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Chapter 2

I woke to light rain falling on my windows, which had to be one of my favorite sounds. We didn’t get much rain in California, but when we did I loved it. I stood up slowly and walked over to one of the windows and opened it wide so I could watch the rain and smell the fresh clean air that blew toward me. My first day was already starting out wonderful. I closed my eyes and wrapped a blanket around me just listening to the sound of the rain falling for a few minutes before I got ready for the day.

I took a quick shower and blow dried my hair styling it back into a braid but leaving a few stray strands near my face loose. I put on a little eyeliner and mascara and a bit of blush, nothing too spectacular. I dug through my clothes and found a black pair of jeans and a black button up shirt, I had forgot to ask Harper what I should wear so I went with black. I admit it is actually my go to color, so I had a lost of pieces featuring the color. I locked the apartment door and slipped my phone in my back pocket and headed down to the café.

I stepped into the café as was met with the smell of muffins right away which made my stomach grumble right away. I walked slowly down the short hall and saw Harper near the stoves pulling out another batch of fresh baked goods.

“Good morning Harper!” I said shyly reaching for an apron and tying around my waist.

“Hey girl! How did you sleep?” She asked.

“Yeah pretty good thanks!” I replied.

“That’s great! Oh hey can you move that pan right there so I can se this one down? Its not hot so you are safe.” She said teasingly.

I smiled and reached for the pan of chocolate muffins and moved them aside.

“How else can I help?” I ask her.

“Oh how about you take the chairs down and fix the tables a bit. I have little vases with flowers and salt and pepper shakers on trays under the counter there.” She said pointing behind me.

I nodded and headed into the seating area starting on the chairs. After I had finished prepping all the tables, Harper gave a crash course on the register, which was simple enough. Then she showed me how to work the expresso machine, just the basics for today and surprisingly I picked it up pretty quick. Soon it was opening time and I took a deep breathe as Harper switched the welcome sign to ‘open’. About 10 minutes later a few people came in placing to go orders and heading off to work I assumed. Harper had I took turns at the register and even though I was soft spoken, I did well enough and Harper praised me several times.

The first hours of being open was actually not as stressful as I had thought. Maybe it was because it wasn’t a big chain coffee place, so the pace was more comfortable and slow paced, which I loved. A few people had set up laptops and settled in for a few hours and I served several cups of coffee to studious college kids and businessmen. I reminded myself to be friendly even though occasionally my shyness would take over and I would feel my ears heat up and I would want to hide my face, but I fought through and the customers seemed happy.

As the afternoon approached I was helping Harper bring out another found of baked goods when the café bell chimed,;’

and I prepared to welcome the customer. I turned to see a very handsome man waiting at the counter. He looked to be in his early twenties and was really tall. At least to me he was tall! He had dark brown hair and deep blue eyes and fair skin like me. I was a little stunned at first and tuned my gaze away when he looked up before he caught me looking at him. I stepped forward and kept my eyes low and asked for his order. He didn’t respond right away but tried to lower his head to meet my eyes and I just couldn’t let him, so I only looked up at the register and at his hands when he paid.

“Would you be taking this to go?” I asked sheepishly.

“No, I think I will have it here actually.” He said in his deep voice.

He held the cash out to me, and I grabbed with our hands slightly brushing. I instantly felt a tingling sensation but figured it was static. So ignored it and gave him his change before turning to prepare his order. Harper came up next to me and giggled a little.

“Wow what a hunk!” She whispered and I just blushed in response as I prepared his order.

I set his coffee and pastry to the side and turned to Harper to see if she would be able to serve him but she seemed busy, so I guess I had to interact with him again. Great! I kept my eyes low still and walked over to the table by the window where he sat and set his items down.

“Thanks!” He said.

Again he tried to turn his head to catch a better look at me but I turned and went back behind the counter.

[OWEN POV]

As soon as I stepped into the café I sensed something and under the strong scent of baked goods was a subtle scent of sweet pea flowers and honey. I had never smelt such an alluring scent before and it had my wolf Samuel excited for some reason.

‘What is that scent?’ I asked him.

‘It is the sweetest scent that I have ever smelled!’ He said almost jumping in excitement.

‘What’s gotten into you?!’ I asked seriously confused.

I ignored his excited mood and walked toward the counter and the barista turned around and I saw beautiful golden hair falling along a very pretty face. She seemed shy and couldn’t seem to make eye contact with me, it even looked like she was blushing a little. Cute.

I placed my order and still she had not looked at me, but our fingers brushed when I paid for my order. I froze for a second when I felt a spark or something like that from the contact. It surprised me but it didn’t hurt, it felt exciting almost. What’s going on? I found a seat by the window and I took out my laptop to open my emails still stealing glances at the girl behind the counter. There was something about her, an aura or something. A pull? I couldn’t describe it, I wanted to look her in the eyes. Something inside me was saying if I looked into her eyes then I would know.

‘Why should I look her in the eyes?’ I asked Samuel.

He was still too hyper and didn’t seem to hear my question, so I ignored him again. Seriously that wolf was acting so weird today. I tried to focus on my work and I could hear the sweet sound of her voice and my instincts kept making me focus all my attention on the sound of it. It was so timid and sweet sounding that I could hardly focus on my work. I drank my coffee quick hoping she would notice and offer a refill soon. Luckily not long after she started walking around offering refills to a few other customers and began walking toward me. She seemed hesitant to approach me but I kept my gaze on her as she got closer and again I was hit with the amazing scent.

“Excuse me, would you like a refill?” She asked shyly.

“I would, thanks!” I said holding my cup up to her.

She took it and noticed how dainty her hands were. I needed to get her to look at me.

“Can I ask your name?” I say speaking up and she flinch a little.

“Oh uh Amelia, sir.” She answered sweetly.

Seriously she sounds so sweet!

“Amelia? That’s a pretty name. My name is Owen! I don’t think I have seen you here before.” I say smiling.

“I just started today.” She answers blushing.

“Are you new to town?” I ask her.

“Yeah I just arrived last night.” She answers holding my refilled cup to me.

She finally looks up and I catch her gaze finally. I felt like my heart stopped as I looked into her eyes.

‘MATE! MATE! MATE!’ Samuel says howling happily.

What? She is my mate?

Her eyes grow wide when our eyes meet like she is stunned, and she doesn’t move for a moment. Then it looks like panic takes over and she excuses herself and walks quickly away. I watch her leave and whisper something quick to the other woman before walking around the corner and out of my sight. I was stunned and felt like I couldn’t move or think about anything.

[AMELIA POV]

‘MATE! MATE! MATE!’ My wolf Anaya kept saying in my head.

‘What? What do you mean?’ I ask her utterly confused about what I was feeling.

‘That guy is our mate! Didn’t you feel it when you touched him?’ She asks sarcastically.

I roll my eyes at her. I mean yeah I felt like tingling but I thought it was static or something.

‘Don’t be stupid! You felt that because he is our mate!’ She says scoffing at me.

‘Ok but what does that mean? What do I do?’ I ask her.

I had rushed up the apartment when I had finally been able to move again and told Harper I was taking a quick break. I had found myself sitting on the end of bed having a mini freak out. My wolf is going crazy saying some stranger is my mate and now she is telling me to go back and talk to him. How can I? My mother always said how horrible the whole mate thing was, my father left her for his so-called mate. That was all I knew about the subject, and that was enough for me to be weary of this so called mate thing.

‘Stop being crazy Mia! Our mate is made just for us, the one person we are meant to be with forever! I know your mother resented your father because of it, but that was because your father did not wait to find his mate and he should have.’ Anaya says.

‘Anaya, just calm down ok! This is all to much for me!’ I say to her covering my face trying to get a grip.

‘I’m sorry but some people go years searching for their mate, because its so important and special. We have only been here one day and we have found our mate!!!! Please go back and talk to him!’ She says whimpering.

I am torn because she seems to know more about this mate thing but is too excited to explain everything right now. Even though my heart is still racing I feel drawn to the stranger and want to talk to him. What if he doesn’t realize I am his mate? What if he is disappointed? What if won’t like me?

‘He knows we are his mate! I heard his wolf calling to me.’ Anaya says happily.

So he is a werewolf too, that’s something I guess.

‘He is more than just any werewolf!’ Anya replies excited.

‘What do you mean?’ I ask her confused.

‘I will let him tell you, now hurry and get your butt down there before he leaves.’ She says getting annoyed.

Seriously she can be a bratt when she wants to be, but I listen to her and slowly walk to the door. I open the door and walk back into the café and met with Harper walking toward me.

“Hey! You ok?” She asks worried.

“Yeah, sorry I just needed a little break but I am fine!” I tell her.

“Ok that’s good. Oh and he cutie by the window was asking about you! I think he likes you!” She says giggling.

“No I don’t think so.” I say blushing.

“Well go talk to him!” She says pulling me back into the main café and giving me a little push.

I turn to her panicking, but she just signals for me to go. I turn around and keep my head down again and slowly walk toward the stranger who I remember his name is Owen. I approach him and try to think of what to say. He suddenly lifts his gaze to me, and I catch him watching me and smiling which makes me blush hard. I get to his table and pause.

“Can I get you anything else?” I ask him.

“I think I’m ok right now.” He answers.

“Ok!” I say quickly and I turn to walk away, but he grabs my wrist before I can leave.

I hold my breath as I feel the tingling go up my arm. What is this? I stop and I don’t move, I don’t know what to do.

“Do you think we can talk for a minute?” he asks softly.

I am afraid to say anything, so I just nod and take a seat across from him. I have my shoulders slumped forward and I keep my head down, I have never felt so small before. He turns his head looking a little concerned.

“Are you ok?” He asks me with a hint of worry in his voice.

I nod yes and he tries to determine if I am being truthful, so I let out a breath and close my eyes trying to calm my racing heart.

“Sorry, I am just a little nervous.” I reply almost whispering.

He smile as I glance up at him quickly and drop my head in embarrassment again.

“You never have to feel nervous around me.” He says confidently. “I will never judge you or make you feel bad!”

I look up at him after he says that almost in disbelief. He is so forward! He smiles at me when our eyes meet again.

“Wow, you are so beautiful!” He says smiling.

Ok seriously what is with this guy?

‘He is our mate! He loves us!’ Anaya replies.

‘But we just met, how can he already love me? That’s impossible! I say to her.

‘Not between mates! The bond has already formed between us and he will love us unconditionally and forever! That’s what it means to be mates!’ She says happily.

He looks at me a little confused as I have my little talk with my wolf.

“Are you sure you are ok?” He asks again reaching across the table and takes me hand.

I flinch at his touch and he panics.

“I’m so sorry! I just wanted to make sure you were ok.” He says letting me go.

“No it’s ok! I was just not expecting it. Sorry!” I reply feeling guilty for making him feel bad.

“Why are you apologizing?” He asks.

“Oh, I didn’t want you to think you did anything wrong that’s all.” I say softly.

“Amelia, you never have to apologize to me.” He says sweetly.

Ok there is something so weird going on, no one is this sweet.

“Do you sense it to?” He asks.

“Sense what?” I ask a little confused.

“That we are mates.” He states.

I feel like my whole neck is red now hearing the word ‘mates’ come from his mouth.

“My wolf seems to think we are.” I reply.

“Mine too. He says your wolf is wonderful.” He replies.

My eyes widen at that. “Really? They are talking to each other?”

He nods with a smile, and I can’t help the smile that creeps up on my face.

“What?” he asks.

“I think that’s kind of sweet.” I admit.

“He has bee waiting a long time, so he is beyond happy right now.” He says with a little laugh.

“My wolf is really happy too.” I say blushing again.

“You are really cute when you blush like that.” He says which of course makes me blush more. “There you go again!”

I laugh a little at him cooing at me. “Sorry I am just not used to people complimenting me.” I reply.

“You never have to be embarrassed and I hope I can remind you every day how beautiful and adorable you are.” He says happily.

I look at him again surprised. “How can you just say those things so easily?” I ask.

“Something about being around you makes me want to say these things. I am overwhelmed and I can’t keep them inside.” He says with a giant grin that I almost melt looking at. “Does it make you uncomfortable? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable!” He says with slight panic.

“No it’s fine, I am just not used to it. Please don’t apologize! It’s really sweet.” I say.

We both giggle to ourselves like school kid crushes who just confessed. We stay in comfortable silence for a little while before I notice a few people walk in and I realize I need to help Harper out.

“I’m so sorry but I need to get back to work.” I say getting up and starting to walk away.

“Oh wait, can we talk again?” He asks looking up at me with the most adorable look.

“Yeah I would like that! Can I see your phone?” I ask and he happily hands it to me.

I go to contacts and type in my number and enter my name as ‘Mimi’ and a little heart.

“I have to go now, bye!” I say softly and I walk away feeling his eyes following me.

[OWEN POV]

‘SHE GAVE US HER NUMBER!!!! She wants to talk to us again!’ Samuel howls happily.

‘I know bud! I can’t believe it!’I reply with a big smile on my face.

I can’t believe I found my mate in a tiny café only a few miles from home. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her, she was stunning and so sweet! Moon goddess has blessed me with a beautiful mate! Once I pull my gaze from her I look down at my phone to see her cute contact name and number in my phone. Samuel was as happier than before knowing our mate wanted to speak to us again. As I smiled to myself looking at her contact over and over again, a call came in.

“Hey dad what’s up?” I say answering the call.

“Son your mother wants you to come back and try on a few suits for Friday, when will you be back?” My dad asks.

“I can be there in 20!” I say looking at my watch.

“Ok good, she has been stressing since this morning. I think if we can get one detail finalized she will calm down.” My dad says.

“Ok I’ll be there soon!” I say smiling and hanging up.

I take one last look at my beautiful mate before I pack up my things. I see she is very busy so I leave quietly but I told myself I will send her a text as soon as reach my car.

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