Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
Serena walked into the cafeteria at midday, still feeling the tension from the rescue mission that morning. She picked up a tray and stepped into the line, barely noticing the options on display. She absently grabbed a few items: a salad, a corndog, and a cold drink.
At the end of the line, she scanned the room. She saw an empty spot near the window and decided to claim it, hoping a moment of solitude would quiet her mind. She placed her tray down and sank onto the seat, inhaling a calming breath as she tried to focus on her food.
Her heart skipped when she saw Theo weaving through the tables. His broad shoulders and intense gaze made him look like a creature caught in a space too small for him. As if the world couldn’t contain something so primal and wild. Her inner cougar stirred with desire, clamoring to get closer to her mate.
“May I sit here?” Theo asked softly.
Serena cleared her throat, nodding in reply. The urge to touch him was overwhelming. She reminded herself to stay composed as he settled across from her.
Theo began, his voice low, “I wanted to apologize for what happened in the meadow. I take full responsibility for losing control.” He hesitated, glancing at her to see if she was comfortable talking.
Her inner cougar urged her to jump in his lap, yet she managed to stay in her seat. She forced herself to remember how his bear had nearly claimed her.
“There’s a beast inside me that I’ve never fully contained. I lose control sometimes...” He paused, studying her expression. “I almost did that with you. It’s something I’m working on.”
Serena tried to ignore the roar of her inner cougar, which insisted that he was hers and that no barrier should stand between them. “I understand,” she said quietly. “We both have our… issues.”
“I thought maybe we could try to hang out again. Maybe in public this time? My parents own the Fate Mountain Diner, and they make a mean burger.”
“Mmm. I’ve had their burgers. They are good. I didn’t know that was your family’s restaurant.”
“Yeah. My dad is a chef too. He was pretty famous at one time but decided to settle down in Fate Mountain.”
“That’s cool,” she said, picking at her lunch.
“Since we’re both here at the academy, it seems pointless to keep avoiding each other.”
There was no way of avoiding Theo unless she canceled the rest of her training and left. She knew it was a risk to spend time with him. But she didn’t know what other choice she had unless she dropped out and lost her investment.
She sighed and then narrowed her brows. “You’ve got a point. I guess it’s better for us to at least get to know each other.”
“I’ve got the night off tonight. Do you want to meet at the diner around seven?”
“Sounds good,” she said.
Theo grinned, though she could see the apprehension in his eyes. She felt a swirl of fear in her chest about this out-of-control grizzly. Her father always used his inner dragon as an excuse for how he treated her mother. Serena swore she’d never get trapped with a mate who did the same.