This Chapter Plays:
"Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling & "First in line" by Matthew Mayfield
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She leaned against the counter of the local coffee shop talking with her coworker and friend Brok turner. The smell of arabica coffee beans, steamed milk, and sugary delicacies wafted through the air. The soft sound of acoustic music played from the radio station was customers came in and then went on their way routinely throughout the day. It was a system she was used to. A system she could work with. She had, of course, come in on her day off because her boss Leanne informed her that Tatianna had, again, called out of her shift. Why was she not surprised? This was Tatianna's signature move when it came to working. Why did the girl even get a job if she didn't want to work?
"Excuse me, miss?" The sound of the woman's voice behind her pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned to face her. She took the woman's order, surprised that she ordered something completely different from the order she had made for the past two years. "Trying something new, are we?" she asked. The woman smiled warmly. "It's colder today, and iced coffee just doesn't seem right." Grace nodded, handing the written order to Brok so he could start it. "Well, then to compliment your latte, may I suggest a cinnamon muffin? I can have it toasted with butter if you would like." She beamed. "Oh, that would be lovely. Thank you."
the woman turned and bustled over to a small table by the window, looking out the glass pane as cars drove by, and people talked and laughed as they made their way down the streets of town. It may have been a little colder this morning that it had been the past week, but that didn't seem to stop people from walking through town with others while they had fun. It was chilly when she had left the house earlier in the morning, but something told her that it would be nice outside by the time she got off of work.
"Hey, Grace! Order up!" Scooping both the latte and the muffin with butter onto a serving try, she made her way across the cafe. "Here you go, Mrs. Duncan. Enjoy!" the woman smiled warmly at her. "Thank you, dear." She made her way back across the room, checking on other customers and bussing tables before dodging back behind the counter. She kept herself busy for the next few minutes washing dishes and restocking shelves and machines, with the necessary cups, lids, straws, and coffee beans. Within her mind, Rayne spoke up pacing impatiently in her head. 'other wolves are here' After a while, Brok called to her from the front. "You have customers who need serving." She laughed. "Why can't you get them? I'm a little busy."
Brok leaned against the wall just a few feet away his arms crossed over his chest and an eyebrow arched. "Because they're sitting in your designated section." Rolling her eyes, she shut off the sink and dried her hands. "Fine. but as soon as I'm done, I'm coming back here, and finishing these." Brok chuckled, nodding towards the front. "Come on, don't keep your customers waiting." She grabbed her waist bound apron as well as a pen and the order pad before heading to the far booth. "Welcome to Java Bean, my name is Grace and I'll be your waitress today." She cleared her throat and smiled. "What can I get for you today?"
As she waited to take their order, she recognized these young men as betas and subordinates from her pack. What were they all doing here, though? No one but omegas came out into town. Not unless they absolutely have to. She looked to the far left and realized her brother Samuel was there too. She winced. That meant that alpha Nathanson was with him. And sure enough, he was sitting right next to him at the end of the booth. After a second, the young man on the far-left starting ordering. She took each order one by one until it was Alpha Nathanson's turn to order. "And for you sir?" He was still looking at the menu as if he was having a hard time deciding what to get.
He looked up, and when their eyes met, she felt a jolt of electricity run through her. Her Nordic blue eyes became the slightest bit brighter, and goosebumps rose over her skin when the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. In her mind, her wolf pranced around joyously, howling in contented happiness. A deep growl erupted from within the young man's chest, his piercing green eyes mixing amber gold, the color of the eyes of his wolf.
A smile slowly began to spread across his face. "What would you suggest I order?" He challenged. She had to think about that for a minute because she was sure that he didn't have the same tastes as his friends, or even that of herself. "How do you normally like your coffee?" His eyes narrowed slightly at her question. "Dark, and strong." She nodded, turning her eyes up to the ceiling in thought. "Personally, I would probably then suggest our new brew of coffee. It's called midnight brew. Its stronger than dark roast coffee, and will make you feel like you took a five hour energy."
Handing her the menu, he nodded. "I'll have that then. No dairy, no sugar. Just black." She wrote his order down and smiled at him. "I will be back with your orders as soon as they are ready." Turning to leave, he stood and followed her a few paces before grabbing her arm. "I know you gave us your name. I just...didn't catch it." With a smile, she took his hand and wrote both her name and her phone number. "Here. This way you can contact me." she turned back around and went back behind the counter to start their orders.
Brok studied her intensely, curious as to what had just happened. "The hell was that about?" She smiled, biting her lip. "I just found my mate."