Taming the Wicked Rogue

A Small Encounter

The hunt for the witch lasted for two days. Two days filled with nerve-wracking tension. Everyone was on edge. Not a day passed did I not worry a cloaked figure would suddenly show up. Rhys was constantly out on patrol. He had stayed in wolf form and would show up at random times of the day. Olah also closed the diner and accompanied Jamie and me the whole day. We’d been staying with Olah on the second floor of the diner the whole time.

The only thing that did not change was the cuffs. Rhys had – to my utter chagrin – brought the cuffs. He would stay guard the whole night and had me cuffed with Olah. It was not until the third day did good news come. A witch has been caught.

Nobody told me where the witch was locked up, and I didn’t want to ask. It was a relief that the tension surrounding Verde Creek had finally eased.

“Shouldn’t you catch up on sleep?” I asked Rhys during breakfast. Olahlah had resumed operations, and the diner had become full instantly. Rhys placed slices of apples on my plate. He’d been monitoring my diet. Rhys coaxed me to eat more than half of the portion on my plate. He didn’t cajole with words but with fleeting touches.

“Going without sleep for a few days is fine.” He looked energized, with no sign of exhaustion. His silver eyes were brighter, and an invisible wild energy seemed to pulse through him. I realized then that even with the threat gone, he was still alert.

“I’ll be back at night.” He stood up as soon as the apples on my plate had been finished. Several other men also stood up from their seats and followed him out. More than half of Verde Creek was mobilized with the witch hunt. The discovery that the rogues followed Rhys did not surprise me. He had a distinctive air that was hard to miss in both forms. His wolf form was larger, and the color of his eyes was molten gold. I’m sure it meant something, but that was all saved for later, along with everything else.

I didn’t stay idle. With Rhys’ permission and Jamie’s help, I could finally be in my element – baking. The sweet scent from pastries soon mixed with the savory aroma from meat dishes. Not long after it was placed on the cooling rack, a group of teenagers hoarded the first batch of mint chocolate-chip cookies. I soon learned that many of them had a bad case of a sweet tooth.

“Looks like we have a new best seller.” Olah teased while munching on a cookie she swiped from the baking pan.

“I wrote down advance orders, and look, this is more than what we can do for a day!” Jamie handed me the note in awe and proceeded to mix another batch of cookies. The surprise was an understatement. My baking skills were honed under the tutelage of great chefs. However, while the diner owner permitted me to learn, that was all. He’d make sure I wasn’t assigned a baking station and would help out on other dishes instead. I squashed down the memory.

At least something good came out of that period of my life.

“I’ll place an order for large ovens,” Olah announced, already clicking away at her computer.

“Oh no! We’ve run out of chocolate chips!” Jamie exclaimed. The teenage boy had a good memory and had picked up the steps for baking. Albeit slow, he was a huge help to keep me off my feet all day and risk Rhys taking back his permission to work.

“I’ll buy some.” I was already on my feet when Olah frowned in disagreement.

“You can’t.”

“Don’t worry. Smart Mart is near, and I could take Hammer with me.”

Being named, Hammer grunted but stood up from his seat, already headed to the door. “Let’s go.”

Olah finally agreed. Just like she had mentioned before, the village center was the safest. Smart Mart was also a public place and not to mention a brooding man guarding me.

The grocery store was four times larger than the diner. The place was bright and spacious, and three carts could fit on one aisle. Crews were scattered about and wore bright yellow uniforms and black caps.

I ignored the curious stares which I always got from the diner. A few more trips here, and I’m sure their interest in me will wane. I turned to Hammer, who was also peering at the shelves.

“Take a gallon of milk and 5 boxes of unsalted butter from the dairy section. I’ll get the chocolate droppings.”

He scowled. I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, please. I won’t run away, and with your speed, you’ll get to me soon enough if trouble erupts. I doubt it with Mr. Smiley by the entrance. A smiling six-foot-tall man was guarding the entrance. Others might be fooled by his smile, but his eyes were cold and unfeeling.

Hammer pursed his lips. “Okay. Don’t go too far.” He warned and spun on his heel towards the dairy section.

What am I? A three-year-old? Scoffing at his arrogance, I made my way to the aisle with a sign – Baking Ingredients. There was only one typical problem. The chocolate dropping was placed in the highest rank. “Baby, you must grow tall like your dad,” I murmured.

“Do you need help?” A pleasant deep voice spoke from behind. A handsome man with dark brown hair and pale blue eyes stood there with hands deep in the pocket of his jeans. His eyes were narrowed with the same curiosity I’ve seen on other people of Verde Creek.

I pointed to the chocolate chips, and he promptly stretched his hand and handed me one.

“Will that get me a free cookie?” He asked in an almost hopeful tone that made me smile.

“I’m sorry, the reservation list is already long, and I think they’ll gang on you if you cut in line.”

He grinned. “Well then, I’ll just visit, or you can write down my name on the list – Glenn.”

“Okay, Glenn. Thank you for your help, and I’ll add your name to the list. You can pick it up tomorrow after lunch.”

“That many ordered?” He was surprised. “I heard from a few people your cookies are legendary.”

Despite his obvious words of flattery, I couldn’t help the blush that stained my cheeks.

“Oh please, they’re just cookies.”

“The last baker at Olahla didn’t like sweets as much as people here do, so your cookies are a hit.”

“Stop. Or I might be forced to give you a few more for free.” I joked.

“Stay away from her!” Suddenly, Hammer was in between me and Glenn, growling menacingly.

Glenn didn’t step back and just tilted his head to the side. “Relax. We were just talking. Did Rhys order you to keep everyone away from her?”

I couldn’t help but frown at his words. Rhys did? I glanced questioningly at Hammer.

“He did not, but we all know you should stay away.”

Glenn smirked. “Last I check, Rhys is not the Alpha of Verde Creek yet.” His gaze met mine. “I’ll drop by for the cookies.” He waved and strode away, leaving me baffled about what that brief episode was about.

“Why are you so angry? Glenn just helped me.”

Hammer shook his head. “You should know this. Glenn and Rhys are not on good terms.”

“And? It’s still not a good reason to suddenly act so rude.” I huffed and skirted away from him. He chased after me, flustered.

“He is bad news. His group had always been against our group.” He pointed out.

I shook my head and tapped his cheek. “Oh, Honey, you don’t know me. I must see for myself first if he is as bad as you say. I hate judgmental people the most.”

Just like those people from the past.

“Suit yourself. I’ll tell the boss he made a move.”

I sighed in surrender. “Whatever. It’s just a small matter.”