Four

Sydney's POV

"Where the hell have you been?" Jeffrey yelled when I came into view.

"I'm so so sorry. I couldn't get a cab so I had to get here-"

"I don't want to hear it, Sydney," he fumed.

"Let me just get to work on that dining table now. I'm very sorry," I apologized again.

He snapped his fingers. "No, someone's already working on that." He took a tray containing a cup and bottle of champagne and handed it to me. "Serve the man this. He's in room 206. Since Cheryl is also running late, you'll be his personal server today instead of her."

Noting everything important, I went in the direction of the room. But still heard him mutter, "What is wrong with these women?"

I so wanted to break all the glass in this tray on his head. Unfortunately, I was too far already and it would be suspicious that I heard him from that distance. The city where the Moon Rise pack settled was also heavily populated with humans. If it weren't that way, the humans would get nosey.

One of the many things I hated about this job apart from the low pay was Jeffrey. I used to think my aunt was a stuck-up bitch till I met this guy. If only I could find a better job and leave this place.

"You're a very fast waitress, Sydney. Good job," Jeffrey once said. "But no raises for you."

I comforted myself with thoughts of killing him one day. Hopefully, I would live to do that. As I needed the room of the VIP guest, I changed my thoughts to positive ones. I didn't want to be angry when I met him or it would affect my service.

"Room service!" I said after knocking with my toes. Once I got the go-ahead to enter, I opened the door with my elbow and went in.

The scent of fresh rain hit me as I closed the door. Rain was relaxing to me and I particularly loved the scent of it. My coworkers thought I was nuts whenever I showed up to work drenched in the rainy season.

The most magnificent emerald green eyes roamed my face as I stared at his physique. For the first time in six years, I was attracted to a man. I wondered how that beautiful pale skin would feel. I was staring at a male version of Snow White. His muscles almost looked edible as I studied him till I got to the towel. Oh my goodness, he was fresh out the shower! I averted my eyes quickly before I could register his V-line.

"You can serve the alcohol now," he said, pointing at the table in the middle of the suite.

"Sure," I muttered. After pouring his champagne into the glass, I said, "You can call on me whenever you need something. For now, I'll let you get dressed." It took all I could not to ogle at him again.

"Oh, I'll need you to stay," he replied as if it was previously agreed. The smoothness of his voice washed over me but I raised an eyebrow. Still, I stood at the door, leaning on it.

'Mate!' my wolf screamed.

'You have got to be kidding me. This guy is way out of my league please.'

By the time I blinked, he was inches away from me. 'Did my legs move without my knowledge or did he walk over to me?'

Two heartbeats pounded in my ears, almost driving me mad. I was consumed by his gaze. When he arched his back, I stepped back last minute but he caught me by the waist. Parting his lips, he took mine.

Suddenly, the pounding hearts were like a sweet melody to my ears. I enjoyed the taste of his cherry-flavored mouth as my hands traveled up his chest. I was becoming lightheaded when he stopped suddenly.

"Mate," his beautiful mouth whispered.

"Mate," I whispered back, smiling no doubt stupidly.

Taking me with him to the bed, he sat me down on his lap. "What's your name?"

I battled within myself before saying, "Sydney Leonard."

"Alexander Grayson."

I felt like a specimen in a petri dish as he studied me. But it was more of a warm gaze like he had been waiting for me his whole life.

Almost an hour later, I got to know that he was the Alpha of a neighboring pack who came to officially sign a deal to be allied with the Moon Rise pack. He was very funny and I almost laughed myself to embarrassment while we talked. Alexander carried me the whole time while I subtly touched his alluring skin to get the feel of it. I just hoped I wasn't giving off the vibes of a creep.

"Shouldn't you get ready for your meeting? You shouldn't be late," I said worriedly.

He raised an eyebrow. "I want to know you better. They can wait a bit."

My stomach flipped and I hung my head to hide what I was sure was an obvious tinge of red on my cheeks. My face was burning at this point. "Yeah. But you shouldn't keep them waiting, plus I have to work a bit. And you can't come all the way here and leave without achieving anything."

My words fell on dead ears because he just grinned some more and drew me closer as if we weren't close enough already. "But I found you. That's more than an achievement."

I cleared my suddenly dry throat. One thing I discovered in such a short period was that Alexander was a big flirt. He did it so smoothly, I almost orgasmed.

As I waited for him to dress, I smiled to myself. Maybe there's a light to this life of mine. It felt like I had known him forever. The way he held me seemed so familiar. If only he could get to know me in other places too.

My hands flew to my mouth when he stepped out of the bathroom. He was in a navy blue suit that fit him so well he looked like a sex god. "Wow," was all I could say. Whatever cologne he had on smelled like whiskey. I loved whiskey.

"Up," came his deep voice with his hand outstretched.

I finally concentrated enough to realize he wanted us to walk out together. "No, we can't," I protested, disengaging myself from him. "I should figure this out better first. And don't forget about the humans."

He nodded. His head dipped and he sucked my lips in, kissing me passionately before he opened the door and stepped out while I followed with the tray in hand.

As his designated waitress, I served him mostly at the table and he made me stay close in case he needed anything but those were just opportunities to graze my skin with his fingers. Cheryl almost killed me with her stares. The moment I had a break, she asked, "Why are you so interested in him? You should know better than this, Sydney. And before you deny it, I caught you trying to catch his eye."

This woman had been against me since my first day here and I really wasn't having it. Today, she'd crossed a line. "We both know you're the only one here who's trying to catch his eye. Leave me out of your rubbish, Cheryl. I'm not the reason he's failed to notice you."

She opened her mouth to speak but Jeff came. "You!" he pointed at me. "Mr. Grayson is ready to leave the dining hall and he's looking for you. Why did you leave your duty post in the first place?" Knowing Jeffrey, I didn't wait for him to continue yelling. Poor Cheryl.

Alexander was indeed ready to leave and he stood up as soon as he sighted me. It still baffled me that the Moon goddess would gift me such a beautiful man. I had given up on mating a long time ago.

As soon as I closed the door, he attacked my lips. Biting, sucking, and grazing the walls of my mouth with his tongue. I loved the way he gripped my thigh. He sunk his teeth between my neck and shoulder abruptly but I was ready. Was this how it felt to be marked? I felt a little burning sensation and really couldn't wait to admire it later.

I unbuttoned his shirt. The moment a gazed at his chest and belly, all the warmth I felt disappeared. He had tattoos. Maybe it's a lesson from the goddess to help me overcome my phobia of tattoos?

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine. Just a little too tired and distracted." I smiled at him.

"You should rest here then," he suggested as he brushed my short hair from my face.

My eyes widened. My kids! How could I have forgotten that my shift was over and it was time to go home and feed them?

"Sorry, I can't. I need to go home and feed my kids," I said hurriedly.

He appeared confused. "You have kids?"

"Yeah."

"I can't accept that," he said, suddenly angry.

"What are you talking about?"

"Sydney Leonard, I'm rejecting you as my mate."

Tears filled my eyes. Maybe it was a repeated dream. I felt my body hit something cold before my eyelids glued together.