Shane Adea leaned forward, she cried out as her hand gripped her stomach. Her eyes fell to her body and she flushed as she realized how exposed she was. She grabbed her cloak and pulled it forward in a poor attempt to cover herself. She tried and failed. If the situation wasn’t so fucking painful I would have laughed. There wasn’t a single part of her body I hadn’t already seen before this day. She was hiding herself from me and that’s what hurt more. Adea’s eyes widened and she moved closer to Ethan as if he would protect her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder as if shielding her from danger. An evil smirk pulled at the corner of his lip as he pulled her in. I looked to her as he did, fear shone in her eyes and a sorrow I didn’t know I wasn’t already feeling washed over me. Max and I threw our head back and a soulful howl ripped from my throat. She sought safety out in his arms. Ethan lifted his chin and flashed me with a bright smile before I lowered my head in as threatening a
AdeaI wouldn’t say that I’m a mean person, I’m just not a people person. If I’m not a people person, I shouldn’t be working in customer service, right? Bills don’t discriminate, they just need to be paid. There were some pros to this shift. I had a schedule with Gabe. He was my best friend, he was the only person who grabbed my hand and came with me when I left home. I don’t know what I did to deserve his friendship or his loyalty, but I was more thankful for him that he could ever know. I also got free coffee and I took advantage of that.I didn’t have to worry about someone new being in my space, but now I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Getting close to people was something I avoided. Throw in my trust issues and it takes every ounce of determination I have in my body to keep up the whole pretending to be someone I’m not thing I’ve got going on.For as far back as I could remember I have always felt alone. It didn’t matter where or who I was with. I could be in a room full of
She’s late.Maybe something came up?So you won’t throw the human a bone, but you’ll gladly give excuses for a girl we haven’t even met?Korra snuffled and slipped to the back of my mind. My brow twitched as she gave me the cold shoulder. I gave her the space she needed. With my thoughts still sour from Mr. Burns, I cursed and pushed off the counter. I grabbed a wet cloth and started wiping down the counter. Between him and the mystery hire I was already done for the day and she hadn’t even arrived yet!A car pulled up and I smiled as Gabe pulled up to the window. I threw the cloth aside and ran to the drive thru. Pushing the sliding window open, blue eyes sparkled as he flashed me with a crooked smile. His blonde hair fell over his eyes and he ran his fingers through it as he pushed it back.“Good morning!” Gabe greeted.“What are you doing here on your day off? It’s not even five!” I said as I leaned out of the window.“That’s what I said,” a man grumbled.“I didn’t ask for a day of
The new girl’s long black hair was tied back in a high pony tail and she wore our uniform of black pants and a white t-shirt. Her posture was straight, but her shoulders were tense as she walked. She stared at her phone in her hand and her perfectly manicured fingers flew over the screen angrily. When she looked up, gray eyes locked on mine. All signs of hostility I spotted a few seconds ago was nowhere in sight.I’ve never seen this girl before in my life, but there was something familiar about her. I felt drawn to her and that made me irritable. Two years ago, I started working here with Gabe. I have not once in my life been late. Gabe had always been popular with people. This job fit him like a glove, or a second skin. His kindness, joking manor, and bubbly personality made him the perfect barista. It was hard not to like him. I don’t have any of the qualities that Gabe has and I’m definitely not fun.It wasn’t easy, but I have since perfected the smile and the customer service voi
“Till… swing shift.. okay! I think I’ve got it. Thanks for dumbing it down for me,” Mave said.“I’ve checked this one already, but since you haven’t done it before I think it would be a good idea for you to recount it. It’ll help you get familiar with the process,” I said. I put the paperwork back in the register and put the till back in before closing it shut.“I’ll get on it,” she said. I watched as she pressed tender and the register opened up again. A car drove up and I left her. “Let me know when you are done with that and then I’ll show you how to make the specialty drinks.”She didn’t answer as she started counting and I opened the sliding door to help the customer. I worked quickly to make their Americano, it was the easiest drink. It was gross, but very popular. By the time I checked her out, there was another customer in line. I peeked over my shoulder to find Mave still counting. After I cleared the line and accumulated about forty dollars in tips by the time she was done c
“Hi,” Mave said. Gabe flashed her his best customer service smile.“He’s on the swing shift with Beka,” I said.Gabe walked to the register Mave just finished preparing and signed in. When it popped open, he pulled the paper out, and started counting the till.“Is she here yet, or is she on her knees sucking dick somewhere?” Gabe asked.“Gabe,” I warned. When he put a dash down next to the ones, he lifted his head and look over his shoulder at me. He flashed me a smile and feigned innocence.“Sorry, has she been dropped off?” He asked, his gaze going to the bathroom.“No, she hasn’t,” I said stubbornly. Gabe groaned and turned back to his till. I sighed as he started on the fives.“Who’s Beka?” Mave asked. I glared at Gabe’s back and he blew me a kiss even though he couldn’t see me. The last thing I liked to do was gossip and he knew it. I wasn’t going to start today.“You’ll meet her sometime this week. She’s a good worker,” I said. Gabe snorted and I fought the urge to flip him off.
“That’s real exciting, Gabby, but we both know that rumors can’t be trusted. When we first moved here, people thought I was your wife,” I said. Yes, they were humans, but still. “The politics of packs doesn’t concern me. He isn’t our alpha and if this alpha is as dangerous as they say, we should not be indulging in rumors,” I said. He rolled his eyes and waved me off.“It’s been two months. Don’t you think he’s found her?” He asked.“I fail to see why this all matters,” I laughed.“Why else would he settle down here? I think he’s found her, but isn’t approaching her. Tell me, Ady, why would an Alpha do that? Hmm? Especially one who takes what he wants, when he wants and just… not take it? Why wouldn’t he make a move? Hmm?” Gabe asked.“This need for answers is going to get you in trouble Gabe,”I said. He gave me a look and I huffed. “Is this the part where I ask why?” I asked.“I’m glad you asked. I think he’s found her, I think he knows who and where she is. I think he’s watching her
The last thing I liked to do when I left my morning shift was stop anywhere other than home. The probability that I would run into someone I knew from work was high. As much as I wanted to go in and get stuff for dinner and some snacks, I didn’t want to chance it today. I felt edgy today with the change in my schedule. Plus, when I ran into customers, there was no time limit or excuse about having to ring up the next customer and they would take that as a sign that we could talk for hours. I wouldn’t chance it today. I stepped on the gas pedal and the car sped forward as the apartment buildings came into view. Twenty minutes later, I was parked in our parking spot, in the elevator, and speed walking toward the door to our apartment. I pressed the key fob to the door and it beeped.Home, sweet home.The door unlocked and I pushed the handle down. I pulled the door open and stepped in. It clicked as it locked behind me and hooked my key chain on the wall mount. I yawned and stretched as