I looked at him and met with his grin. I admonished with my glare. He just shrugged.
"I am not drooling," I linked him back, now looking at Atlas stopping beside Luke. My thoughts went flying again. "Should I introduce myself, Mavis?" another link from Craig. The amusement in his voice grated on my nerves. I glared at him again and straightened my back.
"Craig, meet Alpha Atlas. Alpha, Craig, Alpha Cedric's son." gesturing between them Craig held out his hand with a big grin on his face.
"I'm a surgeon." He offered. I don't know why he needs to add that fact about himself but one thing's for certain, he lights up when he say it.
"Pleasure to meet you." the seriousness in Atlas' voice stopped me from fidgeting on my feet. "The car suddenly stopped, you say?" He moved forward as Luke moved back. He perused the jeeps engine.
"He's good at this job. He's a part-time mechanic." Luke said and I think I was not able to hide my sour expression. No matter how exhilarated I am at the knowledge that Atlas is here, I don't want to stay in his presence with Luke around and get smacked on the face with the closeness of their relationship.
"Now that I remember, I think the front of the car was smoking." Craig mused while also looking at Atlas checking his car. Right, I better let him know that I'll have to go first. After all, I still need to find a gift for the Alpha. Also, there's Solace to think about.
"Craig, I need to go first," I mind link him, a little awkward since it was the first time I established a link to him. All werewolves can mind link everyone that is part of the same pack. In cases of mind linking werewolves from another pack, it'll include some bloody ceremony. In all its literal sense.
"You done drooling after the Alpha?" He smirked linking back. He turns to my direction and his eyebrows were wiggling suggestively at me.
The hell, oh gods, what's wrong with me? My goodness, I was looking at him, indignant. What if he guess about Atlas being my mate? I think I need a quick visit to the ER for an ECG test. Jerking my thoughts out of the depressing hole, I quickly pacified myself and took a deep breath to regulate my fast beating heart. I don't want him to know. I don't want anyone to know.
"The hoses were good and the radiator's fan is working just fine. You just need some coolant for your jeep. I have some in my car if you don't have one," Atlas sounds so manly while saying it that the tingles just scattered all over my body.
"I'll get it," Luke brisk walked in the direction of the parked ranger. I steal a glance at Atlas and find that he's opening some valves. Why won't he look my way just once? I kept my mouth shut while Craig asked Atlas some questions about the jeeps problem.
"Your drool, Mavis," I gasped at that link and wasn't able to stop myself from hitting Craig on his arm. Now, Atlas looks at us funny. Right, why hit someone all of the sudden?
"He's gay! Don't tease me. I already made a joke of myself when I made a move on him the first time. I hit on him because I didn't have my gay radar on." I send some humiliation in Craig's way to back up my lie. I thought of the most embarrassing things I've done through high school and beyond.
Imagine my relief when he burst out cackling with no indication of stopping. I blushed, looking at Luke who's now lifting a small gallon our way and Atlas gripping the wrench tightly.
"Luke, Alpha Atlas," I spied on Atlas' hands and yes he is gripping the wrench extra tight. His eyes go a little darker every time I call him Alpha. He's affected, I see. "I have to go first. It'll be hectic in Solace today. I'll leave Craig into your capable hands," I was actually racing with my heart beat and just regurgitate the words. "Give me a break and don't remind him." I added, linking Craig. He just chuckles a little more.
I did not wait for them to answer and let Craig continue chortling as I dashed back to my parked car on the opposite side of the highway. Starting the car's engine, I look at their direction one last time. Craig is wiping the moisture in his eyes while two pairs of eyes followed my movement.
"You manage Solace now huh?" Craig's link sounded amused to heavens and beyond.
"We'll catch up later," I replied back and revs the car. I honk at them before I slowly speed passed their cars and zoom passed the tall pine trees towering on both sides of the highway.
Now what? Glancing back at them, I breathe out a shuddering sigh. What am I going to do? Atlas is here, yes. Do I continue with my plans? Should I keep approaching him? Is it even needed when he's bound to leave the pack after a few days, again? I groan in frustration. "Way to go Fates, way to go." I mocking uttered with my eyes on the road.
It took just a handful of minutes to reach the antique shop. I went out of my car and looked at the rectangular wooden sign of the shop.
'Viente' is what's written on it in smooth cursive sweeps. The shop was the last establishment in the rows of shops. It was an old small log cabin before and hasn't changed much with the continuing years.
The shops next to it were all modernized. It wasn't a sore to the eyes though. It made the antique shop look magical and it attracts customers more. Viente was known around city.
I showed myself in and was immediately met with rows of bookshelves on the left side. The musky scent of the old and new books together were heady. I used to buy books from here but the habit faded after I left for college. Maybe, I'll pick up the habit back later.
Now looking at the other side of the shop, you'll see the dark wooden oak counter filled with trinkets, old and new, with the cash register. There's also old, but sturdy furnitures in the back of the room and knick-knacks you can choose from.
I head for the counter and give the trinkets a look. They're all pretty and would perfectly go with different outfits and other accessories. A particular leather rope bracelet was embellished with a tiny bloodstone strapped on it caught my attention. It stole my admiration away.
"You can have it for twenty bucks,"
My soul jumped off my skin when I heard that voice behind me. I did a turn and saw Helen's motherly features smiling down at me. She's an old human around age fifty and is the owner of Viente.
Hand on my chest, I gave her an incredulous look. The shop was giving you the old times vibe with its dim lighting and glass candles dominating the place. A fire hazard to this shop but to hell with it. Pair it up with surprising people out of their wits, then you'll feel like you're in the set of some old town horror movie.
"You're such a scaredy-cat." Helen laughs at my incredulous face and rounded her way to the register. She removed the bloodstone bracelet from the rack and placed it on the counter.
"Moreover, you like scaring the hell out of your customers," I smiled at her and thumbed the smooth bloodstone. "It's gorgeous." I commented, still caressing the smooth stone.
"Yes it is and it's twenty bucks. The leather is real and new. You get to have a small cleaning bottle to keep your bloodstone shining too," she cheekily said while swinging her already grey mane from side to side.
I nodded, "I'll take it but I need a gift for the Alpha." my eyes wandered to the things displayed on the wall behind the counter. There's literally tons of things in there from old coins, daggers and liquor.
"Oh, its for Cedric's birthday? I'll give you a discount. Greet him for me." Helen excitedly offered and rummaged for some things under the counter. I'm sure there's a lot of boxes filled with antiques in there, not that I've checked.
Humans around the city usually call Alpha Cedric by his given name. We didn't mind it and the Alpha didn't mind it either. The pack was the one using the honorifics as a way of celebrating the leader. We call him Alpha as a respect for his authority over the pack. Helen here, personally know the Alpha and the Luna.
She would often share her experience over meeting the couple years ago when she was a wild teen. According to her, the Alpha found her in the woods near the pack while on patrol. She was clearly beaten and passed out on the earth. Someone had tried to molest her but she was able to run away. The Alpha and Luna helped and assisted her in putting the suspect in jail. That day onwards, both parties were close acquaintances.
"You are ever welcome in the pack whenever you like. You can always greet the Alpha yourself, Helen." I told her while she continued rummaging the boxes. "I can give you a ride tomorrow, if you want. The party will start at four." I, moreover, informed.
Helen placed a tray with arrays of small knick-knacks in it. "That would be lovely, Mavis," Helen smiled at me gratefully and pushed the tray in my direction. She is a kind and a beautiful woman. But, she's living alone and wasn't able to trust a man enough to spend her lifetime with after her bad experience. She didn't even think about adopting. It quietly impacted her. She, now, lives with her faithful dogs and cats.
"These are the new arrivals. Go ahead and choose. I also have to look for a gift." Helen said and went to the other side of the room. I can hear the clanging of things from the other room. I looked at the antiques in front of me and one pocket watch grabbed my attention.
"Oh lord, I have to think of a gift for Cedric too. I'd do have a matching brooch somewhere," from my enhanced hearing I can clearly understand her dilemma and I giggled.
Picking up the silver pocket watch, I inspected the inside and approved of the neat numeral numbers carved in it. A year was inscribed on the lid.
"Seventeen sixty? Definitely an antique," I hummed, Again, I checked the watch and the chain thoroughly. It's a splendid find but then the only problem was, it's not working anymore. The hands of the watch pointed at exactly five o'clock in a death still.
"That would've been thousands of bucks if the hands were just working fine." Helen crept beside me while hauling another box of antiques. "That is your choice?" Helen asked, while returning back to the counter, huffing. She's ready to punch the items.
"This will do." I nodded at her with a smile as I handed her the pocket watch and the bracelet. "Oh and I wanted it wrapped, please. You're a genius at it." My finger unconsciously pointing at the matte silver paper wrap.
Helen wrapped the items real quickly and gave them to me. "That'll be all?" Helen inquired and I nodded in confirmation.
"I'll fetch you at four tomorrow," I waved at her and was about to go out when I turned back. "Helen, where do you want me to fetch you?" beams.
Helen looked at me and gestured at the whole shop. "Well, I close at five so just fetch me here. I'll lock up quick." she kindly answered and waved me out. "Thanks, Helen." I yelled out and she thanked me back. I quickly got in my car and drove towards the mart's direction.