Page 3 of Echo Of A Wolf

Well, it definitely was. Not only were conversations from everyone filling my ears but also the low-playing music through the overhead speakers and the grinding of beans.

Could I work in all this noise, though?

I’d spent so much time alone at home in silence that all of this seemed like sensory overload. While I’d wanted to have noise in the background while I worked, now I wondered if staying home, making my own coffee, and listening to a coffee shop background track on my computer while working wasn’t a better idea. At least then I could pause it if it got to be too distracting.

This—there was no pausing this.

I closed my eyes for a second to get my bearings but was jostled from the side by a man talking loudly on his phone as he plowed right into me. Obviously, he hadn’t seen me standing there at all. My raven ruffled her feathers, not liking being here anymore than I did. It seemed like deciding to work from here today had been a bad move.

Nope. No!

I wasn’t about to let one jerk ruin my coffee shop work date with myself. I was already here, so this was happening.

Pulling in a few steady, measured breaths, I calmed myself. When I finally reached the counter, I ordered my usual—a large Americano—and moved to the side to wait. Closing my eyes once more, I attempted to soak in the atmosphere, letting it seep into my bones. Now that I was calmer, things seemed less overwhelming. The chatter of conversations sounded muted. The music was relaxing. And the hiss of the espresso machine actually sounded funny, causing a slight smile to twist my lips.

I needed this, I thought as I exhaled slowly.

When I opened my eyes, I spotted that a table in the corner had opened up. Perfect timing. I could sit and write there for a few hours.

“Large Americano,” Cassie, the barista, called out.

I turned to grab my coffee and head to the open table, but a man grabbed my coffee before I could.

“Hey, that was mine,” I snapped, shocked he was trying to steal it.

“No. It’s not,” he growled back, his words carrying a condescending tone. “I ordered this.”

“A large Americano?” I demanded, my gaze never wavering from the coffee thief. He nodded slowly as though I were a small child and irritation sparked through me. “Well, congratulations for enjoying the same coffee order as I do, but that one was mine. I was here before you.”

“And what makes you think that?”

“Because I’ve been standing here waiting on it and never once noticed you doing the same,” I said.

The man narrowed his eyes, his mouth twisting into a deep frown. Something flickered through his expression and then he gave me a strange look. Half a heartbeat later, I understood why.

He had been one of Lucius’s pawns, too.

I recognized him now. His name was Dean and he was a wolf shifter, but other than that, I didn’t know much about him.

We continued to stare at one another. His jaw clenched as distrust or anger—maybe both—pooled through piercing blue eyes.

“Fine, take it.” He thrust the cup toward me before storming away.

I stood there, coffee in hand, staring after him.

“Large Americano,” Cassie called out tentatively. When I glanced at her, she flashed me a sympathetic smile. “This one’s yours,” she whispered, pointing to it.

Mortification rolled through me.

I’d chewed him out for nothing. In front of everyone.

Crap.

My gaze scanned those around me as my face flamed. It was clear from the way everyone stared at me that they’d heard me act like a freaking psycho over a coffee.

“Thanks,” I muttered, grabbing the coffee that was mine while still holding Dean’s.

I headed for the exit. Open table be damned. There was no way I was staying here for another minute. Not when I could feel everyone’s eyes still on me.

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