The Alpha and Her Hunter

close up early today. She had barely slept last night, and visions of her bed swam before her eyes. She dus

strained against his grey, heathered long-sleeve tee. His hair was a thick, chestnut brown

ht to be that handsome. She patted her auburn braid, assuring that noth

t you?” she asked.

, and two small chai teas, please,”

hing for a moment. A jolt of electricity shot through her and goosebumps rippled across her arm. She

a glimmer of recognition causing them to harden. She felt taken aback by the coldness that emanated from him. She felt a small gr

settling into the base of her throat. She saw his own nostrils

é was her livelihood and she couldn’t afford even one bad review. She wasn’t going to let some asshole from out of town ruin wh

smile and he tipped his hat towards her, balancing precariously on his wooden cane. Willow felt the stranger’s eyes burning into th

stmas?” Mr. Schwartz barked, toddling up to the stranger. They exchanged a he

d up a few summer classes. I haven’t been able to steal away until now,” he replied. W

he weak, milky tea that Mr. Schwartz preferred, listening intently to the discussion. Paren

king of which, I better get her tea to her soon

top by the library before you he

ould drive into Graycott for his coffee from now on. The two men said their goodbyes and Garin left. He shot one last look

e pushed the lukewarm

favorite stool that Willow kept free for him. She began closing down the café, ready to be home and she could use

ned as she mopped the floor b

patron, so I got lost in my research, I’m

edly, hanging the mop on the

seemed to be waiting for her to ask

to lock up,” his wrinkled face brightened, and she

Women of the Moon,” her hands froze above

er heart slowed from its desperate march. It was common for people to get

ed his empty cup from the table and

round the corner. She turned her face up into the waning sunlight. The crisp smell of the coming autumn floated on the breeze. Garin’s scent was s

s time of day where the day and night warred over the sky. The golden hour some call

cash and tucked it into the bank envelope. She would put it in the dropbox on her

r face when she saw Garin

ispered aloud as i