“I made her ham and salad sandwiches, and Marcus threw in some quiches from yesterday for her,,” she said, smiling, placing the bag in my hand. Lily came running into the kitchen, wrapping her arms around Zoe, her little arms barely making it halfway around Zoe’s hips. Zoe smiled down at her before placing a kiss on top of her head.
“Have fun at school and learn new things,” Zoe told her. I thanked Zoe before chucking the bag over my shoulder and grabbing Lily’s hand to walk her to school. The school was only one block away, so Lily and I walked hand in hand the whole way. The streets were busy with everyone getting ready for work, and I quickly pulled to the side as a rush of people came out of the subway, just in time for us not to be trampled. We quickly made it to the school, stopping just out the front of the gates, and I gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll see you at 3 o’clock, okay? Have fun,” I said before giving her a quick hug.
I watched her run off towards her friends before turning and walking back to the diner. Once I got back to the diner, I quickly went to retrieve mine and Lily’s clothes from the duffle bag, but when I opened the bag, it was empty. Before I even got a chance to close it, Marcus walked in.
“Zoe already put them in the wash for you,” he said before walking back to the kitchen. I quickly retrieved my apron and went to start taking orders and refilling everyone’s mugs. The day went by quickly, and before I knew it, Zoe came out of the kitchen, signalling for me to come over.
“It’s quarter to 3, you have to get Lily, dear. Here, eat this on the way. I noticed you haven’t eaten since yesterday morning,” she said, placing a roast lamb sandwich in my hand with a napkin.
“No, I’m fine, really Zoe, you do enough for us already.” She refused to take it back.
“You girls are like children to me, don’t be ridiculous,” she replied before quickly turning around and walking into the kitchen.
I ate the sandwich while walking to the school. As I did, I looked up at all the high-rise buildings. I loved the city; everything was so fast-paced and alive, constantly on the go. I loved watching people rushing around going about their lives. When I made it to the school, I waited out the front for the school bell to ring. I wasn’t waiting long before Lily came bursting through the doors with a huge grin on her face. She ran straight towards me wrapping her little arms around me in a hug. I bent down, picking her up and placing her on my hip as we walked back to the diner. She told me all about her day and what she did in class. Once back at the diner, Lily grabbed her books out of her bag and went to sit with Zoe, who was already sitting in a booth waiting for Lily’s arrival. Every afternoon after school, Zoe would help Lily with her homework and listen about her day. I waited tables getting ready for the afternoon rush when I suddenly felt eyes on me. I looked up from refilling Lily’s cup with water, but no one was there. Shaking off the feeling, I walked back into the kitchen to get the next order ready.
Reid’s POV
Having just finished one meeting, my Beta Zane texted to tell me the next meeting I had has been moved to Joe’s diner. Apparently, it was on neutral territory; the Black Moon Alpha didn’t want to meet on my territory. Pussy, I thought, shoving my phone back in my pocket before adjusting my tie while walking to the elevator. I stepped in the elevator, hitting the button to the bottom floor when the elevator doors closed. I watched the buttons, watching the floors go down. When it got halfway down, it stopped, the doors opening. I growled, annoyed. Two women, one with red hair and the other a blonde both were quite attractive. One of them I recognised, the redhead. Michelle was a Pack member. The other was a human I didn’t know, and a short stumpy man from the tech floor walked in after them. They quickly stepped back, realising who I was. They dropped their heads looking at the floor. “Sorry Boss,” said the man. I’m fairly sure his name was Peter. I remember him coming up to my office to update the computers. I pushed the button for the doors to close. Listening, I heard them let out a breath just before the doors shut completely. I stared down at my Rolex watch, 2:30 PM. Shit! I was going to be late.
Once down at the foyer, my Beta was waiting with my keys in his hand. He tossed them to me. Catching them, I quickly threw them back at him. “You drive, I don’t know where this place is.” I walked out to my black Bentley getting into the passenger side and opening the window. We were driving to the south of my Pack’s territory, and just as we left the border, I felt my wolf stir, trying to come forward.
“What’s gotten into you, Ryder?” I asked. He didn’t reply. I could feel that he was anxious. Maybe this meeting wasn’t a good idea, I thought to myself. Feeling him pressing beneath my skin, I knew my eyes must have changed when I let out a growl, warning him to stop.
My Beta pulled the car over to the curb. “You alright boss?” he asked. Hair was spreading across my arms, my wolf fighting for control.
That’s when it hit me, the most intoxicating scent. I looked around; we were pulled up out the front of a primary school. I couldn’t see anyone, so I stepped out of the car. My wolf instantly calmed down, happy that we stopped. I looked towards the primary school across the road then looked up the street. I couldn’t see anything except trees along the footpaths and a group of mothers waiting along the school gate, none of them standing out to my wolf and they were definitely human. As I was getting back in, the breeze shifted, and the intoxicating scent got stronger. It smelt like strawberries and citrus; it was making my mouth water.