Chapter 1

Kate’s POV

Early mornings at the coffee shop are the worst. They put me on the edge. You would think the entire members of the Redmoon pack can’t stay awake and need something to get by.

It would have been better if the customers were the only ones I had to deal with. But my supervisor and boss, Martin, is a rogue and devil incarnate. Despite the pressure already mounting, he watches every one of us like a hawk and ends up making my already conscious self, extra conscious.

“One Cappuccino and creamy doughnut please. Make it quick,” A customer hollered from one of the tables.

I did an inward growl compliment of my wolf but maintained a relaxed posture. Some customers do know not when their waitresses or attendants are on a hot seat. I just served a table of five and almost mixed up their orders.

Due to the number of people around and to avoid a possible stampede, we ask the customers to sit and not be in the queue while I go to write down.

“Order for table twelve,” I said to Lois at the counter.

Aside from being a work colleague, Lois is my best friend. We have known each other since middle school and he got me this job as a waitress when it seems like my life might be heading for the rocks. Even though Martin was never an easy person to deal with, Lois stuck his neck out to put in a word for me. It’s been two years and I feel older than I should.

“Won’t you pick that?” Lois nodded towards the phone vibrating persistently in my pocket.

I sniffed, “Why not focus on your work.”

“Nah, I could do with some distractions. Martin is being an asshole as usual and he never helps out. We need more hands around here.”

I hummed in response, knowing he was right. Martin is too stringent to take in another employee. He feels it is best when we are burdened with work. Sincerely the money is worth it, but I don’t think I can keep up in the next five years without breaking my back. My phone rang again just as the orders were up for pickup.

I ignored it and began my walk towards the table that owned the order. It's my dad calling and right now, I am not in the best mood to respond to him. He had hurt me the last time we met because of his bitchy wife and daughter. I was eight when my mum died and the effect was quite devastating on the two of us. When he got married again, I felt that it would do him a lot of good. Only for him to be married to the polar opposite of him.

Judith showed her claws the first month she arrived, especially towards me. And her daughter Jean is nothing to write home about, her viciousness makes me want to scream and throw things. They had accused me of ruining something in the house and my dad didn’t wait to hear from me before accusing me to my face. So I left home and have been squatting with Lois for the past three days.

Now he has been calling since yesterday, but I am not keen on responding to him just yet. I feel too hurt and….

“What the hell!” A harsh voice bellowed over me.

I gasped with my eyes bulging out like saucers. He had the entire coffee spilled on his white shirt turning it into a muddy brown. I had been too lost in my thoughts to notice that I had bumped into someone. I jolted into the present at the voices around me when I realized his skin might be burnt due to the hotness of the coffee.

“I am so sorry, please. Forgive me.” I repeated, dusting it off his shirt like it would be any better.

He grabbed a hold of my hand firmly and our eyes met. I don’t think I have met someone as handsome as this stranger before. His eyes were the exact color of a dark moon. Staring at him had my heart beating at an incredibly fast pace and I felt thirsty for him all of a sudden. He felt too familiar and my eyes can’t seem to catch enough of his view.

An uncontrollable yearning filled every pores on my skin and goosebumps laid thick on my arm. My breath seemed to seize when his mind-twirling scent wafted through my nose. My wolf reeled in excitement inside of me. Unbelievable! Today of all days, who would have thought I would be blessed this way?

My wolf howled in delight, the look in his eyes proves that our thoughts align. His grip on me softened, prompting me to take a closer step toward him. My lips parted gently.

“Mate.” I let out in a whisper.

I didn’t get the chance to hear from him as Martin pushed me out of the way and went on, talking nonstop apologizing at each break of sentence and he ended up pulling him away. I gulped hard, staring at his behind hungrily. His shoulders look so sharply trimmed and ass well curved, that it makes me jealous. But then my heart bloomed in delight, whoever this good-looking stranger is, he is my mate.

I find myself dragging my feet towards the direction of Martin’s office. Lois grabbed me by the arm, holding me still.

“Hey, not so fast. You need to clean up your mess and apologize to the customers.” He said.

Oh, shit! I had totally forgotten about the customers. I glanced down at the mess and the waiting impatient customers too, but it didn’t move me. I have to go after the man before I lose him.

“I need to go meet that man, Lois. Cover for me and ask Brenda to do her bloody job!” I gritted, still attempting to leave but he stood in my way.

“Not so fast. What is going on?”

I flared my nose and glared at him. “Lois, don’t make me lose my cool. I am about to lose my mate if I stand here attending to just a few bucks of coffee that can easily be made again. Get out of my way.”

Like a raging bull, I pushed past him and rushed into Martin’s tiny office. With the presence of my mate, it feels tinier. But I like it. Makes me feel closer to him.

“How are you feeling sir? I am so sorry.” I mumbled.

“Sorry for yourself!” Martin blurted. “I have always known your clumsy self will cost me someday….”

His words get cut short as a man bursts in all of a sudden. “My Lord, what happened?” He questioned glaring back at me and Martin. The douchebag called Martin pointed at me immediately. “What did you do to the Alpha?” He growled.

What! The Alpha? Alpha of Redmoon pack? I have always heard of how breathtaking he looks but I didn’t realize it was this intense.

Martin in his hypocritical self, fell to his knees. “Pardon me, dear Alpha Dame. I had no idea it was you. Forgive me for employing such a lousy individual as a waitress. I am sorry, I will buy you a new shirt.”

“Idiot! Do you think any of your dime can afford what he is wearing?” The man questioned.

“Quadrick,” The Alpha called out in a cool voice. “That’s enough. It's okay. You all should excuse us” He stated with his eyes glued to mine and got up still soaked in the coffee.

Martin wanted to say something but he was cut short by Quadrick who pulled him outside.

“So, you….” He drawled in a dangerously low tone, walking towards me until I was cornered to the wall.

I gulped hard, batting my lashes rapidly as I took a sneak peek at his toned abs. He is so gorgeous. I wonder what all of him would look like without the clothes. I am in love already.

“Eyes up here, miss.” He called out again, this time he had a finger lifting my jaw. As our eyes met, my legs felt like they would cut in half.

“Alpha Dame,” I called out too boldly, even though my heart felt like it would rip out of its cage. “W…we are mates,” I stated that he was unaware. Those looks in his eyes show that he feels the burning desire as I do. My clit thumped fervently wishing for a release. I would do anything to have his arms around me.

“Hmmn, is that so….” He cooed and leaned into me with his breath fanning my face. Just then his lips met with my ear and he whispered into it. “You can call me Dame.”

My legs wobbled, thanks to the wall I would have become a puddle. “D…dame.”

“That is it, baby,” Dame growled in a seductive voice. His hand trailed my neatly wrapped bun. “Your red hair is so fascinating. Did you have it dyed?”

I have heard several compliments about my hair, but hearing it from someone my heart jumps for. It sounds like the best compliment to ever exist. “No, it's all mine,” I mumbled in the same manner he did.

His eyes ate into my skin so much that I felt bare. His lips grazed mine while his hands roamed my bare skin. Is this supposed to be happening? The question doesn’t sound appropriate at the moment, my wolf is just as desperate as my flesh was.

I gasped loudly when his hand found its way underneath my skirt, all of a sudden I felt a rub against my clit with his thumb. My fingers dug in as a strange surge of electricity trickled inside me. His large hand cupped my face as he started off the kiss slowly, then roughly at once. My wolf howled in pleasure. I grinded against his finger wishing he would hold onto me tightly. A burst of flame erupted from me when he removed his hand, causing me to shiver.

Unshaken, he took two steps backward, pocketed his hands, and stared at me with those grey eyes.

“What is your name?” Dame asked.

“K…kate.” I stuttered.

“Come to the packhouse tomorrow by noon, tell them your name and they will let you in. Don’t be late.” He said, heading out the door without sparing me a glance and leaving me all confused with my pants soaked.

Damn.