by Lisa Oliver
Well, the one thing he wasn’t going to do was give his mate the satisfaction of thinking that he had pissed him off, or that he was hurting. Leaping out of bed, Scott found the bathroom and quickly peed and washed himself. Going back into the bedroom, he found his bags had been unpacked and he had to search through a few dresser drawers before he could find his clothes. Damien must have minions taking care of this type of thing, he thought idly.
Pulling on a tight pair of jeans, his biker boots and a muscle shirt, Scott went through to the lounge where he found his leather jacket. Rooting through his pockets, he quickly found his wallet and his cell phone. Great he had cash. He knew he was going to have to sort out transferring his bank account at some stage but for now he just needed enough money on him to eat. Now where to go for food? His car and bike wouldn’t arrive for another week and Scott was dammed if he was going to ask Damien for the use of a vehicle. So wherever he was going to eat would have to be within walking distance of the club.
Pulling out his phone, Scott typed in the name of club into Google maps to work out where he was. Damien’s. How apt that the man named the club after himself. Google Maps bought up the club and surrounding area and Scott used the web service to show local coffee shops in the area. From the information that came up, it seemed there were at least four grouped together in a block of shops that appeared to be about six blocks from the club. Walking distance then. Perfect. Hopefully at least one of them would be open for the breakfast trade.
Heading out of the apartment, Scott slipped quietly down the stairs and using the side entrance he had noted the day before, he exited the club. The door led out to an alley that seemed clean, and still firmly holding his phone, Scott headed to the road side getting his first view of the outside of Damien’s club. The building was huge and all black with a covered double door entrance way that Scott guessed would be manned by bouncers when the club was open.
Realizing that he actually had no way of getting back into the building as he had no keys and the door he had come through had latched behind him, Scott hoped that the club was open by lunchtime at least. A quick check on Google confirmed that indeed it opened at 11 am, which suited Scott perfectly. He could use his time to get to know what types of businesses were in the area, and head back to the office in time to meet up with Phillip. And if Damien was worried about him well it served the damn man right. Not that Scott thought it would be likely. From the brief glimpse he had got of his mate’s thought patterns earlier that morning, the man was totally absorbed in his work and his precious club.
Warning himself not to get upset about it any further, Scott started walking. There were no businesses on either side of Damien’s club, although across the road there was a tattoo parlor, a launderette and what looked to be a large shop selling knock-off’s of brand name clothing. Okay, so the club wasn’t in the best part of town. But as Scott walked closer to where his phone had assured him he could get coffee, he could see other businesses starting to open. Book shops, boutique clothing shops, stores selling electrical goods, a couple of banks and office blocks and even some novelty stores.
The area was quite busy given that it was only just after eight in the morning. Scott couldn’t smell any wolves but the people all seemed to be indicative of any middle-class American business area. There wasn’t any litter on the ground, or graffiti on the buildings. It seemed…safe. For one long minute Scott missed the easy camaraderie of Cloverleah.
Cloverleah was a small town and most of the residents knew each other at least to say “hello” too. Given that Custom Rides, Kane’s business and Scott’s last place of work, had been right in the heart of the town, Scott was a well-known face in the area. Sighing heavily, Scott put away thoughts of the great breakfast he could be having at Kathy’s Diner right now and focused instead on what was available in his new home.
According to his phone, all four of the eateries it had identified were all within the next block. Putting his phone away, Scott discretely sniffed the air as he kept walking. Nothing could scent out good food like a wolf’s nose. He walked past the first two places he came too. The coffee smelt burnt and the décor of the places were too fancy for his tastes. But wait. What was that he could smell? Pancakes. Bacon. Coffee. Scott’s stomach growled and he realized he hadn’t eaten at all since he had left home the day before.
Following the smell, Scott turned into a short alleyway and found himself in front of a small café. The sign read “Pat and John’s Diner.” Scott shook his head because that one hadn’t come up on the Google Map search, but then the place itself was really small. Through the window he could see three booths and about six tables in an open area. The food counter looked clean and better yet the place was open for business. Trusting his luck, Scott opened the door and headed inside.
Striding up to the counter, Scott plastered a smile on his face. The man behind the counter was about his age, pleasant enough to look at and if the man’s answering smile was anything to go on, either really friendly, or happy to see Scott.
“Hi there,” the man said pleasantly. “Haven’t seen you in here before. What can I get you?”
“Hi” said Scott, looking up at the menu board above the man’s head. “Yes, I have just moved into the area. Can I have a double order of your pancakes, extra bacon and…yes you do have it…one of your bottomless coffees please.” He looked at the man again who was ringing up Scott’s order on an old manual till. Handing over his money, the man touched Scott’s hand as he took the cash, something that Scott was sure he had done deliberately.
Handing back his change, the man said, “There you go. If you take a seat I will bring this out to you when it is ready. I’m Brad by the way.”
“Brad, right. I’m Scott,” Scott offered, as he turned away heading over to one of the booths on the side of the room. Within a minute of being seated Brad had come over with a large mug and a full pot of coffee which he proceeded to pour for Scott at the table. Scott smiled at him but didn’t try and engage him in conversation and thankfully two more customers came in forcing Brad back to the counter.
Yes, he admitted to himself, before his mating, Scott probably would have flirted with the young man. Hell, he probably would have bedded him if he’d had the chance. But now he was mated, even if his mate was too busy to spend time with him, Scott wasn’t going to lead anyone on. Scott had no idea how a business like Damien’s was thought about in this part of town, and quite frankly he didn’t know what he would say if anyone actually did approach him, even just to be friends. He lived at the club and he didn’t have a job, so he wasn’t sure just how much he could share with any new person he met.
Crap, thought Scott, this is all so complicated. He had gone from his home pack to Kane’s. He had nearly always had his brother with him and other pack members as friends. Scott wasn’t sure he was going to be able to make friends in Damien’s pack, given how he was Alpha Mate. There was Lucius and Vincent, of course, but he didn’t have their contact details. Thinking about them Scott pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to his brother.
Hey bro, how you doing?
Troy’s response came seconds later.
All good here, what you up to?
Sitting in a coffee shop waiting for breakfast, Scott replied as his food arrived. Man, it did smell good. A huge stack of pancakes with piles of bacon and a large jug of maple syrup on the side. Scott smiled his thanks and went back to his phone.
What, the great Damien doesn’t cook?
Wouldn’t know bro. He’s busy working, so I’m fending for myself, Scott typed back, taking a mouthful of pancakes. Wow, they tasted as good as they smelt and Scott eagerly took another mouthful. He hadn’t realized he was so hungry until he started eating.
Hearing his phone ring, Scott glanced at the screen and answered, his mouth still full of pancakes.
“What the hell,” Troy’s voice sounded indignant through the phone. “Why are you having breakfast alone - you haven’t been gone 24 hour
s?”
“Damien had gone off to work before I woke up,” Scott said crunching on some bacon. “I was hungry so decided to combine some exploration of the area and a hunt for some breakfast all at the same time.”
“And Damien let you go off by yourself? In a strange area?”
“It’s not as though I actually asked him,” Scott said honestly as he finished his coffee. Looking up, he spied Brad watching him and he waved his cup at him looking for a refill.
“You just took off? Won’t he be mad?”
“Look Troy, I don’t know,” Scott said as Brad came over with the coffee pot. “Who knows what Damien thinks? I just know he wasn’t there this morning and I was hungry, so I went out for breakfast. Simple really.” Scott smiled at Brad when his cup was full and the man wandered back to the counter with a strange look on his face.
“What about your mind connection thingy?” Troy asked quietly. “Do you have that open at least? ‘Cos I got to tell you, Damien strikes me as being really possessive and he is going to be pissed off when he finds you went out without him.”
“I’m not sharing with him at the moment,” Scott said cryptically knowing that Troy would understand what he was saying.
“Oh fuck, Scott, what did he do?”
“Gave me the best night of my life and then was gone in the morning. And yes I am real angry and hurt about it, Troy. Damn, I’ve had hook-ups that have stayed in bed longer than he did,” Scott spat out keeping his voice low even in his anger. From memory Texas didn’t have a lot of tolerance for gay people.
“Shit,” Troy said sadly, “I am really sorry. You deserve so much better than that. Do you want me to get Shawn to zap you home?”
“No,” said Scott, “At least not yet. The fact is I will be miserable without him as we already know. But you know I wanted what Kane and Griff have with their partners, and I can’t see that happening anytime soon, if ever. I’m going to have to find a way to make this work, somehow.”
“You’ve got to get under his skin,” Troy suggested. “If anyone can do it, it’s you. You have got to make him so crazy with want that he doesn’t dare leave you alone. Then you can get to know him and, bro, when he gets to know you, he won’t be able to help but love you. Even the great Damien has to learn to love someone.”
“Thanks, Troy. I don’t know how true that is, but you’re right. I need to find a way to deal with this.” Scott looked up as he heard the door to the café open and the smell of wolf hit his nose. “Hmmm, looks like the cavalry has arrived.”
“Damien?”
Snorting into the phone, Scott said, “No, of course not. I’m not that important. His second, Malacai. I’ll talk to you later bro.”
“You get too homesick just text me okay. I’ll have Shawn zap you back here before I can make the coffee.”
“Will do bro, thanks.”
Scott hung up the phone and looked up at Malacai, who did not look happy. “Hi Malacai, come out for a coffee did you? Sit down and I will get you a cup.”
Malacai stood there, staunchly for a minute and then he sat down on the other side of the booth. Scott waved at Brad to bring another cup and then smiled at Malacai.
“So what brings you out on this fine morning?” He said brightly.
Malacai sighed and said quietly, “Do you have any idea how worried Damien is right now? He doesn’t have your cell phone number, you apparently blocked him and for all he knows you are back in Cloverleah.”
“He’s lucky I’m not. So where is the big man?”
“At the office,” Malacai said, grabbing the fresh cup of coffee Brad had bought over. Scott waved his cup at Brad as well. He would need the third cup if he was going to deal with an angry Alpha when he was escorted back to the club.
“Not that worried, then is he, if he sent you instead,” Scott said.
“Not just me,” Malacai huffed. “Shit Alpha Mate, most of the staff at the club are out looking for you.”
“Call me Scott,” Scott said with a smile. When Malacai nodded, Scott continued. “Look it’s simple really. I woke up. Damien was busy with work. I was hungry, so I came out to explore my new neighborhood and get some food. I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“There’s food for you in the kitchen of your apartment. A full breakfast was left there for you this morning. I know it was because I was there when Damien ordered it.”
“The apartment has a kitchen in it? I wouldn’t know given as I haven’t had the grand tour yet and I am not the type to go snooping on my own.”
“He fucked up, didn’t he?” Malacai said quietly.
“Who, your illustrious Alpha?” Scott said innocently his eyes wide and a smile on his face. “How could someone like that ever make a mistake? It’s not as though I’ve got feelings or anything important like that.”
“Oh boy, he really did fuck it up,” Malacai sighed. “Look, can I phone him at least and let him know you’re okay?”
“Text the others and call the search off, I’m sure Damien will need the staff back at the club,” Scott suggested, “and then you can tell him when you get back.”
“Na uh,” Malacai shook his head. “My life wouldn’t be worth living if I went back without you.”
“Well, I wasn’t planning on going back until eleven when the club opens and I am sure you will be needed before then,” Scott said. “I don’t have keys so I don’t have any way to get back in. Let the bouncers know I’m coming will you, as there is no way of knowing if they would even recognize me for who I am, and I would hate to be stopped at the door.”
“They will know you,” Malacai assured him, “and I have your keys and passcards back at your office.”
“I have an office?” Scott was surprised.
“Did the big man talk to you at all last night?” When Scott shook his head, Malacai continued. “You are sharing Damien’s office because you both own the club now. And yes your apartment has a kitchen, as well as two spare bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large living area and a gym. Your food is prepared in the club kitchen, and there is always someone on staff in the kitchen, so you can order food 24/7. You have a cleaning service that goes in once a day and your laundry is done daily. Damien wanted to make sure that you had everything you needed to be happy here.”
“Like a pet,” Scott snapped.
“No, no,” Malacai sought to assure him. But then the big man thought for a minute and said, “Yes okay, I can see where you might get that idea. The man really doesn’t have a clue, does he?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Scott said shortly. “But let’s just say he hasn’t done himself any favors by sending you to come and get me. So you run along back to the club and let him know I am still breathing, and in the area, and I will be back to see Phillip at eleven.”
“I can’t do that,” Malacai hissed. “Damien will have my head. There is no way you are supposed to be out anywhere by yourself. Your position,” he said delicately, “means you are an important man and you can’t just go wandering off without an escort.”
“There aren’t any other groups in the area,” Scott said. “I checked before I came here. So what do I have to worry about?”
“Rogues, loners, unhappy members. Basically anyone who recognizes you could be a good bargaining chip if they wanted something that Damien had.” Malacai kept his voice low but he was deadly serious.
Scott groaned and put his head on the table. This was just ridiculous. If what Malacai was saying was true, and he had no reason to doubt the man, then he wouldn’t be able to go anywhere or do anything without at least an enforcer or two in tow. That meant getting a job, or simply learning more about the place where he lived was going to be virtually impossible. Scott could see his life fanned out in front of him. Stuck at the club. Not being able to build a life of his own and not being able to build one with his mate, because all the man ever seemed to do was work. He was going to go out of his mind with boredom. Maybe he could get a job in the club itself?
“Da
mien was having problems with the staff rosters this morning,” Scott said changing the subject as the idea took hold. “What seems to be the problem? Is he short staffed?”
“Yes,” said Malacai, “At least in the bar area. He always has trouble keeping bar staff because they keep finding themselves Masters and then Damien has to replace them.”
“Great,” said Scott. He finished his cup of coffee and stood up. “Come on let’s go.” Malacai stood up looking at Scott warily, but heading to the door. Scott remembered he hadn’t paid for Malacai’s coffee, so he went over to Brad to settle up.
“Just want to pay for my friend’s coffee,” Scott explained when Brad looked up. “The food was great by the way.”
“Oh, you don’t have to pay for the coffee,” Brad said. “It’s on the house. And look anytime you come here you can eat here free of charge. I wouldn’t have charged you anything if I had known who you were.”
“What are you talking about?”
Brad lowered his voice, looking at Malacai who was still a hulking presence by the door.
“You’re Damien’s partner, aren’t you?” He whispered. Scott nodded, figuring it was as good a way to describe his mate to humans at least. “Damien protects this whole town.” Brad continued. “We heard a rumor you were coming but I never dreamed you would come in here. Most of your business associates eat at one of the posh places on the main street. If I had known I would never have charged you.”
Fuck, thought Scott, it’s like the pack is some type of Mafia with Damien as the Godfather. Stifling the urge to giggle at the thought, Scott said quietly, “Your food was excellent and the coffee is wonderful. I will be eating here again and I will pay for what I order. I understand what you are saying, but your boss has expenses and costs he has to meet. It is as simple as that. Now here’s ten dollars for the coffee. Put the change in the tip jar. I will see you again soon.” Smiling at the puzzled young man, Scott wandered over to Malacai and waved his arm at him. “Well, shall we go and see the boss?” He said.