The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf

oom wall by my hair. Striking my face, he splits my lip, and br

p this, stop hur

BOUT THAT BEFORE YOU KILLE

for her to die!' I plead. We stare at eachother with col

in his eyes, before his exp

old me your real father was killed when she was pregnant with you. I

never keep something like that

out your true identity. I didn't know what she really meant; I guess she was planning to tell you about your biological father then. You'll never find out who

under my clothing and burst into tears. I don't know how long I lie there this way before crying myself to sleep. The next morning, I gingerly pull my work uniform on

my teachers not to contact him. They didn't believe me when I told them I'm clumsy and just fell down the stairs. I haven't been allow

I usually veer off away from the road when it approaches, choosing the longer route to work, through the woods. I enjoy my job and my colleagues. My boss Jim is real

left my bag on a stool, discarding my hoodie onto it and unzipping my jumper to cool down. Twenty minutes pass when Jim comes in to

ou don't have to go back home if you're not safe. I have fr

just fell down the stairs. I'll be f

thing last time A

ursting into tears, and slamming my hands onto the prep table. Jim comes ov

id,' he says. I stand

stand, I can't a

ot?' h

and would kill anyone who tries to help me. Plus,

to be beaten and

f it's upsetting you seeing a couple of bruises, perhaps I should find a job elsewhere,'

t don't like seeing humans treating our kind

onfused expressio

kind of human you think I am, but we're all just humans,' I s

k what his problem is now. He stands there lookin

e you having a heart attack?' I as

I flinch and take a step back. I know Jim would never hurt

n't mean to frigh

just not used to the gentleness,'

He asks, on the verge of telling me s

question. I am what we all are. Hum

ll the difference?'

ere is the food burning in the f

ve to turn it off and remo

for a while after that, and focu

she wouldn't want you blaming yourself for her death. I'm sure she woul

er,' I co

thought--' he says b

ight. My real father died when my mot

ry.' He loo

now. Maybe it might be a good thing he isn't

m the next town for an important meeting. It would be great if I could join t

t if it means more booze money for

k always goes into his account anyway. I don't get to see any of

the few extra hours,' I say.

exhales w

food for the customers coming

need to know about th

me, umm, problems in

I've heard it's full of aggressive people who act li

ere. Am I aggressive? Do I run ar

nd, no, you don't run around like a wild animal.

ew, Astrid,' he

eryone's drink order, serve them and bring

you don't mind if I wear my hood up? I'd rather not be stared

se, that

ly every time someone comes in. I stand on my tippy toes to see over the kitchen ledge into the dining room. There must be about eighteen men littered about

t. He is incredibly handsome with dark hair, and the most gorgeous blue eyes. He is well-built in body, an

waft of something in the a

vanilla and cookies,' he says, still looking in my direction. I reflexively

your order. Please, no one freak out - especially you, Alpha Ryker, when I

shouts, slamming h

ar now and is one of my best workers. We're also not on your territory so she isn't trespassing. She hasn't done anyt

ening me Jim?'

ou and everyone else here hate rogues, she has done nothing