Moon Desire

CHAPTER FIVE ?

Sapphire

It was her advanced hearing that allowed her to listen to the conversation amongst a few of her pack members that sat in her section.

"...Way. I thought he wasn't going to return until he found the thugs who murdered his father?" The male—Dan, maybe?—whispered, his voice shocked.

Sapphire turned her gaze to the gathering, wondering who they were talking about.

"No, Marco told my father that he needed to pick him up from the airport. He's definitely coming back," one of the females said confidently, her mouth curling up into a sneer. “However, I can't wait for him to return. He'll be unable to resist me any longer. I'm no longer that foolish fourteen-year-old."

"It's been four years, Ashley." The man sighed and rolled his eyes. “Just give it up."

Sapphire's pupils dilated. How could she have missed Ashley at one of her tables? Was she so sleepy and out of it that she'd missed it completely?

Her entire body stiffened, her wolf roaring inside her, ready to erupt. Her heart began to beat a little too quickly. Ashley wouldn't dare to confront Sapphire in a restaurant, would she?

Sapphire's apron-clad fist gripped over her notepad. Oh, no! She needed to walk over and take their drink order.

"I'm going to have him wound so tightly around my finger that he'll have to declare me his mate."

The other girl, whose pale blonde hair stood out against Ashley's dark brown, decided to speak up. "If he wasn't your pal before he left, what makes you think he is now?"

Ashley fixed her gaze on her friend. "Because, Alice," she snarled. "I hadn't shifted before he went. Males can't find their partner unless she's moved."

“Oh. Yeah." For a little while, Alice remained silent. "But, wait a minute, doesn't that mean he may find his mate among all the other girls as well?"

"Alice! Stop talking!" Ashley hissed at her pal.

Sapphire believed that right then and there would be the finest opportunity to intervene. She cleared her throat as she approached the table. All of their gazes were drawn to Sapphire's face.

Ashley grinned menacingly. "Look at what the cat pulled in."

Sapphire bit her tongue to keep the many things she wished she could say from coming out. "Can I get you guys something to drink?" she nicely asked.

Alice was the first to raise her voice. “May I have some water with lemon?"

Sapphire nodded and turned to face the stranger, Dan.

Last semester, he was in her math class. "One soft drink,"

he mumbled, avoiding her sight.

Ashley simply crossed her arms in a nonchalant manner. "I'm going to have iced tea."

Sapphire bolted as fast as she could, disregarding their snickers at something sarcastic Ashley said as she walked away.

She was already dreading going back because she knew she'd have to serve them. Sapphire took a deep breath and grabbed the beverages, slid them onto a carrying tray. She then proceeded to what would only be agony.

***

“Excuse me, waitress!" Ashley beckoned in a delectably beautiful voice.

Sapphire scowled at the napkin holder she'd been swapping out. What could Ashley possibly want at this point?

Ashley thrust a plate of chicken and vegetables towards her when she arrived at the table. It flew to the opposite side of the table.

Ashley, on the other hand, had pushed the plate far too hard. Sapphire gazed in terror as it teetered on the table's edge for a brief minute, like in slow motion, before dropping right off.

She snatched the plate just as it was about to strike the dusty tiled floor, thanks to her increased speed. She couldn't say the same about the meal. She fixed her gaze on the chicken and gravy strewn across the floor.

The animal inside her screamed and snarled, trying to break free from the invisible chain that bound it to her. Sapphire held back tears of frustration, telling herself that snapping at Ashley now would only jeopardize her career and make things worse for their pack family.

"Oh, Sapphire, what have you done?" Ashley exclaimed loudly in a terribly impersonated startled tone. "I can't believe you'd do such a thing to my food! I was just going to ask if you could warm it up for me."

Alice and Dan burst out laughing at Sapphire's expense.

"I hope you're planning on refunding me for that, Sapphire." Ashley's disappointed demeanor broke as a smirk formed on the corners of her mouth.

Lindy emerged from the back room after hearing a loud, distraught customer. She took in the sight and Ashley's anguish, and then apologized profusely to the "client" for her employee's blunder, promising that their entire lunch would be entirely free.

"Clean up this mess immediately," she said sternly in Sapphire's ear as her boss walked away. “Their meal, as well as whatever they desire for dessert, will be deducted from your pay."

Sapphire knew all three of the customers could hear Lindy's whisper, no matter how soft it was. With their increased hearing, they could probably hear a pin drop on the other side of the room, even with all the dinner commotion.

Sapphire took a deep breath and nodded. She fixed her sight entirely on the ground. She didn't even dare to raise her head as she took the mop from the supply cupboard and began cleaning up. Sapphire restrained her wolf, who was enraged by her refusal to look the enemy in the eyes.

She scrubbed the floor where the gravy had spilled by hand, knowing that if it wasn't cleaned up properly, someone might stumble. Ashley's glares could be felt on her back. "Hmm, whatever I want for dessert. Fantastic."

Sapphire swallowed after biting her lip. This isn't so horrible, she reminded herself. There are children out there who are hungry, such as Charlie. This is nothing in comparison. After all, it's only one paycheck. What's a single paycheck?

She cast a peek towards Charlie. Could he go a week or two without buying new shoes? Would they have enough money to fuel up their old, barely-running station wagon? Did this imply she couldn't get a new pair of jeans to replace the previous ones, which were nearly capris?

Sapphire took their dessert order, her jaw almost falling in disbelief at the lengthy menu.

Sapphire didn't want to weep until they were finally checking out. Those three children must have feasted like kings. With her meager hours per week, it would take nearly a full paycheck to cover the cost. She couldn't imagine someone would spend that much money at a run-down restaurant like Lindy's.

She couldn't believe she'd just spent so much money at Lindy's.

"Many thanks for the food, Sapphire! You're adorable." Ashley winked as she walked away. She was halfway through the door, a plastic bag full of leftovers in her hand, when she turned around and said, "You should absolutely be a little more careful next time, Sapphire."

She was gone with one last nasty smile. The next day, Sapphire had to use her tips to buy Charlie ice cream.