The Café

Chapter 19

Link: Would you like to come and hang out at my place today?

It had been a few days since Tom attacked me and Link and I have seen each other every day since. His scent and his touch are absolutely driving me wild, I find myself daydreaming about him frequently and crave him. I have never been like this before. So desperate just to see him. I feel my mood slowly decrease when I am away from him and its like I am recharged when I'm with him again. Its like I'm a drug addict, but Link is the drug.

Me: Sure, What time do you want me there?

Link replies straight away.

Link: Whenever you're ready. I'll be here waiting! x

Me: See you soon! x

I quickly collect my phone, wallet and keys and head out the door. I start my car when the realisation that I have never been to Link's house before hits. I have never really met his parents and their positions in the pack, as the Alpha and the Luna, makes it ten times more stressful. I assess the outfit I chose this morning critically, is this something I want to meet Link's family in? I've got my baggy t-shirt tied up at the waist and high waisted shorts - not too short though. I can't think of any thing wrong with the outfit but should it be more formal? I go round and round in circles in my head. I force myself to reverse the car out of the driveway so don't allow myself to sit here debating with myself. It's not as if I have been invited for a fancy dinner or something.

I drive to Link's house in silence, so deep in thought I forgot to turn the radio on. When I arrive my stomach is in knots. I decide to message Link so he can come out and meet me out the front instead of knocking on the door for someone else to answer. I was typing the message when a young girl comes sprinting out of the house towards my car waving at me.

"Tess!!! You've arrived!" the girl calls to me. She was fast for her age, I'm guessing about 10.

I unbuckle my seat belt and climb out of the car.

"Hi." I smile awkwardly. I'm pretty sure she is Link's sister, Kirra, but we have never officially met.

"I'm Kirra, Link has told me all about you!" Kirra exclaims throwing her arms around me in a hug. I wrap my arms around her back. At least she likes me. One down, two to go!

I notice Link walking down the steps and towards us.

"I see you've met Kirra!" Link laughs as he reaches the curb where we were standing. Kirra beams back up at her brother with a look of absolute adoration. It melts my heart.

"I certainly have! We're practically besties now!" I reply. Kirra squeals in response.

Link steps towards me and places his hand on my cheek. The fireworks set off across my skin are making me giddy. He leans forward and pecks me on the lips. "Hi Babe." He smiles.

"Hi." I reply while I feel Kirra wriggle her little fingers in between mine and start pulling me towards the house.

"Come on guys! Mum and Dad want to meet Tess!" Kirra groans impatiently.

"Lead the way..." Link states, directing us down the path with his hand.

I am dragged into the lounge room where Alpha Steven and Luna Hannah were sitting watching TV.

"Look Mum! She's very pretty!" Kirra states when we walk into the room. I hear Link chuckle behind me so I elbow him in the rib, he feigns injury before sitting down on one of the couches.

"Darling, we have spoken about this, time and place." Luna Hannah says quietly to her daughter.

"Yesss..." Kirra moans, "But she is!" I try to hold in a smile. I stand in the doorway awkwardly.

"Mum, Dad, this is Tess. Tess, this is Mum and Dad." Link says casually like its just another day. I could feel my knees shaking from nerves. Hopefully no one else could see that.

"Welcome Tess." Alpha Steven says kindly to me. I smile in return.

"Thank you Alpha Steven." I answer nervously.

"Please, call us Steven and Hannah." Hannah replies. Steven nods beside her in agreeance.

"Who's winning?" Link asks his Dad about the football game playing on TV.

"Sydney. Only just." Steven replies, eyes still glued to the screen. Link reaches out and grabs my hand, pulling me down to sit beside him on the couch. I'm relieved not to be standing up awkwardly on display anymore.

"Would you like anything to drink Tess?" Hannah asks me, ignoring the boys.

"No, I'm fine thank you." I quietly reply. I twist my fingers together on my lap anxiously until Link grabs my hand and strokes his thumb over my knuckles soothingly. It instantly takes effect.

"Tess is studying journalism at Uni." Link tells his mother. "And she works at the café in town with her Mum and brother, Sam - he has just joined the packs footy team, he's a gun!" he continues, pricking his Dad interest at the bit about the footy team.

I just sit and smile. The boys continue talking about the packs footy team this year.

"Journalism hey?" Hannah asks, "I loved the journalism topics I took at Uni."

"Really? What did you study?" I ask curiously. I never knew that the Luna had been to university.

"Teaching... I occasionally teach at the packs primary school when I have time. Hopefully when Link is Alpha, I can head down there more often!" Hannah looks at Link with affection and pride.

"Tess didn't actually know who I was until I made her come to the pack BBQ last week." Link laughs. I blush red as he tells his family I did not recognise the future Alpha of my own pack. I send him a glare.

"Is that true?" Steven asks chuckling. I nod my head, keeping my eyes down, I felt they needed an explanation.

"Since my Dad passed away, Mum hasn't liked coming into the main pack territory as often." I defend. I haven't actually had much opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the pack.

"John Knight?" Steven asks.

"Yep. I believe he was a member of the guard? Mum doesn't talk about him much." I reply.

"We completely understand, Tess." Hannah answers kindly. "Steven was very close with John. He was a wonderful friend and colleague."

I didn't realise we knew the Alpha family. I was too young to remember much from when Dad was alive.

"You and Link might actually remember playing with each other. Your mother and I used to catch up all the time for playdates. Sam and Link used to play footy together while you would play in the garden picking the flowers." She laughed.

I looked at Link surprised. He reflected my expression.

"I didn't know this!" Link says to his parents.

"You never asked!" Steven replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Your mother and I always hoped you two might end up together." Hannah smiled to herself thinking about the past. Link gently squeezed my hand.

"Are you going to come to the beach with us for fish and chips?" Kirra asks, abruptly changing the subject. I look up to Link, silently asking him if I should, he winks down at me in response.

"She definitely is!" Link replies for me. Kirra squeals with delight. I am so relieved that meeting Link's family went so well. Turns out I didn't really need introductions after all. I'm going to have to ask Mum for some more information.

"I'll drive Tess down and meet you guys there." Link informs his family before pulling me up off of the couch by my hand and dragging me to his room so he could get changed.