Savage Bonds

Have We Met

The morning rush at Moonbean was in full swing, but thankfully, it was starting to wind down. Juni had already dealt with three complicated custom orders, a spilled latte, and Mr. Jackson's daily complaint about the music being too loud.

She was attacking the espresso machine between customers, trying to scrub away the memory of Lauren draped over Luka, as if he were her personal property.

"Like a dog marking territory," Asena snorted. "Did you see her face when he shrugged her off? Priceless."

Juni bit back a smirk. At least Luka had seemed as thrilled by Lauren's possessiveness as any fire hydrant would be.

The bell above the door chimed.

"Welcome to Moonbean, be right with you," she called without looking up, as she wrestled with a particularly stubborn part of the machine.

"Take your time."

That voice. Juni's hands stilled on the espresso machine. She knew that voice. She had sat behind him in Chemistry while he flirted with cheerleaders, and had watched him grow from an arrogant boy into an even more arrogant man.

Luka Brenner. The alpha heir who didn't even know she existed.

She turned slowly, schooling her expression into professional neutrality. He was leaning against her counter with that signature smirk, still in his workout clothes from the gym, looking like he'd just stepped out of a romance novel.

"What can I get you?" Her voice came out cooler than intended.

"Well, hello to you, too." His grin widened as he moved closer to the counter. "You're Elora's friend, right? From the gym this morning?"

Juni stared at him for a long moment. Twelve years. Twelve years of school together. Three years of making his coffee. Her parents had died saving his father's life.

And he was asking if she was Elora's friend from the gym.

"Something like that," she said flatly, giving him nothing.

"I'm Luka." He extended his hand over the counter as though this was the first time they had ever met.

She looked at his hand like it might contaminate her before reluctantly shaking it. His grip was firm, warm, and she hated that her traitorous body noticed. "Congratulations."

"Congratulations?" He laughed, clearly thrown off by her response.

"On being Luka." She pulled her hand back, wiping it on her apron. "Did you want to order something, or...?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, like he was trying to figure her out. Good luck with that, she thought.

"Have we met before? Outside the gym, I mean. You seem familiar."

"I'm going to bite him," Asena growled. "Just a small bite. Maybe remove a finger."

Juni gripped the counter to keep her expression neutral. They'd been lab partners in Biology. She'd been at every pack meeting until her parents died.

"No," she said, voice flat as old roadkill. "We've never met."

"Really? Because I feel like we...."

"What can I get you?" she interrupted, already reaching for a cup. Time to end this farce. "We have a new dark roast if you're interested."

"Actually, it's for my mother. Elena Brenner? She has a very specific-"

"Large vanilla latte, half-caf, oat milk, extra foam, two pumps sugar-free vanilla, one pump hazelnut, cinnamon on top but not too much." Juni was already moving, muscle memory taking over. "I know."

He blinked at her like she'd performed a magic trick. "How did you..."

"She comes in every Tuesday and Thursday after yoga." She pulled the shots with perhaps more force than necessary. "Orders the same thing every time."

"Right." He watched her work, and she could feel his eyes tracking her movements. "So, I didn't catch your name..."

She glanced at him while steaming the milk. "I didn't throw it."

"Come on." He leaned closer, cranking up what he probably thought was irresistible charm. "I told you mine. Fair's fair."

For half a second, she considered it. Considered telling him exactly who she was, watching his face when he realized he'd been flirting with the girl he seemed to have forgotten.

The phone rang, saving her from making that mistake.

"s**t," she muttered, seeing William's name on the caller ID. Her boss only called when there was a problem. "I have to take this. It's my boss."

"I can wait."

She was already answering. "Hey William, what's wrong now?"

"Juni, thank god. The afternoon girl just called out sick, and Thomas can't come in until four."

"Deep breaths, William." She turned away from Luka, grabbing her scheduling notepad. "I'll handle it. I can stay until Thomas gets here."

"You're already pulling a double tomorrow—"

"It's fine. I need the money anyway. We'll make it work. We always do." She scribbled adjustments to the schedule, very aware of Luka's presence behind her. "Maybe ask Sarah if she can come in an hour early?"

Behind her, she heard Luka's phone buzz. Once. Twice. Three times.

"You're a lifesaver, Juni. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably have to work the floor yourself," she teased. "Look, I've got a customer. I'll text Sarah and handle coverage until—yes, William, I'll make sure the deposit gets done too."

"Excuse me," Luka called out. "Sorry, but could I also get—"

Juni held up a finger without turning around. William was still talking, and she wasn't about to piss him off because some entitled alpha prick heir couldn't wait five minutes.

His phone rang.

"Jesus Christ," Luka muttered before answering. "I'm literally getting your coffee right now."

Juni finished with William just in time to hear Luka's aunt had joined the coffee order. By the time he hung up, she was already finishing Elena's latte with a perfect heart in the foam. At least her muscle memory was good for something.

"I also need a large dry cappuccino—"

"Extra shot, raw sugar." She was already moving. "I know your aunt, too."

"Is there anyone's order you don't know?"

She glanced at him then, letting just a hint of her real feelings show. "Yours."

Something flickered across his face—confusion? Curiosity? Before he could respond, she was already pulling shots for Patricia's cappuccino.

"So, Jun—" he started.

Her heart skipped. Had he heard William say her name? She glanced at him sharply, but his expression was more curious than knowing. He was fishing, testing the syllable he might have caught.

"Here." She set both drinks on the counter, cutting him off before he could finish. No way was she confirming anything. "That'll be twelve-fifty."

He handed her a twenty. "Keep the change."

"We pool tips here." She shoved the money in the register, ready for him to leave.

But of course, he wasn't done. "Maybe I'll see you at the gym again?"

"Maybe."

"Or here? When do you usually work?"

She finally looked at him directly, letting every ounce of her exasperation show. "Whenever they schedule me. Your drinks are getting cold."

"I'll see ya around," he said as he winked and grabbed the drinks with that insufferable confidence.

"God, I hope not," she muttered as he headed for the door.

As soon as it closed behind him, Juni slumped against the counter. Her hands were shaking—from anger, not attraction, she told herself firmly.

"We should have bitten him," Asena said mournfully.

"I think he would have liked that. We should have spit in his coffee," Juni muttered back.

The bell chimed again before she could fully recover. This time, the scent hit her before she even looked up. Expensive perfume layered over entitlement.

Lauren f*****g Smith. Again.

"Well," Lauren said, her voice dripping fake sweetness as she sauntered to the counter. "Isn't this interesting. I saw Luka leaving. Did he finally notice you exist?"

Juni straightened, pulling her professional mask back into place even as Asena snarled beneath her skin.

This day just kept getting better and better.