The Demeter Twins - Hellhound Sequel

Paulina’s POV ~

I didn’t sleep worth a damn! I kept reliving the look on Roman’s face. I mean, what the hell? He didn’t ask my name.. he barely looked at me. Ain’t even going to lie.. it kind of hurt!

But.. it’s another day.. I have three interviews this morning for servers.. and I still have to check my email for anyone else who may have applied. I was pleased with the response my ad got.. almost immediately.

I got to the diner, and made a pot of coffee. I rolled silverware and cleaned the grill and the fryer. I was standing on a chair hanging cute little valances that I bought to dress the windows up.. when I heard the bell. I yelled, be right with you.. and a deep voice said “Take your time. I’m enjoying the view.” Crap, crap.. double crap!

I got down on the ladder.. without looking at him, I asked “Want some coffee?” He hmmm’d and said “Yes, please! Black!” I nodded and said “Have a seat” I poured his coffee, then fixed mine. I carried both cups out and set his down.. while I slid into the other side of the booth.

I asked “Where’s Roman? Shouldn’t he be here too?” Perseus looked at me for long moments.. then he said “You are… hands down.. the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” I blushed so hard my ears were hot.. and laughed a little “Thank you.. I think? But it didn’t answer my question. If you’re going to reject me, you should both be here.”

He whispers “I will never reject you! But to answer your question.. Roman is outside. He wants to apologize, but he’s nervous.” I nod. Then, I tell him “May as well get him in here. I am going to tell you my story. Then, you can both decide whether you want to accept me or not!”

I got up and got another cup of coffee for Roman and brought the rest of the pot to the table with cream and sugar. Perseus had gone to bring Roman inside. They sat beside each other opposite me. Roman said “I sincerely want to apologize to you.. for calling you a whore. I don’t know why I did. And I want to also apologize for running. Please forgive me.. I have been going through some things.. but.. no.. that’s not even an excuse! I am truly sorry!”

I nodded and smiled “Bet that was painful! I admit to being hurt. And more than a little confused. But, I will eventually get around it. Besides, when I tell you what I have to tell you.. it’s quite possible you’ll decide you don’t want my headaches.. anyway.”

Perseus starts shaking his head “Nothing you can say will make me not want you! You are our mate and Ace is already so attached to Macie, it’s scary!”

I said “Macie is an amazing wolf! She’s beautiful.. and sassy. She has a vicious streak that can be frightening. But.. I digress. My name is Paulina Albright. That is not my real surname.. it is one given to me when I was four years old. By the Alpha of Orange River Pack in Virginia. He said he found me wandering alone.. in the woods. I was wrapped in an expensive designer blanket.. made of cashmere with a mink lining. The corner of the blanket has my name embroidered on it. For the next twelve years, I was virtually a slave. If I didn’t do as I was told, and in a timely fashion.. I was punished. I was beaten.. or locked in a tiny closet.. Alpha Brennan is extremely fond of sensory deprivation as a torture means. Or locked in my room.. sometimes, up to five days.. with no food or water. Depended on the magnitude of my infraction.”

I stopped and sipped my coffee.. and let them process. “Two years ago, the Alpha came to me and told me I was being auctioned off to the highest bidder so he could recoup the money he wasted on raising me. I was sixteen. No way was I going to allow myself to be sold! I escaped three nights before the auction was to take place. I ran for four days.. and ended up here. Sadie took me in and showed me what love feels like.. she treated me like a daughter and I had never felt anything like that before. I don’t know who I am. I don’t know if I was abandoned.. or kidnapped.. if my parents are looking for me.. or if they are dead.”

Perseus was holding my hand.. and I have no idea when that even happened. Roman smiled at me “None of what you said is a deal breaker! I was stupid yesterday. I’m going to try to not be stupid again! I, Roman Demeter, Alpha of DarkShadow Pack, accept you, Paulina Albright, as my mate and Luna.”

I was stunned. Within seconds, Perseus voiced his acceptance. Then, Roman said “Before you accept me back, I have to tell you something.” I nodded and waited. He told me everything about Felicia.. and all that had transpired. And it hurt. It hurt bad! He told me how sorry he is he didn’t wait. That he was impatient..that he almost made the biggest mistake of his life. I nodded and said “Everyone makes mistakes. I want to accept you both now.. before I do, I want you to know, Roman.. I will forgive you.. I just need a little time. This Felicia person.. I take it she is still a member of your pack?” They both nodded and I sighed. “Okay. I will deal with it, if I need to. If she comes at me.. you are not to interfere. I will handle it!”

They both agreed.. I quoted my acceptance of them both and we felt the bonds snap into place. It was such a feeling of completeness.. of belonging.. that I was speechless!

Perseus stood and asked “Can we hug you?” At my nod, he wrapped his arms around me and breathed in my scent. He smelled like a pine forest after the rain.. And I know I could get lost in it. Roman hugged me next. And he smelled of the air before a new snowfall.

I asked “Now what? I have several interviews in about forty five minutes. Do you want to hang out?” Perseus pulled her back to him.. “We have quite a few things to take care of this morning. You were at the top of that list. I was doing nothing until I met my beautiful mate! You are always going to be our priority! We would like to have dinner with you. Will you go on a date with us tonight?”

I smiled at them both “I haven’t ever been on a date before. What do I even wear?” Roman grinned “So many things I can say right here.. but I will leave it alone. Dress nice? There’s an upscale restaurant that serves really great food we’d like to take you to.”

They handed me their phones for me to program my number in. Then they both shot me a text.. no name.. Just ‘Hey Pretty Lady’ from both of them. And I knew which one sent what text. Perseus texted a straight up normal text with a heart emoji. Roman sent a text with heart eyes.. immediately after the Hey.. and a kissy face after pretty lady. And I loved it!

After they left, I prepared for my interviews. I made fresh coffee and set out some little pastries. I wanted them to feel comfortable.. to Want to work with me.. I hired the first girl. She was quiet.. but confident. She is a young mother and asked for morning or afternoon shifts. I made a note of that in her file and shook her hand. Her name is Bernadette but wants to be called Bernie.

The second interview was a girl named Anna. She was dressed in shorts and a half top. She was heavily made up and smacking bubblegum while talking to me. I asked “What makes you want to work here?” She tinkled out a fake laugh and responded “Oh! I don’t Want to work here. My parents are making me get a job because apparently I am aimless and disrespectful. Who knew!”

I nod and say “My initial response is to refuse you this opportunity. I am willing to hire you.. but there are three conditions. You Never come to work dressed the way you are right now. You Always treat our customers with the utmost respect.. until it’s time to come get me! You are always on time.. and pull your weight. Ball is in your court! If you want the job, I’m willing to give it a shot and see where it takes us.”

She squealed and asked “You’re giving me a chance? This is the fifth place I applied.. and none of the others ever asked the questions you asked. Thank you! You have no idea how happy I am right now!”

I laughed and told her I would be in touch with her schedule and asked if she needed help getting black pants and shoes. She said no. But then asked if black ripped jeans would be okay.. I said no.. I would rather her work pants were intact! So, I asked again “Do you need help with that? I provide the shirts. But everyone wears black pants and shoes.”

And, for some reason, she found that hilarious. I hope I don’t regret this!