The Masked Wolf

A compliment

Ava’s point of view

As the doors swung open, Gloria approached me with a comforting smile.

"Don't worry, there's no need to be nervous. This place is actually quite enjoyable; otherwise, I wouldn't have recommended you for a job as a server," she reassured me, placing a reassuring hand on my back.

Oddly enough, my nerves seemed to dissipate as the bar quickly filled with patrons donning various masks. Some wore Halloween masks, others adorned themselves with extravagant feathered masks, while a few opted for simple eye coverings. Personally, I found myself drawn to the women who sported the exquisite jeweled masks.

I approached a table where two men sat, both wearing plain masks that covered their eyes. One had a blue mask, while the other sported a red one. "May I take your drink orders?" I asked, noticing their well-built frames beneath their button-up shirts.

"Wow, you must be new here. They've never had such a beautiful server before," commented the man in the red mask, complimenting me.

Blushing, I replied, "Yes, tonight is actually my first night."

"Well, beautiful, we'll have two Long Island iced teas, please," requested the man in the blue mask, accompanied by a wink and cash being handed to me.

"Certainly, I'll be right back," I responded, turning towards the bar. One of the bartenders motioned me over to the computer behind the counter, guiding me through the process of taking orders and using the register. Once finished, he proceeded to prepare the drinks.

After the drinks were expertly prepared, I carefully carried them to the table, ensuring not to spill a drop. Alongside the drinks, I presented the man in the blue mask with his change. "Here are your two Long Island iced teas, and your change," I announced, placing the beverages on the table and handing him the money. Before I could turn away, the man in the red mask chimed in, "Keep the change, beautiful," accompanied by a playful wink.

"Thank you both," I expressed my gratitude before swiftly turning around. As I did, Gloria, approached me with a fancy small apron, which she secured around my waist. "Here," she said with a supportive smile, "Keep your tips in here. You're doing great so far, as I knew you would."

The remainder of the night unfolded much like before. I discreetly tapped a few couples on the shoulder, politely urging them to either enter the playroom or find a private space. Surprisingly, they all complied without any argument, each wearing different masks and engaging in flirtatious exchanges. Gloria's prediction proved accurate as I found myself accumulating a decent amount of tips throughout the evening.

By 2 am, Bart announced the last call for drinks, a welcome relief for my aching feet. Spotting my weariness, Gloria approached me with a smile. "Are you ready to go home?" she asked, her concern evident.

"Yes, my feet are killing me," I replied, letting out a giggle. "I had a lot of fun though. This place is definitely a step up from being a maid at the pack house." With Gloria by my side, we proceeded towards the front door.

As we stepped outside, Gloria continued to chat, mentioning how one eventually gets used to the pain in their feet given the money they earn. Her car awaited us, and a valet tossed her the keys. "I'll take you back to the pack house. You can work whenever you want, just text Bart your schedule," Gloria offered, hopping into the driver's seat. I climbed into the passenger seat, ready for the journey.

"Actually, I don't have a phone or a car," I confessed. "I'll just work whenever you do."

"What? You don't have a phone?" Gloria looked at me, clearly taken aback. Determined, she declared, "We'll get you one tomorrow as soon as our shift ends at the pack house. I always take Sundays off at the bar. Consider it done."

"Alright, sounds good," I replied, a smile spreading across my face. I had never really experienced a social life that required a phone, but perhaps working at the bar in the neutral pack lands could change that.

Gloria's words rang true in my mind - no one treated me differently here. In fact, they flirted and showed genuine interest in me. It was a stark contrast to how my own pack treated me as a social, pariah, solely because of my parents' debt. I still didn't fully understand why my parents owed the pack such a significant amount, nor did I know the exact sum they owed.

All I remembered was agreeing to work to pay off the debt alongside them when I was just 10 years old. Unfortunately, they passed away when I turned 17, leaving me to shoulder the burden alone. As Gloria drove, entering the Blue Moon pack territory, a wave of sadness washed over me. But I reassured myself that it was okay - we would soon be returning to the neutral lands to work another day.

After we reached the pack house, I bid farewell to Gloria, feeling a desperate need for both sleep and sustenance. But mostly food. Opting to avoid any potential encounters, I slipped in through the back door and made my way towards the kitchen, eager to rummage through the fridge for any leftovers.

"Yes, please! Food!" my wolf, Sage, exclaimed within my mind. I couldn't help but respond with a hint of sarcasm, rolling my eyes. "Oh, so now you're talking to me again," I retorted, peering into the fridge for options.

"Well, at least you're finally doing something exciting. Maybe you'll even shift and let me go for a run," Sage huffed, expressing her desire to be free.

"I know I should, but I'm just scared. I've heard it can be extremely painful and draining," I responded apologetically.

"Well, if you're unsure, ask Gloria to be there with you. Then, once you shift, we can find our mate," Sage snapped back, impatience evident in her tone.

"I don't want to burden Gloria with too much. She's our only friend, and I can't bear the thought of losing her," I replied, my voice filled with concern as Sage retreated back into the depths of my mind.

Spotting some leftover chicken in the fridge, I prepared a plate for myself. Just as I was about to heat it in the microwave, I heard footsteps approaching. Not in the mood for any taunts or negativity, I simply turned around to face whoever it was. I was tired, hungry, and still basking in the euphoria of the incredible night I had.

"Oh, sorry to disturb you. I was just getting a snack," I heard Alpha Ace grumble from behind me.

Alpha Ace’s voice had a deep, velvety quality that sent shivers down my spine. Each word dripped with a hint of rugged charm.

"No problem. Just take the plate of chicken from the microwave. Unless you'd prefer something else, Alpha," I replied, my heart pounding in my chest.

I hoped I hadn't unintentionally angered Alpha Ace in some way. He usually directed his frustrations and complaints towards me.

"No, chicken is fine. Thanks," he responded in an annoyed tone, opening the microwave as it beeped.

Alpha Ace’s voice carried a hint of huskiness, a captivating mix of frustration and confidence that made my heart flutter.

"Nice dress, by the way, Ava" he added mockingly while rummaging through a drawer for a fork. A mischievous undertone danced in his words, adding a playful allure to his already irresistible voice.

"Thank you, Alpha," I said quietly, purposely avoiding turning to face him. I could hear him leave the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Did he just give me a compliment? That's unexpected, I pondered to myself while preparing another plate of food. Devouring my meal quickly, I felt the exhaustion weighing me down, urging me to take a shower and retire for the night.

Making my way towards the servant section of the pack house, I quietly showered and tiptoed to my bed, careful not to disturb the others in the room. Exhaustion took over, and I fell into a deep slumber.