Page 9 of Claimed By the Hunter

“Be right back.”

Nicole packed up the cookie and poured a glass of water. She set everything down on the table. “Here you go. I’m Nicole, by the way,” she said and held out her hand.

The woman shook her hand. “My name is Tamara.”

“It’s nice to meet you. Have you lived here your whole life?”

The woman nodded.

When she didn’t say anything more, Nicole smiled. “That’ll be three dollars.”

Tamara handed her the money.

“Thank you. I hope you enjoy the cookies.”

Nicole turned and walked off, but she had the crazy feeling the woman was throwing daggers at her from her eyes. When she turned to put the money into the register, she glanced at the table, and the woman quickly lowered her head. Within a minute, the woman stood and walked out of the store.

“Now that’s strange,” Simone said.

Nicole looked at her. “What?”

“I asked the woman if she wanted anything, but she just shook her head. I didn’t push. I just said to call us if she needed anything. Then you come in, and she’s ready to order. Not only that, but the hateful looks she gave you were intense.”

Nicole shrugged. “I have no idea what her problem is with me, but I know I’ve never seen her before.”

Simone patted her shoulder. “I would tell Hunter if I were you.”

Nicole nodded. “Maybe I will.”

She heard Simone go into the back room as she stared out the window. Nicole hoped the woman would come back so she could ask her.

Right now, she had work to do and very little time before the asshole came for her again.

Nicole grinned. She wouldn’t have asked for a better man. She just wouldn’t tell him that for a while.

Chapter Six

The woman came in a few times the following week and glared at Nicole before she bought a pastry and then left abruptly.

“Have you told your mate about her yet?” Simone asked.

She shook her head. “No. I keep forgetting.”

“You need to tell him as soon as you can,” Brenna told her.

“I will today.”

For the next few hours, they took care of customers. Nicole could feel the mating heat start to grow and knew it wouldn’t be long before Hunter came through the door. Several minutes went by, and he had yet to come to her. She pressed on her stomach.

Brenna came to her and put an arm around her. “He’ll be here.”

Nicole nodded.

The phone rang, and Simone answered it. A few words were said before she hung up and turned to her with a worried expression.

“What?” Nicole asked. She felt the desire rise, at the same time, she felt fear. “He’s okay, right?”

“Yes.” Simone walked over and squeezed her arm. “One of the pack was killed, and another was missing. Hunter is trying to get away, Aspen said. But it might take several minutes. He said moving around as much as possible will lessen the pain a bit.”

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