Unexpected
1072 Words
After lunch I decided to stay at Olahlala. The influx of orders proved too much for Jamie, that he needed to rest a few minutes in between. Jiro who’d been silent and colder than usual surprisingly stepped up to help, displaying a curious familiarity with the baking process.
I’d only told him the process once and he never asked for a repeat. Still though, his blank expression was disproportionate with the activity. Hammer brood by himself in the corner, still displeased but what transpired on Smart Mart.
I had expected Rhys to come. I had no doubt Hammer did report to him through a unique form of contact but until the diner had entered its final peak hour at 6 pm, there was no sign of him. A sick part of me was disappointed, the sane part relieved I didn’t touch his bottom line. While he had been nothing but nice with me, I had never deluded myself that the attraction will go beyond physical. We have a baby on the way and that was all.
When I arrived home, Rhys didn’t mention the brief meeting and went about managing my diet for dinner again. Until the moment he cuffed my wrists, disappointment simmered. I guess he didn’t care that the mother of his child encountered his enemy, further proving that all he cared for is the baby.
You already know that, the dark part of me taunted. You’ve anticipated it all.
“What are you thinking?” His low voice pulled me out of my internal musings.
“Tell me about Glenn?” the question was already out of my lips before I could even comprehend what I had said.
His eyes flashed. “Glenn is not my enemy but I am his.”
The vague answer made me frown. He placed a big hand atop my belly, warmth emanating from it. “You don’t have to worry about him.” Was his curt and dismissive reply before turning to shower.
The disappointment boiled. The fact that he didn’t want me to know more about him reminded me I was the same. We both have secrets and it will likely stay that way. It felt like the past all over again. I had never belong anywhere.
I breathed in shakily. I should just focus on the baby. Once the baby is born, then we’ll see the next step.
Glenn came early the next day. The chatters diminished and the stare prickled my nerves. Hammer moved to stand beside me with his usual glower.
“The cookies are still in the oven.”
A smile stretched his lips. “I’ll take this chance to have breakfast then.”
He turned to Olah and ordered calmly. It was a wonder how he didn’t mind the glares that almost half of the diner customers were giving him. Those stares made me remember a bitter memory. The air inside suddenly felt heavier and hard to breathe. Quickly untying my apron, I murmured the need to get fresh air and hurried outside.
“Are you feeling okay?” Hammer followed me out.
I waved my hand dismissively. “Go back inside I just want a few minutes alone.”
“You know that can’t be done. Someone needs to stay with you at all times.”
The thin thread of patience snapped. “Damn it Hammer! I just want a five minutes alone!” I snapped. He looked surprised for a second. Maybe he saw something was really wrong. He gave a nod of assent and slipped back inside.
I focused on evening out my breathing. The memories from three months ago had started to rear their heads, desperate to rise on the surface. It didn’t help that I felt that familiar sense of estrangement. A feeling that had hunted me ever since the age of eight.
Breathe in. Out. Repeat.
I knew I had to keep it in. Olah and Rhys did their best to protect me and the baby when they choose not to. Asking for more isn’t right.
The turbulent emotions settled down. I went back inside to Hammer’s relief. But the scene in front of me made anger bubbled in me. Four men, all who followed Rhys were surrounding Glenn’s booth. Tension crackled in the air and threaten to ignite any second. I had barged my way to them before Hammer could stop me.
“What are you doing?” I demanded. “He is here to eat so sit down and don’t make trouble.”
One man snarled at me. “Who are you to order me? You’re just a slut who our Alpha brought back.”
His words were like knives. Anger turned to rage. The sound of skin striking skin seemed to echo in the diner. I slapped a man for the first time and it was exhilarating.
“What the f**k! You slut!” He roared and everything seemed to play out in slow motion. I saw Olah and Jamie’s panicked and horror-filled expressions. Jiro had made a move to lung towards us, so di Hammer. But they were clearly too far and I was too brash to call out a shifter. His fist was already closed to my face.
Adrenaline surge through my veins, carrying along with it traces of power I didn’t know I had. It felt warm and comfortable. My mind had turned blank as if a fog had enclosed everything within, dulling my senses. All I could focus on was in front of me. My hands move to block the coming punch as if a part of me knew I could definitely do it.
His knuckled touched the palm of my hand, but the force didn’t hurt. Incredulity flashed on his face. My fingers enclosed his fist. The c***k of bones punctuated by anguished cries filled the diner. Satisfaction welled up in me as I towered over the kneeling man. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted to make him hurt more.
Suddenly the man was pushed away and my hands were held on my back and a body pushed me to the table.
“Breathe. Calm down.” Hammer whispered. I didn’t miss the slight tremble in his voice and wondered why he was so shaken up.
Shouldn’t it be me? A shifter just tried to hit me. The warmth and power slowly receded and my mind cleared.
What the hell just happened?
- Writer
