Crossroads Café

Chapter 5 : A rumor

Bianca frowned. "What do you mean he can't enter as a human?"

Mat gave his hair a good shake. "Aiyana, dear sister, I'm sorry, but I can't say anymore. I'm dead tired, and the first shuttle will arrive soon."

She nodded and took Bianca's hand. "Let's prepare first. I'll try to answer as many questions as possible after our shift. Come, I'll give you the uniform for the employees here. Don't worry. It's just a shirt with the shop's logo on it."

Bianca saw Mat's fatigue and decided it wasn't the time to nag at him. She followed Aiyana and changed quickly. "I'll need some clothes for myself. I don't know how long I'll stay here. At what time do you think I'll be able to get out?"

"I'm not sure. We don't care about time here. What do you want to do? Maybe I could help you? I could even lend you some skirts… even if with our height difference, you might end with mini skirts on you", Aiyana offered.

Bianca giggled. "I mean, I need clean underwear, too, you know."

Aiyana made a silent o with her lips and nodded. "Let's try to get out as soon as possible. I know a little shop not too far from here where we could find what you need."

They went to the bar where Mat prepared honey milk for his sister, warm milk for Rosy, and a dark roast for Bianca. Mat had managed to put Rosy to sleep. He put her on the closest couch, and he took care of arranging the backrest to block her from falling. Like this, he knew she would be ok, and he could keep one eye on her.

"I have another problem. It's money, and my bag stayed in my car. Maybe I should see Alpha or call him and ask him to bring back my stuff. Do you have his phone number?"

Aiyana, who was starting to drink her honey milk, spit everything she had in her mouth out. "You mean… Alpha Black's number? No. Wait a minute!" She seemed to connect the dots and looked at her brother, horrified. "Is it what I am thinking right now?" Mat looked at her blankly. "No! Hell no! Is she his mate?"

"That's the same word Old Al' used yesterday night! What is a mate, by the way?" Bianca questioned again.

"We're not a hundred percent sure, to be honest," said Mat to his sister. "But seeing how he acted yesterday night, she really might be."

Aiyana had an excited squeal. "Like… For real !?"

"Why are you guys talking like I'm not here?" Bianca said, annoyed. She didn't like how the language barrier made her feel excluded from the conversation.

Aiyana shook her head and put her hand on Bianca's shoulder. She made a money sign with her thumb and her index. "Girl. From today, money is not a problem! Oh, gods! Alpha Black's mate! Wait a minute! That means you are a Luna!" She paused dramatically. "I have to calm down. It's not good for my baby."

Mat rolled his eyes and put his elbow on the bar. "Bianca. Just know one thing. You are protected as long as you stay in Crossroads café, and you're Alpha Black property as soon as you leave here."

Bianca had a mocking laugh. "Me? Property? On which basis?"

Mat stared at the emptiness of the place, but nothing happened. He rubbed his hands on his face. "Great. The spirits were all over the place yesterday night, and now nothing." He put his palms on the bar and took a good inspiration. "You are Alpha Black's mate. I don't want to explain more to you as I think this is a conversation you should have with him and no one else. Just always remind yourself that nothing can happen to you and Rosy as long as you stay in the café. Ask Old Al' or me to go with you if you have to go out."

Bianca frowned. "What's the danger if I go out alone? I thought America was the country of the free and the braves!" She was getting irritated.

"Bianca, please, don't get mad… I think you'll have to wait for seven days to meet Alpha Black face-to-face and have a good talk with him. Just be careful because he'll use any ruse to make you leave the café without us."

"C'est de la folie! (= That's crazy !)," answered Bianca. She took one shot at her now cold coffee and instantly regretted it.

"I have no idea what you just said," Mat replicated. He was trying not to laugh at the French lady. He could see a tear in the corner of her eye and a slight tremor in her lower lip.

"Well, welcome to my world. One where people talk and don't explain to me what's the overall meaning of the conversation!" Bianca answered with a half-smile. "Dang! Why is your coffee so disgusting?"

Mat put a hand on his heart, acting hurt. "I don't know. Raw talent, I guess?"

They all started to laugh when howling wolves could be heard outside. Bianca looked in surprise as half-naked men entered the café. They were now throwing shirts at each other.

Mat took a business smile and grabbed a list from under the bar. "Gentlemen from the Red Moon Pack, I presume? Welcome to Crossroad Café! I present to you my two charming waitresses, Bianca and Aiyana! You can sit everywhere you like. I'll just ask you not to let your wolves out."

Bianca started to laugh but stopped when she realized no one was getting Mat's joke.

Aiyana went to them and asked, "Party of how many?"

"We're only six, and two others are outside, keeping watch. There's a rumor going on outside," the older one answered.

The six men went to sit at the same table.

"A rumor?" said Aiyana while she was taking the orders. Bianca observed how she worked and knew she had to learn fast to be helpful to her saviors.

"They say the Mad One is lurking around here. Better be safe than sorry. We'd rather leave before he comes in," one of the men said with a shudder.

"Oh really? That rumor is so interesting, don't you think, Mat?" Aiyana said while turning on her heels to face him.

Her brother shook his head no: "Worry not. I made a deal with him yesterday. You'll all be alright if you don't get too close to that one." He answered while showing Bianca with his thumb.