The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 2

"Do you not know what you are?" He asks, on the verge of telling me something I sense I should already know.

"What I am? I don't understand the question. I am what we all are. Human," I say, giving him a weird look.

"Can't you even smell the difference?" He asks me. I laugh.

"The only thing I smell around here is the food burning in the frying pan," I chuckle.

"Shit!"He runs to the stove to turn it off and removes the smoking frying pan.

We remain silent in the kitchen and focus on prepping and cooking orders.

"For what it's worth, Astrid, whatever happened to your mother, I'm sure she wouldn't want you blaming yourself for her death. I'm sure she would not want your father hurting you all these years because of it.

"Stepfather," I correct him.

"Your stepfather? I thought--" he says before I cut him off.

"Yes, I only found out myself last night." I explain that my birth father died when my mother was pregnant with me.

"I'm so sorry." He looks downcast.

"I was sorry at first, too, but I don't know now. Maybe it might be a good thing he isn't my real father," I say. Jim nods and smiles.

"Do you think you could work late tonight? I have important people coming from the next town for an important meeting. It would be great if I could join the meeting for a change, instead of serving the food and drinks," he explains.

"I'll have to ring Dad and ask, but I'm sure he will agree if it means more booze money for him."

My Dad says I can work the extra few hours. All my money from work always goes into his account, anyway. Of course, I don't get to see any of it, but I'd still rather be at work if it means not being near him.

"It's fine. Dad says I can work the few extra hours," I say. He gives me a wink and a smile.

"Good," he exhales with relief.

A few hours later, I have prepped food for the customers coming to the diner for their meeting.

"Is there anything I need to know about this meeting?" I ask Jim.

"We're just having some problems in Shadow Crest," he says.

"If you men want to make your way to the kitchen counter, Astrid will take your order. But, please, no one freak out - especially you, Alpha Ryker, when I tell you, Astrid is a rogue, that's what the strange smell is," Jim explains.

"WHAT?" Alpha Ryker shouts, slamming his fist on the table.

"Alpha Ryker. Settle down! She is just a young girl who needs a job. She has been under my employment for almost a year now and is one of my best workers. We're also not in your territory, so she isn't trespassing. She has done nothing wrong. So, I suggest you sit down and behave!"Jim warns.

"Are you threatening me, Jim?" Alpha Ryker asks.

"Of course not, Alpha. I'm just reminding you. As much as you and everyone here hates rogues, she has done nothing wrong and will remain out of all this. Alpha Ryker growls.

Quietly preparing the platter, I hear a loud thump. Someone is angry. I'm just glad I'm in here and not out there with all that commotion. I pull my hood up to hide my bruised eye. Unfortunately, I can't cover my split lip, so I figure I'll bite over my lip to hide it when needed.

After approaching the counter, I ask the first man for his order. I avoid eye contact and keep my head down as I write them down. All these guys sound very grumpy and annoyed. Then, finally, Jim comes over to me. 

"Alpha, I mean Ryker, would like a vanilla milkshake with some cookies." I nod and write the order. I have served everyone except for Ryker.

Lifting an enormous platter of biscuits and dips, I wince with the weight in one hand. My broken rib is under strain. Ryker stares at me.

Pausing for a moment, I inhale a deep breath, hold it, brace myself for the pain, lift the platter again, and put it on the table where most men sit. In the kitchen, I exhale while keeping my hand pressed against my ribs. Darn! Ryker's order. Quickly walking to him to serve his order, he stares directly at me and squints, wondering what or who is under my hood.