The Alpha's Desired Luna

All work and no play...

Briar

I found myself awake early every morning, eager for a run in the woods. The fresh air was so invigorating. I felt like getting off the bus in this town was the right move. I spent my free time hanging out with Ms. Martha, who was telling me I needed friends my own age. Harsh Ms. Martha! She was such a hoot!

I had started cleaning the rooms and now I was finally in the restaurant. Martha was way too nice giving me room and three meals a day. That, plus an actual paycheck. I would have my savings back in no time.

I stayed in a room at the front of the lodge that had a bed, kitchenette, and small living room area plus a bathroom. off a small dining room table next to a quaint kitchenette.

“Pick up, table four.” Robert called from the kitchen window, bringing me from my thoughts.

“Gotcha Robert. Thanks.” I replied as he smiled to me. He was an older man who was usually grumpy but never with me. Martha said I soothed his soul. I remember my mom told me I could always light up a room.

“Here’s your order, ladies.” I smiled as I sat down the food. It was three young ladies about my age.

“Thanks!” One of them spoke.

I turned to check on the guys at the next table. These were two massively gorgeous men. One was a blonde with curly hair and the other with a bald with a low beard and perfect brown skin. I had noticed all the men in this town were all over six feet tall and all muscle. These particular men had come in with the girls at the next table. Amber, my coworker, brought out their two orders of double country fried steak and mashed potatoes with green beans. These men could eat. I nod a word of thanks as I refill their drinks. Then, head back to the counter for more napkins.

I heard Martha call me. I quickly turned to see her juggling five pie boxes. I ran up to help her.

“Let me help you there, Ms. Martha.” A deep voice came from his tall body.

“Marlon thank you, dear! You are so kind.” Martha began as I grabbed two pie boxes, and Marlon, the curly blonde from before, grabbed the other three.

“Briar, this is Marlon.” He blushed as he peered down at me. I would be blind if I didn’t notice how attractive he was.

“Nice to meet you. Where to with the pies Ms. Martha?” I quickly shifted my focus back to work.

“Table four.” She began following me towards the girls I had been serving. “Sweetheart, here are the pies for your mother. Do please give her my best.”

“I will, Ms. Martha. I’ll take them right away.”

“Briar, have you met some of my sweet kids from town? This is Emerson, Sofia, and Austin. These men here are Marlon and Brayden.” All the guys and girls nod and give me warm smiles.

“Hi.”

“We heard you just moved here. What brings you to our town?” Marlon asked.

“Gosh Marlon, this isn’t an interrogation! Let the girl breathe!” Emerson replied, sensing my unease.

“Sorry.” He replied.

“Hey, I just remembered! There is a bonfire tonight! You must come with us!” Sofia added nudging Emerson.

“Yes! You have to join us!” Emerson began. “Dancing under the moonlight. What do you say?”

“Oh, no, I have to work tonight.”

“Well, I’ve cleared your shift tonight. You must go out and meet people! I insist!” Ms. Martha yells from behind the counter.

“I guess I’m going to a bonfire.” I gave a fake smile trying to sound convincing.

“Awesome, give me your phone. I’ll give you my number. We'll pick you up at nine.” Emerson states while putting her number in my phone. I actually chuckle at her assertiveness. This girl gets what she wants, and I like that about her.

She hands me my phone back, and I see she also messaged herself, so she has my number as well. I raise an eyebrow, and she winks in response. So yes, maybe going to my first bonfire did sound like fun. It definitely would get me out making new friends.

We all walked towards the lake together. It was very dark but I had no problem with my night vision. My mass of curls I pinned up into a messy bun with my jeans and sweater. I mean, how cute do you get for a fire party. The guys, Marlon and Brayden, were there as well. We all drove down together in the same jet-black SUV.

As we made it closer to the lake, the large fire came into view. There were people all around. Dancing to the music. The flames seemed to touch the sky. I saw a girl with auburn hair and tanned skin wearing a tight little dress and gladiator sandals. She looked like trouble. I diverted my eyes away before she saw me.

“Let’s get some beers.” Sofia said as she handed one to all of us girls.

“Nope.” Marlon came behind us and took the beers away. “I am pretty sure no one here is twenty-one.”

“Thanks a lot, Father. Make sure you report back to my brother.” Emerson rolled her eyes as she pulled us along to another area of the bonfire. She made it a point to leave the guys behind as I pulled out two beers I snagged when they weren’t looking.

“I knew I loved this girl!” Austin said as she pulled me in for a hug.

Just then, I heard a sound far away. I looked around to see if anyone else heard it, but I guess for them, it was hard to hear over all the music playing.

We all started drinking the two beers, pouring them into plastic cups. Just then ‘Need To Know’ by Doja Cat started to play over the speakers. We all started dancing and singing along. Some guys took notice of us and started to join us. It was five of them.

As if on cue, Marlon and Austin appeared. The two of them were the size of at least three of these guys. The guys had a stare off, and a few more guys stood behind Marlon and Austin. Seeing they were outnumbered, they decided to walk away.

Emerson pouted as a very attractive guy pulled her away from the group. He pulled her aside, whispering as she tried to dance with him. He refused as he looked over at me. I quickly looked away before eye contact was made.

“Don’t worry, that’s Colton, we know him.” Sofia whispered.

I guess Emerson had a guy friend after all. Or maybe a boyfriend. They were a cute couple. At the moment, though, I could tell he was upset with either her or the guys who were just around us.

We continued to drink and dance as Emerson rejoined us. Just then, the mean girls walked by speaking to the group.

“Hello, ladies! Emerson, how is that brother of yours doing?” she asked.

“He is just fine, Willow. Thank you for asking.” Emerson replied.

“Well let me give him a call and see if he needs company again tonight.” She winked, and then her eyes stopped at me.

“This is our friend Briar.” Emerson spoke up.

“Hi.” I nodded.

“Hi…I’m sure we will see you around. Bye, ladies.”

When she was good and gone, I whispered. “Who is she?”

“Just some girl who has a thing for Emerson’s brother and does not take no for an answer.” Sofia added with a bit of an attitude.

Just then, I heard it. A crack…like a twig.

I quickly turned to look into the forest. Pure blackness as I stared. Then I saw it. A pair of red eyes stared back at me. I gasped as I stepped backwards, almost falling over a tree people were sitting on. Emerson was at my side instantly with a look of concern in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” She looks in the direction I am still looking in. I feel almost hypnotized, like I can’t look away. I blink several times.

“I…I swear I saw something. Some eyes. I’m crazy, right? It had to be the beer.” I rambled.

“Fuck.” I heard Colton as he quickly stood in front of us. I swear I heard him growling. I am never drinking again. I must be losing my mind.

Suddenly chaos breaks out. I hear more growling. I see Colton seem to go into a trance as Marlon and Austin move in front of us as well. Then I hear a lot of movement in the woods. I strong wind comes through and the hairs on my arms stand up then Colton yells.

“Rogues!”

“What the hell is going on.” I ask to no one in particular. “What are rogues?”

“We have to go. Now.” Emerson whispers as I am literally pulled towards the path leading back to the lodge. I try and look behind me and I feel a chill down my spine.

“Come on, Briar!”

“Marlon, Austin wait for the others. Protect everyone until I return. Back up is on the way. I have to get the girls safely out of here.” Colton spoke with authority.

What was happening? I was scared and confused all at once.

We all took off running down the open path as I hear more growling behind us. Colton was keeping an eye out all around us. We made it to the car and they unlocked the door. Everyone jumps in but me.

“Get in Briar!” Sofia yelled.

“No, I have to stay here. I have to go check on Ms. Martha.”

“I’ve already called her she is on her way.” Colton yelled as he closed the door getting Emerson inside. He opened the other door to get me in.

“How? When? While we were running down the path? This is all making no sense!” I exclaim refusing to move as the chill hits me again. This time even stronger than the last.

I look back into the woods. I swear I see movement and it seems to feel me staring into the darkness. Like I can see it and it can see me. What the hell was in that beer?

“I’m here child. Let’s get going.” Martha appears behind me like instantly.

“How did you get here so fast? What the hell is going on!”

“Get in, we have to hurry. We can explain once we are away from here.” Ms. Martha says as she helps me in the SUV.

It takes off instantly. I look behind us as cars are being pushed around the parking lot like toys.

“What the f**k is happening!” I yell as I feel a sharp pain in my head. I scream out in pain as double over clutching my head. I feel one of my severe headaches coming on. They always pop up when I am stressed.

“Are you okay?” Austin rubs my back as the pain picks up. Suddenly a torrential downpour of rain fills my ears.

“I…” I suddenly feel light headed as the rain seems to come down harder and then blackness. Total blackness all around me.