The Moon's Embrace

Five

Alec was barely controlling his anger as he flew down the street to meet Malia for lunch the next day.  Jackson had taken his sweet ass time getting ready to look perfect for his mate, which had caused them to be 10 minutes late as it was.  Alec on the other hand decided to get ready 2 hours early, feeling like a girl, but knowing that if he didn't they would have never made it to the diner in town for lunch.  

When he finally whipped into the parking lot and all but sprinted around to the front door he caught a glimpse of his little luna worrying her lip looking at her watch.   He also saw the hurt that flashed across her face when she looked up the street not able to find him there.  

He called out to her and she whipped her head around to see him.  He was graced with a look of relief and then a mega watt smile that came to her lips. 

"Hi" She beamed at him as he neared her.  "I thought maybe you weren't going to be able to make it" She finished the last part by looking down at her feet.  

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world.  Jackson was taking forever to get ready, I am so sorry that we were late" 

"It's fine, you're here now" 

"Shall we?" he asked opening the door to the diner and ushering her inside.  Jackson came running up and scooted in behind her flashing Alec a sorry smile.  They followed her to a booth where a looking worse-for-wear Jenna was already seated milking a cup of steaming coffee.  

Jackson instantly brushed past Malia to sit by his mate, unable to control his excitement and nearly knocking Malia over in the process.   Alec reached out and steadied her as oblivious Jackson snuggled in close to Jenna.  

"You ok little luna?" Alec gave a glance over her body making sure there wasn't a hair out of place.  She smiled and nodded up at him and then slid into the booth.  "I'm sorry that my best friend is so clumsy" he said as he slid in next to her while shooting daggers at his beta. 

"How has your day been going?" She asked angling her body towards him their thighs brushing under the table.  He had to stop himself from settling her in his lap where she belonged.  

"It's significantly better now that I am here with you little luna" She blushed at this, he loved that he had that power over her, that he was the one that could cause that reaction in her.  

"I don't think we have formally met, I'm Jenna, Malia's best friend" Jenna said extending her hand across the table to shake his.  He took it quickly then let it go, not missing the glare he received from his beta. 'Relax, I am just being polite' he said to Jackson through their connection.  But when Malia reached across the table to introduce herself to Jackson he had to control the same jealousy that his beta was feeling.   

The waitress came up then to take their orders and shuffled off to get their food. 

"How long is your lunch break?" Alec directed at his mate.  

"We have about another 30 minutes or so" Malia replied looking down at her watch.   To say he was disappointed was an understatement.  The fact that he was able to spend so little time with her and that some of it had been wasted because Jackson took forever was killing him.   Alec wanted nothing more than to lock Malia in a room for a week straight and spend all his time with her.  

"I guess we should make the most of it then.   Thank you again for letting us crash your lunch" 

"Really it's no big deal, we eat here practically everyday.  So it's nice to have a little variety in our day" She smiled up at him. 

"Well then maybe we need to make it a habit to come and eat with you again?" 'Amen' Jackson chimed in through their connection. 

"That would be great" she said excitedly.  "I mean only if you want to and can afford the time off work"

"I make my own schedule so I can be anywhere I want to be" 

"Oh so you are self employed then? What do you do?"  She asked seeming to honestly take an interest in his life.  

"I am the manager of a private security firm of sorts, our territory is the woods that surround town" Alec replied trying to find a way to make him being an Alpha into a normal career. 

"Really? That's interesting.  Do you guys run into a lot of trouble?" 

"Occasionally.  Sometimes there are hunters in the woods that shouldn't be there and pose a threat.  It's our job to remove them and send them on their way" 

"That sounds almost dangerous" Malia replied worry creasing her brow.  

"All my men are well trained and know how to handle themselves, making the risk significantly less.  Not to mention that the hunters are few and far between.  Mainly we just patrol the area, making our presence known" He never wanted his luna to have to worry about him, but the fact that she already was made him feel something deep down.  

Luckily, the waitress was back with their food and he was able to avoid where this line of questioning was headed.  

The rest of lunch went over smoothly, Alec was able steer the conversation back to her.  He found out that she had an older brother that was still back in Ohio with her parents.   And that while she liked planning weddings her real dream was to become a writer.   She had planned to go all the way into Portland and work at a publishing house, but then got cold feet when she stopped in Bridleton for the night.  To think that had she had a little more confidence in her writing and that he would have never met her didn't go over his head.   He sent a silent thank you up to the moon goddess for keeping her here all this time for him to meet her. 

By the time they were leaving Alec knew that he couldn't stay away for long.  Even if she was feigning anger because he picked up the bill and refused to let her contribute.  

As they were standing outside the diner, he didn't want to let her go.  "I probably should get headed back.  I don't want Ms.  Gunther thinking I'm taking advantage of my breaks" 

"What are you doing this weekend?" He blurted out, wanting to stay in her presence just a couple minutes more.     

"Umm, nothing as of yet,  most likely some laundry or something.  How about you?"

"We are having a barbecue at my family's house, I would love it if you could be there.  You can even bring Jenna if you want, I'm sure Jackson would love that" 

"Sure that sounds like fun.  Do you need me to bring anything? Potato salad or something?" She smiled up at him. 

"Nope, just your beautiful self" She blushed at this.  "Let me see your phone" He said reaching out to her. 

"Ok...." she said skeptically handing it over to him. 

"I'm putting my number in here so that I can text you the address.  And so that I have your number now" he smirked down at her.  He handed her phone back and she heard the little bell noise of an incoming message somewhere in one of his pockets. 

"Well ok then.  I really should be going.  Thank you again for lunch Alec" she said as she stepped closer looking like she wanted to do something but not sure how to proceed.  He solved the dilemma for her by slipping an arm around her middle and pulling her in for a hug, loving the tingles that shot through his body where they connected.  He held her for just a moment longer trying to absorb as much of her scent as possible then kissed her cheek as he reluctantly let her go.  

"I'll see you later little luna" he said backing away from her to head towards his truck.  

"Bye Alec" she beamed not able to hide the blush that covered her cheeks. 

He watched her walk into her office as he got into his car, knowing damn well that these two days until the weekend when he could see her again would be absolute torture.