Protect The Queen

1 - Meeting Bobby

Haven’s POV

Stepping out of the packhouse and walking towards the café for my shift, a sudden chill ran down my spine as I thought about the threat posed by the northern kingdom. The constant sound of small battles between the northern and southern kingdoms was occasional, but if we weren’t careful, the Masonite Pack, being one of the closest packs on the southern kingdom’s northern border, would be caught in the crossfire, like what had happened to the Valient Pack and us females will be caught up in it, because according to everyone it’s the males that need to handle the fight.

I scoffed to myself as I continued to walk down the street. There I go again, having an opinion on politics that no-one cares about. It’s not like anyone listens to me about how females can fight like males can. Rules are rules, according to Dad. If you are male, and you’ve finished high school, you go to the warrior academy and then most likely off to help fight in a dispute. Nobody knows what it’s about, while us innocent females stay behind to fend for ourselves, even though we can fight too, because we are far from being damsels in distress.

King Reginald MacKay had always said he would protect us from the north, but as the sound of the occasional fights get closer some days, I’m not so sure. My dad, Alpha Matthias Thompson, always told me to have faith our king will protect us, but how can he protect us with the rumors of him sending every male who has finished high school, including his son Robert, to the warrior academy. Not that anyone has seen his son since he was a baby, but apparently, he just turned 18 and was told he needed to learn what to do, so he could join the fight if needed.

I stopped just outside the café door and glanced over at the warrior cadets waiting for the bus, noticing one sitting by himself, glancing my way. “Haven, you’re late”, Harriot snarled, as I shook my head and pushed open the door while she threw an apron at me from behind the counter. I don’t really need to work here, I do because they are the Beta’s and my best friend’s parents, not to mention it takes my mind off everything, including my brother Shaun at the warrior academy. He left a month ago with an early admission and his last email said he was training hard. I know my best friend Jasmine sees him every now and again, but it’s not the same. “Haven, tables aren’t going to serve themselves.”

“Sorry Aunty Harriot," I murmured, stopping myself from overthinking everything and tying the apron around my waist before pulling my mousy brown hair into a messy bun and adding the pink bow Harriot insists that I wear. Harriot isn’t really my aunt; she’s the female Beta and her and Salvador run the café as a means to watch the borders with the bus terminals across the road. We call her that because this is her café and that’s the name of it. To my knowledge, my parents have no siblings to say I have any aunts biologically; I do with Aunty Harriot, and it’s been that way since I was born.

I moved to a table of four warrior cadets and took their orders before taking it to Salvador out the back. “She’s in one of her moods today," Salvador said, giving me a small wink as I smiled back at him before turning to stack some sugar satchels on the counter. Salvador’s comment wasn’t about me or Harriot, it was a subtle warning, they have been serving unruly warrior cadets all day, and I need to be careful.

The bell from the kitchen sounded, and I sucked in a deep breath before retrieving the small meals and taking it to the group of warriors as one of them pinched my ass when I placed it on the table. These assholes never learn; they come in here and think they can grope anyone with t**s and a v****a. I’m not surprised Harriot is in a mood. “Do that again, I dare you?” I snarled at the warrior with blonde hair, who snickered and elbowed one of his friends as though my comment amused him.

“This pretty little thing has a temper; I like that," another warrior cadet with red hair said, reaching out to try and place his hand on my hip, as I grabbed his wrist, twisting his arm behind his back and pushing his face down into his cheeseburger.

“I’m so glad you did that. I needed some exercise today," I seethed through clenched teeth, while another group of warriors laughed at their buddy who had his hamburger bun glued to his cheek. “I’m the daughter of Alpha Matthias Thompson. If you touch me again, you will lose your arm, asshole.”

“We were just playing around…” “Do you want a go?” I snarled, turning on my heels and glaring my green eyes at the blonde warrior who was speaking again and holding up his hands to show he surrendered. “Didn’t think so.”

“Haven, go fill the coffee pots," Harriot said, walking up behind me to salvage what she could from the four warriors as I stormed back to the counter to do as I was asked. I know, I know, the warriors and cadets bring in the majority of the business since the bus terminals are directly across the street. They also need to learn how to respect a lady and not expect them to open their legs because they ask them to.

As the afternoon drew on, the warriors suddenly thought twice about causing more drama, thank goddess. It’s about time they realized no means no, and I didn’t need to show them what would happen if they tried again.

As the buses started to leave, and most of the warriors began to disappear, I was clearing the last of the tables, ready to close for the day, when a lone warrior cadet with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes walked through the door in his uniform, looking a little nervous. You get some warriors looking nervous and Harriot said we need to smile and put them at ease. “Hi, I’m Haven. We’ll be closing soon, but I can get you something before we do," I said, giving the warrior a soft smile as he sat down at a booth in the corner.

“Um… Coffee?” the cadet answered hesitantly as I moved to the coffee pot and poured him a cup before bringing it over to him while he looked around the café. He picked up the cup and brought it to his lips, taking a sip. “My bus doesn’t leave for a while, and I wouldn’t mind talking to someone to get my mind off things. Do you mind sitting and talking with me?”

I glanced over at Harriot, who gave me a small nod while Salvador gave me an OK gesture from the kitchen, causing me to roll my eyes. I wish they didn’t try to pair me with every warrior cadet that comes through here, even if they are good-looking like this one. “I'll finish shortly, if you want to go for a walk," I said, as the cadet smiled before giving me a nod and I quickly turned to the counter and took off my apron. “I didn’t catch your name”, I added, moving back towards the cadet.

“Bobby," he answered, finishing his cup of Joe and standing up as we made our way out the front door, and I waved to Harriot and Salvador over my shoulder. He looked like a future Alpha because he could give Shaun a run for his money at how tall he was. Shaun’s 6-foot 6, and I think Bobby is a few inches taller. Not that I’m short by any means, standing at 5-foot 8, but he is certainly taller than most. “Where do you want to go for our walk?”

“We can go to the lake," I answered as Bobby nodded his head with a small smile, and I led him down the dirt path towards the lake in the center of the pack. “There’s a pier, and we can sit down and watch the sunset while we chat.”

“Your boyfriend won’t mind you sitting with me?” Bobby asked as I shrugged my shoulders while shaking my head at the same time. I wanted to say; what boyfriend? But he doesn’t know I don’t have one. “Not that I care if you have a boyfriend. I don’t have anyone and would like to spend my time with a pretty girl before doing what my father said is obligatory.”

“Obligatory, my ass," I scoffed under my breath, knowing he would have heard me while I tried not to roll my eyes. Bobby chuckled quietly next to me as we reached the pier and sat down. “That’s just a way for King Reginald to recruit unwilling participants to fight alongside him in this stupid feud with the north.”

“It’s more complicated than that, but I guess it is," Bobby replied, not meeting my eyes and picking up a small pebble from some of the young kids left on the pier, before skipping it along the water. “It’s my duty to go to the academy and serve the king.”

“Says every male chauvinist in a 1000-kilometer radius,” I scoffed, causing Bobby to chuckle again. “People don’t realize some females can do the same thing males can. If I could go to the academy, I would, but since I have a v****a, I’m not allowed.”

“Don’t hold back your thoughts or anything," Bobby replied, still chuckling under his breath as I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile at his playful banter. “I meant it when I said, I don’t have anyone to talk to besides my parents. I’ve been a bit isolated from people my age. Do you mind if I send you an email or two when I get settled in?” That’s an odd request considering we have only just met, but I can’t see why we couldn’t exchange a text or two.

I pulled my phone from my pocket to give him my number, and he glanced down at it with a frown. “We aren’t allowed to have cell phones at the academy," he said as I turned to gaze into his chocolate brown eyes to see if he was being serious. No phones? Come to think of it, Shaun doesn’t call or text me either, just emails. “We are allowed to email on occasion, hence why I asked if I could email you.”

“Sure," I answered with a shrug, opening my email account on my phone and started a new email. “What’s your email address?”

“I’ll put it in," Bobby answered, taking my phone from my hand and sending himself an email before handing it back. “This might be a bit bold of me, but can I ask how old you are, Haven?”

“You’ve been bold with your questions so far, why stop now?” I laughed as Bobby’s cheeks turned a soft pink color. “I turn 18 in four months," I answered as Bobby nodded his head with a small smile as though he was contemplating something in his mind. “I have an older brother, Shaun, who left for the academy a month ago on an early admission. A few months after he got his wolf… Do you have your own wolf?”

“I do," Bobby replied with a small laugh, leaning back with his hands behind his head and glancing at the sun setting over the lake. I always liked this time of day at the lake. The orange, pink and purple of the dusk sky was always beautiful. “Are you looking forward to getting yours?”

“Sometimes," I answered as Bobby c****d his eyebrow at me, wanting me to elaborate further. “I want to get her, but at the same time I’m nervous…” “I think we all feel that way," Bobby interrupted, picking up my hand as I glanced down at what he was doing. “Sorry, do you mind if I hold your hand? I should have asked before I did that.”

“I don’t mind," I answered, the smile creeping on my face at his hand covering mine. Normally, I wouldn’t let someone be so presumptuous, but this feels as though it was the most natural thing in the world. I can’t describe why I felt this way; I just do.

Bobby smiled, gently giving my hand a squeeze; “As I was saying, I think we all feel that way because, even though we know we will get a wolf, it’s still something we need to accept when they come. Now I have him; I don’t know why I was so nervous," he said, while rubbing circles on the back of my hand with his thumb, which felt nice. “I have a bit of a confession to make," he continued, as I moved my gaze to study his face. “I saw you walking to the café and I saw what you did to those warrior cadets, through the window.”

I frowned, glancing down at his hand again. Is this why he asked to hold my hand? I think I remember him sitting on the benches at the bus terminals. He wouldn’t have heard me; at least I don’t think he did. “Some people don’t realize touching someone inappropriately or without permission isn’t a joke," I replied, while Bobby grinned, moving his hand from mine.

“Can I?” he asked, which took me by surprise, and I inched away from him, glaring uncomfortably at his untoward question. I can’t believe he just asked me that, after what I just told him. Men are all the same. They only want you for one thing. Bobby’s face turned pink; “I didn’t mean… I meant… Sorry, this is coming out all wrong," He stammered, turning his face away as I continued to narrow my eyes at him.

“What did you mean?” I asked quietly while Bobby ran his hands through his dark brown hair before turning back to me.

“I was trying to ask if I could give you a kiss," he replied, picking up my hand and bringing it to his mouth as I stared at him for a moment, wondering if he was being serious. I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t want him to kiss me. He’s gorgeous. My problem is, I’m not known around here for being kissable. I’ve always preferred to fight and spar with the boys, rather than chasing after them, like others around here. I think that’s why Harriot makes me wear a pink bow in my hair. Jasmine says I should live a little. If this isn’t it, I don’t know what is. “Forget I mentioned…” “Yes”, I answered quickly, cutting Bobby off as he crashed his lips into mine.

“Can I ask you a question?” Bobby asked as we pulled apart, and I gently nodded towards him, my cheeks going flush as he pulled me closer, and I could hear his heart beating as I leaned into his chest. “Why do you work at the café? You said you are Alpha Matthias’ daughter; you shouldn’t need to work.”

Oh! He did hear me. I suppose I did yell quite loudly. I drew in a deep breath; “Harriot and Salvador are the Beta’s and my best friend, Jasmine’s parents. She’s dating Shaun and I help occasionally when Jaz has gone to go see him," I answered, pausing to cuddle my back into Bobby’s chest as he drew circles over my arms with his fingers, sending goosebumps over my skin. “You are right though; I don’t need the work. It keeps me busy and there is something satisfying about earning my own wage.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you work at the café," Bobby replied as we leaned back to continue to watch the sunset over the lake until it was time for him to catch his bus to the warrior academy.