Chapter 1
Daphne was working her job at the bakery in the town of Valeria, Wyoming, USA. She was a five-foot seven-inch brunette with big brown eyes. When she suddenly felt like someone was watching her. So, she looked up from the order that she was bagging up and found a blonde-haired, blue-eyed stranger watching her. She finished bagging the order she was working on and went to take his order.
“Hi, my name is Daphne, how may I take your order?” Daphne queried. “Hi Daphne, that is a beautiful name by the way,” He replied. “Thank You,” Daphne blushed. “My name is Kyle, and I would like a Boston creme doughnut and a large coffee with two sugars and a little bit of milk please,” Kyle said. “Very well sir, I will be right back with your order,” Daphne replied. She then walked to the coffee machine and got his coffee ready. Before going and getting his doughnut from the doughnut display case. And taking him his order, “Here is your order, Kyle.” Daphne said.
“Thank you, Daphne, by the way when do you get off work?” Kyle asked. Daphne replied, “Now why would I tell you that?” “Because I would like to get to know you a little bit better,” Kyle told her seriously. Daphne laughed and said, “I get off soon and my cousins are meeting me here to walk me home.” “But, can I get your phone number so that we can talk later tonight or tomorrow? That way we can get to know each other better,” Kyle asked. “We shall see if you’re still here when my cousins get here,” Daphne replied. “Oh, I will be,” Kyle said with a smile. And then he watched her as she went back to work. Serving other customers and getting their orders ready for them.
After about twenty minutes his best friends James and Benjamin showed up. “So, who is she?” James asked. “Who is who?” Kyle evaded. “Come on dude, you’ve been here for three hours, I know that you like the Boston crème doughnuts here at Granny Mae’s Bakeshop. But you should be taking care of pack business and you know it,” Benjamin said. “Are you forgetting who the Alpha is?” Kyle asked with a growl. Ben paled slightly and answered “No Alpha, Sorry Alpha. But as one of your oldest friends, I feel that I should be able to speak my mind once in a while.” Kyle looked at him angrily and said, “That may very well be Delta, but not when what you say questions my dedication to the pack.”
James was quick to intercede “Alpha, can’t you at least tell us your oldest friends what or should I say who has been keeping you here. When normally you would’ve been back at the packhouse two and a half hours ago.” Kyle sighed, “I guess so, but I don’t really know much about her, Other than that, she is my mate and her name is Daphne.” Just then Daphne walked up to the table, “Hey, Kyle, would your friends like anything?” Daphne inquired.
Kyle laughed “Hey, Daphne these are my best friends James.” He said indicating the dark-haired man to his left. “And Benjamin but you can call him Ben.” He said indicating the redheaded guy on his right. James smiled at her and said, “Hi Daphne you can call me Jimmy. And I would like a cinnamon roll and a large coffee, but only a little bit of milk please.” Ben just smiled and said, “Nothing for me thanks but it is very nice to meet you.”
Daphne laughed at that and said, “Nice to meet you both, and Jimmy I’ll be right back with your cinnamon roll and coffee.” Then she walked back to get James his order. “She seems very nice, and she is certainly extremely pretty,” James said. Ben readily agreed with James’ assessment. "James, does the Alpha seem a little bit distracted to you?" Ben inquired. James replied, "Without a doubt, he is distracted due to finding his mate our future Luna."
Kyle said, “Yes, she is gorgeous inside and out.” Just then Daphne returned with James’ order. “Jimmy here is your order,” Daphne said. “ Thank you, Daphne,” James replied. Suddenly Daphne exclaimed, “Yay they’re here!” “Who is here?” Ben asked. “Her cousins” Kyle replied as Daphne ran screaming into the other woman’s arms. “Alexia you’re here, Where is Xander?” Daphne queried. “Right here beautiful” the man in question replied.
“Xander I’m glad your home safe from the army,” Daphne said with a huge smile. “I have to finish a few things before I will be ready to leave. Is there anything you would like from the menu?” Daphne asked. Alexander replied, “Yes cousin there is I would like two bear claws and four chocolate delight doughnuts if you please.”
“Sure thing cousin, coming right up. Anything for you Alexia?” Daphne inquired. “No thanks cousin I’m just intrigued by what or should I say who has you in such a smiley mood,” Alexandria replied. Daphne tried to be evasive with her answer “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “Oh come on Daph, if you can’t tell me who can you tell,” Alexia returned. Daphne blushed and said, “Alright Alexia I’ll tell you when we get home.” Alexia gave in to her saying, “Fine Daph, but you will tell me, or I’ll hex you with perpetual bad breath.”
Daphne laughed and walked away to get Alexander his order. She also had to finish up some other orders before she could leave. “Hey, Daphne are you going to introduce us to your cousins?” Kyle asked. “Why should I Kyle?” Daphne returned. “Well I did introduce you to my friends,” Kyle said. “Fine before I leave, I might introduce you,” Daphne said. He watched as she went to finish up. Within twenty minutes she was back with her cousins to say goodbye. “Well, Kyle, and boys I will be leaving so before I go, I wanted to introduce you to my cousins, This is my cousin Alexandria,” she said pointing to the beautiful blonde woman. “And this is her brother Alexander, but we call him Xander,” Daphne finished indicating the blonde man next to her.
“Nice to meet you both, my name is Kyle and these two are my friends, James and Benjamin,” Kyle replied. “Hello, gentlemen nice to meet you,” Alexandria said with a smile. Whereas her brother Xander said, “Hey, boys fancy a drink later at the bar say around seven tonight?” “Why not?” James replied. “We can always leave Greg or Cassie in charge for an hour or two,” Ben mind-linked Kyle. “Fine, we will let Cassie know when we get home,” Kyle replied in the mind-link. While out loud he said, “That would be great I’ve just got to keep my younger sister informed because she is a big worrywart.”
Everyone laughed at that and Kyle whispered to Daphne “So am I going to be able to get your phone number?” “Fine my number is (307) ***-**** but don’t call after ten at night or before eight in the morning,” Daphne said. Meanwhile, Ben was staring at Alexia. And wondering what it was about her that was pulling him towards her. Suddenly her eyes met his and he knew that she was his mate. Ben instantly mind-linked both James and Kyle and said, “Boys I think I might have found my mate. But don’t react out loud because I don’t think she knows.” “Congrats Benny boy, but how are you going to tell her?” James said. Kyle said,
“Congrats Ben, and I believe that I am in the same boat. Is it Alexandria by any chance?” “Why yes, but how did you know?” Ben queried. While this whole mind -link conversation is going on Daphne, Alexia, and Xander said, “Goodbye boys see you around.” “Goodbye ladies, and Xander,” James replied. Ben returned, “Goodbye everyone.” Kyle said, “Goodbye Daphne, and Alexia, and Xander I will be seeing you tonight.” To which Xander replied in a low whisper, “You certainly will Alpha.” Then he walked away to join the girls.
With a final wave in the direction of the table Kyle, James and Benjamin were sitting at Daphne and her cousins left. As Daphne was walking with her cousins to their home. Alexia queried of her, “So, was it Kyle that had you in such a smiley mood?” “Maybe it was but maybe not,” Daphne replied. “You seemed to be watching Ben a lot, Is there a reason for that?” Daphne asked. At that moment Xander decided to join the conversation. “What are we talking about ladies?” He asked. They looked at him and said, “None of your beeswax buddy.”
His response was “Now that was a very childish response from two grown witches.” “So says the warlock that still plays the same video games that my baby brother does. And my brother as you know is only six,” Daphne replied. “Why are you comparing Jack to my annoying brother?” Alexia queried. “I am only comparing their taste in video games,” Daphne replied.
Alexia returned, “Oh, well that’s ok we wouldn’t want Jack to get a complex.” Xander glared at them both and said, “Why are you two being so mean?” “Because it’s fun and you get so flustered,” They replied. He just huffed and walked faster to get away from them. They just both laughed at that and continued with their conversation. “Ben is very attractive don’t you think?” Daphne slyly asked Alexia. Alexia hemmed and hawed but finally agreed by saying “Yeah ok he is very easy on the eyes, but that doesn’t mean that I am interested in him.” Daphne just smiled at her and said, “We will see how long you can resist him.”
Just then they reached the house that they’re family had called home for the last six centuries. “Hey mom, we’re home finally. With how slow these two girls were going,” Xander said sounding exasperated. His mom and aunt laughed at that and said, “They were probably discussing guys and didn’t want you to interfere in their private lives.” “Exactly right mom you know me so well,” Daphne said with a smile. “We’re going to be in my room for a couple of hours. Oh and Xander please do be on your best behavior tonight when you see Kyle, Ben, and James please,” Alexia said. “Now why should I sweet sister? Do you have an interest in one of them? Like maybe Ben or James because I know Daphne has a claim on Kyle,” Xander said with a wink.
Alexia and Daphne both blushed a bright red. But neither replied to his comment as they simply walked away from him. Going in the direction of Alexia’s room which was right across from Daphne’s. Xander laughed and went to get a sandwich from the kitchen before he went to shower in his bathroom. Even though he just ate six doughnuts he was hungry again. Their moms just laughed watching the whole episode unfold in front of them.
Before going back to their conversation about who Daphne’s mate might be. “I think Daphne may have found her mate in this Kyle guy the way she was blushing means that there is something between them,” said Daphne’s aunt Nancy. Daphne’s mom Marie replied, “We will see I think it’s time we ask Xander some questions about these guys he is going to see tonight.” So they both called at the same time “Alexander Johnathan Medicini get over here now!!” “Yes, mom and aunty is there something you need from me?” Xander asked in reply. His mom answered his question, “Yes, we need information on these gentlemen you are meeting tonight.” “What kind of information?” he asked. They looked at him as if he was still a child of four.
“Well are they human, werewolf, vampire, demon, warlock what?” His aunt asked in reply. “Well I know that they are werewolves and Kyle is the Alpha, James is his beta and Ben is his delta but that’s all I know right now, Which is why I am meeting them,” was his quick response. “Ok, but we expect a full report when you get home,” His mom said with a small smile. “Yes, ma’am,” was his response as he saluted them both,
They laughed and watched as he got his coat. And made sure he had his wallet and money actually in it. Before he left to go, they asked him “Where are you meeting them?” “I am meeting them at Dominic’s bar,” Xander said. “Be careful Xander and call us when you’re leaving,” His Dad said as he walked in from the kitchen. “Yes sir,” Xander said on his way out the door.
“So who is he meeting?” Drake asked he is Xander’s dad. “A couple of werewolves who might be mates with Daphne and Alexandria,” his wife answered. “Names and ranks?” he demanded. “Well there is Kyle the Alpha who we believe might be daphne’s mate. Then there is his beta James and his delta Ben, but we are unsure which is Alexandria’s mate,” His sister-in-law answered.
“Should I tell Angelo about this?” Drake asked. “Tell me what?” Angelo asked. “Your daughter and mine possibly finding their mates,” Drake replied. “When did this happen? And who/what are they?” Angelo asked his wife. “Well honey it happened while Daphne was working and the gentlemen in question are werewolves, but our girls don’t know that yet,” She replied with a gentle smile.
“Do we have names and ranks yet?” he asked. Drake replied, “Yes and I will be finding out everything I can about these boys in the next two hours.” “You mean we will find out everything about them,” Angelo said. “Yeah I know we always work together on things,” Drake allowed. Their wives laughed and as this was happening the girls were coming down the hall. “Alexia, what do you think our dads are going to say about the boys?” Daphne asked. “Probably dig into their background to find out exactly who and what they are. But I doubt anyone will tell us what they find,” Alexia replied.
Meanwhile, at Kyle’s packhouse, he was being interrogated by his mom and sister. Kyle’s mom Sally asked, “So who is she? And who are you going to meet tonight?” Kyle replied, “Her name is Daphne, and yes she is my mate, and she doesn’t know we are mates yet.” Cassie asked, “So when can I meet her?” “Honestly I don’t know when you’re going to meet her, But she works at Granny Mae’s Bakeshop Monday-Friday until at least four in the afternoon,” He said. “Yay I was already going there tomorrow with friends,” Cassie told him.