The Alpha Wants Everything Book 2 The Devil's Baker

….grrRrRrRRRrRrRrrr….SELFISH, SELFISH. SHE IS NOT SELFISH. I’M GONNA RIP THAT SUCCUBITCH TO PIECES! ….grrRrRrRRRrRrRrrr…. Odin was enraged. Adonis had to move away from the door, the growls in his head were starting to slip through. His eyes engulfed in flames, he let Odin go some more before he had to reign him in. The sister has to go! ….grRRrRRRrRRrr…. We can make it look like an accident! We’ll call that plan B! How do we get rid of it? I don’t know….yet! The timer to one of the ovens went off yanking him out of his thoughts and Odin’s rage. That things fucking loud! Odin snarled in his head. Turning it off quickly, he gave his head a shake. What are we gonna do? We’re going to the festival. When that succubitch inevitably blows her off, we’ll be there! What if she doesn’t? Then we’ll join them. Our tiny dancer is first and foremost our top priority! And the succubitch? Will be put in her fucking place! No one fucks with our lil button! Stop calling her little button! Stop calling her tiny dancer! No! I get a name too! You’re such an idiot! He pulled out a batch of muffins and put in another one, turning the timer back on.

It was another ten minutes before Kenzi walked back into the bakery. Still reciting the same words in her head over and over again. Don’t feel it, don’t show it, don’t be a burden, it’s not important. Don’t feel it, don’t show it, don’t be a burden, it’s not important. Don’t feel it, don’t show it, don’t be a burden, it’s not important! She was so focused on rolling out the dough for the pie crust and the words running through her head, she didn’t hear Adonis calling her name.

“Kenzi….” Don’t feel it!

“Kenzi….” Don’t show it!

“Kenzi….” Don’t be a burden!

“Ken….” It’s not important! He could see she was fighting for control, she was fighting to keep it. What the fuck did her sister say to her that we didn’t hear? Wrapping one arm around her from behind and taking the rolling pin from her hands. She finally looked up at him.

“Sweetheart if you keep rolling that dough, you’re going to roll it through the table” she looked down at the table and at what she did, and started scraping the table to reroll the dough.

“Are you ok?” He asked, his concern growing he has seen many looks in her eyes but this is the first time he’s ever seen them so lost.

“Huh? Yeah, yeah, yes….yes….yes, it’s ok, it’s ok. It’s fine, it’s fine, I’m not important, it’s not important. You wanted to ask me some-thing?” She said, looking up at him blinking. What the fuck did she just say? She’s not important? She’s not important! His mind was reeling from that comment. How many times has she heard that? With how easily it left her mouth, he could only assume a lot. He had to take several deep breaths to calm his mind and the raging beast in his head, before he could speak.

“What colour did you want the frosting for the cupcakes?” He asked, his voice tight. He never wanted to hear that come out of her mouth again. He had to think of another way to make her stop saying that. I vote for kissing! Shut up!

“Frosting...for...the...cupca….the colours not in there already?” She asked, looking rather confused. The fuck did that bitch say? Odin growled.

“No, are you sure you’re ok sweetheart?” He lifted her chin so she would look at him. She was fighting to not show what she was feeling, to bury it deep inside of her.

“Yeah, it’s ok, it’s not important. Um….colour for the cupcakes, blue, pink, green, yellow, and orange” she said, moving towards the mixers. She went to reach for the colouring and her back picked then to tense up and spasm. The air sucked out of her lungs as the pain tore through her. She cried out as her legs buckled under her and he caught her before she hit the ground.

“Ok sweetheart, I got you, I got you. Just let go, just let it all go” she clung to him, releasing small whimpers as pain surged through her body. He knew she was pushing herself too hard. Do it! It’ll hurt her more! Only for a small amount of time! Odin! She needs us, Adonis! He didn’t want to, he didn’t want to put her through anymore agony then she was already feeling, but he knew the bond would help her. It would ease the pain, and help with the healing. Lifting the back of her shirt to expose the bruise he brushed his hand over it. She gripped him tighter, muffling the cry that wanted to come out.

“I know it hurts sweetheart, just breathe, just breathe” he held her closer to him, placing his hand over the mark, she cried out again. It was excruciating, both pushing away and trying to pull towards him. The tears slipped down her face. It stole her breath and she was having trouble gaining control of it.

“I know sweetheart, I’m so sorry, just breathe, just breathe” he whispered in her ear over and over telling her to just breathe.

When her body started to shake against his, he wasn’t sure if it was from the pain she was feeling or the aftermath of the conversation she just had with Teagan. Whatever she was fighting, whatever control she was trying to keep was shattered. Her cries rang out through the bakery as her sobs raked through her body, she clutched tighter to him, griping hold of whatever piece of him she could, trying to get as close as possible. His heart was breaking, he held her tighter. The more she cried the more pain she felt, the more pain the more she cried. He held her closer to him, keeping his hand on her back and one around her. He let her get it out, let her feel whatever she was fighting to bury. When her cries finally turned into sniffles, she kept her face buried in his chest. He kissed the top of her head, her forehead, and the side of her face.

“I’m right here, I got you. I won’t let you go” he spoke, as long as she held onto him he would hold onto her. For as long as she needed to be there he would not let go. He would never let go. Though he wanted to know what her sister said, he didn’t want her to relive it. When one of the timers went off, he still didn’t let her go. Wrapping her legs around his waist and keeping his hand on her bruise he changed out the trays in the oven and put new ones in. Only then did she slightly lift her head from where she had her face hidden.

“I can multitask!” He simply stated. He felt her little giggle against him.

After the incident they got back to work in the kitchen, however he wouldn’t let her do anything that required her to bend, lift or reach. Though she was moving better, he was still concerned about her. A smile played on her face at his concern and the fuss he was making, the butterflies were doing back flips in her tummy. She assured him multiple times that she was really ok. And she was ok. She really was, after Adonis held her in his arms she felt warmth flow through her. Like a blanket of protection wrapped around her keeping her safe from all the cruel things her sister said. His embrace brought back the happy, pushing out all the sadness. There was no room for that in her tiny cocoon of happiness.

“Well, well, well. I would say I’m shocked to see you here, but I’m really not. I would be more shocked if you weren’t here.” Maggie’s voice rang out through the bakery at 7:30. He released a deep chuckle as he finished stocking one of the display cases.

“Good morning to you too Maggie” Adonis replied, turning to face her.

“Good morning Adonis. Do you work here now? If you did that would be great, someone to finally reach the top shelf” she asked grinning at him.

“Just helping out for the day. I like the bakery, it smells good” he said, his own grin on his face.

“The bakery smells good….or is it the baker that smells good?” She asked with a very straight face. His eyes snapped to hers, the grin falling from his face.

“Don’t look shocked that I know what you are. Your….size gives you away, though you are much larger than I thought you could be. There’s a handful of us that know your kind exists. We have been keeping it a secret for many years. Passed down from generation to generation.” He moved closer to the front counter where Maggie was standing.

“What are you talking about?” He asked,

“Wolves founded this town over a hundred years ago. They brought humans in to help keep their little secret, informing a few select families of what they were. A relationship based upon mutual trust. The pack that used to call this crater home moved further into the mountains and another pack took over. Things have gone to hell since” she replied.

“Do they know you know?” He asked,

“We don’t advertise it” She answered,

“Then why tell me?” Curious about what her answer would be. Maggie was nobody’s fool.

“Because you came here looking for something and I think you found it. Because a man’s actions speak louder than their words. Because a select few of us are tired of the status quo and things need to change. She doesn’t know, does she?” Maggie asked, pointing towards the kitchen, when he didn’t say anything she nodded her head with a knowing smile crossing her face.

“She is though, isn’t she?” This time it was his turn to smile. “Thought so. You took a very big interest in her the second you saw her. I stand by my original statement though, you hurt her and I’ll bury you deep.” Maggie said,

“You know of my kind Maggie, you know we are incapable of it” he replied, “Who else knows?” He asked after a moment.

“That’s a secret!” She replied,

“Patrick, your mate, he didn’t kick my boys out after they started fighting in the diner. Harvey divulged a lot of information to Jackson at the hardware store. Frank from the garage, and since I didn’t get a bail us out phone call the other night I’m going to say Joe from the bar and their respective mates. I’m also going to say the Chief, seeing how my fourth in command wasn’t arrested yesterday after his little….altercation” When she didn’t say anything he knew he had guessed correctly. “We did our research. The seven of you sit on the town council and you won’t let the trees be cut down or the land be developed. It was one of the other reasons I liked it here.”

“Husbands and wives, Mr. Bradshaw. Humans call them husbands and wives not mates. I am seeing more and more new faces in town these days” She said to him, arching her brow, he could only laugh.

“We also know the hardships of finding employees you all seemed to be having, though they don’t seem to be having those hardships anymore. My pack needed the jobs and they won’t be pushed around easily. Mutual trust Mrs. Wendall” he said, adding the last part when her brow arched higher.

“You’re going to flood the town, how many? And us not allowing the woods to be developed will make it harder for you to build a house.” Maggie replied,

“750 but we’re growing. I bought the old camp. Commercial land available for building on. The surrounding area will remain untouched.” He countered.

“Clever!” Maggie nodded then looked at him, an inquisitive expression upon her face. “That’s five minutes from where Kenzi lives, but you knew that?”

“Like I said we did our research, she is my mate after all” she grinned at him.

“You should go back to stocking the shelves. I’m gonna go say good morning to my honey child. And yes you have to share, we came first” Maggie moved from behind the counter.

“You know what I am and yet you still talk to me like that” He said, with a grin of his own.

“I know you’re the Alpha too. But I am too old, too tired and too set in my ways to change now. But it’s because of who she is that you let me get away with it.” Maggie replied with her own smile as she walked back towards the kitchen. Well this town just got more interesting Odin! I like her, she doesn’t take shit! No she doesn’t! You really think she’d bury us though! Let’s not find out! What would she do if she found out we weren’t just any Alpha and we don’t share? Bury us!

At 9:50 Kenzi walked into the doctor’s office for her appointment. Approaching the nurse’s station where the nurse sat, she couldn’t take her eyes off the fish tank and the floating blobs of colour staring mindlessly at her. She fought off the shudder that wanted to rip down her back as she watched them open and close their mouths.

“Hi Mrs. Rogers I’m here fo….”

“Sit down Kenzi, wait for your turn” Nurse Rogers barked at her scowling.

“I has an ap-ap-poi….”

“Sit. Down. Kenzi. And wait. Your. Turn. Someone will call you” The nurse cut her off again, scowling more this time. Kenzi shrank back from her and looked around the empty waiting room. She picked a chair furthest from both the nurse’s station and the fish tank to sit and wait. Her appointment was at ten, it shouldn’t be that long of a wait. She’d see the doctor, let him examine her and she would be back at the bakery for 10:30-11 the latest. She’d finish the falling stars she started this morning for the festival, then she’d work on some new recipes. At twenty after ten she approached the nurse again.

“Umm….Mrs….Nurse Rogers….” she started,

“Wait your turn Kenzi” again the nurse snapped at her.

“I’m sorry” Kenzi moved back to her chair. Maybe she’s just hungry, or is hasing a bad day! Kenzi thought. Nurse Rogers wasn’t the most friendly person at the best of times. She had a permanent scowl on her face, and her beady brown eyes held so much judgement in them.

She was another reason Kenzi avoided the doctor’s office. She wasn’t very nice when she lived at the orphanage and she’s only gotten meaner as the years went by. She’d rather be trapped in a room full of fish tanks than be in a room with that dragon lady, and fish freaked her out. How people thought they were calming was beyond her. They float there staring at you unblinking, watching your every move, not missing a single thing you do. They see everything, every mistake, every bad decision. They were unrelenting floating blobs of judgemental colour, moving their mouths open and closed, open and closed. The dream she had where she fell in the fish tank they started biting her. No matter what she did she couldn’t get out or away from them. Everytime they bit her she would get smaller and smaller until she was so small one of them swallowed her up. She woke up screaming that night and refused to go to the doctor or the dentist for a whole year. If she hadn’t fallen from the ladder and Maggie’s fry bribe she still wouldn’t be going to the doctor’s.

At eleven she tried the nurse again.

“Did anybody call you?” Nurse Rogers asked, her face getting red and her displeasure at the interruption evident in the tone of her voice.

“No!” Kenzi replied, shrinking in on herself, she felt smaller than she was under the scrutinizing gaze of the beadied eyed barracuda.

“Then it’s not your turn, now sit down and stop being such a burden” the nurse hissed at her.

“Ok! I’m sorry” Kenzi replied, her voice quiet, she put her head down. She didn’t mean to bother the nurse. She just wanted to make sure Dr. Martin knew she was there.

It was quarter after eleven when Maggie looked at her watch, Kenzi still wasn’t back yet. Before she could say anything, the bell above the door rang.

“Well good morning Mayor Winston. How are you today?” Adonis could hear the disdain dripping from her voice and the smile she wore was the fakest thing he has ever seen. So this is the Mayor, hmm interesting! Let’s bite him, he makes lil button’s life miserable! Simmer down Odin, we can’t just go around biting people! We have to do something! We’ll introduce ourselves! The fuck is that going to do? Let’s see how the worm can squirm, time for some fun!

“Good morning Mrs. Wendall! Just came by to see how preparations are going for The Falling Star Festival.” The Mayor too wore a fake smile. It was clear the feelings between them were mutual.

“As you can clearly see they are going quite well. The items Kenzi has come up with are flying off of the dessert shelves.” Maggie responded pointing to the case behind her.

“She made cookies!” He glared at the cabinet, disapproval resonating in his words. Maggie had to bite back the comment she wanted to make. Insulting the Mayor would just make things harder for Kenzi.

“Several different varieties” she said instead, keeping a smile on her face.

“Well let’s hope she doesn’t skimp on the cakes for the Sweetheart Festival.” The Mayor huffed,

“And how many is she going to need to make this time?” Maggie asked, her tone holding a note of detestation.

“Still trying to figure the numbers. Going by the turnout last year, we’ll need twice as many. So many people didn’t get a chance to participate and we wouldn’t want that again this year.” the Mayor replied, arrogance radiating from his words. Maggie wanted to slap him, but knew full well that wouldn’t work out for anyone.

“Of course, we wouldn’t want that. Then again if we knew in advance it wouldn’t really be an issue” Maggie shot back, the condescension she heard in the Mayor’s voice caused her skin to prickle and she couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Maggie, where does Kenzi usually put the rye bread?” Adonis called from the back of the bakery.

“Last shelf, second row” Maggie called back, a genuine smile spreading across her face at the look the Mayor was giving her. Maybe she didn’t have to do anything. If they did their research maybe they learned a few other things as well.

“You hired an employee?” The Mayor asked, he was a little shocked, no one wants to work at the bakery, he made damn certain of that.

“Is there something wrong with that?” Maggie asked. “We’re only getting busier and busier” she added, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

“Of course not. Why would there be?” The Mayor asked in return, adding. “I also noticed Harvey, Frank and Joe hired additional help, good for them.” The mayor had already tried to talk to those employees about working at those establishments. They weren’t hearing anything he had to say. They blocked the owners like guards and one threatened to dump him on his head while the others laughed. They didn’t seem to care who he was and he was called a fat penguin in a suit.

Adonis walked up to the front, the Mayor’s eyes growing wider and wider the closer he came to him. Craning his neck to look up at him.

“Well he’s a tall one” Maggie bit back a laugh at the comment and the amused look on Adonis’s face.

“Mayor Winston this is Adonis Bradshaw, Adonis this is Mayor Winston” Maggie introduced them. Extending his hand Adonis waited for him to register the name that was just given to him. He’s fucking stupid! Odin howled in his head.

“Adonis….Adonis Brad….Mr. Bradshaw, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you. I heard you moved to town, that is quite exciting. But I am a little confused as to why I would find you at an establishment such as this, stocking shelves” The Mayor enthusiastically shook Adonis’s hand, to the point that he had to pull it back.

“What is wrong with this establishment?” Adonis asked,

“Nothing, it’s ju….” The Mayor looked around the bakery,

“I like the bakery, it has good people and it smells great in here” he replied, cutting the Mayor off.

“Yes, yes it does smell great in here, the bake….” the Mayor was nodding his head in agreement with him.

“Kenzi was the first genuine person I met when I moved to town, she has become a very good friend of mine” again he cut the Mayor off.

“Yes, she is very genuine, it’s just….” he could hear Maggie fighting to control her snickers beside him as he continued to cut the Mayor off.

“I already heard the bullshit rumour that something is wrong with her. Nobody has taken the time to get to know her, if they had they would know nothing is wrong with her. I am beginning to think there is something wrong with every other member of this town. I find her quite charming” Adonis again cut him off.

“Charming yes she can be….it’s that….” He could see the red tinge to the Mayor’s face, he was getting a little frustrated at not being able to finish anything he was trying to say.

“What’s even funnier Winston….I can call you Winston can’t I?”

“Oh yes of course Adonis” Mayor Winston readily nodded his in agreement.

“It’s Mr. Bradshaw, only my friends call me Adonis, but as I was saying, I bought the house next to hers without even meaning to. Didn’t even realize I did it until I went to thank the neighbour for the welcome basket full of home baked goods. It was very generous and sweet and she didn’t have to do that.” The Mayor’s eyes widened when he heard that he bought the house next door to Kenzi.

“No, no she didn’t….that was thou….” He wasn’t even sure what to say to that, not that it mattered, Adonis didn’t let him finish it.

“It was refreshing meeting Kenzi, she is an absolute treasure and it has been a pure delight to get to know her. She’s nothing like the type of people I am used to. I usually meet the ones that find out who I am and suck up to me in hopes of getting money from me to line their pockets. Donations and contributions they call them. You and I both know what it really is....it’s buying power, status, and favours. People like that really piss me off, and I don’t have to buy power, I don’t care for status and I don’t need any favours.” Squaring his broad shoulders, standing to his full height and focusing his sole gaze on the Mayor in front of him, he watched him fidget and squirm like a little boy in his spot, when he got busted for something.

“I imagine they would” The Mayor replied, swallowing the lump forming in the back of his throat. He was fighting the urge to back away slowly from the towering man in front of him. Maggie was starting to struggle at containing her amusement at the scene she was witnessing.

“They’re so fake and everything about them is a lie, from their Italian loafers to their overpriced suits. I detest liars, what about you, Winston?” When Maggie’s snickers beside him turned into silent chuckles she had to hide her face behind her hand.

“Liars? Yes, liars, awful people, just awful.” The Mayor replied, nodding enthusiastically.

“Kenzi has become a very close friend of mine, that the predicament she’s in bothered me, so I offered her some assistance today.” Adonis watched the little man, trying to figure out what predicament he was referring to. Come on you idiot ask the question, you’re clearly to stupid to figure out on your own!

“What predicament is Kenzi in?” He looked up at Adonis with curious eyes. There you go dummy! Let’s make the worm really squirm, get ready for this Odin! He was already howling in his head. A wicked smile played on his lips before it quickly vanished and he continued.

“I just find it rather odd that an establishment such as the bakery that seems to be such a pivotal reason tourists come to the town seems to be having problems finding people to work here. My two very dear friends Maggie and Kenzi have to do the work of several on their own. Now don’t get me wrong they are both absolute sweethearts and would never think to say anything about it. I can’t help but think, if they overwork themselves and the bakery had to shut down for a week or a month, what would happen to this little town then? Considering shit hit the fan when the bakery shut down for two days over a….”

“Rumour!” The Mayor cut him off,

“Blatant lie!” Adonis corrected him, “Let’s cut the bullshit, it was an outright lie, you know it, I know it, everyone in this town knows it, yet like little sheep they all blindly believed it. Just like the lie that there is something wrong with Kenzi, which everyone happily believes but when asked no one can give you a real answer as to what’s actually wrong with her. She is sweet, genuine, honest, clever, creative and hard working. If that’s what classifies as wrong, then I hope she’s never right. You know if she did decide to work at another bakery in another town this town would be in ruins and fall off the map. It is something everyone in this town knows, and yet chooses to forget. The only reason the outside world knows this town even exists is because of this bakery. It’s been written up in every tourist magazine several times and was probably the main reason I came here. Hell the first thing I did on my first day in town was come to this bakery. My favourite article was the one that said Sweet Talk Bakery was the true treasure in the hidden gem that is known as Blackwoods. They weren’t lying! Makes me wonder what the magazines would say if Sweet Talk Bakery was no longer here. Can’t be that hard to open a bakery and with Kenzi working her magic in the kitchen it would be flourishing in no time.”

“I’m sorry Winston, but it just pisses me off to think that a blatant lie blindly followed by the stupid sheep….I mean people of this town and….an eleven year old grudge are the reasons that my friends are having a hard time finding help. I mean can you imagine holding onto a grudge that long. Considering the true instigator was the one that maliciously and viciously bullied a ten year old child. Can you imagine living through something like that? Losing your parents at an extremely young age, depending on a town to protect you, only to be victimised by some smart mouthed spoiled rotten punk kid, who thinks he’s above everyone. I will admit that it does take serious dedication to hold that grudge eleven years later. I mean that guy must be a complete and utter pathetic weasel. I can’t say I would ever speak, back or endorse someone of that caliber. Nor would I ever choose to associate myself with a bully. Now if you’ll excuse me it appears I need to put more brookies in the oven. It was nice meeting you Winston, have a good day.” Without waiting for a response Adonis headed back towards the kitchen. Maggie was fighting so hard to keep the laughter in. The Mayor was stunned into silence at everything Adonis had just said to him.

“Have a good day Mayor Winston” Maggie choked out as he turned to leave the bakery. “Don’t forget to buy your falling star cookies before they sell out” she added,

“Right, I won’t. Have a good day uh….Mrs. Wendall” The Mayor spoke as he walked out of the bakery and gave a half wave, still in complete shock. When the bell above the door rang Adonis came back out of the kitchen with a shit eating grin on his face.

“Now that was fun,” he said, Maggie finally lost control and broke out laughing.

“What are you going to do for an encore?” Maggie asked, laughing. Their laughter cut short, when Adonis’s phone rang.

“Dr. Martin, what can I do for you?” He still had the smile on his face,

“What? That can’t be, she was kicked out at 9:30 to go to her appointment.” He fought to keep his tone flat even though he was growing concerned, Maggie tapped his shoulder,

“Dr. Martin says Kenzi hasn’t come in yet” Adonis informed her, where the fuck was his mate?

“Who’s the nurse on duty?” Maggie asked,

“Which nurse is on duty?” Adonis asked, “Rogers!”

“Kenzi is probably sitting in the waiting room. Henrietta Rogers nasty woman, has a serious hate for Kenzi and none of us know why” Maggie told him,

“Check the waiting room and get rid of that nurse,” Adonis ordered, disconnecting the call, he’s had enough of people making her life hard.

Now how to get rid of the Mayor. Don’t say it! Adonis cut Odin off before he could say anything. Someone to run against him! Now that’s an idea. Which pack member would be suited to a mayoral role? Justin? Does not have a political bone in his body and he’s a man whore! Luke? He’s an even bigger man whore! Jonah? He’s older and wiser! Jonah it is!

Dr. Martin walked down the corridor towards the waiting room, and sure enough he saw Kenzi sitting there. She looked apprehensive and tense. Her body was taut and rigid and he could see her biting back small grimaces. He was certain her back was hurting with how stiffly she was sitting in that chair gripping the arm rests. Her eyes would dart back and forth between the fish tank and the nurse.

“Kenzi, how long have you been waiting here?” Dr. Martin asked,

“It hasn’t been that long Dr. Martin” Nurse Rogers replied quickly,

“I believe I asked my patient Nurse Rogers. Kenzi, how long have you been here?” His tone was harsh and cold with the nurse but when he turned back to Kenzi he softened it.

“Ten to ten” she breathed in between flinches of pain,

“Two hours? My patient has been sitting in this room for two hours?” Dr. Martin asked the nurse.

“She came in and just sat down,” the nurse defended herself.

“That’s not true, you told me to sit down and wait my turn and some-one would call me. Nobody callded me” Kenzi said, “I sat here for two hours being starded at by those creepy big eyed fish opening and closing their big mouvs,” she added pointing at the tank.

“You’ll finish out your day, but then pack your things, your replacements will be here in the morning. I will also personally see to it that you never hold another position in the medical field” Dr. Martin said to the nurse.

“You don’t has to do that Dr. Martin it’s ok” Kenzi replied,

“No Kenzi, it’s certainly not ok. Her job is to make sure I know when my patients arrive. I can not have someone on staff who is incapable of this. My patients are my top priority, and if they don’t trust who I have at this desk, then how can I. Now come, let’s take a look at you, you are my most important patient after all.” Dr. Martin held his arm out for her to help her up. Moving slow and stopping when she’d hiss sharply and make a small pained noise.

“No I’m not, I’m not important,” she replied.

“Yes you are, you were my very first patient” he replied, “How’s your back feeling?” He added, Kenzi kept her eyes on Nurse Rogers as they walked closer to the desk. This did not go unnoticed by the doctor who switched sides with her and put himself in between them.

“My back is fine, it’s ok. I’m fine” Kenzi said, looking up at him.

“Kenzi!” Saying her name using a tone only a father could pull off when he wanted information from one of his children. Patrick says her name like that all the time.

“It’s sore, it’s really sore, it went all hurty this morning and bringded me to the floor. It was a good thing Adonis was there or I would has hit the ground hard, and would still be there right now.” She told him “You has kids don’t you? Only dads has that tone that can make some-one spill ez-ry-thing.” She added looking up at him. He chuckled,

“I do have kids, three girls. My youngest will be here tomorrow” he replied.

“That’s nice, she’s a nurse?” Kenzi asked,

“Yes she is, I’m biased, but she is one of the best,” Kenzi smiled at him. “Now let’s get you checked out” she nodded her head.

The bell above the bakery door has been ringing all day with people coming to buy items for The Falling Star Festival. The cookies that were created for it were a big hit. Adonis had no idea how Kenzi made them so Maggie gave him a quick lesson in running the front and she went to work in the kitchen until Kenzi got back. Truthfully it was where she wanted to be in the first place, but Kenzi needed help in the front more.

“See, toll ya we fine his ass here, you owe me $50” Jackson said as he, Tyler and Elijah walked into the bakery.

“You made a bet?” Adonis asked him,

“We bet on a lot of thins” Tyler replied handing the red bill to Jackson.

“Look at you standin behine the counter like a big boy” Jackson laughed,

“Lil Kenzi Cakes in the back?” Tyler asked,

“No she’s at her doctor’s appointment” Adonis replied,

“That was at ten” Tyler said, his confusion alerting Bal in his head.

“Take it easy Tyler, there was an issue with the nurse, Dr. Martin took care of it.” Adonis said to him

“I’m calling the pack home tomorrow” they all perked up at that, it meant he was claiming the territory.

“Bout damn time” Jackson remarked. Tyler nodded in agreement.

“What happened to it?” Adonis asked Tyler, Jackson was too busy looking at him. “What?” He asked,

“Nuttin! Jus….um….you couldn’t fine any clothes that fit this mornin?” Jackson broke out laughing,

“Kenzi gave it to me to wear. It’s a little tight.” Adonis replied, shaking his head. He was going to change his shirt this morning, but he liked the way Kenzi looked at him when he wore it.

“A lil? Everthin on display. Look that girl gonna hit the pos, watch, her gonna hit the pos. $50 say her hit the pos” Tyler chimed in.

“I take that bet” Jackson said and they both turned to watch the woman outside the bakery. She hadn’t stopped staring at Adonis since she spotted him.

“BAM! Hahaha, pay up. Her smack that pos good” Tyler held out his hand for the money.

“You assholes! What happened at the diner?” Adonis cut in as he watched Jackson give back the fifty he just took from Tyler when they walked in.

“They go another one, they go another one” Tyler cracked up laughing all over again as he watched someone else run into something after staring at Adonis. Jackson started howling as well when he saw a third trip over a garbage can.

“The diner Tyler!” Adonis said with a little more force,

“Threw him through the window” Tyler said, biting back his laughter as they watched another hit the ground.

“I have to change my shirt.” There was no way Adonis was going to keep their attention long enough to get any information from them.

“Na, na, na, don’t do that, this entertainin” Tyler said.

“Tyler just walked right in, grabbed Adam and started hitting. Patrick told him to take it outside so Tyler threw him through the window” Elijah replied, shaking his head at them.

“Wish I toll, but I get it.” Jackson said between fits of laughter.

“What happens next?” Elijah asked,

“Think grisly” Adonis replied,

“Poke a yogi!” Tyler interjected,

“Poke….a….yogi?” Elijah had no idea what they were talking about, that was not a phrase he was familiar with.

“I didn’t mean literally Tyler” Adonis shook his head,

“We ain’t stupid, but we in BC, BC got yogis, yogi attacks happen, an they grisly” Jackson broke out laughing “Look at that stupid”

“Afternoon Mrs. Wendall” Tyler said when he noticed Maggie was standing there.

“Howdy Mrs. Wendall, how you today?” Jackson turned to face her as well.

“Afternoon boys. I thought I was doing pretty good, but you boys seem to be having a real good time out here” She replied smiling, as she headed to the display case to fill it with more falling star treats. Jackson and Tyler both perked when they saw them. The ones they sampled the other day were good, and they couldn’t wait to try them again.

“We watchin people walk into thins, it funny” Tyler told her.

“So far eight people hit the groun” Jackson agreed as they broke out laughing again watching someone else hit the ground.

“This is why you put me in the front, wasn’t it?” Adonis asked, her smile only getting bigger.

“Next time just go shirtless, give them a real good look” Maggie commented. Jackson and Tyler broke out laughing all over again.

“Please don’t encourage the demons” Adonis replied,

“They’re good boys, besides they don’t need any encouragement” Maggie countered.

“Hey, I fuckin starvin, we gotta go to Patrick get a burger. Y’all want somein?” Tyler asked,

“Is Patrick even going to let you in?” Elijah asked,

“Why wouldn’t he?” Tyler asked,

“You put someone through his window” Elijah reminded him,

“It be fine, jus a accident. I say sorry, Jackass fix the window” Tyler replied, nodding his head. Elijah looked at him. How was intentionally putting someone through a window an accident?

“Yeah, I could go for a burger, I’m fucking hungry. How the hell she doesn’t eat everything I don’t understand.” Adonis added,

“You keep workin here you gonna be fat” Jackson cracked up laughing, ducking the first swing from Adonis.

“Fuck you, so are you! Don’t think for one second I didn’t see your face when that tray came out” He said as he connected with Jackson’s shoulder on the second one.

“What bout you Mrs. Wendall?” Tyler asked,

“It’s ok boys I’ll get something later” She replied, laughing at their antics.

“No, no it ok, we get it for ya” Jackson said, rubbing his shoulder.

“Chicken salad with an italian dressing please. Thank you boys” she said.

“What bout Lil Kenzi Cakes? Her gonna be hungry as well?” Tyler asked

“Tell Patrick you need a burger for Kenzi, he’ll know what to make” Maggie answered. His phone ringing again, Adonis stepped away to answer it.

“Dr. Martin….what’s wrong?” Tyler was already out the door running. Delta protects his Luna!

Kenzi and Dr. Martin were coming down the corridor after her appointment.

“Alright Kenzi, it’s very lucky that it wasn’t something more serious this time. It will take some time to heal. Keep icing your back for twenty minutes every few hours. You need to take it easy as well and no more pants. To stop the rubbing on the bruise you’ll have to wear dresses for a while. I am also going to give you something to help support your lower back, unfortunately I don’t have a brace small enough to fit you, so you’ll have to use tape” he said, her face scrunched in confusion.

“Like duck tape?” She asked,

“Compression tape” he replied chuckling,

“Oh!” Her cheeks turned slightly pink.

“I also want to see you back here in a few days, we’ll set up an appointment for Wednesday at the same time ok?” He said as he was still filling out her chart.

“Ok! Thank you Dr. Martin” Before they could continue their conversation, a commotion in the waiting room drew their attention.