The Wolf That Saved Me

Chapter 6: What Are You?

CODY HARVILLE

"Are you okay?" I heard Natalie ask with concern. An instant wave of calm washed over me at the sound of her voice. I opened my eyes and stared up at her beautiful face. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she was waiting for me to answer her. My eyes darted down to the mess on the table. I had broken my coffee mug in anger and almost lost control in front of a bunch of humans. What was this woman doing to me?

"Yes," I replied, keeping my voice low, trying not to draw any more attention to myself. "My mug must've slipped out of my hand. I'm sorry. I'll clean this all up."

I went to stand up, but Natalie placed her warm hand on my shoulder to stop me. Tingles flowed through my body at her touch. "It's okay," she whispered, softly. "I've got this." She turned on her heel and left in a hurry.

Moments later, she returned with a plastic bag and a damp dish rag. Helping her collect all of the broken pieces, we tossed them into the bag and Natalie wiped up the liquid with the rag.

Looking at me with those stunning hazel eyes, she smiled sweetly and, to my surprise, plopped down onto the booth seat next to me. "Are you stalking me?" she asked with a smirk, nudging me with her shoulder.

Shit, was I? I knew she was just joking, but I had been coming to this diner everyday in hopes that I would see her again. I felt a connection, I was drawn to her and I couldn't stay away. She was all that had been on my mind lately. Now I felt like a goddamn stalker. Fuck, everything would've been so much easier if she was a wolf and my mate. But I couldn't tell her any of this, she'd think I was crazy and run for the hills.

I laughed. "No," I said, smirking back. "I just really like Jake's coffee."

We both burst into laughter. I loved her laugh. It was the first time I'd heard it, not forced, but genuine. It was music to my ears, like a million angels singing down on me from the heavens. I couldn't get enough of it. I hoped I could make her laugh more often.

"What?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at me. I guess I'd been staring a little too long.

"Nothing." I looked down at the table and then up into her eyes again; those amazing, hypnotic eyes. "I just...love hearing you laugh."

Her cheeks flushed red as she chewed on her bottom lip. I could tell I made her nervous, but she didn't get up from her seat and walk away from me, she didn't run. She stayed put, turned to me and asked, "So what do you do?" She paused. "For a living, I mean."

A smile stretched across my face. "I'm a mechanic," I replied. I worked part time at a garage not far off pack lands. Still having pack duties to uphold, I couldn't have a normal nine to five, five day a week job, but I still worked enough hours and was paid decent enough to live comfortably.

"Oh that's neat," she said, sincerely. "Well, now I know who to call if I ever have car trouble." She laughed. "Not that I have a car, or your number."

We both chuckled. We talked, just small talk, for a little while longer.

"I should be getting back to work," Natalie said as she stood up. "Let me go get your check." She walked off out of sight, and when she returned, she placed the check down in front of me. "It was really nice seeing you again."

"Definitely," I said, flashing her a smile. She sheepishly smiled back and walked away. I looked down at the check. Taking out my wallet from my back pocket, I pulled out a crisp ten dollar bill and slipped it inside the sleeve. I grabbed the pen and scribbled my number on the back of the receipt and purposefully put it back, face down, so she'd see it.