A Beta's Determination

Lucy

Lucy

Another night at work with drunk ass men trying to feel me up and get my number. I guess that comes with the job. I make decent tips, especially on event nights or weekends. I wish for just one night I don't have to worry about anything: go to work, make my tips, meet happy customers, and enjoy it for once.

I got my uniform out of the dryer, shook out the little wrinkles in my top, and straightened my shorts out. I didn't mind wearing it, though it could use some more material.

"Luc, you almost ready? We're going to be late," my best friend, Gabriella, rushed through the apartment, yelling for me.

"Yes, Gabs, I am almost ready. I'm finishing my makeup, grabbing my pumps, and I will be ready," I lied. She was downstairs. I was upstairs, so she would never know the difference. I grabbed my stuff and rushed down to meet Gabby at the bottom of the steps.

"You suck at lying," Gabby rolled her eyes, jingling her keys.

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"Hey, Jonas, how is it going tonight? Anything good happen yet?" I walked up, giving him a peck on the cheek like a little sister would do. He had the biggest crush on Gabby. Deep down, I knew she had one too on him but was afraid because she was a wolf and Jonas wass a bear. There were many mixed supernatural couples everywhere. I think she was scared because of how sweet he treats her. She was always into those bad-boy types, but Jonas was anything but that kind of style.

"Nah, girls. The night is still young, though, so I wouldn't count out any action yet. The boss hired two more waitresses, Lucy you will be on the big tables, Gabriella, you have the new hires," Jonas smiled at Gabby, handed us our first table orders as we walked away to our locker room to put our things away.

"Girl, you need to give Jonas a chance. He is so in love with you, it is not even funny."

"And you just need to go on a date. You haven't gone out since, Asher."

I glared at Gabby with her look of fear staring right back at me. She knew she struck a nerve mentioning Asher's name like that. Asher was my mate, but he rejected me because I was considered a rogue wolf without a pack. I couldn't wait to find my mate, but I knew that my chances were slim to none with me being a rogue. After all, I initially wasn't from New York, but from down in Miami, Florida. My parents were killed when I was younger, so I don't remember much from them. I was then sent to live with my grandparents up here, where I grew up.

"Girl, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to just blurt it out like that. I was trying to get you to see that I am not the only one who needs to lighten up and live a little. Luc, I love you like a sister, but it has been four years since 'him,' and I just think you should go out and have some fun."

"You're right, Gabs. I am sorry I acted that way. I just know Jonas is so into you and would treat you like the queen you deserve to be. Give him a chance, Gabs. Please!!!"

"If I say yes to go on a date with him, would you stop hounding me about it? Also, one more thing, if I go out with him, you have to promise me you will go on a date with a guy of my choice."

"Deal. One date from a guy of your choice. I can handle that."

Gabby and I made our promise, took our ordering pads and trays, and made our way to the bar. The nightlife began to wake up as more customers came in, finding their ways to the bar and tables. The band had played for about two hours now and took a short break, grabbing some waters and a few beers.

"Luc, the guy over there with his head between his legs. That's the one I want you to go out with," Gabby pointed over to the guy's direction.

"Gabs, he looks like he is about to pass out on the floor. Besides, he's here with like eight other men. I don't want to get hit on by all of them," giving Gabby a look of concern.

"You promised, Luc. You never break a promise," Gabby looked at me with her furrowed brows.

"Damn you, Gabriella. You are lucky they are one of my tables. I will make it a point to talk to him." I rolled my eyes at her and went back to check on my tables. Everyone seemed to be pleased so far. I filled a few drinks and dropped off some orders of food.

I walked up to the table of all the guys as they looked at me. One looked as though he could stare daggers through me while the others ordered their food and drinks. The 'guy' I was supposed to get a date with appeared wasted as he tried to speak. I got their orders, went to the kitchen to drop them, then waited for them to come up.

A few of the guys were out playing pool and shooting darts, but the one was still at the table. I hope he doesn't get sick. I really don't feel like cleaning up puke tonight.

I grabbed the tray of drinks that were up and started my way to their table, when suddenly the brown-haired guy gets up quickly trying to move to the front door and runs into me, making me spill and drop my tray, causing me to wear the drinks and ice.

Just when I thought I was going to have a good night, see what happens. The poor guy was pretty drunk as he tried his best to help clean the mess up and cutting himself in the process.

"I am so sorry. Here let me help you," he says, placing the broken glass on a nearby table.

"It's okay. I got it."

I went to get him a bandaid, but he refused it, saying he heals fast. I could tell he was a supernatural, werewolf, I believe, but I couldn't really tell as there were other supernaturals in the building too, and after a while, all scents just start blending together.

"I really am sorry about that. I was trying to get outside to get some air."

"It's no problem. Accidents like that happen all the time. Go get you some air, I will have yours and your friends' drinks and food ready in no time," I told him, as he quickly made his way to the entrance, and I walked back to the kitchen.

I decided to write my name and a little note on the bandaid wrapper and give it to him. Their food was finally ready as I passed one of his friends walking back to their table, "Hey, excuse me, can you give this to the gentlemen that just went outside a moment ago," I asked the on that had tattoos all over his arms and neck. He looked as if he was fixing to bust out of his t-shirt, handing him the bandaid. He looked at me, confused, "He ran into me and knocked my tray out of my hands, making the glasses break. He was trying to help me clean it up and cut his finger."

The guy took the bandaid, stuck it in his pocket, and I went to get their food and drinks. By the time I got back to their table, they were talking and laughing with one another. The other guy had come back in and was sitting with them as well.

"Here is the steak, medium rare and baked potato, the house special with steak fries, the two chicken enchiladas, and all of your appetizers," I placed all the plates and platters in front of the correct customer and sat their condiments on the table.

"Is there anything else I can get you?"

The guy had the band-aid in his hand, indicating his tatted-up friend give it to him. He stood, "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" I nodded, and we stepped away from their table.

He proceeded to tell me he was very respectful and dedicated to his mate and family. I would give anything for a man like that. He then told me how he had been treated here recently by his mate. I don't know what was going on in his personal life, but I knew he seemed like a real genuine man. I told him I was sorry about what he was going through and hoped everything worked out. For some reason, I felt terrible for him, and it seemed he just needed someone to talk to and remind him that he is important and deserved to be treated right.

"My name is Sam, by the way."

"Lucy," I told him, then proceeded to tell him I needed to get back to my other tables.

Looks like Gabby was fixing to have to find her another target.

The guys sat for a little while longer, finishing their food and drinks. Once they were all ready to go, one of the dark-haired guys left me a fantastic tip, paid their bill, then went to leave. Something inside me told me to go and talk to Sam before they left.

I gathered my tips from their table and followed them to the door. I began telling them about our events and special nights that we have, along with our VIP rooms. Before Sam left, I told him bye, and if he needed someone to talk to, he had my number, and if he wanted to find me, I would be here.

They left, and I went back to work. Gabs was having a frustrating night, trying to train two new girls. I decided I would come to help her out for the rest of the shift.

"Damn, girl. Thank you so much. I was fixing to strangle her if she got another order screwed up," Gabs pointed over to the brown, curly-haired girl.

"What can I help you with?" I began grabbing plates and putting the drinks with the correct orders.

"Take those to ten. These two are nine and eight," Gabby pointed to the two other trays on the kitchen counter and handed me one.

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We were getting ready to close, all the customers were leaving as Gabby and I started showing the new girls how we did clean up. Gabby pulled the chairs up and ran the broom through. I got Heather to follow me with the mop, and Veronica was wiping down all the surfaces.

"Girl, I don't know about you, but I am exhausted. Oh, and the target you chose for me is off-limits. He's married. You know me, I don't do married men. I damn sure am not a homewrecker. He seemed pretty cool, though. We could definitely be friends in the future," I told Gabby as we grabbed our things from our lockers and made our way to the parking lot.

"I was hoping he was single. It seemed like he would be a good fit for you. Maybe not date, but at least have had fun together, ya know. His friends were fine as hell too, maybe they will come back, and you can talk to one of them," Gabby smiled, unlocking her car.

"Gabs, let's put the whole dating scene on pause, and you really need to make better picks of who I go out with. Sam, the guy at the bar, seemed pretty cool, definitely hot as hell, but he has many issues going on in his personal life, married with kids, and I am not about that life."

"He seemed okay. It's a deal, we'll give it some time for you, but for me, Jonas asked me out on a date for next Friday. We are both off, and he's taking me to Casa le Bloom," Gabby smiled big, shrugged her shoulders, started her car, and drove home.

"Girl, I am so happy for you. Jonas is a great guy, and I know he would treat you right. He mentioned something to me one day when he first started, to make you his girlfriend before the year ended. I know we're wolves and are blessed with mates, but how are bears paired? Do they have mates or partners, husbands, and wives?"

"I have a friend from college that is a bear. They have partners," Gabby replied.

"I think Jonas thinks you are his partner. If I am not mistaken, he is a full-blooded bear," I told Gabby.

"How exactly would that work? All I have ever been with were werewolves, never a hunky, masculine bear. How do they have s*x? What about babies? Can you see me, Luc, trying to give birth to a bear?" Gabby began tensing up a little at the thought of the trauma she would have to endure if she was ever to get pregnant and give birth to a bear.

"Look, you two haven't even gone on a first date. Let's get past that obstacle first before we start talking about babies, partners, and anything else that comes with having a mate or partner. You're giving me a migraine," I laughed at Gabby, getting her to relax a bit.

We pulled up to our apartment, got out, went inside. My whole body was extremely sore. For not having a too busy of a night, my feet were screaming at me to take my pumps off. I stripped down in the living room. After all, it was just me and Gabby who lived here, so it wasn't anything out of the ordinary for either one of us to walk around the house in our panties.

"Good night, Gabs. I am going to take a shower and crash."

"Good night, Luc. I love you, girl."

"Love you, too."

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Sam

I woke up feeling better than I have ever felt in a long time despite how much I drank the night before. Colleen and I had been separated for going on a month, but today was going to be the day that I made her sit down and listen to me. I can't help my past, and I can't change it, but we made vows to one another, and I will be damned if she makes me suffer any more than I already have from her and myself.

It was Sunday, so it was a lazy/family day. No training, no pack business, and no company business. I enjoyed the weekends. It was the only time we didn't have to worry about work getting done or learning any new training techniques.

I got up, went to my bathroom to get a shower. I turned the massage setting on the showerhead, letting the hot water flow over my muscles as the water ran over my scalp, beating down my back and the front of my chest. My neck felt like it had a crick in it from how I slept on it last night.

Everyone was at the table eating breakfast when I walked in, "You are alive, I see. How's that head of yours feeling? You want a shot of whiskey," Elijah joked.

Julia shot him a glare, letting him know to quit. I wasn't too hungover, even though we did drink probably anything and everything they had at the bar.

"My neck is sore from sleeping all twisted in the bed but other than that, I actually feel terrific," I told the group at the table as I got my plate of breakfast. I sat down beside Christian and began to eat.

"What all did you guys do while I was sobering up at the table last night?"

"Easton ended up getting so drunk, he puked all over the bartender. Rex and Lucius had to carry him to the vehicle. I met up with my cousin and invited him and my uncle to our packhouse for this Christmas. We had Christmas there last year, so I figured we could get together soon and discuss Christmas activities for here this year. I will let Connor and Uncle Ron know as soon as we find out." Elijah told each of us.

"Remember, love, we plan on going to Tennessee the weekend before Christmas, so we need to try to plan around that," Julia leaned in, grabbing Elijah's face and gave him a deep passionate kiss.

"Can you ladies start getting all the organizing together and find out who all is going with us?" Elijah asked his wife.

"Yes, baby, I will. You just make sure you have that sexy smile of yours and butt naked in our bed in five minutes," Julia winked, licking her lips at her mate.

"Hey, Elijah. Does your cousin Connor have a mate yet?"

"No, he still hasn't found her. Which makes me feel bad for inviting all the couples and make him feel like a third wheel for the Christmas trip."

"I have an idea. Remember our waitress from the club last night? Lucy?"

"Hold up, what waitress from last night?" Julia raised her brows, waiting for an answer.

"Yess??? Where are you going with this? Oh, and the waitress was the one I was telling you about, Sam knocking her tray out of her hands then acting like a blubbering i***t trying to help her clean it up and apologize."

"She doesn't have a mate either. They are about the same age. I think she may be a little older than Connor, but why not see if she wants to come too. I know we don't really know her, but she seems like a good girl, and I am pretty sure she likes to have fun. It could be a time to make new friends and never know Connor may meet his mate going on the trip if Lucy isn't his." I looked at Elijah, him thinking like a hamster running on a wheel.

"I want everyone to meet Lucy before we decide on anything. Julia, how about you get the ladies together tonight to go out. We can all go to The Celestials and have some fun. Julia and I will run it by Lucy, if everyone agrees, to come with us on our Christmas trip. Does that sound good to you all?" Elijah looked at me, Cat, and Christian.

"Sounds good with Cat and me," Christian stated as he finished his breakfast.

"Sam, my question is, what do you think Colleen is going to say? You technically wanted to invite another she-wolf on our Christmas trip. Don't you think that is going to piss her clean the hell off?"

"Well, Christian, technically, I am not inviting Lucy to come for me. She is being asked to go for Connor. Colleen has been treating me like s**t, and I am done putting up with it. I am speaking to her today and tell her it has to stop. I can not help what I have or have not done in my past. I will be damn if I get treated like s**t by her from now on because of it. Speaking of Colleen, have any of you seen her this morning yet?"

"Sam, I want you to know I am proud of you. Go stand up for yourself and your marriage. Get your mate back, make her realize she is the most important woman in your life, next to Serenity, of course," Cat walked over to me and gave me a brotherly hug.

"Yes, I saw her this morning. She was dropping Serenity off with your dad."

"Thanks, Christian."