Skaydal - Runaway Luna

⁂5

⁂Grayson

“She is here to stay,” Zack confirmed as he came into my office. I glanced up from my laptop and waved him in.

“Tell me everything you have managed to find out about her,” I said as I leaned my arms on the desk.

“Janet Roberts, age twenty. Long rosy golden hair with amber-colored eyes. Five feet and five inches in size and roughly about sixty kilograms,” I listened to him rattle off the details of her appearance while I tried not to envision the beauty he was describing. “Where she comes from, we don’t know for sure, but somewhere from the north. Her pet companion is a golden retriever named Zoey, aged three. However, it seems that Zoey isn’t just a pet…something more like a service animal. According to Felicia, Janet has made herself quite comfortable in the renovated apartment above the diner and is currently not paying any rent. I’ve searched for her online but honestly, Grayson, the only Janet Roberts that I came across from the north is a woman who died quite a few years ago,”

“What do you think that means?” I asked curiously.

“She could be using an alias, although I am not sure why,” he said in response as he finally sat down and got comfortable. “She’s been here for two weeks already and the best private information I can give you is that she adores her pet and her work. The first few days were rough, but now she knows just about everyone and their favorite things to order at the diner. She eats light and healthy but spoils Zoey as much as she can. She seems shy and reserved but has quite a good sense of humor, although that doesn’t come out very often. Both Samantha and Felicia are quite protective of her and have clearly taken her under their wing,”

“It’s time for me to meet her,” I stated, and he nodded in agreement.

“The only other thing I can add is what movies she likes to watch and that she is a hard worker,”

“Alright, thank you Zack…I’ll take it from here,”

“I should also mention that she has formed quite a friendship with Jack and Irene,” this information surprised me and I raised a curious brow. “I know, right? It seems that she goes to the motel every second or third day and enjoys dinner with them,”

“Hmm, that is rather interesting,”

“It is, especially since she keeps mostly to herself,” he said. “I’ve also sent you her schedule and all of the information I just told you,”

“Thank you,” I said appreciatively.

“When are you going to ‘bump’ into her?” he then asked and I sighed softly as I glanced back at my laptop.

“Probably tomorrow, I have too much work to see her today,” I said.

“Ok, well…good luck,” he said before he stood up and left my office. I considered reading through his email but I had work to do and if I didn’t finish it, I wouldn’t be meeting the mysterious Janet Roberts any time soon.

⁂

It was possibly far too early for me to introduce myself to Janet, but since I hadn’t managed to finish up with the outstanding work, this was the only time I had. I pushed open the closed door of the diner and looked around. The place was clean, which wasn’t a surprise, but the smell of cinnamon and vanilla was strong in the air.

“Are you making pancakes?” I called out as I slipped into the closest booth.

“We aren’t even open yet!” Samantha’s voice rang out and I chuckled. When she came out from the back, she smiled. “This is a pleasant surprise,” she said.

“Indeed, is Janet around?” I asked curiously. Samantha frowned and then slowed her steps as she eyed me suspiciously. “Clearly the young girl plans on staying for a while, Samantha. It is my duty to meet her,”

“I know…it’s just…I forget that this isn’t just a town,”

“No, it isn’t. This is my pack and I will protect it and every member,” she nodded and then sat down across from me.

“She is in the back having breakfast,” she then informed me and I smiled.

“Pancakes?”

“No, bacon and egg sandwich,” she said. “Are you going to tell her the truth?”

“No, of course not. I am simply here to introduce myself as founder and mayor of Skaydal and welcome her,” I explained.

“Ok, I’ll let her know you are here,” she said as she stood up.

“Actually, just let her treat me as a customer,” I said with a wink.

“We aren’t open yet,”

“Surely you can make an exception?” I asked and Samantha blushed as she nodded and hurried to the back. When Janet finally came out, I was frozen in place as I stared at the girl. She was exactly as Zack had described her. Except he had left out a few details. Details such as the fact that Janet was extraordinarily beautiful in a way that made my heart race and groin perk up with interest. Of course, Zack couldn’t have known that this female was, in fact, my mate.

“Good morning, welcome to May’s diner. My name is Janet and I’ll be your server this morning,” she said in greeting, and I shuddered at the sound of her soft voice. “Would you like to see the menu?” she then asked and clearly my silence was making her feel uncomfortable. All I wanted to do was pull her onto my lap and devour her plump lips and taste her. “Sir?”

“Ah…hi,” I managed to get out. “I’m Grayson Keeton, founder, and mayor of Skaydal,” I introduced myself as I stood up. I was so much taller than her and as she lifted those pretty amber eyes to meet mine, I swear she whimpered softly. I held out my hand but for some reason, she didn’t move. “Janet?”

“Oh, yes! Hello, nice to you meet. I mean, it is nice to eat you,” she blushed and her pale skin went an adorable shade of pink. I smirked at her fumbling of words as I imagined what must have been going through her mind.

“It’s nice to eat me?” I teased, which caused her already flushed skin to get even darker.

“Ah…no, it’s nice to meet you,” she finally managed to say before she groaned. “Damnit,” she cursed as she took a step back and then she eyed my outstretched hand before she carefully shook it before dropping her hand to the side. The touch was brief but the sparks of electricity had been…electric.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” I said as I sat back down. “And for some wild reason, I am in the mood for some pancakes,” Janet nodded and bolted so quickly that I couldn’t help but chuckle at her retreating figure. I couldn’t believe it. After all this time, I had finally met my mate. A human no less. I smiled to myself as I thought about how absolutely adorable she was. Although, I did have to wonder how she had ended up in Skaydal. Of course, I couldn’t question her – not yet anyway. I would have to think of something and I would have to let the pack know that Janet was my mate.

“Everything alright?” Samantha asked as she came up to the table.

“Everything is perfect,” I said with a smile.

“What did you do to her? The poor girl was shaking like a leaf,”

“She is my mate, Samantha,” I stated and her eyes went wide in disbelief and I felt bad. Although nothing had ever happened between me and her, I knew that Samantha had hoped I would claim her as mine someday. “I am sorry,” I then whispered.

“No, why? Don’t be, congratulations,” she abruptly turned to leave, but I managed to grab a hold of her hand to stop her.

“Samantha,” I cooed as I rubbed my thumb across her wrist.

“Don’t,” she whispered and I could see that she was trying to hold back her emotions.

“You must know how sorry I am,” I said, and although she didn’t look all right, clearly, she understood that things had officially changed.

“I know,” she said before she carefully removed my hand from hers. “I know, Grayson,”

“I wish I had the words to comfort you,” I admitted. “Despite the fact that she is my mate, I do not wish you any harm,”

“I know,” she said once again and the forced smile was suddenly plastered on her face. “Let me get you some coffee,” and just like that, I had become just another customer. Gone was the affection and yet, I couldn’t blame her. Things had changed and now I was suddenly faced with my mate. Janet returned to my table and set down a plate stacked with maple pancakes.

“Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?” she asked, and I was pleased to see that she was under control. Although I missed the fumbling cuteness, I was more interested in getting to know who she was.

“Actually, I was wondering if I could invite you over for dinner,” I said as I leaned back in my seat. Her eyes went wide in surprise and her cheeks pinkened delightfully.

“Um…wh-what?”

“Dinner?”

“Ah, dinner?”

“Yes, would you like to come over for dinner? I make a mean steak,” I said with a wink.

“Oh…um…” she was scared, that much I could see.

“I didn’t mean to be so forward. I would simply like to invite you over for dinner so that we can get to know each other a little bit. After all, you are a new resident and I would like to officially welcome you to Skaydal,” silence fell between us, and then she nodded.

“Ok,” and with that, she spun around and basically ran away from me. Samantha came over with some coffee and I knew that this couldn’t be easy for her.

“Sammy,” I whispered, using the nickname she didn’t allow anyone to call her.

“Don’t Grayson,” she said sadly, and my heart went out to her. I hadn’t realized her feelings were that far developed. “I’ll do right by you…and her,” she said before she too left me alone. I looked down at the pancakes and smiled. I felt bad for Samantha but I was overjoyed at the fact that I had finally found my mate. I would finally have that bond with someone and I couldn’t wait to get to know her. I didn’t want to refer to her as Janet, since I already knew that the name was probably an alias. There was more to her and I was going to do everything I could to find out more. I cut into the stack of pancakes while I watched Samantha open up the diner and a few customers came in. I recognized quite a few of them and they all greeted me warmly. I didn’t see Janet anywhere and I had to wonder if the young female was hiding out in the back. I quickly finished up the plate of pancakes and drank the coffee before I stood up and headed over to the counter.

“How much?” I asked Samantha as I took out my wallet.

“Oh no, Grayson,” she said softly, and I spotted that smile that always warmed my heart. “It’s on the house,”

“Are you sure?”

“Most definitely,”

“Are we…I mean, will we be alright?” I then asked and when she nodded and smiled, I felt the tension between us disappear and I breathed out in relief.

“Good, thank you,” I said before I leaned over the counter and kissed her cheek. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Janet peaking out from the back room and I pulled away from Samantha and smiled at Janet. “I’ll pick you up here at seven,” Janet’s eyes went big but she nodded. “Feel free to bring Zoey with you,”