The One The Whole Town Abandoned

Chapter 3 Unexpected Meeting

Dominic's POV

We sit down and I can't help but just keep breathing in that amazing smell because I cannot pinpoint what it is. I'm looking at the menus that the Luna gave us and there are no desserts on here.. So I have no idea what I'm smelling to even get it to eat. Especially since it smells so delicious, my mouth just keeps watering.

Man, we need to figure out what that smell is because it's almost intoxicating.

Miles says to me as I agree internally.

"Do you guys smell that? It smells amazing, almost caramel and cream-like." I ask and the three of them look at me like I'm crazy but I know what I smell.

I'm looking over the menu trying to figure out what I want to eat and drink when the intoxicating smell gets stronger. It's so strong that I can keep helping but breathe in as much as I can until I hear the most angelic voice I have ever heard hit my ears.

"Hello gentleman, my name is Ashleigh. I'll be taking care of you tonight... What may I get for you to drink?" She asks so sweetly, gaining all of my attention, instantly locked into her mesmerizing gaze.

She is hands down the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She is human but stunning either way. I don't have problems with humans. I just never dated them because it would make things complicated with my lifestyle. It's not like we can openly tell humans about us or anything, so we just keep our distance as much as we can for not just our safety but theirs.

She is about 5 feet tall, maybe a little taller. She has long dark burgundy hair with big, bright green, doe eyes. She had a little button nose with dimples and round, almost chubby cheeks.

She has a creamy olive-colored skin tone and an hourglass figure which I just love.. with an outfit that just hugs her curves in all the right places. She is stunning.

Mate Mate Mate!

That is all Miles says to me with so much excitement laced through his voice as we stare at her.

Are you sure Miles? She is a human.

I ask him with confusion as the guys give her their drink orders and she takes their IDs, checking them.

I'm 100% sure it's her, I just want to hold her and taste her. She smells so f*#king amazing!

Miles says with even more excitement to finally have found our mate.

OK Miles, you need to calm down. We can't just claim her like werewolves normally can... She is a human, which means we have to ease into this and hopefully gain her trust enough to be with us and then come back with us.

I explain to him, trying to get him to calm down about her.

Ugh, fine but you better work some magic fast, because I don't know how long I will be able to control myself around her... She is amazing.

I internally laugh at him but completely agree. She is the absolute definition of perfection to me... I just hope her personality matches.

So I'm just taking in all of her features as I realize I'm just staring at her, while she is staring at me looking like she is waiting for an answer. She smiles and repeats, "Hun, can I get you anything to drink?" she asks awaiting my answer.

"Um.. uh.. yes, please... A double whiskey and ginger ale.. please.. um.. thanks.." I say so nervously, stuttering through my sentence. I never stutter... What the hell is going on? How am I supposed to win her over when I can't even be my smooth, suave self?

What was that? Stutter master over here.. You're supposed to be trying to win her over quickly... not look like an i***t within ten seconds!

Miles says to me making fun, as I internally scoff at him.

"Ok may I make sure you have your ID on hand please?" She asks as I instantly bring it out, handing it to her. She looks at it and gets a surprised look on her face as she says, "That's weird. I have never met anyone who had the same birthday as me... I guess except for you... Dominic. You're just a year older than me!" She says, smirking at me as she hands me my ID back.

"I haven't met anyone I share a birthday with either.. we could always celebrate together." I suggest as she smiles a genuine big smile and out comes the most melodic giggle to accompany it, as she replies, "I'll consider it.. birthday buddy.. I'll be back with your drinks gentlemen and then I'll grab your order.. So be ready. I don't wait for anyone." she says smiling at us as she winks, turning and walking away. I watch her hips sway back and forth as she walks over to the bar making our drinks for us behind the bar.

I observe her grace from afar, as she grabs glasses here and then spins to grab liquor there. She is so swift with the way she moves back there it's almost hypnotizing. I would watch her work all night for that reason and a list full of other reasons.

"Alright Dom, What's going on with you? I have never seen you stutter to a beautiful girl ever," says Nate curiously.

"She is my mate," I responded a little softly.

"The beautiful HUMAN waitress?" He asks, confirming what I'm saying.

"Yes, one and the same... her being human makes things complicated, but I have to make it work." I state to them as Wesley and Lucas pat my back simultaneously.

"Congrats man, she is stunning," says Wesley to me.

"I know, breathtakingly stunning, that's why I can't get my s**t together... How am I supposed to convince her to give me a chance, then somehow tell her I'm a werewolf, then convince her to come live with me? This is going to be rough.." I say to no one in particular.

"Well, if anyone can do it, it's you Dom.. it might be hard work, but I bet she would be worth it if the moon goddess paired you with her. I just never would have thought you would get a human." Nate says to me as I nod back.

This makes things complicated because she-wolves know when you find your mate, you pack up and move in with them instantly because the mate bond is almost irresistible to all of us. But the fact that she might not even know we exist and is not a part of our culture... So she doesn't know how things are supposed to work, which is going to make things so complicated. I could always reject her and I would eventually get paired with someone else for my second chance mate... But that's just the easy way out and I have never been known to take the easy way out for one thing, and I bet Nate is right. I bet she will be worth the work.

She comes back to our table passing out the drinks to us as she grabs a chair, turning it around before she sits down right next to me with her server book out.

"Alright gentlemen, what may I get for you to eat? Unless you have any questions I may answer for you?" she curiously asks, staring at all of us... When out of nowhere the question spills from my lips like word vomit, "You seeing anyone beautiful?"

She smirks shyly, then looks away shaking her head. I smile widely at that reaction as she says, "I was meaning about the menu items... Dominic is it?" She says as she starts to blush, making my smile bigger. I love the way she says my name, it just rolls right off of her tongue so effortlessly.

"Oh beautiful, You can call me Dom if you would like." I say still smiling at her, while she matches my smile and says, "Ok and you can call me Ash. Nice to meet you Dom.. Now may I throw something in for you to eat?"

"What's your favorite thing to eat here Ash?" I ask her as she looks up from her server book, enticing me with her gorgeous orbs. Her eyes are instantaneously securing my gaze to hers because I don't want to look away, not even for a second. Her green orbs are so absolutely stunning, that I just want to dive into them since I'm already drowning in their beauty.

"We have an avocado bacon cheeseburger that's my favorite as long as you get the tater tots or curly fries with it." She suggests but I didn't even process what she said yet, I just watch her plump lips move as she spoke to me in her soft angelic voice.

"Um... Yea... Sounds good to me and I would take both sides if I can because I'm starving." I say to her as she smirks and nods, looking away to Lucas grabbing his order, then to Nate, and ending with Wes.

She seems so nice. I just wish she could sit with us all night so I can smell her caramel scent that I can't seem to get enough of.

She stands up to my dismay as she says to us, "Ok guys, I'm going to go put in your order and I'll check up on you in a little bit."

"Don't be gone too long Ash. I'm already missing your beautiful smile." I say as she shakes her head, then blushes again saying, "You don't have to lie to hang out here Dom.. I'll still get you drinks anyways."

"Oh Ash, I'm not lying in the slightest." I retort instantly, which gave her a confused look on her face as if she has never had anyone genuinely hit on her or something. That's impossible for sure, but I can see she is thinking about what I just said.

"Ok if you insist. Be back soon." She smiles and turns, walking away as I watch her glide across the floor swaying her hips again, gracefully moving through the waves of people as she gets to the kitchen giving them her ticket for our order.

"Oh man, how are you doing over there? You're practically throwing yourself at her." Wesley says as the guys chuckle at his comment.

"Man, it is taking every last inch of me to control Miles so he doesn't try to claim and mark her right here right now. I have had to talk him back down, multiple times, so he doesn't freak her out." I say as the guys are shaking their heads and laughing.

"This is going to be hard, but not as hard as you think because it looks and sounds like she likes you too," Lucas says to me as I nod and smile. I look up, watching her walk around the room completely navigating everything going on around her. You can tell she has been doing this for a while. She is an absolute pro.

"Ash another round of beers! With you as dessert!" Says a guy who walked over to the bartop.

"Oh Steven, I'm too sweet... I would give you diabetes.. hence why I'm not on the menu.." She says jokingly to him as she hands him a couple of beers. He grabs her hand and says, "I'll pay extra. I heard you like it like that." She swipes her hand out of his as she says with so much spite, poking him in the chest, "I'm not a possession you can buy... I told you nicely that's not possible, so take my hint before I have to kick your ass out of here.. Don't touch me or start pushing my buttons again Steven... I don't care if Mike is the boss's son, I will still put you and him in his place... Just like I do every single f*#king week."

The guy throws his hands up in surrender, walking backward as I smirk at her putting werewolves in their place. She had no idea but she doesn't care either. Who knew a human could be so feisty and intimidate wolves.. not me. She is obviously strong-willed.

The guy walks away to the side table as he says something to the other werewolf at the same table... I'm assuming that's the Alpha's son... Since she said he is friends were the owner's son and I know who the owners are, I'm assuming that's their son.

Ash walks past them and I see the guys checking her out, which just boils my blood, but I have to try to let it go because if I fight someone for her, after just meeting her it might freak her out.

She stacks the plates across her arms, filling them completely as she skillfully navigates herself through the crowd, with our food to get back to us. She almost bows as she passes out each plate to us, getting the order just right. She turns to me, lastly passing out 3 plates to me when I ordered 2..

I look down and she says in a little cheeky tone, "We have some amazing cheese curds. They're white and yellow cheese. My best friend is from Wisconsin and she says those are the best! The only catch is you have to eat it with some caramel. It makes it taste like French toast... it's my favorite." She smiles sheepishly as she finishes her statement. "My favorite too," I say as I grab one of the cheese curds dipping it in the caramel and popping it into my mouth without hesitation.

Oh, my Goddess, she is correct. This is amazing... The salty and sweet combo is to die for. I moan out as I open my eyes and say, "You're correct, this is so amazing. Almost as amazing as you." I say winking at her as she says, "Are you drunk or something? Do I have to cut you off already? Even though you have barely had any of your drink?" She asks with confusion as she smiles at me.

"I mean if you feel the need to cut me off you can, but I'm almost completely sober except for the one sip I took of my drink. You act as if you never get genuinely hit on or something. That's obviously impossible because look at you... stunning in every sense of the word." I respond, making her blush redder than a tomato. Adorable.

"Um.. no... I don't ever.. really.. no.." She stumbles through her sentence nervously fumbling with her hands, looking down.

I put my hand under her chin, lifting it, making her gaze come back up to mine.

"Always hold your head up high. Never let anyone change that."

Ashleigh's POV

There is something so alluring that's pulling to this guy, Dominic. He is drop-dead gorgeous, so I have no idea why he is paying any attention to me. He is at least over 6 feet, covered in huge muscles that don't look too big at all.. just like he does a sport or works out often. But either way, he takes good care of himself.

His dirty blonde locks of hair accent his tan skin, bright white teeth, and gorgeous hazel eyes perfectly. His plaid shirt and dark jeans make him look like a studly woodsman and it's sexy, to say the least... I have never been stunned by a man's good looks, but I guess there is a first time for everything.

I have never felt like this and it's crazy to me. I never really get hit on ever either, except for the random guy just trying to get a piece of ass because he believes what he hears around this small town.

Most guys think I'm easy and a wh*re because of what they say about me around here. But I have only had s*x once ever and it was rape by my teacher that I thought I could trust... But when I told the police like I thought you were supposed to, my name got tarnished for it and he got praised.

Mr. Dan Stevens was my choir teacher and he would convince me to do extra shows or contests and put it as independent extra credit for me. After I started to get close to him, by just talking with him about everything on our many trips. He took advantage of our time alone with so many unspeakable things, multiple times, by pushing limits that I never knew I had to have at that age... Then after so many times of this happening and not getting what he really wanted out of me... He took the one precious thing any girl has... her virtue. He made the one thing that was supposed to be special, a complete nightmare. I still cry to this day about how scarring that was, mentally and physically. I don't know if I will ever be able to have a normal relationship after that.

I went to the police instantly and they of course believed me because of the evidence and arrested him. He got charged with s****l assault with a minor because I was 16, so he went to jail. He is thankfully supposed to be in there for 10 years.

When his wife found out about it, she automatically blamed me, saying I was the one hitting on her husband and seducing him. So I was not just raped by my mentor, I was also labeled a homewrecker. I thought I did everything I was supposed to do, but obviously it was not enough, because it's all backfiring even to this day 6 years later. To top everything off, I got pregnant that one time. When they asked me who the father was, I lied and said I didn't know because I didn't want him to take my baby girl away. So now I'm just known as the homewrecking town harlot who sleeps with so many men that she doesn't know who the father is. Even my family believed it and disowned me for it.

The only person who hasn't turned her back on me in this whole town is my best friend Stefanie. She has been by my side the whole time and has been nothing short of amazing to me since the day we became friends in kindergarten. I hate this place though and I can't wait to get enough money to leave this hell hole with my baby. She is my everything.

That's why this guy, I guess genuinely hitting on me is weird because no one hits on me. They just do it because they think I'm a wh*re and will give them some s*x.

I get lost thinking about all this since he asked if I ever get hit on. I can't think of much to say so out stumbles, "Um.. no.. I don't ever.. really.. no.." like the smart, articulate individual that I am... always impressing with my word skills.

He touches my chin gently as my gaze connects with his, making my breath hitch instantly while he says to me, "Always hold your head up high. Never let anyone change that." My words are just stuck in my throat at this point, continuing to hold his gaze. Who is this guy and where is he from? He is nothing like the men around here. Which sucks because I'll probably never see him again after tonight. Which makes me feel sad at that idea, surprisingly enough.

"Wait... What? You don't have a man and you never get hit on? Are the people in this town blind or stupid?" He says so dramatically as the guys around him roll their eyes. "Man, you're going to freak her out and she won't want to come back over here if you keep harassing her like that." One of his friends says as I shake my head instantly.

"No, he is not harassing me. I swear and I'll still make sure to come over. I think it's sweet.. like I said, it never happens.. at all actually... it's refreshing." I say a little nervously again. I see Dominic smiling up at me as I clear my throat saying. "Ok, so I'll let you guys eat your dinner and don't hesitate to ask if you need anything else. I swear I'll be back in a minute."

I turn around walking away just so I can catch my breath because this gorgeous man's gaze keeps stealing it away, making me a little light-headed over here and I don't want to look like more of an i***t by passing out in front of him.

I walk towards the back to get out of the room for a second to just get a breath of fresh air.

I'm almost to the kitchen when my arm gets grabbed and I get pulled abruptly. I turn instantly to see it's that douchbag Mike who thinks he is God's gift to women. Oh please.. he could take some pointers from Dom over there on how to treat a woman. These are the kind of assh*les I get stuck with.

"Let go of me, Mike." I demand without hesitation.

"Come on Ash you know you like it," Mike says to me as my eyebrows scrunch up and look at him like he is the biggest i***t ever.

"If I liked it DUMB*SS, then I wouldn't ask you to let me go. Now let me the f*#k go before we have a problem.. last warning." I say with so much threat to him but he grins and doesn't let go. So I grab his hand quickly twisting it awkwardly while hitting a pressure point. Making him go down to his knees. "Now when I tell you to NOT f*#king touch me, that means DON'T F*#KING TOUCH ME," I say again before I hear behind me.

"Ashleigh let him go.. how many times a week do I have to deal with you treating my son like s**t? You're lucky you're good at your job or I would have fired you long ago! Don't put your hands on my son again or I will fire you!" She yells from across the room, getting everyone's attention as she continues, "Now get out of my bar before I change my mind and decide to fire you for your insolence. I will see you tomorrow and you had better have a more pleasant attitude next time you come in." I glare at her and just hold my tongue because I need this job. I glare daggers at Mike as he is grinning so big at me from behind her. What a p*ssy baby boy hiding behind his momma... What can't fight fights for himself? I guess not.

I take my apron off and hand it to her. I go behind the bar, grabbing my jacket and storming out front to head home.