The Captain's Mate

2 - I Got This

2 - I Got This

ARIADNA

"Hi, I'm Ariadna. I'm the new starter" I introduce myself as I walk in through the Reception doors.

To be honest, the first time I was here I walked really slowly so I have time to figure out which is the door and set it apart from the walls. The entrance was one of those posh all glass walls and doors, with just a tiny and almost clear sticker reading "push".

I was thanking my lucky stars that I had seen it and managed to push the door open and walk in without the chance of becoming a viral video. I bet those monitoring the CCTV have a good laugh every now and then with people walking face first through the glass.

"Hi, I'm Russell." Says the good looking man that was standing behind the desk. Dressed in a dark grey suit that made his green eyes and ginger hair really pop, Russell was a handsome guy and he knew it. But he also exudes that overconfidence that I find some guys can't always pull off.

I am sure he used his good looks to get what he wanted a lot. "So you're the new girl joining our team. It's great to meet you, have a seat and I'll call Hazel" I smile and do what he says and patiently wait for Hazel on a very plush chair.

Russell is busy on the phone explaining away to some future guests about the types of champagne that are available on board.

I had read in the handbook that Hazel gave me that we refer to those dining in the restaurant as guests and never use the word customers. I was already feeling like I got this first day.

"I'll be just fine." I whisper to myself.

Flipping through the restaurant's brochure I kind of gasp at the prices that are staring back at me.

Everything was ridiculously expensive, overpriced I would say. No wonder they afford to pay their staff good money, well above the average. I was so happy I got this job.

All of a sudden I get this fluttering feeling in my belly, I get over excited and anxious and...hot?

I sure was nervous because this was my first day, but this feeling made me think about that moment before opening a gift that builds up to something magical.

And I had felt a presence, there really is no other way to describe it, and with the corner of my eye I saw someone approaching.

A god, a f*****g Greek deity. A 6'6" statue of a man and in uniform walks in.

Did I mention he was wearing a uniform? That's it, I feel the walls inside me tighten and panties are instantly wet. Those fitted white trousers made my imagination run wild, and now I know I was full on staring at him.

Has it been so long that any good looking man walking past me makes me horny?

But he wasn't just any good looking man. His well defined muscles and perfectly proportioned body make me crave an embrace.

He turns his head to look at me as if he heard my thoughts, and gives a sheepish smile.

Shit, I hope my mouth was at least closed, because my eyes were wide open taking all that handsome in.

'Hiya' He greets me and our eyes meet for a split second. I saw the bluish colour turn dark, it almost looked like he had galaxies in his eyes. So deep and mesmerising that it felt like that split second gaze was strong enough to hypnotise me.

With my heart pounding, cheeks bright red for sure underneath my foundation, I muster a quick "Hi" before he goes on the boat.

"What just happened?" I think to myself.

"He's one of the captains," Russell says, bringing me back to reality. "His name is Dean and he's Hazel's brother believe it or not."

As he said that I realised there were some subtle similarities between Dean and Hazel. Their hair has the same dark colour and the fine lines their mouth makes when smiling are mirrored images of each other. I can also sense that Russell is not particularly fond of Hazel. I wonder why that is?

DEAN

My wolf, Zain, has been getting restless lately. He had really wanted to find our mate by now. I mostly gave up.

Finding your mate has an expiration date for werewolves. If you don't find each other by the time the male has his 27th birthday, the mating bond will become too weak for the two to recognize each other as mates.

And guess who's turning 27 next month? Yes, yours truly.

27 is big in the werewolf community. This is when the high ranking wolves take over key positions in the pack from the wolf before them. Being the son of the Alpha, would mean I would take over as Alpha on the South Pack.

And I plan on having Grace as my Luna.

Of course there can be chosen mates, and this is why I was planning to choose Grace and mark her the day after my 27th birthday. She had been my on again off again girlfriend for almost 4 years, rejecting her true mate to be with me. I often wished that she hadn't done that, but I guess there is no greater proof of loving someone than going even against the Moon Goddess.

But Grace is extremely ambitious, and as a daughter of an Alpha, I suspect she wasn't thrilled about her mate being an Omega, so that might have played a role in her rejection.

With us seeing each other, and with her parents not having a male heir, our families agreed on a union between packs when me and Grace would mark each other. I would then become Alpha of both South and West packs, making them one, and Grace would be my Luna.

I am not complaining. Grace is a beautiful she wolf. Really fit with fiery eyes, a toned body and long blonde hair. She's a f*****g animal in bed even when we are in our human form, all ready to give me all a man could ever want, but I had always held back a little knowing she is not my true mate. I always wanted to keep something just for my mate, if I ever met her.

That's why I took the job as the boat's captain. With the restaurant being one of London's finest locations, I had an extra chance of meeting my mate. I would soon need to give up this day job. As Alpha, the pack duties keep you very busy and there is always something to take care of, so you can't have another job.

Lower rank werewolves and she wolfs often have human jobs. Most of them need the money but some do it just for fun like my sister.

Being the daughter of the Alpha, Hazel always was a daddy's girl and got spoiled, but she is also a remarkably kind woman and wanted a bit of independence and sense of normalcy around humans.

I was happy that at least I could keep an eye on her with us working in the same place.

Her mate, Garreth, was my best friend and soon to be Beta. I was shocked but happy when he recognized her as his mate. We did have a few fights that ended with him getting new scars just because I wanted them to wait until Hazel matures, and not force anything on her. I was also a bit jealous of them and of what they and others who found their mates had.

I let out a low growl at the memory of me and my best friend fighting, and quickly mask it as clearing my throat when I see the two boys that were setting up the restaurant both look at me scared.

I feel Zain getting restless. "What's up with you man?" I ask through our mind link.

"I don't know, I feel something, I think It's our mate, our made is around us."

And it hits me, like a ton of bricks, it the best way possible. A delicious, intoxicating smell of freesia and chamomile? That is the most unique scent I have ever smelt in my life. Zain is howling and begging to be let out so he can go find his mate.

"Find mate, I need to see mate!" Zain whines, almost overpowering me.

I could feel this new scent all morning and now it was getting stronger so I went towards Reception to finally meet our mate.

FLASHBACK - ARTEMISA

"They're gaining on us, Art! You need to shift and I will carry the pup in my mouth." Lola my wolf screams. I Know she is right, I have just 2 more miles until I reach the witches village and being in my human form Simon's warriors will get to us in minutes.

I just need to take us to the village. Wolves won't dare step into a place with so much magic. Witches are weak in body but very strong in their abilities.

Although Lugana looks like any other rural establishment, and it's mostly humans that reside in it, it also has the largest community of witches in Europe.

I quickly shift and take the small wicker basket with the pup and my clothes, sink my teeth into the handles so I can get a good grip, and run. I let Lola take control while I retreated in a corner of our minds and wept. All gone, all dead including our beloved Alpha and Luna. My heart broke in a million painful pieces and I could feel my bond with my parents and brothers fade. I could feel their pain, all their pain as they gave their last breath and fell in battle.

I need to get Ariadna to the witch.