The Café

Chapter 17

We must have drifted off to sleep at some point because when I wake it's bright outside. I turn to look at the clock and it is 8:00AM. I am still wrapped up in Link's arms. I feel so warm and safe. I don't think I have slept so well in years. I don't want to wake him but I am desperate to pee. I wriggle out from under Link's long arm. Then work on the leg vice wrapped around my leg. I am just about free when Link groans and snakes his arm back around my waist, pulling me in tighter. I sigh and try to release his grip again.

"Where are you going?" Link asks groggily.

I laugh, "I need to pee!" I plead.

"Oh, sorry." Link replies removing his hold on me. I get up off of the bed and walk towards the bathroom. "I could get used to that view." I hear Link flirt from the bed. I quickly glace back to wink at him before continue to the toilet.

When I return Link is sitting on my bed texting. He looks up and smiles to me when I return.

"Better?" Link asks.

"Much!" I reply, "You spent the night." I state.

"Appears so!" Link laughs, "Was a pretty great sleep too!" He adds.

"Do you want some breakfast?" I ask, hoping he might stay a little longer.

"I would love some - but then I have to get back. My Mum wants to finalise some of the Alpha ceremony details today. She's already messaged me asking when I'll be there to see her." Link replies while holding his phone up.

I have a shower and head downstairs to find Mum and Link chatting at the breakfast bar. Mum had made Link some pancakes for breakfast. They look up when I walk in.

"There she is!" Mum calls, "I made you some chocolate chip cookies like you asked. Hopefully these ones last a little longer than the last batch I made!" I blush bright red when I hear Link almost choke on his pancake.

"Chocolate chip cookies hey? Sounds delicious!" He teases as he stands up from the breakfast bar. "Thank you so much for breakfast Terri, it was delicious." He thanks my Mum.

Mum smiles an ear to ear grin in return. "You are welcome anytime!" Link walks over to me, stopping about a foot in front of me.

"I will message you later ok?" He asks, "What time do you finish work?"

"I finish at 4." I state. "Thank you for coming over last night." I add.

"It was my pleasure." Link replies. "I'll message you at 4." He leans down and plants a chaste kiss on my lips before walking around me towards the door. I am left standing there in complete happiness. I was literally swooning.

"Well, want to give me the low-down?" Mum asks, placing two cups of coffees on the kitchen bench for us.

I sit down with her to tell her about the BBQ and when Link came over - keeping out certain bits of course.

Work is much the same but I feel like I'm walking on air.

"Excuse me? That is my focaccia, this is her pasta." He man states when I put the food in front of the wrong person. My mind is definitely on the job today.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I apologise while fixing my error.

"Tess, You seem very cheerful this morning." Sam states raising his eyebrows at me when I walk back into the kitchen to pick up the next tables orders.

"I had a good nights sleep." I reply, picking up the plates.

"Nothing to do with your new beau?" Sam teases, "Mum told me. Thanks a lot. She thinks he's your mate so now the pressure it on me." He groans.

"Poor Sam." I say mock.

"Oh, just take the orders and your good mood out of here." Sam sulks. I turned to walk out into the dining room when I see Tom walk in the café's doors.

"There goes your good day!" Sam laughs.

Well, better now than never, I think to myself while pushing the door open with my hip and walking out, carefully balancing the plates on my arms.

I place the plates on the table and head back to the coffee machine where Tom is waiting.

"Here she is! The flavour of the month!" Tom greets me. I roll my eyes - this is going to be pleasant.

"What are you after, Tom?" I ask, reaching for the coffee machine.

"Flat white." Tom answers curtly. "I saw you at the BBQ." He continues.

"I was there." I answer, while frothing the milk.

"I saw you getting close with Link. I guess that's how it is." Tom snaps at me.

"How what is?" I reply, I'm not sure what he wants me to say.

"Drop the celebrity when something better comes along - the future Alpha is a pretty good title..." Tom demands.

I am so offended, I have no words. I tighten my hand around the coffee mug to stop me from saying something I would regret.

"Don't worry though Tess, I gave Alpha Steven strict instructions that Link was to not interfere with my affairs when I arrived a few weeks ago, he won't be pleased when he finds out Link wooed my mate." Tom threatens.

"Your mate?" I splutter angrily. "What are you even talking about? I am not definitely not your mate."

"We know that, but Alpha Steven doesn't. He holds the mate bond very close to his heart. To hear his own son has torn two mates apart... he might even put a stop to the Alpha ceremony." Tom shrugs his shoulders and sits down on the bench.

"Why are you even threatening me? Its not as if you don't have other girls lining up?" I question him. My blood is boiling and my wolf is furious. My hands are shaking trying to stop her from taking control and phasing here in front of the coffee machine.

"I don't like not getting my way Tess." Tom states simply while picking up his coffee and walking out of the café without another word.

What the hell was that?!?!