Chapter 3 CHA

They'll be here any moment. Just take everyone's drink order, serve them and bring out the platter of food when you're ready."

"Sure thing, boss," I say with a smile. "Oh, and Jasper, I hope you don't mind if I wear my hood up? I'd rather not be stared at or questioned about the umm, bruises." Jasper nods.

"Of course, that's fine.

Soon I hear several cars pull up and park in a group; several car doors close; the doorbell on the diner door clangs loudly with each arrival. I stand on my tiptoes to look over the kitchen counter into the dining room. There are maybe eighteen men sitting around the room. Not your everyday-looking men, either. All these men are large-sized, large-framed, extremely muscular, and shredded; all of them have suits on and are extremely handsome.

When a particular guy walks in, all the other guys move out of his way as if he's some sort of VIP. He is just so handsome with dark hair and the most gorgeous blue eyes. He has a well-built body, and his lips when he smiles – do not even get me started on his lips – all I can do is sit and wonder what they would feel like to kiss.

The handsome man sniffs a scent of something in the air and scrunches up his face.

"Jasper, what's that smell?" He questions, turning in my direction. "It smells like cookies and vanilla," he continues, still turning in my direction. I duck down instinctively and proceed to complete the platter for these handsome beings.

If you all would follow me over to the kitchen counter, Aurora will take your order. Please, no one panic – especially you, Alpha Kai, when I tell you, Aurora is a rogue; that's the strange smell," Jasper explains.

"WHAT?" Alpha Kai shouts, slamming his fist down onto the table.

"Alpha Kai. Relax! She is just a young girl who needs a job. She has been working with me for almost one year now and is one of my finest workers. We're also not on your territory so she does not trespass. She has done nothing wrong herself. So if you want that milkshake with the cookies soaked in vanilla, I suggest you sit down and act nice!" Jasper interrupts, scolding her.

"Are you threatening me Jasper?" Alpha Kai asks.

"Far from it, Alpha. I'm just reminding you. Much as you and everyone else here hate rogues, she's committed no crime and is to stay out of all this. Alpha Kai growls.".

I get the platter ready quietly and hear a loud thump; somebody is angry. I'm glad I'm in here and not out there with all that commotion. I put my hood up over my bruised eye. I can't cover my broken lip so figure I'll just bite over my lip to cover it when I need to.

I walk up to the counter after I approach it; I ask the first guy for his order, not looking at him and looking down for all of the orders. All of these guys sound really grumpy and annoyed. Jasper comes up to me.

"Alpha, I mean Kai, over there, would like a vanilla milkshake with cookies." I nod, writing down the order; I have ordered everyone but Kai.

I carry a big plate of dips and biscuits, grimacing under the weight in one hand; my cracked rib is straining. Kai is watching me.

Holding my breath for a moment, I breathe deeply and hold my breath again, to psyche myself up for the pain, reach for the platter again and set it on the table where most of the men are sitting. In the kitchen, I exhale while still clenching my fist over my ribs. Shit! Kai's order. Rushing towards him to deliver his order, he stares directly at me and squints; wondering what or who is under my hood.

All the other men are shouting over each other about some guy called Zephyr, and a town called Ravenwood Pack, and something about rogues, which is strange because Jasper just called me a rogue before. A map is spread out on the table in front of Kai; the men are drawing circles and wavy lines on various parts of it and talking about placing posts here and there.

I'm suddenly really nervous, as the diner falls silent and all eyes are on me; I could feel them on me. I nervously place the milkshake and plate of cookies on the table next to the map.

"Milk and cookies sir," I say, softly.

"Wait," Kai says, before I can leave his table. "What is wrong with your ribs?" Kai asks.

"Nothing sir," I reply, wondering how he knew I was in pain.

"You winced to hold onto the platter; it hurts," he observes. "Why do you smell so much like vanilla and cookies?" He asks.

"It might be the vanilla milk and cookies," I reply, walking towards the kitchen.

"Remove your hood rogue!" He commands. I stiffen; I look at Jasper for help.

Aurora, go and take your break love. Kai, I told you to keep her out of all this." I hurry to the kitchen and out the back door.

"She should smell like a rogue if she is a rogue. She smells like cookies and vanilla," Alpha Kai says.

"She just literally served you a milkshake and cookies," Jasper explains. Alpha Kai growls and gives Jasper a glare.

I could smell her before she waited on me. My wolf is extremely disturbed right now. I'm finding it difficult to keep him at bay," Kai explains, holding his chest.

The entire diner grinds to a halt, look at each other and back at Alpha Kai.

"What?" Alpha Kai yells. Alpha Kai's Beta wolf, Sage, gets to his feet.

"Alpha, you don't actually think she could be your mate, do you?" Sage asks. Alpha Kai laughs.

"I would never be matched with a rogue. I'm an Alpha. It's impossible. The Moon Goddess matching an Alpha and a rogue? Don't be ridiculous," Alpha Kai replies.

My breathing returns to normal finally. My watch reads 8:45 PM. In fifteen minutes, I can leave. Hopefully Uncle Luke will be drunk and passed out. I go inside and wash all of the cups, mugs, and plates. The guys leave the diner, and I breathe a sigh of relief as I hear all of their car doors close. My body relaxes knowing they've gone. Thinking Jasper is behind me, I'm about to say I'm going too, but it's not Jasper behind me. It's Alpha Kai.

I do not dare look him in the eye; I know my hood can drop off at any moment, revealing to him the abuse that I experience on a daily basis. His breathing is rather noticeable.

"I'm sorry, sir. My shift is over. If you want anything else, talk to Jasper," I say, quietly. His arm suddenly blocks the path between me and my exit, as he puts his hand on the wall. I flinch in surprise.

"Remove your hood," he commands. I shake my head.

"No. Jasper! Jasper!" I cry out, as I try to move back. I'm backed against the wall with nowhere else to move. I'm trapped between his body and the brick wall in a single swift movement. He towers over me before placing both of his hands on either side of my face.

Jasper is occupied wishing his pack members farewell in the front. He believes that I've already departed," Kai whispers, spinning my extended brown hair around his fingers. He takes in my aroma.

"You scent so fine; even my wolf is having a hard time remaining calm," he admits.

"You, you, own a pet wolf?" I'm weeping and terrified. Kai chuckles at my inquiry.

"Are you afraid of me Aurora?" He inquires. I nod.

Well, if you are what my senses are telling me you are, and a rogue, then you should be scared. I don't know if I could mate a rogue and my pack might not want one as their Luna," he explains.

"I'm sorry sir. I don't know what you mean. Rogues, Lunas and Mates. I swear I will be no trouble to you if you will only let me go home; we will never see each other again," I cry.

"In a moment, Aurora," he whispers, looking down at my face, my hair, and my figure, clumsily clad in my work clothes.

"Please. I just want to go home. Please let me go." I beg.

"I will let you go if you are not my mate," he tells me.

"I don't know what a mate is. You're an arrogant, vain, obnoxious human being. Please just let me go," I beg.

With an angry growl, he punches the wall at the back of my head. I cringe to the ground in terror.

"Do not insult me in that way again. How dare you refer to me as an arrogant, vain, obnoxious human being," he reprimands. I wrap my arms around my knees and cry.

"Please just let me go home..." I sob.

He takes a step back and stops, staring at me. He is thinking deeply; curiosity, and a contemplative expression conquer his handsome, chiseled features.

"Alpha Kai! What's happening? Aurora, are you okay? Why do I have a hole in my wall?" Jasper screams, before he pulls me off the floor; the pressure of his hand on my broken ribs has me shrieking in pain.

"Aurora, you're hurt. Your ribs. Tell me they're not broken," Jasper exclaims, worried.