An Unlikely Mate

Awakening a Longing

Alexander came into work tired and disheveled. He hadn't slept much and it showed.

"You look like hell," Lucious said.

"Thanks," he grumbled in return.

"Do you need to go home?"

"Hell no. I need to work. I need to occupy my mind."

"Do I need to fire her?"

"No."

Lucious looked his friend up and down. "Sure about that, buddy?"

Alexander's eyes flashed. "I'm sure. We need the help. She's fantastic at her job. I'll be fine."

Lucious let him go without another word, even if he had his doubts.

Alexander got to work stocking the bar and unloading the industrial dishwasher. Lucious returned to his pencil pushing.

He could sense her before he saw her. She walked in, dressed the same as the night before. She glanced at him and went to the far side of the bar. She began her work, making it painfully obvious that she was giving him a lot of space. That suited him just fine.

Somehow, even though she avoided him, they kept bumping into each other. Alexander happened to be running into the back room to grab paper towels when Amelia was struggling to reach a box on the top shelf. He easily grabbed it and handed it down to her. Her finger tips brushed his as she took it. His heart lurched. She seemed unphased. She muttered a quick thank you and left the room. Alexander leaned against the shelving to catch his breath. He needed to get over her and get over fast.

When he reemerged he decided to do a security round. The night was hitting it's peak. That was a good time to make sure nothing was getting out of control. Everyone on the dance floor looked like they were having a good time. No one ws doing anything they shouldn't in the bathrooms. The darker corners were filled with people making out or talking. As he made his way back to the bar he saw Amelia talking with a man. She looked very upset. She backed away, trying to get behind the bar counter. The man lurched forward and grabbed her behind. He yanked her closer to himself and held her head still with a handful of her hair. He was about to force a kiss on her when Alexander gripped his arm and jerked him away from her. He squeezed and the man droppped to his knees with a scream. "Get out," Alexander growled.

"I'm going!" the man yelped.

Alexander didn't give him a chance to disobey. He pulled the man toward the door. His arm was surely bruising, if not fracturing. "You're hurting me! I'll call the cops!"

"Do that and then tell them how you assaulted my bartender," Alexander said. He kept his voice low, almost a growl. "Call them and explain how you're a filthy excuse for a human. I'm going to have you black listed from every bar in this city."

"You don't even know my name!" the man said with a mocking laugh.

"You bought drinks? Then your ID is scanned into our system. I know your name."

The man yanked his arm away and took off into the darkness.

Alexander went back inside. He waited to calm down before going to Amelia.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine. He didn't get away with much. Thank you."

"I'm sorry this happened."

She shrugged. "Thank you for being there."

Her thank you cut through him like a knife. He could be there to save her from a groping, but he couldn't save his own mate's life... how pathetic

He noticed she was still looking at him. "Well, are you going to stand there or are you going to work? We don't pay you for nothing."

Her sweet, soft face hardened and she turned on her heel to walk away. He hated to see her go, but knew that that was the only way to get over her. Hopefully he could avoid her better from now on.

He ended the night bussing tables and wiping down surfaces. Lucious had gone home already. Suddenly a feeling of fear washed over him. Palpable fear. Amelia was in trouble. He could feel it. She wasn't far... he ran outside, drawn to the parking lot. Scanning the darkness, he heard a cry. His feet took him there before his mind had time to think. The man he'd removed earlier had Amelia pinned against her car door. His hand pressed over her mouth while the other was trying to get the keys out of her hand.

Alexander realized the man was trying to kidnap her. What he had taken for a drunk i***t turned out to be so much worse than that. His misjudgment could've cost Amelia her life.

He grabbed the man's hair and yanked him away from her. He fell on his back, but was up in an instant. He whipped out a switchblade and ran at Alexander. Lycan reflexes were no match for a human. He punched the man, breaking his nose, and had him laying unconscious on the cement within minutes.

Amelia was crouched on the ground shaking. Alexander couldn't help himself, he pulled her up and into his arms. She was silently crying. Blood ran from her lip and nose, a goose egg had begun to form on her head.

"You're okay now," he soothed. He stroked her hair and continued to hold her.

The last of the bartenders who hadn't gone home yet ran toward them. "Call the police," Alexander said firmly. The young man did as he was told.

After a medical evaluation and her statement was taken, Amelia was released to go home.

The man was arrested without a fight.

"Are you okay to drive home?" Alexander asked her as she got into her car.

"The EMT's cleared me," she said.

"But are you okay? I can take you home."

She looked up at him, her big eyes full of emotion. "I'll be okay," was all she said.

Alexander nodded, letting her go. He wouldn't argue with her, he had to let her go. But having her in his arms had been like heaven. He longed for her, ached for her.

Before he closed her car door, he leaned in. "If you still want a job here, its yours. But don't think that you have to come in until you're ready. Paid for, of course. Take as much time as you need."

"I'll be fine, but thank you."

He watched as her tail lights faded away. What a mess.