Chapter 3

1916 Words
As I got ready for another shift at Shiloh's, I couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease from the past few days. Slipping into my uniform—a black t-shirt emblazoned with the Shiloh's logo and a pair of jean shorts—I made a conscious decision to wear shorts given the sweltering heat. Stepping out of the house, I mentally prepared myself for the evening ahead. Arriving at the restaurant, I found myself greeted by the familiar hustle and bustle of the dinner rush. Most of the customers were regulars, their familiar faces bringing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos.We both were so busy for most of the shift. But as I scanned the room, my eyes fell on Rikki, and my heart sank at the sight of her strained smile. Approaching her, I enveloped her in a hug, sensing the weight of her troubles pressing down on her shoulders. She returned the gesture, her embrace tighter than usual, as if seeking comfort in the familiarity of our friendship. "I'm sorry," she murmured softly, her voice laced with a hint of vulnerability. "For what, Rikki?" I responded, concern etched into my features as I searched her eyes for answers. But before she could respond, the bell above the door chimed, signaling the arrival of a new customer. Realizing it was my turn to take the next table, without looking to see who it was, I called out, "Please take a seat wherever you like, and I'll be right with you." I then reassured her we will talk about this more later and that I am here for her. She smiled and walked back to her section. Taking a deep breath, I approached the table where I saw four men sitting, my forced smile faltering as I recognized the man who had cornered me at the club. Suppressing a surge of anger and fear, I gritted my teeth, determined to maintain my composure. I could feel the heat of his gaze burning into me. "Are you f*****g serious?" I muttered under my breath, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. Glancing over at Rikki, I realized she was too swamped with other tables to help, leaving me to handle the situation on my own. Pushing aside my apprehension, I squared my shoulders and approached the table with determination. "What would you all like to drink?" I repeated, my tone devoid of any warmth or friendliness. They all responded with a simple request for beer, their voices blending together in a chorus of indifference. Nodding curtly, I turned on my heel and made my way to the bar, my steps purposeful as I retrieved their drinks. As I poured the beers, I couldn't shake the feeling of Asher's eyes on me, his gaze piercing through me like a knife. The other men, though similar in appearance, seemed to pale in comparison to his imposing presence, their subdued demeanor hinting at a deference to his authority. Suppressing the tremor of fear that threatened to overtake me, I set the drinks down on the table with deliberate force, relishing in the satisfying foam that spilled over Asher's glass. "Oops," I muttered sarcastically, a hint of defiance in my tone as I met his gaze head-on. The other men at the table struggled to contain their amusement, their stifled laughter ringing in my ears. But I refused to back down, refusing to let Asher intimidate me any longer. "What would you all like to eat?" I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning within me. But before any of the other men could respond, Asher's voice cut through the air like a knife. "What time are you off work? We need to talk," he demanded, his tone laced with authority. I couldn't help but scoff at his audacity, my laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. "It's none of your damn business when I'm off work, and there's nothing to talk about," I retorted, my defiance ringing clear in my voice. Refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me falter, I repeated my question, my voice firm and unwavering. "What would you all like to eat?" The other men quickly placed their orders—a chicken, steak, and burger—while Asher simply ordered a cheeseburger with fries, his gaze never leaving mine. As I turned to walk away, I could feel his eyes boring into my back. I go put their orders into the kitchen. At that moment one of the regular’s comes in and sits a few tables away from Asher’s table. Feeling a surge of empowerment coursing through me, I approached the regular customer with newfound confidence, channeling Rikki's unabashed charm as I turned on the flirtatious banter. "Hi good-lookin', what do you want to drink tonight?" I purred, a playful twinkle in my eye as I leaned in slightly, playing up the coquettish act for all it was worth. He chuckled in response, clearly amused by my sudden change in demeanor. "Aren't you a sassy one today? I love seeing this side of you," he remarked, his eyes lingering appreciatively on my figure. Glancing over at Asher's table, I couldn't help but revel in the sight of his clenched fists and simmering rage, a silent testament to the power of my newfound confidence. With a mischievous grin, I turned my attention back to the regular customer, relishing in the discomfort I was causing Asher. "Oh, Airabella, I'll take my usual," he replied, his voice laced with amusement. "Coming right up," I replied, my smile widening as I sauntered away to put his order in. But as I walked, I made sure to drop my pen, seizing the opportunity to prolong my interaction and further stoke the flames of jealousy burning within Asher. Turning around, I met the gaze of the men at Asher's table, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and desire. But it was Asher's gaze that held the most intensity, his fury barely contained as he glared daggers in my direction. Despite the danger that lurked beneath his menacing stare, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the power I wielded. With a defiant smirk. As I returned to my duties, Rikki approached me with wide eyes, a mixture of admiration and concern evident in her expression. Despite her initial amusement at my boldness, her tone quickly shifted to one of genuine worry. "Girl, you have some guts," she remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of apprehension. I laughed off her concern, dismissing her worries with a wave of my hand. "Thanks, Rikki, but I've got this," I reassured her, though I could sense her unease lingering beneath the surface. Before we could delve further into our conversation, the cook alerted me that Asher's table's order was ready. Steeling myself for another encounter with the imposing figure, I gathered the plates and made my way over to their table. As I approached, one of the other men at the table requested more beer, prompting me to inquire if the rest of them wanted refills as well. But to my surprise, Asher intervened, his voice cutting through the air with a command. "No, I want a whiskey," he stated bluntly, his gaze fixed on mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Suppressing the urge to roll my eyes, I chuckled lightly and retreated to the bar to fulfill their drink order. Pouring a whiskey for Asher, I couldn't help but smirk as he downed it in a single gulp, his need for another drink evident in his impatient demeanor. Returning to their table with his third drink, I couldn't resist a teasing remark. "Do you need another one already?" I quipped, unable to hide the amusement in my voice. To my dismay, he nodded curtly, his demand for another drink leaving me feeling increasingly exasperated. Handing him his drink with a resigned sigh, I made a hasty retreat before he could make any further demands, determined to put some distance between myself and that man. As I finished up my serving duties, ensuring the tables were clean and silverware was rolled, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered from my encounters with Asher. Despite his persistent attempts to engage me in conversation, I remained steadfast in my refusal to entertain his advances. Returning to Asher's table to deliver their check, I braced myself for another confrontation. But before I could even utter a word, he once again requested to speak with me in private. His persistence grated on my nerves, and I found myself unable to contain my frustration. "Look, asshole, there is nothing to talk about," I retorted, my voice tinged with irritation. "Now, can you please just leave?" With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, refusing to entertain any further attempts at manipulation. Retreating to the safety of the kitchen, I took a moment to collect myself before returning to the dining area. As I emerged from the kitchen, I noticed that Asher's table had finally vacated, leaving behind a generous tip of $100. Despite my irritation with his behavior, I couldn't help but scoff at his attempt to flaunt his wealth, his arrogance only serving to further cement my disdain for him. Thankfully, the rest of the shift passed without incident, the quiet atmosphere allowing Rikki and me to focus on our duties without further interruption. As I approached my car with Rikki, my heart sank at the sight of Asher standing ominously beside it, his presence casting a shadow over what should have been a simple end to our shift. With a mix of frustration and disbelief, I muttered, "Are you f*****g kidding me?" I scanned the area and noticed his friends waiting in a black SUV nearby, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene. Before I could react, Asher strode up to me with determination, his voice resonating with authority as he declared, "Airabella, we need to talk." My instinctual defiance surged within me, and I retorted sharply, "There's nothing to talk about, Asher." But he persisted, his voice growing louder as he proclaimed, "Yes, there is. You're my mate. We're meant to be together. I know you must feel something." His words sent a chill down my spine, and I recoiled as he grabbed my hands, his grip unyielding despite my attempts to pull away. In a desperate attempt to break free, I raised my voice, the ground trembling beneath us as I asserted, "I'm not your f*****g mate. Let me go!" As the earth quaked around us, I watched in astonishment as Rikki cowered beside me, her fear noticeable in the air. Reluctantly, Asher released me, his gaze filled with confusion and a hint of awe. "What are you? I don't sense a wolf in you." he questioned, his tone laced with uncertainty. "But you must have Alpha blood in you." I couldn't help but scoff at his bewildered expression, dismissing his words as nothing more than delusion. "You're out of your f*****g mind. What am I?I then start to laugh harder. “You must be on some serious drugs.," I retorted, my laughter tinged with disbelief. "I'm just a simple woman—nothing more." But as I drove away from the surreal encounter, the image of Asher's bewildered gaze lingered in my mind, leaving me to wonder about the true nature of the power that seemed to emanate from within me.
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