I pushed in the rear door of the Honeysuckle Café, where I worked, while most of the world was still asleep. Long shadows swirled on the deserted streets of my small town as the early morning light crept in. In the midst of the anxiousness that clung to me like an unwelcome second skin, I inhaled the comforting aroma of coffee beans and pastries.
My strawberry blonde hair flew across my face as a surge of chilly wind blew through the entrance. I shrugged it off and got to work, preparing the morning's first batch of coffee. As I poured the water, a lingering memory of the life I left behind and of the guy I dreaded caused my hands to tremble a little.In this town, I had no friends and no relatives to turn to. I was completely alone, but it was better than having to live in fear of my abusive ex-boyfriend all the time. The fact that I didn't know who or where my parents were simply made me feel more alone. However, I had succeeded thus far, and I was determined to continue.The door chime sounded just as the sun started to rise over the horizon. My chest was thumping as I glanced up, and there he was. The mysterious man who arrived every morning and seemed to follow me wherever I went despite never speaking. I forced a strong swallow while holding onto the counter. His silence made his glare much more ominous.As he moved to his normal spot in the otherwise quiet café, the sound of his boots reverberated throughout the space. Beyond a fleeting nod, he said nothing to me. I gave him his normal black coffee while attempting to maintain composure as our fingers momentarily touched. He didn't make eye contact when he paid in cash.I exhaled a sigh of relief as he went to his corner. The morning custom had ended. The normal morning clientele began to arrive at the café, their chitchat and laughter lending life to the space. The silent man, however, was sitting in the middle of the group, in a corner, drinking his coffee and staring directly at me.The worry persisted and was the same every day. I constantly anticipated the other shoe dropping and my past catching up with me. However, for the time being, I was at this location working in the local coffee shop, leading a quiet life, and remaining undetected.Towering above everyone who entered the Honeysuckle Café, the man was unsettling. He had a truck-like build, and his presence emanated an aura of unspoken power. Not a strand was out of place in his neatly styled short hair. However, it was his black, nearly ebony complexion that drew my attention. In the rare instances when the morning sun would catch it just right, it would appear to sparkle like a piece of polished obsidian.I noticed that I kept sneaking looks at him during the day to make sure he was still seated in his corner and immersed in whatever was going on there. His quiet fierceness had something about it that was both alluring and disturbing.Even though his sheer existence was a continual reminder of my worries, it was strangely comforting to know where he was rather than having to wait for him to arrive.I pondered what attracted him here every day and what he saw when he glanced at me as I observed him from behind the counter. I was a barista in a tiny town coffee shop, a strawberry blonde girl, and a nobody. His steadfast focus, however, hinted otherwise.As the day dragged on, only the two of us remained in the café. The sound of his cup hitting the saucer as he completed his drink sometimes broke the silence, which was mostly filled by the buzz of the coffee makers. I observed him get up from the chair and walk over to the entrance. For the first time since he had come that morning, he turned and looked directly into my eyes. Before he left the café and I was left alone once again, we locked eyes for a brief period of time, his deep and perplexing.The remainder of the day went by quickly. Each of the regulars blended into the next as they came and went. But my thoughts kept coming back to the silent man—a stranger who had started to stand out in my otherwise unpredictable life. As night fell, I noticed that I was eagerly anticipating the following morning, our ongoing, silent conversation, and yet another opportunity to blend in. He had been an anchor, a source of stability in a world that had been anything but, despite the fear and the uncertainty.I closed my eyes for a while and took a deep breath. The following day would be another opportunity to hide and another chance to survive. I would also be prepared. The café was mostly empty by the time the afternoon came, leaving me alone with my thoughts. When Heather called in sick, I offered to stay and assist Maggie, the café owner, and she was appreciative. Heather, one of the few locals I could nearly consider a friend, had to go be with her son since he was ill.I went back into the rear room to grab my belongings at around 4 o'clock. The room was illuminated by the slanted late-afternoon light that entered through the small window. I unconsciously let out a breath since it was quiet back here, away from the busy sounds of the café.Even though my shift had been lengthy, I had grown accustomed to and could manage this level of fatigue. The routine and familiarity of the current chores had a reassuring quality. This was my safe haven and my sanctuary despite the looming shadow of my past and the intrigue surrounding the quiet man.I couldn't help but look at the clock as I tucked my shabby apron into my suitcase and checked my phone for any messages. Another day had passed, another day when I'd been able to hide and remain secure. Even if my life wasn't much, it was still mine, and for the time being, that was enough.After turning out the lights, I moved towards the back exit while briefly looking back at the deserted café. The hushed crowd, the silent man, and the soothing buzz of the coffee maker were all gone at this point, leaving only echoes of the previous day.I left the room after locking the door and entered the calm afternoon. The sky was flooded in orange and pink hues as the sun started to set. It was lovely in its own, straightforward manner. I inhaled deeply, letting the serenity of the moment envelope me. I turned and started the short walk home after casting one last glance at the Honeysuckle Café, feeling prepared for whatever lay ahead of me.The early morning light dappled through the foliage as I ran through the familiar woods, my powerful body moving with ease. Being an Alpha, a lycan werewolf, had its own burdens, but the freedom it brought was unparalleled. The wind whipped through my fur, the scent of the forest filling my nostrils. Life was a different beast when you were, in fact, a beast yourself.Eventually, the woods gave way to the familiar sight of Silver Creek, our small town. The buildings were coming alive with the break of dawn, a picturesque sight that always filled me with a strange sense of peace. Silver Creek wasn't just any small town—it was ours, populated mostly by my pack, my family.I slowed to a stop at the edge of the town, my eyes instinctively drawn to one building in particular—Honeysuckle Café. Its warmth and inviting smell was enough to lure in any passerby, but for me, it held a more significant attraction. Skye.Skye, my mate. Beautiful, resilient, and undeniably fearful. It was an agonizi
A few days had passed since I last saw the towering stranger. The Honeysuckle Café, usually bustling with warmth and chatter, felt somewhat empty. An odd sensation gnawed at me – a sense of unease that I found hard to shake off. I didn't even know the man's name. He was just another face in the crowd of patrons I served day in and day out. A face that was slightly more familiar, perhaps, and a presence that was decidedly more intense, but still just a customer. And yet, here I was, acutely aware of his absence. The day wore on as usual. Maggie bustled around, her cheer infectious despite the dampened mood I found myself in. Customers came and went, the bell above the door jingling with each entry and exit. Coffee was brewed, pastries were served, and yet that inexplicable void seemed to hang in the air.I tried to brush it off. Maybe it was just the monotony of my life finally catching up to me. But as the day drew to a close and there was still no sign of the man, the feeling of di
I was just about to step into my SUV when I noticed the café. It was oddly comforting to see it standing there, the soft glow of the lights creating a warm halo around the building in the growing dusk. It was where she worked, where I could see her every day. But it had been a couple of days since I last saw her. "Skye," I murmured, her name tasting sweet on my tongue. She was afraid of me, I knew that. But that was the least of her worries right now. I could feel it - a sense of restlessness, like a storm brewing in the distance. The Blood Pack, under Kain Carter's leadership, had always been a thorn in our sides. We had managed to keep a tentative peace, an agreement of sorts, but the winds were changing. His recent refusal to comply with our deal regarding the safety of humans set a dangerous precedent. A part of me feared for Skye. She was human, oblivious to the threats lurking in the shadows of our world. If Kain learned about her, about her importance to me... I couldn't let
The days turned into a routine. Waking up, working at the café, going back home. The days were blending into one another, and yet, the absence of the stranger was palpably felt. His intense gaze, the feeling of being watched, being cared for... it was oddly comforting. And now that it was gone, I felt an emptiness I couldn't comprehend. Heather tried to coax me into joining her for some fun many times, but I always declined. Part of me wanted to experience life like a regular 19-year-old, to have friends and go out. But the other part, the more dominant part, was afraid. Afraid of getting close to people, afraid of being hurt. I had just finished cleaning the tables when Maggie walked up to me, "Are you okay, dear? You've been very quiet." "I'm fine, just a bit tired," I lied, forcing a smile. I didn't want to worry her, nor did I want to discuss what was bothering me. After all, what would I say? That I was missing a stranger who probably didn't even know my name? Days turned into
Seeing Skye's frightened and confused face tugged at my heart. Her world was turning upside down, and I was the one spinning it. But it was necessary. She needed to know the truth, the reality she had been unknowingly living in. "Jayleen," she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hand trembled in mine, her wide eyes filled with fear and confusion. "Is this why you've been coming to the cafe? To keep an eye on me?" I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Her fear was palpable, radiating off her in waves. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms, to protect her from the harsh truth she was being faced with. But I had to respect her space, her need to process everything. "Yes," I finally managed to say. "I didn't know how else to keep you safe without scaring you." The silence that followed was deafening. I watched as she pulled her hand away from mine, taking a step back. I could see the walls building up around her again, her instincts pushing her to distance h
This is too much. It's all too much. I make my way back to my apartment, the late-night air crisp against my skin. The walk, short as it is, gives me time to think. The revelation about Heather and Michael, Jayleen's words, the world I've been thrust into – it's like waking up from a nightmare only to find out it's all real. Heather is mated to a werewolf. And Jayleen... Jayleen says he is my mate. The concept is foreign, completely out of my realm of understanding. But there's a certain pull, an undeniable connection that makes me want to believe him. I push open the door to my apartment, the dimly lit space offering me a sense of familiarity and comfort. As I shed my coat and kick off my shoes, I let my mind wander back to the conversation earlier tonight. "We were meant to be," Michael's words ring in my ears. "Just like you and Jayleen are." Meant to be. The phrase is heavy, weighted with a sense of destiny and fate. It's overwhelming, daunting even. But why does it also feel
I sat in my office, the dim light from the lone lamp barely illuminating the room. My eyes scanned the maps spread out on my table, tracing the borders between my territory and the Silver Creek. My grip tightened around the glass of whiskey in my hand as my mind raced with strategies and possible outcomes. "Sire," a voice broke my concentration, and I turned to see one of my pack members standing by the door. "We have located Skye Jackson. She is indeed in Silver Creek." My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of anticipation and rage. The thought of my daughter being in Jayleen's territory, being under his protection, made my blood boil. I downed the rest of my whiskey, feeling the burn slide down my throat. "Prepare the warriors," I ordered, my voice steady despite the storm brewing within me. "We're paying Silver Creek a visit." The man nodded, quickly retreating to carry out the orders. I stood up, the maps on the table seeming less significant now. My daughter was within my grasp,
"Just make sure our patrol schedules are reinforced," I told Michael, my eyes not leaving the sight of Skye's apartment building. A few lights flickered on, casting a warm glow that cut through the inky darkness. She was home. "Already done," he replied, glancing at me sideways, a silent understanding passing between us. We've been through a lot together, but the challenges we were about to face seemed to weigh heavier. Michael then turned away, disappearing into the shadows, leaving me alone with my thoughts. It wasn't just the threat of Kain that loomed over us, it was the fear of what he could do to Skye, of what he might have already done. The thought alone made my blood boil. Forcing down the rage, I turned my focus back to Skye's apartment. I could feel her through our mate bond, a steady presence that filled a part of my mind. She was scared, confused, and hurt. I wished more than anything to be able to comfort her, but the reality of the situation was that she was still gett