Prelude 1

Maureen

"Morning mom," I chirped, greeting my mother with a peck on the cheek. "What's for breakfast?" I question eagerly, taking a seat on the bar stool.

"Good morning honey, you're on your own this morning." She replied stuffing the laptop in her bag.

"Oh come on mom," I whine. If I'm being honest, lazy is the word to best describe my mood as of late and I dread doing anything remotely physical.

"Maureen, you're practically a grown woman now. Surely you're more than able to make yourself some breakfast," she scolds, shrugging on her brown coat. "I love you, and I'll see you later for dinner," she adds.

"Okay, I love you too mom," I tell her, and we embrace each other just before she rushes out for work. My mom and I are extremely close; we're all each other has.

Looking at the kitchen clock, it's only 7:15 am. The café doesn't open until 8, and my shift begins at 8:30. An idea suddenly pops up in my head and I hurriedly dash my way back to my bedroom to get ready for work. Just as I'm about to touch the door, it was flung open, and callous hands grabbed me out of nowhere pinning me firmly against the wall. My first instinct is to scream. However, firm lips capture my softer ones, cutting off my vocal cords.

"Damn! It feels as if I've been waiting for a century to taste these," the husky voice of my boyfriend growls — the sound sending delightful shivers all over my body.

"D-Dante are you crazy!" I squeak after catching my breath, someone could've spotted him coming in here.

"For you, yes I am." He answered deadpan, brushing my bed hair out of my eyes — the electrical waves of his simple touch making my insides mushy. "Why are you in such a rush anyway?" He asks sitting on the edge of my bed with me straddling him.

"I'm on my way to work; mom didn't make any breakfast. So I'm hoping to bribe Blue into making some of his famous blueberry pancakes for me," I mutter flushed. I can feel his proud erection right at my entrance.

"I don't think Blue will need much convincing the way he and Martha cuddle you," he chuckles. Rolling my eyes at his remark, I shift into a more comfortable position. "Stop moving, or else you won't make it to work for days," he mumbled with a groan taking me off his lap completely. Just the thought of him pounding me into unconsciousness like the second time we had sex makes me mentally grin like an insane person.

Unfortunately, I'm still too sore from yesterday's all-day activities where we ventured in on his family's ancestry lands. I'm also shocked he had even taken me there in the first place, we never went anywhere during the day.

"Hey, why are you frowning?" He questions cupping my face, worry swimming in his stormy silver eyes.

"It's nothing; I'm just really hungry," I replied partly lying and hoping he doesn't pick up on it with his werewolf hearing.

He stares at me rather intensely before his gaze softens. "I'll see you later after dinner with your mom," he mumbles against my lips. "I'm the one training the pups today, so I won't see you for lunch." He quickly explains at my perplexed look.

"Alright then, I'll see you later," I murmured my response sighing in disappointment since our time together is already limited as it is. Even so, I can't blame the man; he has serious responsibilities other than my sensitive feelings.

"Hey, I love you okay. Don't worry your pretty head about it, I'll more than make it up to you." He reassures me, and I only offer him a nod, my happy mood long gone. Sighing, he places a chastising kiss on my lips and discreetly makes his way out of my room through the window — the story of my life, no one knows we're together.

Even though we could've been public during the heat of our moment yesterday. Thank the ancestors, I put a stop to it. Shaking my head, I drag myself to take a quick shower still having time to make my shift.

"Well hello to you too Sunshine," Blue sarcastically utters the moment, I opened the cafe doors. Instead of responding to his comment, I burst into unexpected tears. Putting down the tray of muffins he’s carrying out for the morning sale on top of the counter, he gathers me into his warm and protective chest.

"Vincent, what in the world is taking you—" Martha's annoyed voice grumbles. "Oh my goodness! What's the matter, sweetheart?" She fusses, snatching me from Blue's bigger body into her much smaller one.

"It's o—okay; I'm just silly." I stuttered hiccupping in embarrassment from my sudden outburst.

"Nonsense," Martha scowls. "I'll get you something to eat, along with some sweet tea to calm your nerves." She offered to pat my hand then marched her way back into the kitchen.

"Are you sure you're okay Sweetpea?" Blue asks, staring at me softly. Mumbling a 'yes', he gives me a firm nod before getting back to his earlier task.

I let out a shaky breath, and make my way to the café's bathroom to wash my face, but I immediately regret my sudden movement because of a bit of slight dizziness. I need some food in my system, or else I'm going to faint from hunger. Scoffing at my awful appearance, splashing my tear-streaked face with the cold water running from the faucet. Using my wet fingers trying to comb my thick raven hair into looking somewhat presentable, I quickly braid it to the side. Digging through my bag, I pat my face dry before adding a little foundation, along with some mascara, and a little lip gloss. Satisfied with my handy work, I nod to myself in the mirror and smile. I can do this.

"Here you go honey, eat up and take your time getting yourself together," Martha orders me sternly while placing the steamy plate of food on the counter. I eagerly take a seat on a stool and tuck into a beautifully laid-out plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

I'm so hungry it takes no time to wipe my plate clean, and gulping down the sweet tea in two goes. "Wow, someone’s worked up an appetite," Blue teases.

"Get back to work and leave her alone old man," Martha tells him.

"You weren't calling me old last night pumpkin," he retorts with a sly smirk that makes Martha blush beet red and high tail it out of the room leaving us in a fit of laughter.

"Wish I could experience what you guys have," I whisper.

"It can happen you know, to hell with the rules and all." Blue says hugging me tightly, "plus if he loves you. He has the power to change your situation," he mutters, lips planted atop my head in a tangle of my hair.

"Blue, I—" I fumbled with my words looking at him wide-eyed.

"Easy pup, no one will ever know about your secret with the DeLuca kid from us." He reassures me, "Just be careful of everything that surrounds him." He warns sternly.

"Thanks, Blue, you're the best." I thank the man who's been a sort of father figure in my life since we moved back here from GreenBay when I was around three or so.

"Now, now, wipe your beautiful face and go make me some money." He playfully growls. For a retired Demon Warrior, he sure acts like a kid most of the time. Thank the ancestors for Martha, because I don't know who else has the strength to keep up with the man.

#

"I said a double espresso witch," the warrior I'm serving sneers at me in disgust while his friends snicker at my humiliation.

"If you want to remain a customer in my café, I suggest you treat my worker with some respect." Blue's gruff voice warns. Which causes the crowded café to become silent, with everyone's attention turning to us.

"Well, well, aren't you the little witch lover,” says Jason, the beta of the Hunter Wild Wolves with disdain. “The moon goddess made a mistake with you."

"Listen here boy, last time I checked you were just a wild dog. If you desire a future get the hell out of my place before I drop you on your ass," Blue demands as his chest rumbles with a nearly feral growl.

Being a water elemental witch, I can sense Jason's fear through the vibration of his body. Nevertheless, he's putting on a show of himself for his friends because I know Blue can snap at him without even trying.

"What. The. Hell. Is. Going. On. Here?" The angry voice of Dante grits out, agitated.

"Alpha," Blue bows slightly in respect, and the rest of us follow suit. "This boy along with his friends was just leaving," he smoothly informs my man.

Glaring at Jason and his group. "You heard the man wildling, get the hell out!" Dante barks.

While his friends run for their lives, Jason stands his ground; however pathetic the attempt seems. "You think you're special don't you; the DeLuca's are nothing without that stupid mark." He argues.

Baring his teeth, Dante growls, the silent warning bringing Jason into a submissive stance. "Such a pussy, now run along." Dante teases, chuckling all the while, which makes the café snicker and giggle along too.

With a respectful nod, Blue heads back inside the kitchen flashing me a concerned look. But I manage to smile reassuringly at him.

"What can I get for you, Mr. DeLuca?" I wonder out loud, trying hard not to cause another scene. It’s not like the first was my fault, but I guess that's the price of being who I am.

A Hawthorne Witch.

"Yeah, I'd like a dozen blueberry muffins, two boxes of oatmeal cookies, and six large cups of espresso to go," he orders in a low monotone. His eyes, however, told a different tale - they were warm and inviting.

"One dozen blueberry muffins, two boxes of oatmeal cookies, and six large cups of espresso to go,” I repeat, and he hums. “That’ll be $25.16," I add while ringing up his receipt.

He takes out his wallet and hands over the money, and the electric shock of our fingers touching makes him groan. His eyes are now semi-black, but they return to their natural stormy silver when Martha appears with his order. Extremely flushed, and highly aroused, I let her know that I'm going to the bathroom out back.

I barely make it inside before a strong force hits me, pressing me hard against the door, which causes my head to start throbbing from the blow. "The old man isn't here to protect you anymore Hawthorne," a feminine voice spits maliciously before I'm blasted by another heavy blow.

*◇*

Groaning, I turn to move. Big mistake, my head pounding from my sudden movement. "Damn," I mumble to myself.

"Maureen!" My mom shouts, gently urging me back to lie down. "Take it, easy honey, the doctor said no sudden movements, or you'll tear your stitches open."

"Mom, what happened?" I croaked out, my throat feeling extremely dry. She places a cup with a bendy straw on my lips, and I greedily drink the fluid.

"You were magically attacked, baby. The doctor wanted to keep you here for overnight observation." I'm informed. Before I can freak out about being in the hospital, someone steps inside the bland-looking room.

"Ah, how's the patient doing?" The slender man in a white coat inquires.

"She seems to be doing fine Dr. Jacobs," my mother responds, fidgeting a bit in her seat.

"Well, I'd love to hear that from the patient herself," he retorts with a smile.

"I'm okay, except for this major headache I have going on," I answer honestly.

"Hmmm, that's why I insist you stay here for the night." He said, sitting on a stool beside the bed while checking my heart, pulse, and blood pressure. "Well, you seem to be doing quite fine; the headache will go away in a day or two. Nothing to be concerned about," he reassures us.

"Omar- Oh, I see you're up." Alpha Parker says. "How're you feeling?" He asks genuinely.

"I'm doing fine Alpha Parker, thank you for asking," I replied, casting my eyes downward like an obedient slave is supposed to in the presence of an alpha.

"Good. Now Martha can stop hounding Vincent, and he can stop hounding me." He chuckles, bringing life to his ruggedly handsome features.

A throat clears, and all our heads swivel in the direction of the sound."Dante, my friend! I see you've been coaxed into being here too," Parker teased.

"Hey Adrian, not really. I just came to see how my pack member is doing." He mumbles, looking me straight in the eye. My mother scoffs, but they ignore her. She dislikes Dante's family very much, his mother Bridgette; I can surely understand.

"She's doing okay. Right now she just needs to rest for the next three days to be in the clear." The doctor repeated his earlier statement. "So with all due respect to the alphas, please leave. My patient needs her rest." He orders but still bows his head respectfully.

Both Dante and Adrian nod their understanding, then leave. My mom entered and tucks me in like she did when I was a child.

"You scared me, baby,” She says kissing my forehead. “I'll see you first thing in the morning." Leaving quietly as possible with a whispered: "I love you."

"I love you too mamma," I reply. Looking at me one last time, she shuffles out of the room."Mom, I thought you—" I begin when I hear the door creak open. I don't need to say anything, I just let myself be embraced by the wall of muscles.

"I'm sorry," he mumbles.

"It's not your fault Dante," I respond.

"I know; it's that Michaelson chick's fault." He growls, "She's the one who attacked you with her powers." He says, starting to shake. His clenched teeth grind together as he speaks.

"You mean; Jasmine Michaelson did this to me?" I ask his only response the tightening of his hold on me.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." He promises.

"No, it's okay. The last thing you need is to get involved in a witch brawl." I reason.

"Yea, well she's a part of Hunter's pack. Which makes it my business," he insists.

Sighing, "Dante please, just drop it." I plead.

"Okay, I'll let it go this time. Only for you." He begrudgingly mutters.

"Thank you, now cuddle with me until I fall asleep," I order, and he chuckles.

The Hunter Wild Wolves pack is scum. They are the dirtbags in the entire Rosewood. They are the most disgusting kind, especially their Luna, Leona. She's power-hungry and vicious. Their pack thrives on power and status, treating anyone lower than them like absolute dirt. They’re not even that skilled at anything except for deceit and torture. Not to mention having the backing of the Michaelson Coven. There’s no use mixing it up with them because it'll only alert the ones after us of our location. And that's the last thing my mom and I need right now.

Snuggling into Dante's warmth, I close my eyes counting myself lucky that I'm still alive.