Chapter Five—The Unwanted Diner

Chapter Five—The Unwanted Diner

**AURORA**

He handed my brush over and my lips pursed as I took it. My cheeks flushed with the color of embarrassment. I wished for an earthquake, something strong to wipe me off the face of the earth, just so I wouldn’t be in this awkward situation.

“Ah-hem,” Clearing my throat, “Welcome to Maddy’s-home of the best burgers and fries in Midnight Bay, how can I help you sir?”

He stared at me blankly, dazed and confused by the sudden wide grin on my face. Madeline was watching me from the kitchen, her piercing gaze could be felt from miles away.

“What would you like sir?” I asked again, hoping for this interaction to end swiftly so I could rid myself of Asher Blackwood and his strangeness. He looked down at the menu right in front of him, then back at me. His eyes were a lukewarm brown under the daylight now, still I saw the glint of gold—enticing.

“Ma’am?”

I snapped out of it, my short trance and cleared my throat for the second time, “Come again?”

Asher’s brows arched, “I said, what would you recommend?”

“Whatever’s on the menu sir.” I replied, hoping he would get on with it instead of this mental torture between us both. Something about his presence made my insides dwindle about, good or bad—I wasn’t sure.

“I want whatever you like.” He murmured.

What is it with this man?? I pondered.

Was he out to get me?? I thought.

Certainly this must be some sort of sick and twisted game of his?? I wondered.

“I’ll get you the house staple then. A double smash burger with a side of zinger fries and hot sauce.” I muttered instead. His mild attempt to goad me into some sort of trap was not going to work this time around.

He nodded and I walked away, making a mental note to report him to the sheriff. Someone attacked me last night, whether Asher Blackwood had something to do with it or not, it didn’t matter. I just wanted him to stay away.

Madeline spat into one of the trash cans as I made my way back into the kitchen with the order notes. Her eyes, blazing red, “You sure spent a lot of time talking to that handsome fella. He’s not your one way ticket out of town you slut.”

I rolled my eyes surreptitiously, nipping my bottom lip as I suppressed the urge to call her a nasty wench, a shallow devil who is just jealous of her niece’s youth. Instead, I carried the trays of readied orders and out I went to the waiting customers.

Denny and his goons were present again, their smiles even more lewd and sultry as ever.

“Great dress Rory.” He laughed, “Mind if I take a peak??”

“Maybe next time Denny.” I laughed back, uncomfortable as ever. It was against employee policy to pick a squabble with any of the customers, Madeline made sure of that even though it meant a few casual inappropriate instances with the sex-starved bastards of Midnight bay.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to Asher’s table and placed the tray right in front of him. “Your food sir.”

I made to leave when he grabbed into my arm, “Did that man hurt you in any way?”

I frowned, “Excuse me?”

“Do you want me to handle him?” He asked, his grasp tightened around my wrist, for a moment I could swear I saw a glint of danger flash across his eyes.

I gulped hard, “I’m fine,” a groan next, “Let me go will you?!”

I was free from his grasp immediately, caressing my hand with the other I turned to leave when I heard him say my name, “Rory.”

**ASHER**

Rory.

I heard the powerless goons from two tables away call her name, right after they spewed dirty profanities at her. No woman should ever be talked to in such a manner…my woman should n—

My woman? I frowned at the thought and paused for a moment, then I watched her walk away. She was clearly annoyed by my sudden gesture, I was surprised when I grabbed onto her hand.

It was so close. My claws, drawing out in front of other humans at the mere sound of someone being dirty towards the painter. I looked down at the burger, clearly at a loss for appetite after hearing the words thrown towards my waiter from the ugly plump in the kitchen.

The painter was messing with my head, pushing me to boundaries I haven’t crossed in years and common sense would be walking away. She was a human, and I an Alpha. The possibility of such a being my mate was zero none—and yet I couldn’t withstand it.

The connection.

It was a strong force, a magnet pulling me towards my doom and despite my strong will, I found myself wanting to know more about this painter. The woman who painted the moon so beautifully….Rory.

**AURORA**

Asher Blackwood was a creep, no doubt about it. I scoffed loudly in annoyance from the way he called my name an hour earlier, dusting off residue from the cast iron pans when Madeline ordered me to go check on the customers.

Reluctantly I slid off my scullery apron, wiping my charcoaled hands on my uniform and made my way to the dining booths. He was gone, Asher Blackwood was gone!!

“Shit.” I cursed out loud, scurrying towards his booth as the fear of him being a dine-and-dasher filled me greatly. Thankfully he wasn’t one of those, as I spotted a wad of cash on the table, a sigh of relief escaped me as I grabbed onto the dollar notes when my eye caught a note inbetwen one of them.

“‘MOOSOON CREEK”’ was all it said.