Danica POV
Jenny ran in like a storm of blond and bubbly she-wolf. She was five foot eight and had golden hair that had a slight curl to it. I stood and she threw herself into my arms.
"It's been so long since I last saw you!" She squealed and waved a man over. I looked up to see Mathew standing like a statue at the door. He walked robotically towards us and seemed to panic when Jenny ran to get their orders.
"Hi, I'm Danica." I held out a hand and he shook it.
"Mathew." He managed after a moment's hesitation.
Jenny jumped back and grinned as she slapped Mathew over the back. She shot him a bemused look then waved a hand back.
"They'll bring our order over when it's ready." We sat at my table and I watched as Mathew kept his eyes fixed on me.
"Is there a problem?" I was slightly annoyed with the staring. He shook his head.
"No," He cleared his throat. "I was just stunned. You look like Alpha Stevens. Do you know him?" I shook my head.
"Not that I know. Why, who is he?" Jenny frowned at Mathew and gave him a sharp nudge to the ribs.
"He's no one." She managed. I nodded and went to my bag pulling out my phone and placing it on the battery pack to charge.
"Doesn't sound like no one." Jenny sighed and gave Mathew a murderous look.
"He's the Alpha that attacked the Lightfoot pack and forced us back into my old pack the Swift Runners." I nodded.
"The Lightfoot were taken over?" She nodded.
"Yes and no. We've lost our territory and some joined Stevens but most left and came with us. There's all sorts of shit going down at the moment." She sighed and I nodded.
"Tell me about it, the city seems to be going nuts too." She nodded slowly.
"Alpha Stevens attacked the Swift Runners too but failed. With the combined strength of the last of the Lightfoot's and the Swift Runners his pack was no match." She sighed again. "The Swift Runners needed what was left of our pack to increase their numbers and we needed a place to call home so now... we're one big pack. Kind of a win win." I nodded.
"And everyone is ok with this?" She nodded.
"Yes. It's better than not having a territory." She patted Mathew on the shoulder. "Mathew was the strongest worrier left in our pack since our Alpha was killed. Alpha Derick of the Swift Runners is also Mathews younger brother, so he let Mathew become the Second Beta of the Swift Runner pack to help smooth things over." I nodded.
"I don't know this Stevens fellow and his name hasn't been mentioned in the city, but I can keep an ear out if I hear anything. And… if you're the local Alpha's brother… why were you in another pack." Jenny sighed,
"Different mothers and mate bonds... Let's talk about a nicer topic" She looked at my phone as the screen flashed back into life. "Like who's Rodger?" She grinned. "Is he your mate?" I laughed and shook my head.
"No, he's a guy that I work for." She nodded but didn't seem convinced.
"And he's messaging you at this time of day on a Saturday?" I shrugged.
"Workaholic, and his business is open on the weekends." I took a drink from my chocolate, and she narrowed her eyes.
"You've slept with him." I frowned.
"What?" she looked at my drink then to my neck.
"You only drink hot chocolate in the mornings after you've been playing with someone." She looked around and grinned as the waitress placed the drinks down. "And you have a few fading hickies on your neck. Dish how long have you known him?" I shrugged,
"I've known him for five years." She nodded.
"Five years? Why haven't I heard you talk about him before? And is it serious?" I shook my head.
"I've only ever worked with him until last night. It's not like you tell me about every single person you worked with. Last night was just a booty call." She rolled her eyes.
"We need to find you your mate. It's so much easier in this day and age what with easy travel and meet up singles dances." I rolled my eyes and stole a glance at Mathew. He had been quiet and only taking a few sips from his mug.
"So, Mathew, what do you do for work?" He licked his lips nervously.
"I have no life outside of the pack anymore. I'm the personal trainer to keep the pack on their toes. I'm only here cause Jenny needed to come to the city for business." He went silent and Jenny frowned at him.
"Are you feeling all right honey?" He nodded. "I mean you're being rather quiet." He nodded again.
"I think I ate something that didn't agree with me." He stood up quickly. "Excuse me." He made his way to the bathroom. Jenny looked at me apologetically.
"I'm sorry, he's just a little off today." I shrugged.
"So, I'm guessing that's a no to the whole pack thing." She frowned.
"Don't talk like that." She sighed and I saw her eyes flicker as she mind linked Mathew. A frown crossed her face and she looked at me then rolled his eyes. "He said he's going to be a while… I guess he really did eat something that didn't agree with him." I shrugged.
"How have you been? I mean after the attack." She shrugged.
"It's nothing. We just had to move back to my old town outside the city." She frowned. "I took over the running of the Packs family businesses and it's about a two-hour trip here so it's doable on a day-to-day basis… but this week I don't want to be traveling, so we've booked a hotel near your apartment." I nodded.
"But the pack is treating you well?" She nodded.
"Yeah, it's like I never left, and Mathew and his brother get along like a house on fire. You'll love them." she smirked. "They're a skilled bunch of mixed nuts... might even be hiding your mate." I smiled weakly as the faint twinge of pain rattled against my chest as memories of my rejections flashed into mind.
Suddenly Jenny gasped and reached out and took my hand looking at the splint I was wearing. She looked from my hand to my face then pointed in disbelief.
"What the fuck did you do to your wrist?" I shrugged.
"Oh I took a tumble at the gym. The Kung-Fu teacher was demonstrating throws and I landed wrong. It's no big deal. It's already healing." She gave me a look.
"No big deal and you have a splint on?" I shrugged.
"It's more for the humans in the class. They see one little bone poking out and they all start panicking." She shot me another look.
"A bone popped out?" I rolled my eyes and wiggled my fingers.
"See all good. It really is nothing to worry about." I grabbed my mug and she shook her head as she leant back in the seat.
I was about to speak when the door to the café opened and Rodger walked in with a few well-dressed men, they approached the counter and began ordering. I saw him sniff and turn to look in my direction. He grinned and waved to the others calling he'll catch up and the group split leaving Rodger alone. With his large paper cupped coffee in hand he walked over and nodded.
"Surprised to see you here." He winked at me then looked to Jenny. "Hi, always nice to meet a friend of Danica's." He held out a hand and she shook it. She smiled slightly as he turned back to me. "I really need to speak to you about a new development." He pointed to the door where the men had gone. "Big business opportunity, massive revenue life changing deals." He flashed a dazzling smile and Jenny giggled.
"I'm going to guess this is Rodger?" He looked to her with a slow grin.
"Has my little star been gossiping about me?" He looked to me as Jenny pulled out a seat.
"Sit!" She commanded and he looked to me for approval. I nodded and he sat as Mathew came back from the bathroom.
"Sorry honey. Who's this?" He sat and looked to Rodger.
"This is Rodger," She grinned and Mathew frowned.
"Older than I thought…" He grunted as her sharp elbow hit his ribs.
"Rude!" Jenny looked to Rodger and gave an apologetic look. "Sorry he opens his mouth without thinking. So…"
"Just how old are you?" Mathew started again then looked at me. "I mean Danica is twenty-one." Jenny stabbed her elbow into his side again.
"What the hell?" Rodger smirked.
"Oh, to be young." He sighed. "I'm thirty-nine if you really need to know." She nodded.
"And full werewolf?" He nodded and her look turned serious. "You better be gentle with my Danica." Rodger choked on his coffee and glanced at me then back to her.
"Me be gentle? Madam, I have a bruise the size of a football on my arse, that still hasn't healed, because of her. It's not me who needs to be gentle…" Jenny turned to look at me and I found the wallpaper absolutely fascinating.
"Danica?" She questioned, I sighed.
"I needed to work out a few things." Rodger grinned.
"Anytime." I gave him a sharp kick and he yelped more out of surprise. "Abused now my dear?" He grinned "fine I'll change topic. Do you have any free time to talk work in the next few days… and by few I really mean three days at most." I shrugged.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow." Jenny nodded.
"We have some catching up to do and places to visit. But if you're free you can always come along?" She smiled and watched my reaction then frowned as I simply took a sip from my mug.
"I would love too but I'm loaded with work today." He sighed and looked at his phone. "Speaking of... I'll have to catch up with those gentlemen and get the party started." He sighed and stood up then hesitated. I waved him away and he nodded. "Right." He took a step. "Oh, that matter I messaged you about…" I cut him off.
"Don't worry about it. I have it sorted." He frowned then nodded again.
"Awesome, well, see you when you have the time." He left with a little wave. Jenny watched him go before turning to Mathew with a frowned.
"What the hell? First you can't say anything, then you crap your pants and now you suddenly become Mr. Overprotective?" He scratched at his neck.
"What?" He complained and she rolled her eyes.
"Let's just finish our drinks and head out." She grinned. "Do you have anywhere you really want to go, I'll let you choose?" I nodded and she clapped her hands in excitement.
"Where?" I grinned evilly.
"You'll regret giving me that choice." She frowned and a thought seemed to spring out. She winced and I nodded.