n here and not out there with all that commotion. I pull my hood up to hide my bruised ey

I avoid eye contact and keep my head down for all the orders. Al

la milkshake with some cookies.' I nod and write dow

I wince with the weight in one hand; my br

he table where most of the men sit. In the kitchen, I exhale while keeping my hand pressed against my ribs. Shit! Ryker's orde

ut rogues, which is strange because Jim referred to me as a rogue earlier. A map is sprawled across the table in front of Ry

d all eyes are on me; I could sense them on me. I nervously place

okies sir,'

n leave his table. 'What is wro

ly, wondering how he

ing you pain,' he observes. 'Why do you smell

nd the cookies,' I say, turning

!' He demands. I freeze

, I told you to leave her out of all this.'

e is a rogue. She smells like vanill

ake and cookies,' Jim explains. Alpha R

s extremely restless right now. I'm struggling to

ezes, looks at each other

yells. His Beta wo

k she could be your mate, do you

It's unheard of. The Moon Goddess matching an Alpha

h up all the cups, mugs, and plates. The men leave the diner, and I breathe a sigh of relief, as I hear all of their car doors slamming. My body relaxes kn

d could fall at any moment, revealing the abuse I suf

Jim,' I say, gently. His arm suddenly barricades the space between me an

d,' he demands.

ll with nowhere else to go. I'm trapped between his body and the brickwork in one swif

t. He thinks I've already left,' Ryker whispers, twirlin

my wolf is struggling to

?' I'm crying and scared.

ned of me Astrid

ogue, then you should be scared. I don't know if I could have a rogue

Lunas and Mates. I promise I won't be a problem to you if you ju

ing down at my face, my hair, and my fig

t to go home. Pleas

o if you are not

an arrogant, vain, obnoxious human be

unches the wall above my head.

refer to me as an arrogant, vain, obnoxious hu

let me go h

e is in deep reflection; curiosity, and a pensive

there a hole in my wall?' Jim shouts, before helping me up off the gro

bs. Please tell me they aren'

aling the air around me sharply. I move behind Jim; still sobbing quietly. Ryker looks away; me distancing myself from him ha

e's just a young innocent girl! Di

rrogant, vain, obnoxious human being. I got

yells, 'because you are being an arrog

g like she doesn't know what a mate is. She's prete

yells. Ryker gives Jim a confused look,

anymore. Just let me go home and neither of you will have to worry

't have to leave your job here at the diner. You k

mean by that?

I snap. Ryker is taken a

nd employing me all this time but I can't work here anymore,' I cry, and give him a kiss on the cheek goodbye; his e

your mate! To be with you would be a curse!' I shout.

eye contact we make, I feel a magnetic rush of endorphins and dopamine sweep through me; my stomach lurches at the instant feelin

m and he was so threatening two minutes ago. I'm so mesmerised by his eyes; this feels almost like

ping closer me. I unwillingly snap

,' I yell. Jim stands there wi

Astrid is your mate?'

Shit...' Ryker mumbles to himself, brus

pening, is not going to happen. We can a

to your face?'

astily leaving the kitchen through