Writing Camp Destiny

WEEK 3 - STARY WRITING CAMP - CHAPTER 1

Savannah’s POV

It was the third time this week a customer had shown me their wrath, “the customer is always right” is what Mirabella had said.  My hands were trembling, my lips were quivering and my legs felt weak as the red faced rotund warlock held my gaze. 

“Well mutt, are you going to say something,” he taunted, raising a glass of red wine to lips.  It was the first time I had seen this particular customer and despite his jolly appearance when he was first seated, it was clear he had a mean streak.  I was convinced I had written his order down correctly but he was adamant that he had ordered fillet steak and not surf and turf. 

I was frozen to the spot, I couldn’t speak.  I couldn’t move.  The world seemed to be moving in slow motion and all the other patrons were looking on with wide eyed stares.  Damn my lack of confidence, damn my anxiety and damn my lack of self worth.  It had been 5 years since that fateful day when my world was shattered, I had to be over this by now.   Each and every time anyone confronted me, snarled at me, raised their voice at me, I became an empty shell.    Despite 3 years working in this very restaurant, little had changed other than I could now hold back my tears until I was out of view.

Natasha came to my aid. 

“I will take your dish back to the kitchen Sir, and we will get a fresh order brought straight to you.  I apologise for the wait and for the inconvenience.  Let me get you a complimentary glass of wine for your trouble.”  The words rolled off her tongue with grace and sincerity.  Natasha was a good friend of mine, a Green Witch, with a heart of gold and she was always there for me when I needed it.  As if she had spoke the words of a spell, the warlock seemed to turn more pink than red as his anger seemed to fade.

“I’m glad the art of customer service is not lost in this establishment.  I shall have another glass of Shiraz and my partner here will have a glass of finest red cask.”  Red cask was code for blood.  The warlock straightened his napkin as he looked to his partner for acknowledgement.  They were clearly business associates, most likely here to discuss a deal of sorts and his partner was no other than one of the highest ranked Vampires in the area, Vincent.  For all the red and pinks in the face of the warlock, the vampire was almost translucent and deathly pale.  The vampire simply nodded, his angular features fixed like stone on his face. 

As Natasha moved away from the table, she wrapped her arm around my waist willing me to move.  As if by magic, I felt like I could breathe again, that my feet were no longer glued to the pristine hardwood floor, and I moved with her as we made our way to the kitchen to resolve the order.  Whether she had cast a spell or not, I cared not.  What mattered was that I was leaving an atmosphere that made me feel claustrophobic.

“Savannah, are you ok?” she asked timidly, whispering quietly so none of the other staff in the bar area could hear.

He had called me a mutt.  I know that werewolves were not known to work outside of pack business and therefore here, I would be thought of as an outcast or a rogue but to call me a mutt was below the belt.  It’s one of the worst things a werewolf can be called. 

“I’m fine, I just need a minute.  I was just startled by the power of his voice and the tone he took with me.” I managed to mumble back.  Everyone had been staring at me, that was the worst of it.  What must they think of me?

“Go take a few minutes to yourself outside, I will fix this.  You need to stop letting people get to you so much.  I really wish you would let me do a memory spell on you to take away the pain you are still harbouring.” Natasha spoke to me softly, her head gently c****d to the side and you could see the care in her eyes.  Perhaps I should just accept the memory spell to get rid of the past but I didn’t want to hide from my trials and tribulations, I felt that it would make me weaker and I was determined to prove that I was strong.

“Thanks Natasha, I appreciate it.”  As I spoke, Natasha took my hand in hers and gently squeezed.  She truly was great when I became overwhelmed.  I made my way to the back door of the kitchen and stepped into the alleyway to calm down.

Rain peppered down gently, cooling my skin as it landed.  Werewolves were always hot, their bodies like mini furnaces.  Couple our natural phenomena with anxiety and overwhelmed emotions and I was hotter than a furnace, I felt like the core of the earth so the rain was a welcome relief.  Me being out here, feeling like this, was starting to become a common occurrence and I just couldn’t stand it anymore.  I felt feeble.  As much as I tried to do my best and work hard to earn a living, I just wasn’t sure that hospitality was for me.  I enjoyed my job for the most part.  I worked as a server in a busy high end restaurant that catered to humans and the supernatural alike.  The humans didn’t know we existed although they always seemed to find themselves gazing a little longer at the supernaturals.  We may appear human but there was always something alien about us.  For example the witches tended to be ethereal looking, tall, wispy and slim.  Vampires had porcelain like features, were extremely slender and were regal to look at.  Each of our races had a unique stereotypical appearance that seemed to appeal to the wandering eyes of humans but they had never managed to figure out that we were not human.  I liked being able to function as part of the supernatural world here.  This restaurant was owned by Mirabella, a witch, and her husband Romey, a wizard.  They accepted me here and I did not have to hide who I was.  Where else was I supposed to find a place that would let me be me and work to earn a living for myself?  I certainly didn’t want to return to pack life.

I could hear the sounds of pots and pans being moved and manipulated into great dishes as I stood outside trying to still my racing thoughts.  Johnny the Fae head chef could be heard ordering the kitchen team around and calling for service.  Even though my breathing had started to slow to a regular rhythm and my mind felt calmer, tears still threatened to fall from my face but I would continue to fight them back.  More to the point, I was almost certain that I had taken his order down rightly and I did not deserve the whiplash of the warlocks tongue.

There was a loud clash as the bin lid fell from a height and my heart felt like it was in my mouth.  My breathing increased and I could smell the scent of my own fear on me.  That’s all that I needed….

Flashback

“I Joshua James Simmons, Alpha of the Blue Ridge Moon Pack reject you, Savannah Fitzgerald.”  His eyes showed nothing but hatred when all they should show was love.  I could feel the mate bond breaking and it felt like my heart was breaking in two.  I clutched my hands to my chest and struggled to catch my breath – what was wrong with me?  Was I not pretty enough?  Was I not strong enough?  I know I was an omega but I was not unattractive and I had been doing all the regular training and even keeping up with the majority of the she-wolves.  Why did he seem to hate me so. 

“I Savannah Fitzgerald accept your rejection.”  I stammered back as the tears streamed down my cheeks.  I stood there in my finest gown for tonight had been the Alpha and I’s first shift.  We were born 3 days apart and our first shift happened on the first full moon after our 18th birthday.  His loathful eyes looked me up and down in pure disgust whilst his mouth was twisted in a sneer.  I recoiled at him and instinctively brought my arms around my waist to shield myself from his penetrating gaze.  As his eyes re-met my eyes he raised his hand and slapped me across the face, his claws slightly elongated in place of fingernails.  That would certainly need time to heal but more importantly what was it for?!  Was it not enough to break my heart without any explanation but to inflict further pain in the form of violence. 

“You are not worth it.  You, Omega, are not befitting of an Luna and you are certainly not my mate.  The Moon Goddess has made a great error.”  It was the last thing he said before he left me standing there with blood dripping onto my white dress.

I did not understand what had gone wrong.  The Moon Goddess paired mates for life, she didn’t make mistakes and whilst I may not have made the strongest Luna, I was a great listener and a good learner – what I lacked now I could definitely study from Joshua’s mother and bring to the table soon.  Was it really because I was an Omega?  We had hardly interacted until tonight.   Straight after we all shifted back I caught his scent, it was the most beautiful aroma of pine and sandalwood.  I could see him seeking me too and my heart skipped a beat.  The Alpha was my mate.  Once his eyes met mine his expression changed.  The hope which had been there was replaced by nothing but disdain, disgust and hatred.   He paused and I hoped he was having second thoughts alas he was not.  He broke into large strides and grabbed my hand pulling me into the deserted kitchen.   He grabbed me so roughly he had almost pulled my arm out of the socket. 

Why did the heartache have to feel so bad.  Even now that he had left me standing here, my heart felt like it had imploded in my chest cavity.  I felt like all the air had been sucked out my lungs.  My head spun with a plethora of thoughts but all I could focus on was the pain.  It was then I decided that I needed to leave this pack and find a new home.  I couldn’t bear to be in a pack led by an Alpha who hated their own so much, not just their own, but their fated mate!

I tried to catch my breath, counting slowly backwards from 10, each number symbolising a deep breath inward, held for four and blowing out strongly through my mouth for the count of five.  I slowly regained my senses as I reached number 3, becoming aware of my surroundings.  A brown cat stood next to the trash can lid which had fell… it was truly nothing but yet the slightest stir of fear always resulted in flashbacks and panic attacks.

It was time to get back to work, so I left the alley behind and made my way to the kitchen where the rich aromas of food swirled in my nostrils.  It smelled so good here and the food was to die for.  Soon it would be finishing time and I looked forward to my take home meal.