Shattered Ascension

Chapter One

Sawyer stepped inside the familiar bakery with a smile on her crimson lips. The smell of fresh baked goods and coffee wafted in her direction before the sound of machines grinding beans filled her ears. At first, she hated the noise, but now it brought comfort. The bakery was small, but perfect for their regular customers. The light blue tile floor gave it an older feel, the counters and tables all matched the floor, which seemed a bit much, but her eyes were accustom to it and it only added character to the quaint shop.

“About freaking time, Sawyer,” Ruby said with a soft laugh as she waved her over. “My back is killing me.” She placed her hand on her back and the other on the wide stomach. “This kid better come soon.” She caressed her stomach. “I need a break.” Her brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun, the bags under her eyes became a character trait six months into her pregnancy.

“Better late than never,” Sawyer said. “But, for clarification purposes, I wasn’t late.” She moved behind the counter and grabbed her green apron before tying it around her waist. “I thought you were going to order new ones.” She motioned toward the faded fabric tied around her. There were many things Ruby said she was going to do, but never found the time to get those tasks done.

“They work well enough.” Ruby tossed her apron on a table across from the counter before sitting down. “Maybe next month.”

Sawyer rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry, did you say next year?” She raised her brow at her boss.

“Shut it or I’ll fire you,” Ruby said with a grin tugging at her lips. She’d threatened to fire her at least once a week, but she’d never actually do it because then she wouldn’t have anyone to yell at. “You have customers waiting, go deal with them.” She pointed to the cash register where a young girl stood, looking at the menu behind the counter.

“What can I get for you?” Sawyer asked looking at the teen. Her dark hair was hanging in front of her face and it took all her willpower not to cut those long locks off. She hated when she couldn’t see people’s faces. The girl turned to look at her.

“Muffin,” she said before looking down at her feet.

“What kind, sweetie? We have blueberry, chocolate chip, mint, and so many others.” She didn’t feel like naming all of them, plus the girl could read them for herself.

“Chocolate chip,” she spoke quietly.

“Excellent choice.” Sawyer turned and grabbed the muffin before placing it into the brown paper bag. “Two dollars.” She dropped the bag on the counter and took the girls money. “Have a great day.” The girl raced out of the shop and down the road. That was odd.

“Kids nowadays. So bizarre,” Ruby said as she fanned herself with a small menu on the table. “I am burning up.”

Sawyer chuckled. “Did Curt forget to turn the AC on this morning?” It felt a bit stuffy when she walked in, but it was a bakery and they had to keep the ovens going at all hours to keep up with the towns baked good intake.

Ruby nodded. “I’m not sure why he turned it off,” she huffed. Her cheeks reddened. “Whoever said pregnancy was a wonderful miracle from heaven lied. I’d cuss them out or punch them in the face. I can’t wait till this monster is out of me.” Her brown eyes trailed down to her stomach.

“You’ve said that,” Sawyer said, leaning against the counter in front of her. Her red hair falling over her shoulders.

“Bite your tongue.” Ruby snapped her head in Sawyer’s direction as she furrowed her brow. “That was before I learned the truth.”

The bells by the door jingled, another customer entered. Sawyer closed her eyes as the scent traveled over to her. Wolves. They hardly set foot in the bakery because they were too worried about keeping their form. She hated the pack. Her green eyes slowly traveled over to the member in front of her. Great, the son himself came for a visit.

Reece, the youngest son of the alpha came in once a week. Sawyer couldn’t figure out why. He always ordered a muffin, sat in the corner for an hour, and left tossing the beautiful sugary goodness in the trash on the way out. She met those ice blue eyes before straightening up.

“The usual?” She asked. Reece was a gorgeous man with one fatal flaw, he was a wolf in a pack she had no desire to join. His muscular stature made most woman fall at his feet, but it was his striking eyes in contrast to his black hair that rested just above his shoulders that got to her. His square face and jawline were chiseled to perfection.

Reece smiled and nodded. “You know me so well,” his deep voice rumbled. His voice was easy to listen too. She grabbed the cinnamon muffin and tossed it into the brown bag before handing it over to him. His hand brushed against hers and she quickly retracted. “Thanks.” He purred.

“My pleasure,” her tone was flat as she took his cash. “Enjoy it,” she added with a forced smile. He made her skin crawl. Sure, he looked like a god, but that didn’t remove his creepy factor. He watched her for a moment longer before heading to his usual table in the corner. She shivered when he turned around. Wolves.

Ruby slowly stood, her hand on her back as she walked over to Sawyer. “He’s totally into you.” She smiled as she raised her brow. Her eyes seemed to glint whenever she talked about him.

“I don’t care,” her tone hard as she frowned.

“Come on.” She glanced at him and smiled. His ice eyes were on them. “You don’t like gorgeous men who are perfectly toned.” She turned to look at Sawyer. “Sculpted by God himself. It’s a gift that has fallen right into your lap and you reject it?”

Sawyer took a deep breath. “Yes.” She turned and headed into the back. Curt pulled a batch of chocolate chip cookies from the oven and placed them on table behind him. There were several batches of different kinds of cookies already on the table. He looked over at her, eyes wide.

“Looks like you need a cookie,” he said with a small smile. The kitchen was glittering silver from the ovens to the table and sink. The blue tile was mostly covered by carpets. The kitchen was smaller than the dining area and when the three of them were working in the back they constantly bumped into one another.

“If you get your wife off my back, you can keep it,” Sawyer said with a grunt.

“I’m just saying it wouldn’t hurt to loosen up a bit,” Ruby said as she walked through the door.

“Reece again?” Curt asked, his brown eyes on Sawyer. She nodded before shaking her head at Ruby. “He seems like a real loser to me.” Curt smiled as he looked over at Ruby.

Ruby walked over to him. “Hun, you got flower in your hair again.” She ran her fingers through his short blonde hair. “I have no idea how you manage.” She chuckled. “And I disagree. He stares because he likes what he sees.” Her brown eyes rested on the red head.

“I am not a piece of meat,” Sawyer said. “I’m not going to change my mind. Ruby yo-” the familiar jingle sounded through the store. “Customer.” She gritted her teeth before stalking past Curt and Ruby. They never heard the bell, but her wolf hearing gave her that incredible ability.

“I don’t know how she does it,” Ruby muttered before the door closed behind Sawyer.

Reece stood at the counter, a half smile tugging at his full lips. “Need something else?” Sawyer asked as she moved closer to him. Was there anything more to him other than looks? She’d never actually had a conversation with him.

“Coffee. Black.” If it were anyone else, she would ignore the demanding way he spoke, but Reece spoke to her as though she were less.

Being a mutt in his eyes angered her. She balled her hands before stepping over to the coffee machine. She didn’t see the big deal about having a human parent. Her father was a wonderful human, but to them, that was his tragic flaw. She cast a glance in his direction, his blue eyes watched her. She focused her attention on the coffee in front of her. These wolves had an ego bigger than the state of Texas. She wasn’t sure how they survived with all those ego’s competing for the spotlight. She moved back over to the counter and slid the coffee mug across the counter to him. He held out cash and she grabbed it, but he didn’t let it go. Both their hands rested on the money between them.

“Go out with me,” Reece said, his voice softening. “Please. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”

She had no interest in wolves, especially one of his status. His eyes bore into hers as he waited for her answer. His grip on the cash never loosening. Regardless of what she said, he’d have to let the money go. She mulled over his request, more for his sake than anything else. Declining is her first and only response to his proposition.

“No,” she said. “Thanks though.” His smile faded and he let the cash go. Clearly, he wasn’t used to being rejected. She wasn’t concerned with his feelings though. He was a big boy and could take care of himself.

He slid his large hand around the cup. With his other hand he pushed a small piece of paper across the counter toward her. “In case you change your mind,” he said before he walked back to his table.

Sawyer grabbed the paper. It had his name, his number, and a poorly drawn heart at the bottom. His advances were pretty easy to resist and if he weren’t so gorgeous it would be much easier. Her eyes flicked in his direction. He was looking out the window with a smile on his face. He had a plan in mind, one to make her his. Regardless of her status, she was the only wolf that caught his attention. Something about her drew him in. Her looked over at her and met those green eyes. She looked down, her red hair like a sunset kissed ocean flowing around her oval face perfectly. She resisted him and it became a game. He’d win her over, he always won them over. Though she proposed to be the most difficult one yet, his brute determination was undeterred by her constant rejection. He was fueled by his maddening desire for her. Reason was lost to him the first time he met her.

Not being in the pack was an issue, it made it more difficult to persuade her and convince her he wasn’t a bad guy; she could escape him here, at this bakery. He was well aware of what she thought of him and he was focused on changing her mind. He watched her like a panther stalked their prey, but she wasn’t just a piece of meat. She was a prize. A trophy. Mutt or not, she’d rule beside him once he took control of the pack.