Page 15 of Alpha's Runaway Mate

His face still held traces of worry. Leo was perceptive. For his age, he was a really smart kid. He could always tell when something bothered me, and I couldn’t exactly unload all my problems to a child, so I had to switch up the conversation.

“So, are you ready for school?” I ruffled his hair, an act which always made him giggle. Then I smoothed out a crease in his shirt. Leo had been officially enrolled in the pack’s school and he couldn’t have been more excited. This morning, he was up before me, though I hadn’t slept much all night as I tossed and turned over Kaine.

He nodded his head enthusiastically. “I’m ready.”

“That’s my good boy. I’ve got something for you.” My hands dug into the back pocket of my jeans and I brought a protectiveamulet my father had given me. He’d said my mother wore it all the time until her passing.

At first, he seemed unfazed by the amulet when I handed it to him. But after I explained its significance, he promised to cherish it and never lose it.

Soon, we were out of the house, heading to his school. The air was crisp that morning as we walked hand in hand. The streets were mostly empty save for the few people mowing their lawns or just staring at the latest town arrival—me.

Once we got to the school grounds which were buzzing with kids laughing and running about, I could barely keep a hold of Leo long enough to say goodbye as he bounced up and down in excitement. It was nice to see how quickly he was adapting to Crescent Valley, like he’d always belonged here. And in some twisted way, he did.

******

The bell above the glass door chimed as I stepped inside the mostly empty diner. Nothing had changed. The concrete floor was still faded, the countertop still bore the same dents and scuffs, and the smell of coffee and bacon still filled the air. I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me, and I closed my eyes to revel in the feeling of being back.

“Lyra Winters?” a familiar voice called from behind me, and I turned around to see Mr. Randolf, balancing a tray of used dishes and mugs in his hand. Despite being the owner of the diner, he always took the first shift every day, making sure to open at the crack of dawn to accommodate the early breakfast crowd.

His eyes widened in surprise before his face split into a wide grin. “Well, I’ll be damned. It is you. What’s it been? Five years?”

“Six, Mr. Randolf. Six years.” I returned the smile, stepping forward to relieve him of the tray.

“Ah, thanks, kiddo.” He rested his hands on his hips, a sign of age creeping in, before giving a quick stretch.

Once I set the tray down on the counter, I wrapped him in a brief hug. “It’s good to see you,” I said warmly.

He chuckled. “It’s good to see you, too, Lyra. How long are you back for?”

“Um…” The question caught me off guard, and I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Noticing this, he draped a hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Doesn’t matter, kiddo. However long it is, you’re always welcome here.”

“As a customer or as one of your employees?” I laid it on thick. It was the reason I was here, after all—to ask for my old job back. There weren’t many people who would want to hire me, so Mr. Randolf was my first and only hope for employment.

Werewolf shifters don't take kindly to the ones who abandon the pack. I was sort of like a black sheep among them, and no one was going to hire a black sheep.

Mr. Randolf chuckled knowingly. “You know me, Lyra. I could always use an extra hand. Especially when it comes to my two favorite girls.”

By two favorite girls, he meant Isolde and me.

“Speaking of Isolde, where is she?” I asked.

“She’s not coming in today. Came down with something a few days ago so I gave her the week off.”

“Oh. I hope she’s doing better now.” I glanced around the diner and then back at him. “Why don’t you go rest in your office while I take over from here?”

“Oh dear, you don’t have to start work immediately. I figure you still have other matters to attend to.” The twinkle in his eyes told me that “other matters” referred to Kaine.

I shrugged my shoulders. “On the contrary. I’ve got nothing but time.”

“Well then, if you insist.” He smiled warmly, then gave me another hug. I’m glad to have you back, Lyra.”

“Me, too, Mr. Randolf.”

Familiar with the business, I slipped into the back to grab an apron. It felt surreal being back here, as if time had stopped in Crescent Valley while I’d been out there, living a whole other life. But as I put on the apron and tied it around my waist, a sense of normalcy settled in, something I hadn’t felt in years.

I went about the day doing the familiar routine of wiping down tables, serving food and drinks, collecting tips from customers, and exchanging pleasantries with long-time regulars. It felt good to be back, though it would have been better with my friend, chatting and singing along to the music that played in the background. I made a mental note to get some soup and check on Isolde later in the day, perhaps after picking Leo from school, so she could meet my son.

I worked the entire morning shift until the next employee came in some time around noon. I’d wanted to stick around a little longer, but Mr. Randolf urged me to take a break.

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