Chapter 2

With the passing days I thought of my mate often. All hopes I had of forgetting him were now gone and, I found myself unable to distract myself from thinking about him. I don’t know why it was so hard for me since it didn't serve a purpose at all.

He was off planning some extravagant wedding with Jasmine, while I sat here saddened by the thought of my mate mating with someone else.

Yes, I had finally come to terms with what was happening to me. I had found my mate and that’s all there was to it. I couldn't change it or do anything about it. I just had to accept it.

I tried to ignore the urging of my wolf to go to him, but at times it was a bit overbearing. It was exhausting having her in my mind all time with no way to switch her off. I knew she wouldn't give up until we had him.

The only problem was….he didn't know we existed. I’m not exactly sure what I was going to do about that either.

Some parts of me wanted to let him go since he seemed so happy with her, but another part of me wanted to claim what’s mine. It wasn't fair that she belonged to him and it wasn't right either.

Didn't she have a mate of her own? Where was he in all of this? Had he rejected her or she him? Had they not met yet and got tired of waiting?

I've seen it before. Some people didn't find their mates until they had already aged and had lived out their lives. One of our pack members only found there mate a few years ago and she was seventy-five. It must have been so hard to wait that long but worth it when they found each other though.

Finding your mate was the most special thing in the world. Nothing could make you happier. That’s why you should seize every opportunity to be with them.

But I couldn't because she had him. Jasmine.

Over the past few days I’d come to hate that name. Just knowing what she was to my mate killed me. I know that it wasn't her fault though. She didn't even know about me. But that still didn't stop the hatred.

“Order up!” Frank yelled while ringing the bell.

I laid down the rag I had been using to wipe the same spot with for ten minutes and went to get the plates.

It was fairly slow right now with it being between rush hours, and also I was trying to find ways to keep myself busy so I couldn't think. Thinking was only painful for me. I preferred not to do it.

“Here you go,” I smiled, setting down the plates in front of the elderly couple. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, thank you dear,” The woman said kindly. “I believe we have everything we need.”

Her husband must have agreed because he didn't even look in my direction before eating his meal.

I nodded my head at them both before turning away to go back to the counter I was wiping down before I was interrupted.

I let out a sigh once I reached my destination and propped myself up on my elbow. I took a glance around the place, seeing if anyone needed anything before realizing that no one else was there. This was going to be a long three hours.

I suppose I could make more coffee but I don’t want it to go to waste. Two of out three burners still had full pots on them so it really wasn't necessary for the third.

If Charlie was here no doubt he’d have a list of chores for me to do, but thankfully he wasn't coming today. He had to take his wife for some kind of yearly check up and only said he'd be by to close up shop tonight.

The bell on the door rang, bringing my attention the new customer walking in. He nodded to the elderly couple who were watching as he entered and offered them a kind smile as he passed by. He was practically radiating with confidence, which I found rather odd. Normally only Alphas gave off that kind of energy, but to be honest I could tell if he was even a werewolf, and if he was I hadn't seen him around here before.

He continued passing by the many tables not bothering to give them a second glace as he made the way to the counter where I was standing not breaking eye contact the entire way. The moment felt quiet intense.

He took the stool directly in front of me while giving me a breathless smile and running his hand through his thick dark hair. His ocean blue eyes staring back at me made me feel more nervous than I already was. For some reason I couldn’t look away from him. It was like he was willing me to keep eye contact with.

There was no doubt about it-this man was very attractive, but something about him seemed suspicious. He had a smell I couldn’t place. It didn’t seem human, but it wasn’t werewolf either. It’s almost like he masked it or something.

“Hello Claire,” he said staring at me with those hypnotizing eyes, waiting for a reply from me.

My breath caught in my throat at the sound of my name escaping is full smooth lips.

“Y-you know me?” I stuttered, probably sounding like a complete idiot in front of this Greek God.

A smirk quickly covered his face as he reached towards me, taking my name tag between his fingers then quickly releasing it. I could feel my heart going into overdrive at his closeness.

“Oh. Of course,” I chuckled nervously while trying to cover up my embarrassment. “What can I get you?”

“How about today’s special and your number?” he asked.

I stared at him in disbelief, making it fairly obvious I was taken by surprise at his request. Had he really just said that? I mean sure, I had guys that hit on me occasionally but he…he was different. Something about him seemed so dark.

I was even more surprised by my wolf. She didn’t have much to say about Kieran and remained quiet in the back on my head, remaining unspoken. It was as if she were studying him.

 “Uh,” was all I could manage to get out while staring at him blankly.

I honestly didn't know what I was supposed to say to that. I didn't want him to have my number but I had feeling that he wasn't going to give up that easy either.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not on the menu.” I said before forcing myself to look away from his and writing down his order.   I wasted no time distancing myself from him, taking his order to the cook. Once I had returned he was still watching me intently.

I sighed while brushing a stray blonde hair out of my face and shook my head. “I don’t go out with guys who don’t have a name.”

“Well lucky for you I do,” he said offering me his hand to shake.  “Kieran Knight.”

I looked down at his hand, cautiously debating on whether or not to shake it before finally giving in. His warm hand embraced mine gently, holding it there so that I could not move.

“Claire Warren,” I said.

“You’re not from around here are you?” I asked him.

I didn't want to seem too suspicious, but I had to ask him. I think I’d remember if I saw a face like his before.

 He chuckled while releasing my hand and leaned back in his seat a little. The absence of his hand in mine made it seem so empty and dull now.

“Am I that transparent?” He had an amused expression on his face as he waited for my reply.

“It’s just that I haven’t seen you around here before,” I stated.

“Actually this is only my second time here,” he admitted. “I’m looking for someone.”

“Well what’s their name? Maybe I know them,” I said, hoping he’d tell me and allow some insight into who he was. He just seemed so mysterious. That made me eager to find out more about him.

If he was looking for someone in my pack then most likely he was a werewolf like me. But if he wasn't then he was just the most intimidating human I had ever met.  And that was a lot coming from a wolf.

“I’d bet on it,” he said. 

I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but I had a feeling there was some kind of hidden meaning behind it, that I was sure about.

Mr. Tall, Dark and Mysterious wasn't giving anything up.

“So how long are you in town for?” I asked, changing the subject.

He shrugged as if he didn't even know the answer to that question himself before replying. “A few days, maybe less.”

He was purposely being vague. Figuring out this guy was like trying to solve the Da Vinci code. It wasn't going to happen. He was treading lightly, making sure not to give up too much information. He was up to something. I just didn't know what it was.

“What would you like to drink?” I asked, grabbing a cup by the beverage dispenser.

“Water’s fine,” he said while searching for something in his jacket pockets.

As I began filling up his glass with ice I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.

“Would you happen to know where the Raven Hill community is?” he asked, squinting at the paper he held in his hand, that just came from the pockets he was previously digging in.

His question had taken me by sheer surprise and only confirmed what I had speculated to begin with. I fought to push away the shock. No one goes there. Unless they are a werewolf.

“R-Raven Hill?”

“Yeah, I have some business there,” he said easily.

So he was a wolf. Then why couldn't I smell him? All wolves have a scent but he doesn't it. Something is wrong with this picture.

“It’s about four miles up the road,” I began. “Once you pass Goodyear, take a left and then just follow the signs.”

You’d think that if he was planning on meeting with my pack he’d know how to get there. Besides, I don’t know how he would even get on to our territory without border patrol knowing.

“Order up,” frank yelled ringing that obnoxious bell again.

“That would be yours,” I mumbled before turning to get it.

“That’s ok,” he said causing me to stop in my tracks halfway to the order up counter. “I got what I came for.”

I raised an eyebrow to him as he pulled a fifty dollar bill from his wallet and laid it out on the counter in front of him.

“That should cover it,” he smiled while getting up from his seat. “It was nice meeting you Claire. I’ll be seeing you again soon.”

Before I could question him on what he meant, he was already out the door and from my sight while I stood in wonder.

Something was definitely weird about him. Maybe I should warn the pack that an outsider was asking questions.

But then if I did that I’d have to talk to Daniel and then he’d know we were mates. It would change things for both of us. I would either get accepted or rejected and neither of those I was exactly ready for.

Perhaps I wouldn't have to talk to him at all. Kieran came in alone, so that doesn't exactly scream threat to me. Maybe he was just passing through and looking for a friend, just like he said. It was certainly possible.

I glanced back down at the money lying on the counter and realized he’d left me an unnecessarily large tip. His meal was less than ten dollars. No one in their right mind would leave a tip so large.

It was strange, almost as strange as he was.

I sat in the crowded club with Jennifer next to me while she was busy chatting with some stranger. I knew that he was human, but I didn't know him personally. That tells me that she is only looking for a good time.

She was smart when it came to her mate. She didn't want a serious relationship to avoid any future complication when she met her mate. So in the mean time she decided to just have a little fun until that day finally came.

She was much more confident than me. This was her weekend routine and I was always just along for the ride. It beats sitting at home on the weekend doing nothing even if I did leave alone every night. I just wanted to loosen up a bit. I had no intentions of meeting anyone.

That did not stop Jennifer from trying to set me up though. If a guy she was interested in came in with a friend she’d always try to set me up with them to make it easier on her.

She never gives up.

Just as I took a sip of my drink I noticed someone leaning on the counter next to me and they weren't going away. His stare was way too obvious. I could only imagine it was Jennifer’s doing.

“Can I help you?” I asked as politely as I could.

He didn't look to bad, but I still couldn't get Daniel out of my head. In any other situation I would have flirted with him, but my wolf hated anyone that wasn't my mate. It’s only became this bad since seeing Daniel a few days ago. I didn't quite know how to handle her and it was getting worse.

The only exception to that rule was the stranger that came into the diner today. She found him quite mysterious, just as I did. I don’t think she knew exactly what to make of him.

“The name’s Jones,” he smirked holding out his hand to me.

“Mila.” I lied not bothering to accept it and looked down at my drink.

I’d probably never see this guy again anyway, so it hardly matters what name I gave him. He’d be gone in ten minutes if I could help it.

I took another long sip of my drink trying my best to ignore him but he just wasn't getting the hint. I suppose this called for more desperate measures.

“What is a pretty girl like you sitting all alone at the bar for?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes at him and was about to say something a bit rude until I noticed Jennifer had already ditched me. She was no longer at the bar next to me, but instead, across the room in some random guy’s lap.

Wow, ditched already. I think that’s a new record. We’d only been here twenty minutes.

After realizing he was still waiting in my response, I quickly tried to think of something to say to scare him off.

“Oh you know. Just a single mom having a night out, while the kids are away,” I smiled.

“So you have kids?” he questioned, still not sounding as put off as I‘d hoped.

“Yes. Six to be exact.”

If that didn't work, I don’t know what would. Perhaps I should have gone with waiting on my lesbian lover to return from the bathroom thing. It wouldn't bring up any questions and I would have been left alone by now. I think.

“Oh really, and how did you pull that off? You couldn't be more than twenty-two,” he chuckled, clearly disbelieving.

Crap. I really should have come up with something better.

I sighed and turned to him. “What will it take for you to go away?”

I really hated being rude, but sometimes that’s the only way convey the message you weren’t interested.

“Letting me buy you a drink and your number,” he grinned.

“I already have a drink.”

He pulled a pin out from his pocket and handed it to me along with a napkin. “Your number then.”

Wow this guy is persistent.

Get rid of him, my wolf growled. He’s not our mate.

I’m trying. I replied.

“Ok,” I nodded taking the napkin and jotting down a number he’d be pleased with. I’m sure Jennifer wouldn't mind.

He picked it up and read it over with a smirk on his face then tucked it away. “Thanks. I’ll be in touch.”

I let out a long relieved sigh when he disappeared from the bar stool. 

We should go find Daniel. My wolf said with a slight whimper.

It bothered me that she still didn't understand that he belonged to someone else.

He made his choice and he is happy with it. Is it really right that we destroy his happiness?

Yes. He is ours. He will want us when he sees us. She explained.

This same fight day after day was exhausting. It was like a never ending battle between us. I just wanted it to stop.

You don’t know that and neither do I. Just let it go for now and I’ll think about it. I bargained with her.

I could feel the immense happiness coming off of her at my words. She wanted this. She had wanted this for days and I didn't see any way around it without giving her exactly what she wanted.

Daniel.

So that’s exactly what I was going to do. Or try to at least.

She was right. We needed to know if he wanted us, no matter how painful it might be.

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