Chapter 10 Sydney

Chapter 10 Sydney

 

 

“Look at that, a perfect fit.” Macy smiled broadly. “It’s a sign.”

I studied myself in the full-length mirror she pulled out of the closet. The borrowed waitress’s uniform fit as if it was made for me. The blue and black striped dress epitomized a 50s diner waitress costume. I liked it. “What kind of sign?”

“That you belong here. Not just at this diner, but in New Orleans.”

Macy’s kind words didn’t comfort me because I still reeled from being rejected by my mate and my mother’s pack. It had been a week since the humiliating incident at the Moon Guardian’s compound, and the sting of rejection still lingered. I’d spent the week trying to distract myself from thoughts of Cole Grayson by focusing on my survival.

Though I was terrified of the hunter finding me if I stayed in one place for too long, I couldn’t make a move without money. Macy came to the rescue and offered me a job. Today, my one-week probation was up, and I got the privilege of donning the uniform.

Smoothing my palms over my skirt, I forced out a smile. “I’m not so sure I belong in this city. I’m not sure where I belong.” Discovering I was half-human and half-werewolf caused a major identity crisis. I’d always had the feeling of not belonging. Now, the feeling was ten times worse. I was hunted by humans, and werewolves wanted nothing to do with me. I didn’t belong on any side of the fence.

Macy’s intent gaze was disconcerting. When she looked at me like that, I felt as if she could read my mind. “Give it some time, Sydney. Things will fall into place.”

“I sure hope so.” I laughed nervously. “Because I definitely can’t go back to Nebraska.”

“Why not?”

Averting my gaze away from her assessing one, I mentally cursed myself for letting that slip. So far, I haven’t seen any sign of the scary hunter I met several days ago. Maybe I was safe here for now, but the less Macy knew, the better. I had to protect her.

“My aunt died before I left home, and my uncle-in-law and I have never been on great terms.” At least I wasn’t outright lying. Other than not wanting to get hacked to death by blade-wheeling werewolf hunters, Uncle Sam did warn me to stay away.

“I’m sorry. Before you know it, you’ll have your life together here. Think of your new beginning as a big adventure.”

It was an adventure, alright. A confusing, depressing, and extremely dangerous one. “Yeah.” I glanced around the tiny office and makeshift bedroom that Macy allowed me to stay in until I had enough money to get my own place. “Thanks for letting me crash here.”

“No problem. It’s barely enough space to turn around in, but it’s cozy. I stayed here a lot when I took over from Mom and was working tirelessly to get the business back on track.”

I noticed that when Macy mentioned her mother, there was always a bit of resentment in her tone. While she pretended to be an open book, I could tell she had secrets. But she was a kind soul, so I bet on her secrets not being sinister—unlike mine, which was life-threatening.

“With the tips I made Thursday night, I calculate I’ll be out of your space in three more weeks.” Macy allowed me to work a night shift for my training, and the tips were awesome. “That is if you’ll let me and Shannon exchange shifts.”

She huffed and sat behind her desk to open a drawer. “We already talked about this, and the answer is still no.”

“But Macy—”

“No, Sydney.

“What’s the big deal? Shannon has been begging to exchange with me.” One of the other waitresses only worked nights because she’d been going to school during the day. Since she graduated months ago, she’s been wanting to change to day shifts. Shannon said the nighttime customers creep her out. The only reason she endured the night shifts was the hefty tips, which helped her with school. Now that she didn’t need the extra money, she was happy to work in the days instead. I was in dire need of fast money, and the night shifts would undoubtedly help.

“You’ve been here one week. The people that come in at certain hours are…” She sighed. “I just prefer that you stay hidden.”

My eyes narrowed to slits. I was more convinced than ever that most of the diners that came in when the sun went down weren’t totally human. I was thinking Macy operated a supernatural hangout hot spot in the night. I was almost sure that if I told her about my werewolf lineage, she wouldn’t call me crazy. However, she had yet to tell me anything about what went on here at night, and I decided I’d give her time to trust me enough to tell me later.

“I get that the nighttime customers are weird. I don’t mind it at all.” As long as they kept their hands…or paws, claws, and teeth to themselves, and as long as they continued dropping huge tips, I didn’t care what species they were. “I’m a weirdo myself, so I’d be perfect for the night shift.”

Macy laughed. “You’re not a weirdo.”

I snorted. If only she knew. “Come on, Macy.” I pressed my palms together and gave her a beseeching stare. I pouted as hard as I could. “I need this. I won’t disappoint you, I promise. I’ll work harder than anyone you’ve ever hired. You’ll get a much-needed break. I see how much you work at night. I’ll take on the brunt of the work so you can stay in the kitchen.” She’d been working overtime because she hadn’t hired a new chef yet.

Macy gazed at me with mild annoyance until she laughed. “Okay! Stop giving me the sad puppy face. You’ve got the night shifts. You can switch with Shannon starting next week.”

“Yes! Thank you. I’m going to get to work.” I backed to the door, pointing at her. “You’re the best.”

She rolled her eyes.

Backing into the hallway, I closed the door and let out a happy squeal. This was good. I’d have my own apartment in no time. Macy was right, and things would fall into place. As long as there were no hunters in sight, I’d stay here and try to have a semblance of a normal life.

Now that I had my lack of money and living arrangement issues solved, I could focus on reaching out to Cole. I had a right to know why he and the pack hated me. Plus, what he’d said about my mother being a traitor caused a few sleepless nights. I’d read and re-read my mom’s and Aunt Lydia’s letters searching for answers. I’d get them from the Alpha. If he thought I was just going to go away, he was mistaken.

***

When I walked into The Apex, the receptionist that greeted me last time didn’t look at me with pity or disgust. This time, when she gave me a once-over, her smile was one of approval. I didn’t look like a bum this time around. I looked like I belonged in the posh environment in my slacks, silk blouse and blazer, and high heels. The tops were loans from Macy. I couldn’t splurge on nice clothes yet since I was saving every cent to rent an apartment.

“Hey, welcome back,” she said.

“Hello.” Before she could ask how she could help, I said, “I’m heading up to Mr. Grayson’s office.”

She nodded, and I headed to the elevator. I squared my shoulders. I meant business this evening, and I was dressed like it. I even had on lipstick. Aunt Lydia always put on makeup when she was about to face something difficult. She always said, “When I put on my war paint, I feel empowered, like I can kick anyone’s ass.”

The memory made me laugh out loud, but it also brought up a pang of pain. I missed her so much. Lydia was quite the character. My spunky, smart-mouthed, courageous aunt taught me to be strong like her, and that’s why I was back in Cole’s territory to face him.

When I got out of the elevator, I marched to Moon Guardian Private Security with purpose. Violet was behind her counter, tapping away at her phone. She inhaled when the door opened, and her head snapped up. My guess was she knew it was me before she saw me. Now that I knew what she was, I knew she probably memorized my scent.

“Violet,” I greeted.

Her eyebrows snapped together. “Sydney, what are you doing here?”

“I think you know.”

She nibbled her lower lip and then sighed. “He’s busy.”

“I’ll wait.”

Looking skyward, she said, “He doesn’t want to see you.”

“Tough. He owes me an explanation. I’m his mate.”

Violet stepped around the counter; her expression was stormy. “You showed up at our compound to see the Alpha, and you brought a weapon.”

My shoulders sagged. “I know it looked bad, but that dagger wasn’t mine. I stole it from someone who tried to use it on me.”

The accusation in her eyes lessened slightly. “How do I know you’re not lying?”

I held her gaze. Maybe if I were transparent with her, she’d help me once again. “You’re one of two people who helped me out when I arrived in this city. You’re a nice person, and I can see that. I’m in trouble, and that’s why I came looking for my mother’s people. I wasn’t expecting to find a mate. I just want to survive, for Christ’s sake! I thought I’d get help from the Moon Guardian pack.”

She completely deflated with her heavy sigh. “Even if I get you an audience with the Alpha again, I doubt he’ll change his mind about…accepting you.” Her gaze lowered to the floor. If she felt bad about her Alpha being an ass to his mate, I felt worse. I was the one he turned his back on.

“I have to try. He owes me answers. Us girls have to stick together, right?” That was what Macy had said to me. Hopefully, it worked on Violet.

She snorted. “If you try any funny business, that’s my ass. I got an earful when you showed up on our compound with a hunter’s weapon. I suffered for helping you.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t show up to hurt anyone. I forgot the dagger was in my backpack.”

She blew out her breath and crossed her arms over her chest.

“You don’t believe me, and I get it. You don’t know me. But come on, Violet, you think I’d be stupid enough to walk into the middle of a werewolf pack alone, ready to wield a weapon? I’d be torn to shreds.”

“No, you don’t strike me as stupid,” she said. We had a stare-down until she relented. “Damn it, Cole is going to kill me for this.”

“You two seem awfully close,” I blurted. God, the jealousy was evident in my tone.

Violet lifted an eyebrow. “He’s like my brother. A bossy pain in my ass, brother who is going to wring my neck for bringing to you to his private office.”

I pursed my lips to hide my triumphant smile for winning this battle. “Thank you, Violet.”

“Thank me later if I survive defying my Alpha,” she grumbled. “Come on.” She led me back outside the office and toward another elevator. “You’re lucky I’m a hopeless romantic. I’ve been trying to get Cole to have a love life for years.”

I glanced at her. “He rejected me. Although, I’m not even entirely sure what all of that means for him or me.” All I knew for certain was that it hurt so much that I felt like I’d never recover from the heartbreak.

“Things didn’t get off to a good start between you two, but I’m holding on to hope. Damian already screwed up his chance at happiness. I won’t let Cole do the same.”

Violet was grumbling under her breath—maybe not even talking to me, but I was curious. “Damian is the scary bodyguard, right?”

She laughed. “In the pack, he’s referred to as the Beta.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know what that meant, but I’d find out.

“Who is he to you?”

“My brother. Not like Cole,” she added. “Damian is my biological brother, and I don’t like him very much sometimes.”

“Well, he does look terrifying.”

She snorted. “Irritating is more like it.”

I hoped I didn’t have to see Damian again. As the elevator ascended, a heavy dose of anxiety hit me. The last thing I wanted to do was put myself in a position to be rejected again, but I had to if I was going to get information.