The Rogue And His Human Mate

Chapter One

~FAITH~

"Faith, you must be more cautious, this is the third time I've see you at this hospital in one month," Dr. Morris says, handing me my discharge paperwork.

"I know," I sigh. "You are not taking your condition seriously, Faith. I understand you are adjusting with everything that has happened recently, but you must make your health top priority," he warns, looking me in the eyes. "I really am trying. I did not mean to cut myself again. I promise I will take better care of myself, so please do not worry," I say.

Dr. Morris lets out a sigh of relief and leaves the room that I am in. I pick up my jacket and make my way out. The cold night air brushes against me as my friend Josh, who is my ride, pulls up to the hospital door.

"Hope you did not wait long for me, the restaurant manager is throwing a huge fit over you leaving over a simple cut, assuming you haven't told them about your clotting issue," Josh informs me.

"No, I need the job, but the moment I tell anyone even a paper cut can land me in the hospital, they don't want me out of risk," I explain to him.

"You shouldn't even be working so much, my parents say you can move into our house, you don't have to do everything on your own," Josh offers.

"I doubt your girlfriend will like that much, I'm OK on my own and working helps me keep my mind off everything for now," I explain to him. "At least let's do a movie night or something so you can rest tonight," he offers.

"Can't, I have to work at the bar tonight, Joe called with an extra shift," I explain.

"Tell him no," Josh demands. "He rents me an apartment in the building he owns next to the bar for cheap, if he needs the extra help I should do it," I respond as we pull up to the light near my apartment building.

"Don't overdo it, Faith," Josh warns. "OK, mom," I mutter, causing him to sigh as we pull up to my building. I quickly get out before Josh can say more. "Thanks for the ride," I say as I make my way to the building. I need to get dressed fast so I can go to work.

My apartment is small and not very fancy, but I'm all on my own and can't afford much else. As I walk in, I look at a photo of my mom, dad, and sister. "Hi family, today is another s**t day, but I promise I'm going to keep going and do well for all of you," I say to the photo as I walk to my dresser and quickly dress for work.

I pull my black hair back into a ponytail and apply a light amount of makeup. Then, I look down at the bandage on my hand. I need to keep my word to the doctor and be more careful. I have managed most of my life with not many issues, but then again, I was also not on my own. Not many people even know I have a blood clotting issue so that I can live a more normal life, and I prefer it remains that way. Glancing at myself in the mirror one last time, I then head off to the bar for my shift. It is dead when I enter, but it's also not late enough at night.

"Thanks for coming in on such short notice. I have a new guy training tonight, and I need you to show him around. He is new to town and is actually renting the apartment across the hall from you," he explains to me.

"No problem," I say. "Just like your parents were such hard workers. Thank you, Faith," he says before going to his office. I step behind the bar and start washing some of the dirty glasses, getting everything ready. As two men walk in and sit at the bar from town, I quickly help them with their orders.

"Faith, you just made our night by being the bartender tonight," one of them says as I give a small smile. "And you two make my night as well. You always keep things entertaining," I say as I pour them two beers and place them down. Then, the door opens again, and a man walks in. He's possibly in his mid-20s, with disheveled brown hair, and is dressed in worn jeans with a leather jacket and t-shirt. But what gets my attention the most is the angry presence he has, as if he wants the entire world to f**k off.

His eyes meet mine and I swear they have a hint of amber in them as he walks up to the bar. His eyes scan me over as if he is trying to read me. "Can I help you?" I ask in a sharp tone, not appreciating how he is looking at me.

"I'm supposed to start today," he says, his voice low and velvety. "So you are the new guy. I will be training you tonight. My name is Faith," I say, extending my hand for him to shake. "Aiden," he says, not even lifting his hand as I allow him behind the bar. Clearly, he is not a friendly person. "Well, Aiden, have you worked in a bar before?" I ask.

"Yes," he simply responds as his eyes remain locked on me. "Good. Well, this place is pretty easy. Most customers get beer or shots. The cash register is nothing fancy and easy to work. Prices are next to the register. If you want to shadow me tonight, I'm sure you will get the hang of how things work here," I offer him. "Fine," he simply responds as a few more customers walk in.

I take their order and Aiden makes the drinks. It is clear he is well trained and will not be an issue as far as that, but he is in no way people friendly. As the bar starts to fill, it is pretty smooth sailing.

"Faith, come here, you have to see this," Addison, a regular, says as she holds out her phone to a news clip of a fight happening not far from this bar. "Is that happening now?" I ask, and she nods her head.

"You be careful, Faith. This area is starting to attract some real scum. You make sure you don't walk home alone anymore," she warns me. A good group of the locals often looks out for me now since the news of my parents and sister's death is big news for this area.

"Don't worry, Addison. I will be safe," I say to her as I get her regular drink, and she leans in closer to me. "That new guy, I don't like him. He looks like trouble," she says. I sigh. "It's his first day, and Joe needs the extra help. Maybe he is just having a bad day today," I say, but I have a feeling this is just Aiden's personality.

Once I am done with Addison, I walk over to clear a spot people have just left. "You live alone. You look young for that," Aiden questions, saying more than he has all night to me. "Eavesdropping, I see," I respond. "I was listening in to see if I needed to get a drink," he says.

"Okay," I mutter as I get back to work. "You did not answer my question. So, you live alone?" he asks again. "Why do you want to know?" I respond, getting slightly annoyed. "We are working together now. It is best that I know my co-workers, and the woman is right, streets here are not safe," he claims.

"Yes, I live alone, but it's next door. Trust me, I know how to handle myself, so don't worry," I respond. "So, in my building, good. I'll walk you to it when off from now on," he says. "Fine," I respond, finding it odd he is all of a sudden trying to be nice, but if I have to work with him, I might as well try to stay on good terms with him.

Thirty minutes before closing, several men I’ve never seen before walk up to the bar. "What can I get you guys?" I ask with a friendly smile. "What's a sweet little thing doing in a bar like this?" one asks. "Serving the coldest beer in town," I respond. I've dealt with some like these men and find it best just to ignore any remarks that may annoy me.

"If I pay extra, will you give me a little dance?" one says. "Sorry guys, but if you're looking for that sort of service, may I suggest the strip club down the street?" I say, pointing out the door. "You look like a lot more fun than those worn-out girls," another one says. "Well, sorry to disappoint, but the only service you will get from me is drinks and friendly conversation. I'm not dancing for you, but you're more than welcome to dance all by yourself," I respond. I swear the guy growls as Aiden walks up from the back. The moment he does, the guys' attention snaps to him.

"Well, well, looks like this bar allows trash to work here," one says as he grabs an empty glass from the bar and slashes it, causing glass to shatter all over. That's enough for Joe to make an appearance. "Bar's closed. Get out," he snaps at the men. Luckily, all other customers are gone now.

"Faith, go to my office. Aiden, clean up the glass," Joe orders. I do as asked, sitting in one of Joe's office chairs. Once he removes the rowdy men and locks up, he comes into his office. "Did you get cut?" he asks worriedly. "No, I'm okay," I respond, causing him to relax. But then he focuses on the bandage I have on my hand. "When did you do that?" he asks. "Earlier today," I admit, knowing he would be upset. Joe is one of the select few who knows about my clotting issues.

"Why did you come to work? If that is fresh, you need to be staying home and making sure you don't break it open," he explains. "It's small, Joe, and I can't afford to miss work," I admit. Joe sighs. "I would tell you that this is not a safe job as well, but at least here I can look after you. Take tomorrow off paid so you have time to heal and go home and get some rest," he instructs. I nod as I get up and make my way to the back door and then leave for my building. About halfway there, I hear a sound behind me and turn to see Aiden walking fast to catch up. "Thought I told you I would walk you home," he says in an annoyed voice. "I forgot," I say as he follows me inside the building.

"Stay inside your place and don't go anywhere tonight," he instructs as I go into my place and close the door behind me. What is with him thinking he can order me around? Not like I'm going out at 2 am, but still. Taking my shoes off, I quickly get dressed in a loose t-shirt and shorts and fall back on my bed. I cannot get Aiden out of my mind as I pull a pillow into my arms. I want to know why he is so on edge and has an angry attitude. I have no idea why I cannot get him off my mind, and that just annoys me more.

My phone buzzes next to me with a text from Josh, making sure I make it home safe. Once I respond, I close my eyes, ready for this day to be over. But clearly, the world wants to make me miserable as I hear loud commotion outside. I go to my window and look out to see the guys from the bar, and then, to my surprise, Aiden as he punches one of them and they all start going after him. What is he trying to do, get himself killed? Just as I am about to go down and call the cops, they all run off, including Aiden, so fast I question if I am seeing things. "Must just be tired," I mumble to myself as I get back in bed, turn off my light, and call it a night.