It had been three weeks since the night Roman saved me from being slaughtered at the hands of the vargulf. As soon as Strawberry had found out she was on me like a bee on honey for a week she wouldn't let me go anywhere without her. But once the full moon had passed she started to calm down. Blaming it for her semi paranoid behaviour.

Tonight was a new moon, the one night of the month all wolves were at their weakest. It was the only night of the month Berry had plans with someone other than me. that was until now, apparently, she had been talking with Aurora and the two decided that tonight I'd join them at the packhouse for their New moon traditions. Something both Berry and Sal were stubbornly secretive about. 



Wiping down the main counter for what seemed like the 100th time this evening I  let out a soft sigh, the diner had been absurdly slow today leaving the four of us working to mainly deal with the regular customers and just my luck, Mateo who had wondered in after his run like every other Monday afternoon since freshmen year. After making and bringing him his usual double mint fudge shake I did my best to ignore his existence like usual.

Walking out from behind the counter I went to check the sugar dispensers at the empty table just for something to do. After a few booths, I felt a hand on my waist. I could feel my body go tense at the unfamiliar touch, slowly straightening myself up part of me prayed it was someone I knew the cruel joke, It was something both Campbell and his brother  Lennox would do just to get a scare out of me, or even Sal just to watch me squirm. somewhere deep down as much as I hoped I knew it wasn't any of them, there was just something about how the hand gripped at me.

Slowly turning the hand still on my waist I was met with a rusty haired older man, one I didn't recognize, alcohol lingering on his breath. Stepping back I attempted to pull myself away only to be pinned against the table.  The man licked him as his gaze hovered over my uniform, I shifted uncomfortably attempting to look past him for any of my coworkers to save him.

"c...Can I help you?" I stuttered out as he blocked my view.

"Mmm, I'm sure you can babe" He hummed his hand reached for my face I flinched to the side my eyes one more searching begging to find someone to help.

for a moment they met Mateos his brows scrunched as he took a long deep sip of his milkshake. Letting his face slightly relax he rose to his feet, The man placed a finger on my jaw forcing me to look back up at him, I cowered back into the table. my eyes darting from him to looking for any hint of escape 


"I'm going to need you to remove your hand from the trash panda" Mateo's voice was calm, somewhat casual as he spoke. The man dropped his head turning to look behind him. 


"excuse me?" the man snarled. 

Peaking out from behind the man for the first time I ever I didn't care about him calling me trash panda I was just felt relief.  I watched the man sizing Mateo up, he was double his size and under normal circumstances could probably break someone Mateos size in half. Mateo and I, however, both knew, if the mad did try to attack him he stood no chance. Mateo took another long slow sip of his drink.

"Hands, off" Mateo stated simply  stepping forward swatting the man's hand away like you would a fly

"Go sit your ass back down kid, this is between me and girl" The man snapped.


"See man, I just can't do that. You see I'm what you called her nemesis, bane of her existence, fuel to her fire, and I just can't have some overgrown underachieving alcoholic putting his ape hands over her." Mateo started placing his drink down, the man stepped forward.

"you think I care about your little highschool crush kid" He scoffed "I'll paint the walls with your blood if you don't get out of my face" he treated stepping closer to Mateo who simply returned the threat with a smirk.

"Stop. right there. both of you." A familiar female voice scolded, Alyia with Rocky at her side pushed themselves between the two.


"don't worry babe, I got room for the two of you as well" He-man smirked licking his lips as he examined the two, his eyes linger just a little to long on Rocky for any of ours comfort.



"Listen, I don't know or care for that matter care what this is. but it's going to stop and you sir are going to leave the premises before I call the cops" Alyia stated firmly


"Oh is that so sweetheart" an ominous tone filled the man's voice as he leaned closer.


"Let me at him please" Rocky growled.


"This troglodyte isn't worth it, nor is he worth you getting in trouble, Mateo" She informed once again scolding him.


"I beg do differ" Mateo stated eyes still locked on the man.


"better watch your tongue girly" The man snarled, causing both Mateo and Rocky to attempt to step forward.

"I'm sure we can all come to a reasonable and responsible resolution, without resorting to violence if we simply use our words" Aliya once again attempted to defuse the situation.  

"Pig had his hands all over my  trash panda" Mateo finally announced.



Both Aliya and Rocky fell silent, but I could see something brewing in their eyes. Rocky lip twitched, her handballing at her side as she once again attempted to Step forward only to be blocked by her older sister. You could almost hear the wheels turning in her head, as she let out a long calming breath.


 With her head held hide, she took one long stride in my direction forcing him to move as she took my hand and pulled me into her before gently nudging me into Rocky.   She paused for a minute looking at us before turning to the man. With one swift motion, her of bronzed skin her fist collided directly with the man's throat causing him to stumble back into the booth coughing and gasping for air.

My mouth dropped as I stared at her wide-eyed. I had expected her to scold him, maybe threaten but actually throw a punch? not so much. Since meeting her she'd been nothing but calm, mostly well mannered and a voice of reason.  Turning around to face us stepped between Rocky and I  looking between the two of us.

"Call Mame, you're going home and no I won't tell your brother on you, Mateo." She added leading us away from both men. 

"I know I don't know you guys that well... but I did not expect her to do that..." I half-whispered to Rocky my eyes watching Alyia as she waited for our hot drinks at the coffee truck. 

"Have you ever head once in a blue moon?" Rocky quizzed leaning closer on the bench


"yeah?" I asked somewhat confused



"Ali being violent is even rarer... but she also does not stand for that shit" Rocky informed.


"Well.. I'm thankful for it" I informed with a half-smile,



"This is off subject... but I have to ask  what's with the trash panada thing?" Rocky asked after a few moments of silence.


"I've been curious about that myself" Aliya added taking a seat as she handed us our drinks. aloud sigh escaped my lips.


"Mateo and I got off on the wrong foot day one of high school, we spent all of freshmen year on a downward slope of dislike. Junior year wasn't much different we still didn't get along, he made it a game to get under my skin and then picture day came... and while on the way to get pictures done... he tripped me and I went headfirst into the trash.  By the time Strawberry and I had managed to pull me out.  My eyeliner and mascara were running giving me some lovely black circles around my eyes in which prompted Mateo to nickname  me Trash panda." I informed the ending with an annoyed groan as I remembered the incident. 

"Why am I actually not surprised?"  Aliya rolled her eyes gaining a giggle from both Rocky and I