Vulnerable

Cristy slammed the order down on the counter in front of Michelle. She was flipping hamburgers as she stood there. "What wrong?" Michelle noticed and asked.

"William is acting pretty possessive," said Cristy. Lily grinned at her before carrying the order she was holding back outdoors.

"Sweetheart, the alpha isn't acting. He's a possessive person. Every werewolf has a strong desire to be the center of attention. Our family has a history of it. Nothing can be done about it." Michelle assembled the burgers after hastily skimming the order.

"Because of his inclination to be possessive, I don't think I can deal with him. I am a member of the human race. I'm not wired to put up with the disrespect he's showing me. That is not my character."

"My perception is that you're always complaining, Cristy. Moaning women turn men off."

"The what do men enjoy?"

Cristy jumped from the counter's top. She had to take a moment to relax. Michelle glared at her with sternness. Before she left the counter to prepare the order, Cristy took the beverages.

"In which case, are we talking about werewolf or human men?" One woman wanted to know.

Cristy pondered the question for a brief moment. She said, "werewolf men," in a whisper.

The woman chuckled. "I see, You're the alpha's mate."

"I don't want to. In fact, I don't want to be with him."

"So?" Michelle said while looking at them.

"I've never been romantically involved with someone. A werewolf man's desires are beyond my comprehension; I'm not even sure what a human man's desires are."

"Take a deep breath and stop over thinking things. William is a decent human being who deserves our respect. He isn't always a wolf, though. I'm sure he'll be happy to learn how to be your adorable puppy dog."

Cristy cracked out as she pictured William as a cute little puppy. In no way, shape, or form could that enormous man be compared to a dog at all.

"Things are a little different for them," Michelle said.

"What's different?" Cristy sipped on some of her drink.

"To begin with, you do not possess a rational mind of your own. When a couple accepts each other as they are, a connection grows. In our relationship, we're always aware of one other's whereabouts. Even in the form of our thoughts, we are able to communicate."

Cristy sighed, "That's a little unnerving." Cristy couldn't hear William. They're completely unrelated.

"When we get together, it's for good. It's a long-standing custom in this town. Vampires, on the other hand, are feared hounds."

Cristy burst into a fit of giggles. Michelle had completed laying out the rules of mating for a full day. "Thank you for making me aware of this."

She snatched the tray off the table. The table was patiently waiting for her in the corner. William was staring at her as she walked by.

Each of their orders was handed out by her alone, with no help from the males at the table. Keeping track of who ordered what was a challenge. After dispersing the final beverage can, Cristy rose to her feet.

"You did a great job, Miss, remembering who ordered that." The one man said, "You'll be rewarded with a substantial gratuity."

"I'm happy to hear that. But I don't need a money," Cristy said.

"Anything you like?" he responds.

For the sake of her other clients, Cristy ignored them. There was a long pause before any of the pack members approached the humans.

Lily appeared harassed as well as she strained to follow the pack's instructions.

"It's finally calmed down. Today has been a good eating day for them," Lily said.

"The following full moon night. They eat till they are stuffed to the gills." Cristy was particularly concerned about how loud she spoke so as not to annoy the other visitors. At Dim Forest, there was just one rule and it was sacred. Outside of Dim Forest, no one knew anything about the pack. William made it a point to enforce the restriction every time someone entered the area.

It wasn't long until Matt and his companion made their way into the restaurant.

They were sitting down when she noticed that Matt caressing his partner. He didn't want to stay separated from her for long, and she could tell. His thoughtfulness was appreciated by her. He massaged his partner's face before he turned to face Cristy.

Cristy aimed the pen's tip at the onlookers while holding it close to her mouth.

"Are they still here?" he inquired.

"Yes."

"It's important to remember that not everyone in the pack is a monster." He cradled his mate in his arms. "Being with your mate is the best thing that can happen."

Cristy felt a sense of longing. She craved the affection she saw. She rose from the table and placed her hand on her chest.

Cristy walked out of the restaurant, making her way to the back and away from the center of business as far as she could get. Taking several calm breaths, she leaned against the nearest tree and rested her chin on the branch. "I am unable to perform this. I'm not even close to being a match for him. The way he looks at me isn't like that." Cristy said to herself.

The sky above her calmed her down as she took a deep breath.

"What precisely are you doing here?" William inquired about the situation.

At this point in time, she turned to face the man who was causing her problems.

"What do you want ?"

"This is a dangerous place for you to be alone."

"What? Why? I've been there ever since I was sixteen years old. Dim Forest is the safest place in the town."

"That makes me happy to hear."

When Cristy saw his grin, she was outraged.

"Dim Forest is full of werewolves." She inquired, "How is it possible that this location is not the safest place?"

William's grin faded as he realized that he had made a mistake. "I don't like the idea of you serving those men."

"Accept it and move forward. Because I have to."

Cristy tried to push him, but William caught her arm in his clenched fist. When William fingertips touched her skin, something in Cristy's sparked. While Cristy staring at his bare chest, she wondered whether there would ever be a day when he wouldn't make her feel vulnerable.