Something So Unexpected

Chapter 4

Jamie’s POV

“You need to keep your hands to yourself. She is not yours to touch,” he spat, every word laced with venom.

Mister Gruff and Tough nodded his head, though his movement was limited by the fact that Grey Eyes was still holding his neck, his face turning red due to lack of oxygen.

Wordlessly, Grey Eyes put him down. Mister Gruff and Tough’s eyes wide, looking at me and back to Grey Eyes. He turned to leave.

“Make sure you pay for your food, sir.” Grey Eyes said sharply. “And make sure you leave her a good tip. Her service has been exceptional if I do say so myself.” Grey eyes glanced my way, the color returned, sending me a wink.

Mister Gruff and Tough pulled out his wallet with a few bills folded together and drops it on the countertop. He sputtered on the way out. He was pissed and everyone knew it.

“Thanks for the help,” I said turning to Grey Eyes.

“I’m Aiden,” he said. Aiden is a suiting name for him. Aiden was very handsome. He had dark brown hair cut tight on the sides and sat a little taller on top, combed back. I want to run my hands through his hair. Woah. I’ve never had a guy have that effect on me either. The thought seemed foreign in my head, but made me blush none the less. I continued to examine his features. His straight nose and high cheekbones were very handsome. His voice broke me out of my thoughts. “Are you going to be ok tonight? I didn’t like how he was treating you. Do you think he would be a danger to you?”

This perfect stranger showed so much compassion considering my safety. I thought briefly about Jillian and Bella. What if he tried to follow me home? But I remembered that I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.

“Thank you for your concern, but I’ll be ok.” I replied. His face dropped slightly, but I wasn’t a damsel that needed saving. Aiden smelled like a rainstorm with a hint of raspberries. I’m not sure what kind of cologne that is, but he smelled delicious. For some reason, the smell of him made me feel comfortable. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a while,” I said reassuringly with a tight smile.

Aiden nodded and took his seat again back at the back booth, but it felt like his eyes never left me.

Aiden’s POV

When Jamie said she didn’t need my help, my heart dropped. I wanted to protect her. In a perfect world, she would let me whisk her away like one of those chick flick movies. But I had to remember she was human and couldn’t sense me as her mate. This was going to take some effort, but Jamie was worth it. I could tell that she had some spirit, but Moon Goddess always makes your mate the perfect match for you. Something about that trucker gave me some bad vibes. I mind linked Cameron. I need you to watch your Luna. Make sure she gets home safely.

Cameron nodded in approval. We finished our meals. I even ordered dessert, just so I could continue talking to my beautiful mate. When we paid for our meals, I made sure to leave Jamie a generous tip. I wanted to be cliché and leave her my number too, but she probably gets a lot of creeps offering her their number. As I got up to leave, Jamie came from the back and gave me a slip of paper, much to my surprise.

“If you’re interested, you can text me some time,” she said, looking very nervous. I smiled at her as she raised her head to meet my eyes.

“I am very interested,” I confirmed. I did not want her to believe that I was in no way doubting my attraction to her. I was glad that I put my phone and wallet inside my pants before shifting. I pulled my phone out and added her number immediately so it didn’t get lost. I turned to leave with Cameron, turning over my shoulder and shooting her one last smile. I confidently walked out. Besides the fact that I had a hard time speaking to her initially, apparently I managed to recover. As soon as I was outside, I sent a quick text. It was a pleasure to meet you.

Knowing there were rogues nearby, near my mate specifically, concerned me. It wasn’t just the trucker I was worried about.

Jamie’s POV

I never do this. Customers are to be served. I have never made an advance at a customer ever. But here I was. I was drawn to Aiden and didn’t know why. I mustered up my courage to give him my number, but I couldn’t look at him. I knew my face was red. Seeing his positive reaction meant he was feeling it too. Looking up into his slate grey eyes, I heard something in the back of my head.

Mate.

Huh? I stared at him as he left. Just before he reached the door, he turned around and gave me another smile and I felt content.

Despite how my shift started, it ended up pretty good. The trucker and Aiden both ended up leaving me a good tip. It would be more than enough to compensate for the docked time. I’m pretty sure that the trucker didn’t plan on tipping me after I had turned him down, but he seemed to be pretty scared of Aiden, which apparently worked in my favor. The rest of my shift flew by and I had a pep in my step.

Leaving my shift, it was well after midnight. I felt like someone was looking at me, but when I checked all around, I didn’t see anybody. However, I did see the tractor trailer truck at the back of the parking lot. So, the trucker was still there. I hoped maybe he was just getting a quick nap in before hitting the road again. Not seeing anybody, I rushed to my car. I made a mental note to check if I was followed, but it all seemed clear. I headed back to the apartment I share with Jillian and Bella. I’d try to get a few hours of sleep before Bella woke up in the morning and Jillian headed to work.

Cameron’s POV

I wondered what time Luna got off of her shift. I didn’t want to creep her out by asking, but the fact that she gave Aiden her number meant maybe she felt the mate bond too. Although, being human, she probably didn’t feel it to the same extent.

The trucker was sitting in the front of his truck watching too.

Shit. What a creep. Apparently he doesn’t know what no means.

I crept around in wolf form behind his truck and waited to make sure Luna would be safe. When I saw her emerge from the diner, the trucker got out of his cab too. I shifted into human form as I got behind him. He was mumbling something about her earning that generous tip he was required to leave. I crept closer still and grabbed him. I didn’t want him to see my face. After all, I knew we had made quite the impression already. I held him in a choke hold until I felt him stop resisting. I was lucky that he was parked in such a way, Luna wouldn’t be able to see us. His truck was blocking the commotion that Luna was unaware of. I dragged him a bit further back and looked out from behind the truck. She was in her car. I listened for the engine and peeked out again from behind his truck to watch her drive off.

Mission successful.

Back in wolf form, I headed back to the territory to report to Aiden. Pax’s nanny was probably wondering where we were too, but Alpha gave me a mission and I was determined to succeed. I was just glad that he finally found his Luna. And that I could keep her safe from this creep.