Chapter 2 ~ Loud Man in the Corner

Aaron Steele’s POV ~

I am not looking forward to meeting the council tonight! Didn’t want them here, at the Pack House, so I agreed to a dinner meeting at Ernesto’s.. that brought a smile! Ernie is no more an Ernesto than I am King. But, he said it sounds more prestigious! My stepbrother has grandiose ideas!

My beta, Gavin, walks in dragging a whining gamma behind him.. I ask “What, Evan? What now? You are going to this dinner with us…whether you like it or not! You have had a migraine.. ptomaine poisoning.. an ingrown toenail.. And a toothache.. so far today. What new ailment have you come up with?” He grumbles “Fine! Never mind, then!”

Gavin shakes his head “He regresses every day.. this time, next month, you’ll have a full grown Toddler on your hands!” I smirk and tell him “I’m ready to join the ptomaine bandwagon, myself! I do Not want to listen to those four old men preach about my love life.. or lack thereof.”

Evan asks “Are all five of the council showing up?” I shake my head again “Councilman Edward is not coming. Didn’t ask why..because I simply do not care!” Gavin says “Fuck! He’s the only one I like” while Evan agrees…saying “Same”

I dress in a dark gray suit.. white shirt and light blue silk tie. Figured I’d wear the tie to show off my dark hair and ice blue eyes. It always surprises people when I shift into Artemis.. he is the only snow white male wolf in existence…he is more powerful and smarter than any other wolf. No one knows why he is a white wolf.. but it is by the Goddess’s design.. so that makes us a proud pair!

We head out to meet these jackasses at the restaurant.. and Evan is singing some stupid song by what sounds like a little girl.. after a minute or so, Gavin snaps “I am going to hit you baby! One. More. Time!” And for some reason, that struck me as funny enough to lift my entire mood!

Gavin looks over at me, with a sly look.. “Wonder if Amy is on shift tonight?” I groan out my frustration “Goddess! I hope not! Fuck a girl one time, and she becomes a leech! My patience is nonexistent, as it is.. So let’s pray she’s not there!”

Arriving at the restaurant, I see all the councilmen waiting in front..and I check my watch. They’re early! Which only means one thing! Impatient fuckers! They always show up early when they’re preparing a verbal battle. They best hope they have their big girl panties on.. because I don’t see this going well!

Walking in, Amy is right up in our faces..and I groan, inwardly, this time. She takes us to the roped off dining area, reserved for elite customers and drops the menus. She takes our drink order and walks over to the bar..”Four whiskey sours.. Apple Crown Royal and seven.. two bottles domestic. Need me to write it down, Elf girl?!” The girl snaps her head up and snarls quietly “Disrespect me again and you won’t be able to write at all!” Interesting!!

Our food was delivered and the councilmen started talking.. Mitchell says “We are wanting your help with a particular problem.. It seems the witches have discovered a mirrored portal from the Kingdom of DullenDirk in the Elf Realm. There hasn’t been any reports of elf sightings, but we fear it’s only a matter of time. We don’t need any Blood Elves sneaking up here.. stealing witches and wolves for their blood!”

I asked “Wait? You think it’s Blood Elves? Why would they risk such a thing? Two centuries ago, we almost wiped them completely out! I need to see this portal!”

Then Glen says “We also want to talk about your mate..” I interrupted him and asked “You’ve found her?” He stutters and stammers out “What? No! But…” and I interrupted him again “But.. then, there’s nothing to discuss! I haven’t found her..and when I do.. You will be the last people I tell!”

I looked around for Amy.. needing water and coffee brought to the table for the dessert.. Didn’t see her, so I asked the other server to help me out. She nodded and scurried off.

Deep in conversation, I didn’t see the other girl come back with a pitcher of water, I did however see Amy speed walking in her direction. The next thing I knew, Jeffrey was screaming at the top of his lungs to see the manager… which.. okay, he’s a little soaked.. but this poor girl is practically vibrating in fear..and Amy is calling her every name in the book… accusing her of trying to steal her tips..

I watch the whole thing and realize, somehow, Amy orchestrated this entire symphony! The other girl is shaking and absolutely terrified. I don’t like that! It certainly shines a whole new light on the kind of person Amy really is!

I asked the girl quietly.. “Will you please bring your manager for the very loud man in the corner?”