Alpha Soldier's Mate (Romano Series #5)

Part 3

Zaid broke the tension in the room. She was glad for that. There was nothing more daunting than Carter staring at her. He did not believe her. That was clear from the look on his face as he hummed throatily, his eyes still narrowed at her. At times like this, she regretted that he had a good eye for liars. Maybe that was the reason he was able to- it doesn't matter now.

Zaid grinned as he patted his friend's chest, "This is Carter. He is the future Alpha of our pack and also my best friend"

Absentmindedly she nodded her head. She knew that. Every single day the omega's of the pack were discussing it a was some kind of hot news. It made her squirm imagining him with someone else. Someone who would be his Luna. The thought left a bad taste in her mouth and her stomach to curl up.

"She's in our pack?" Carter asked, his voice a bit higher than usual.

Zaid nodded his head, "New recruit. Don't worry I'll give you a list tomorrow and you can meet them one by one."

Carter grimaced at that, "Yeah joy"

"Would you like to order something?" She asked impatiently as the people in the line were grumbling.

Zaid hummed, "Two coffees, one black decaf, no sugar and you know my usual along with chocolate chips cookies."

Carter made a face and nudged Zaid, "I don't want cookies"

"Who said they were for you?"

Amelia held back her smile as Carter just grunted. As they both walked away she kept staring at Carter's back.

Why was he back? The only question lingering in her mind as Carter sat down in the most distinct part of the cafe. Zaid only sits there when he is with his family or friends from the pack. The table is sort of reserved for family.

The omega could not function with Carter's presence. How was she going to say that out loud? It would be embarrassing to admit that she knew him after he failed to recognise her. But then again can he be blamed? She looked different than she did a few years ago. Her hair wasn't thick and blonde anymore. She looked paler than usual, her eyes dim and sullen. Amelia was aware of the sudden weight loss she experienced due to the stage where she felt depressed and lifeless.

Those things did not matter now. She left those behind just like she was going to leave the knowledge of knowing him behind. He was probably visiting his family and would go back in a few days. There was no need for her to get comfortable with his presence nor disturbed. She was perfectly capable of ignoring him and pretending that he did not exist. After all, that's what she did from past these months.

"Ames?" Aster nudged her. She shook her head and dashed inside the kitchen. There was work to do anyway.

The morning staff work harder than the night ones. They have to prepare everything, from the buns to the pies. Zaid appointed those two Alphas just so they could heat up the already made food. It was just easy that way because no one was ready to work both shifts. Unlike Amelia, everyone had different priorities and people to go back home to. That was harsh but true and that is the reason why she did not protest to the idea of heating up already cooked food.

Ash, one of the two Alphas was humming as he dipped the fries in the hot boiling oil of the fryer. She gave him a side look and skipped her way to the coffee machine. There was nothing she could about his return other than accepting and ignore him.

She noticed he was the only one in the kitchen and frowned. Where was Kim? He was supposed to work alongside Ash so that they can get orders in time. The customers always complained about the delay.

"Where's Kim?" She asked out loud as she pulled the cups from the drawer.

Ash, startled looked over his shoulder. For someone who's supposed to be an Alpha, he has zero sense of awareness. She found it funny in the beginning than found out that he lost sense of smell when he was young. It was truly tragic.

"Smoke break" Ash mumbled.

"We have a crisis situation here. Don't let him take breaks in between"

"I'll tell him that"

She huffed and focused on making the coffee instead. Zaid liked his coffee with milk and cream so it took her a while to prepare their order. Amelia hesitated to go and deliver the order and thought about asking Ash instead but he seemed too focused on arranging the burger. Besides she hated standing near the fryer it always makes her skin blotched.

Carrying the tray she dashed out of the kitchen. Usually, customers picked the orders from the counter but since it was the owner she had to do that. They seemed in a deep conversation when she got closer. Carter had a look on his which was almost empty and she couldn't read it. Not a surprise there.

"Here is your order" She announced, not wanting to hear them talk.

Zaid grabbed the cup but Carter held still like he was expecting her to give it to him. She held back rolling her eyes and lifted the cup but just in time he reached for causing the cup to slip and pour some coffee on his pants. She gasped pushing the tissues on his pants while Zaid was frozen.

"This is hot-" Carter mumbled, least bit affected by the hot liquid drenching his pants. Was he that used to the pain? That made something inside her twist. It was not a good thought.

"It's a coffee" Zaid finally cleared his throat and handed the cold water bottle from the counter. She had no idea that he stood up and got the bottle.

"Gee thanks I wouldn't have known that"

"Okay no need to get so heated now," Zaid said and then spluttered in laughter. She rolled her eyes at his sense of humour. It was zero.

Amelia leaned forward but before she could touch his jeans he stood up, "Let me just-"

"Can you show me the washroom?"

She looked over her shoulder hoping that Aster or someone who isn't her would help her. Amelia had no interest whatsoever to be alone with him. Not even for a two-minute walk to the washroom. When she noticed that they were all struggling with the customers she sighed. Looks like I have to sacrifice, She thought as she looked back at Carter.

"Follow me please"

He didn't say anything and simply follower her towards the washroom. No one of them said anything till they reached inside and she waited for him as the new lock was messy. Zaid should call someone to fix that.

"Can you help me with this?" His voice sounded gruff. She took a deep breath and decided to step inside.

The Alpha was leaning by the washbasin with his hands full of wallet and purse. There was water everywhere and she had no idea how a person can make that amount of mess in such a short time. The granite area which was specially designed to hold things were wet.

"How did you do this?" She spoke to him for the first time without nerves eating at her.

He ducked his head down, "I had no idea it was not automatic"

It was rare for him to admit that he did something wrong. She stepped further and took his wallet and purse. He was quiet as he pulled few tissues and began wetting them under the jet of water.

"Do you like working here?"

His question took her by surprise. Was he trying to make a conversation or did he recognise her? Either way, she wasn't interested in talking to him but that would be rude and he was her boss best friend.

"Yes"

She kept it vague, short and simple.

He blinked his eyes in her direction, "You aren't much of a talker?"

She hummed in response, her lips twitching at his question. The situation was so funny because that's exactly him. He was not much of a talker and she talked too much. Carter was the kind of person who said most with his eyes. It was crazy but true.

"Are you staying in the packhouse?"

She nodded her head, her cheeks heating up when she noticed that he was dabbing at his inner thighs. It was silly and she should just get out of there. Someone could easily walk in and see them in that position.

"Are you sure we haven't met before?" He finally asked, throwing the tissue in the dustbin nearby. She frowned, lips pursed and shook her head.

"Why do you keep on asking that? We have never met before"

"Because I've never been this desperate to talk to omega that I spilt coffee on myself"

***