7. Rathal
Rathal
My mate took us to a restaurant that, at first glance, I wasn’t sure was safe for us to even enter.
The parking lot had major potholes and the building itself needed some maintenance.
The sun-bleached sign said ‘The Corner Spot,’ but it wasn’t even in the corner of the building.
Taking in the restaurant, I knew being gone from the world for twenty-five years, things would change, but it was nice to see not too much had passed me by.
“Take a seat where you like and someone will be over to help you,” an older woman called out from where she stood, filling a man’s coffee mug.
Finley led us to the far corner, the perfect spot for her to see everything going on in the room.
The space was clean and open, filled with tables and booths set for whoever might use them next.
While the outside left much to be desired, the inside looked far more professional and like I wouldn’t get sick of eating whatever I ordered as I feared.
Peeking at Finley’s watch, I guessed we had about another hour before her men would land, allowing us to take our time with the meal.
There was so much more that I wanted to learn about my mate.
Her story was full of mystery and the part of me that grew up among our people felt saddened she didn’t get to experience that.
Lucky for me, we had nothing but time to talk as we ate our meal and waited.
“What do you suggest?” I asked, a little overwhelmed with the choices. Anything and everything I could possibly want to eat in the breakfast and lunch area of the menu made choosing difficult.
“Anything breakfast is going to be amazing. If you venture outside of that, it becomes a little more questionable,” Finley shared, looking at me over the large plastic menu.
Her cobalt eyes seemed to see right into my soul, but they liked to keep their secrets to themselves.
I knew she didn’t realize that keeping her mind from me was leaving me with a half fulfilled connection with her, but my hope was that when she grew to trust me more, that would change.
She didn’t know how to trust what her instincts were telling her, that elves don’t lie, and neither can their magic.
The fates deemed that we would be a fitting pair, and I could see why, but both of us had emotional wounds to contend with as well.
While I craved connection, the need to belong and feel safe in my community, she was the opposite.
Connection to people scared her, having spent a life where they convinced her she was better off on her own.
Then to be made into an omega, I can only imagine the whiplash she must be going through.
Earlier she had commented that her empathic ability was strong.
I had a feeling it was her omega side but also a natural giftedness to being a Light Elf and female on top of it.
Elven females always had stronger magic abilities, so it didn’t come as a surprise when I felt them earlier when she was upset with me about putting her to sleep.
It was clear she needed a Guide to make sure she could handle her magic, or she was going to hurt herself or someone else accidentally.
Much like when shifters go through their first shift and become more aggressive, having a hard time controlling their wolf, it’s the same with magic.
“What can I get for you two?” the waitress asked when she wandered over to us.
Finley gave her request, and I’d been so lost in thought, that I hadn’t really looked over the options. “I’ll have the same thing, please.”
“Alright, I’ll be back with the coffee, cream, or sugar for those?” she asked, jotting down on her pad.
“Both please, for me,” Finley answered.
“I’ll take mine black,” I added.
With a nod, our waitress bustled off, leaving us alone once again. There was so much I wanted to ask and talk about, but I could feel Finley start to retreat into herself, full of worry and frustration.
Reaching out, I took her hand, lacing our fingers together, craving contact with her any chance I could get.
The physical touch seemed to offset the need to know what she was thinking at all times.
At least I could feel her giving me some clue as to what I was dealing with since most of the time her expressions were guarded.
I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because of me or if that’s how she was with her other mates as well.
Soon enough, I’d figure that out, but what worried me was if they would accept me.
Werewolves were not known for their ability to share, being extremely territorial and possessive on every level.
“Why the frown?” Finley asked, tugging on my hand.
My gaze snapped up to meet hers at the question. “I’ll admit I’m a little nervous to meet your other mates. There has never been a nos created in such a way, so I don’t have any clue how they will take having me added into the mix.”
The affectionate smile she gave me as she wrapped my hand in both of hers melted my heart.
“I won’t lie to you. Well, I guess I can’t now that I think of it, but they are alphas and tend to be more reactive, but they are good men.
Once you all have a chance to get to know each other, I think things will work themselves out.
None of us expected to have someone added into the mix, but they knew there was a chance there could be more.
We’ve only been together for a week, so there’s a lot we are still working on ourselves.
Since I’ve come into maturity with my elf side, I have no idea how I will respond to things.
My omega nature was running the show, and let me tell you, that was a hard adjustment compared to what I was used to.
Although, if I’m being honest, there are traits of it that I’m learning to really enjoy. ”
Hearing her reassure me, the soft lilt to her voice soothing my nerves was the kind of support only a mate could supply.
“Alright, two orders of chocolate chip pancakes with extra chocolate and whip cream with a side of bacon,” the waitress announced as she set the food down along with our coffee. “Here is the syrup for the pancakes, anything else I can get you?”
Finley’s face beamed as she looked down at the meal before her. “No, I think we have all we need,” I answered, seeing as my mate’s attention was fixated on her meal.
With a grunt, our waitress left, and I chuckled, looking down at the giant chocolate-filled pancakes sitting before me.
Personally, I wasn’t someone who had a large sweet tooth, but it would seem that Finley absolutely did.
Taking the syrup, she drowned her plate and hummed as she popped the first bite in her mouth, doing a little dance in her seat.
It was the most carefree moment I’d seen from her yet.
Joy shined in her eyes as she smiled at me.
Forgoing the added sugar, I cut into my first cake and took a bite. It was light and fluffy with a hint of vanilla that balanced well with the chocolate helping me understand her obvious delight. “These are excellent.”
“They are some of my favorite pancakes in the world, so any time I end up in Florida, I make an excuse to come here to get them,” she shared as she snacked on a piece of bacon. “I have to say I was surprised you went for them. You strike me as more of a savory over sweet person.”
“You would be correct on that, but I couldn’t decide on what to order and figured I would trust what you chose. Next time, I’ll have to listen more closely when you order.” I laughed.
For the rest of the meal, we talked about our likes and dislikes, things you would ask anyone when you were getting to know them.
It was refreshing to feel like I was courting her, even if we were already bonded.
We would be spending the rest of our lives together and knowing that she liked the color blue and hated to have cold feet was important to providing her happiness.
We’d just finished our meal when her phone started to ring. Instantly her whole demeanor changed as she looked down at it, then relaxed seeing the number.
“Hello,” she answered. With my keen hearing, I was able to pick up the conversation easily enough to know it was her mates.
“Little dove, it’s good to hear your voice,” a man with a deep voice said. “While I’m glad to hear you’re safe and soon to be back in my arms, I feel it’s only fair to warn you that there will be a discussion about you running off like you did.”
Knowing that I talked to Colt and Lane before, my guess was this must be Zander.
Finley’s face flushed at his words, telling me that this man wasn’t truly upset with her, otherwise there would have been a fight on our hands.
Mates do not raise a hand towards their female, no matter what’s happened, they are to be cherished in all ways.
“Understood, alpha,” Finley answered, her wolf flashing in her eyes and her arousal notable to my senses. “Have you landed?”
“Yes, they are working on refueling and getting the plane ready to return when you get here.”
“Perfect, we just finished eating breakfast, but we are in the area, so we should be there in ten minutes or so,” Finely said as she caught the waitress’s attention.
There was a growl at the mention of her not being alone, but he didn’t comment, so I guess the other two had caught him up to speed.
“Be safe, little dove. We will see you soon,” Zander purred before hanging up.
Just hearing the way he talked to Finley warned me that he might be the one that I needed to watch out for.
Colt was quick to anger, but Zander’s dominance oozed out of him even over the phone.
Watching Finley pay irked me, knowing I didn’t have any money to contribute.
The commune of elves that I grew up in pooled all the money we had together to keep us hidden and safe.
Our chosen queen would be in charge of the money and provide what we needed when we needed it.
Our people didn’t venture out into the world often, hiding behind our illusions and barriers to ensure that what happened to me didn’t happen to everyone.
Since I looked more ‘human’ than most, I was sent out to gather supplies or information when we needed it. Unfortunately, it was on one of these trips that I’d been caught.
“Ready?” Finley asked, joining me by the main entrance.
Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I flashed her a smile and tucked her arm through mine. “Yes, let’s get you home and safe. Then we can plot how we are going to destroy the Dark Ring.”
“I like the way you think,” she said, nudging me with her shoulder. “It’s not too far for us to walk if you’re okay with that?”
“A little more time with you to myself, I’ll never turn that down,” I answered, pressing a kiss to her temple.