“Grandma, the Alpha is going to let me see you before I leave,” I tell her.
“That’s great news dear, I will see you soon” She said before hanging up. I could hear the excitement in her voice. Becoming excited myself, I would be able to say goodbye to her, but not only that, maybe I could use this as my chance to escape.
I gave Damien the address, I didn’t know how he knew where he was going. But when we were nearly there. He pulled over. I watched as he pulled a key from his pocket and reached forward, undoing the padlock on my hands and feet.
“Don’t make me regret this Lily, you won’t like the consequences if you try anything” His voice held a warning. I quickly nodded before rubbing my wrists.
Damien pulled back onto the road. After five minutes more of driving, we pulled up out the front of Joe’s diner. My grandmother was standing out the front, a huge grin lighting up her face when we pulled up. I jumped out of the car and ran to her, throwing myself in her arms. She hugged me just as tight before kissing my head. Alpha Damien hopped out of the car.
Grandma lifted her head and smiled at him. “You must be Damien, Aria told me about you being Lily’s mate” She spoke softly.
“Nice to meet you, Ma'am,” He said.
“Hush call me grandma; we are all family now” She said before escorting us inside. I didn’t like the way she said we were all family. I barely knew Alpha Damien, and he was currently trying to kidnap me. Why doesn’t anyone see anything wrong with the entire situation? Walking inside, I walked straight to one of the booths.
“Is Abel here?” I asked hopefully. Grandma Zoe shook her head.
“He still isn’t back, I am sorry Lily I know you miss him” She whispered, seeing the disappointment in my eyes. Abel may not be my father, but ever since the attack he has been travelling the globe, trying to find a way to help me and my wolf. Trying to find anyone else with the same problem or anyone who could possibly help our tethered bond. I think he felt responsible for what happened. He would come home every few months and check on everyone before leaving again. But after twelve years I knew he wouldn't find anything; I don’t know why he continues to look. Everyone else has given up, but not him.
I walked behind the counter and retrieved some mugs and the coffee before pouring everyone a mug. I was familiar with everything here, having spent most of my childhood here, and my teenage years. I used to come every afternoon after school when I was in my early teens to help grandma. I loved this place, it always felt like home. Grandma and Damien seemed to hit off right away. They were happily chatting when I handed them their cups.
“Are you excited Lily that you found your mate?” Grandma asked. I looked at Damien and I could tell he was interested to hear what I had to say. I have made it very clear I don’t want a mate, so he wasn’t surprised at my words.
“Layla is” I told her.
“You will come around dear; Mates are a blessing from the moon goddess. You’ll see” I raised an eyebrow.
I found nothing great about Mate bonds. Hated the idea of being forced to be with someone just because of a bond. I sat in my seat when I felt my phone Bing in my pocket. I reached for it and saw that Brent sent me a text message. When I suddenly got an idea.
I message him back.
Meet me out in the back alleyway of Joe’s diner. I sent him. He replies instantly. He knows I don’t want a mate. Brent agreed. I just now had to find a way to sneak away from the Alpha.
We chatted quietly for a while, when a customer came in and Grandma Zoe had to get up and quickly serve them.
“Who messaged you?” Damien Asked. I looked away from his penetrating gaze.
“It was Amber,” I lied. He nodded, but he kept watching my face to see if I was lying. I didn’t know if he could tell, but he didn’t say anything more on the subject. After a few minutes of tense silence, I got up.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Damien asked, reaching forward and grabbing my hand. I ignored the sparks running up my arm, pulling my hand from his.
“I need to pee if you must know,” I told him. He let go and sat back in the booth watching me. He didn’t try to stop me. Grandma came back over and sat down.
“You will need the key dear, I haven’t unlocked the doors yet being this early, '' She said. Obviously hearing mine and Damien's conversation. I nodded before walking behind the counter and reaching under the counter for the key.
“Leave it unlocked for me Lily” I nodded, and I could feel the Alpha’s eyes on me as he watched me leave the room toward the back of the diner. As soon as I was out of sight, I walked toward the staff toilets out the back. As soon as I was outside, I unlocked the toilets before turning around and running down the alley, towards the side street. I could see Brent waiting at the end, a panicked expression on his face when he saw me running toward him.
“What’s going on Lily?” he asked, glancing around nervously.
“We need to go, before the Alpha finds out I am running”
Brent looked toward the diner before hopping in the car. I jumped in the passenger side.
“Running? Why are you running, what did you do?”
“I will explain later just start driving Brent” I told him. He put the keys in ignition when suddenly the driver’s door was ripped open. Alpha Damien ripped Brent out of the car by the scruff of his shirt.
“Shit” I gasped before jumping out myself. Alpha Damien was on top of Brent pummeling him with his fists, Brent trying to block his hits, but it was of no use. Brent was only a warrior, no match for an Alpha. I ran over to them. Brent was bleeding, his nose was broken and his face all swollen and bloody. I shoved the Alpha off him, and he growled at me.