Page 1 of Mistletoe Omega
Chapter One
Sam
“Really? Jesus, freakin’ Christmas.” The red taillights of the last bus of the night seemed to mock me as they faded into the gloom. It was snowing for real now, and big flakes hit my face as I shivered and tugged my hoodie around my body. The cotton material was thin and not made for winter. But I didn’t own a winter coat, and I hadn’t thought I’d need one either. The plan was never to stay in this little dumpy town in the middle of nowhere. I should have been gone by now; lying on the sunny beaches of California, drinking Mai Tais and working on a tan.
I glanced back toward the Rusty Spoon diner. My shift there had just ended, and Ralph, the owner, didn’t like employees hanging around once our work was done. He was a suspicious bastard, and he assumed everyone wanted to steal from him. Maybe I wasn’t the best waiter in the place, but I was no thief. I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to put up with Ralph much longer. But then Tim had ditched me, and I no longer had a choice. In fact, my sucky job was about the only thing I had going for me right now.
My feet and back ached, and I itched to go home and crash at my motel. I considered hitching, but there weren’t many cars out at the moment. Not to mention, with my luck, I’d probably end up grabbing a ride from a serial killer who’d chop me up and serve me for his holiday meal. I shivered again as I glanced back toward the restaurant. If I stayed out here, I’d freeze to death. Since there were no more buses tonight, the only real option was walk, or go back in the warm diner.
I chose the latter.
When I returned through the doors, my co-worker, Patty, frowned. “What are you doing back here?”
“Missed the bus.” I moved past her toward the coffee brewer. My fingers were frozen, and I needed something to warm me. “Ring me up for a coffee, would you?”
“You bet.” She punched some buttons, and the drawer opened with a ding.
I dug a dollar out of my pocket and handed it to her, while also balancing my cup under the spigot where the coffee poured out. “Can I catch a ride home with you after your shift?”
She snorted. “Honey, I don’t get off till ten in the morning. You plan on hanging around that long?”
I shrugged and blew on the hot coffee. “Beats walking.”
“Ralph ain’t gonna approve.” She lifted one brow. “You and I both know that.”
“Would he prefer I freeze to death out there?” I scowled.
“Probably.” She cackled and moved to greet a couple who’d just come in the doors.
She led them to a table, and I watched them. The guy was attentive to his date, hovering and making sure she was comfortable as she slid into the booth. He seemed truly engaged with her, as if she was important to him. I wondered if they were married. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to belong to someone like that. To have someone truly care about me. My parents never had, and Tim sure as shit hadn’t. He’d run out on me in the middle of the night the minute he’d found out I was pregnant.
Fucking loser alpha.
I touched my stomach self-consciously. My employer and co-workers didn’t know I was knocked up. I’d only found out myself a few days ago. I’d then made the mistake of telling Tim, mostly because I was so surprised. We’d always used protection, so I wasn’t sure how it had happened. But that was when he’d bolted. Probably just as well since a jerk like that wouldn’t make a good dad anyhow. That would teach me to be honest with the guy I was in a relationship with. If you could even call what we’d had a real relationship. The sex had been pretty good, but we’d argued a lot. Why had we stayed together so long? Desperation? No better opportunities? I wasn’t sure.
I stayed behind the counter and leaned against the ice machine. The front doors opened and a gust of chilled wind blew into the diner. The alpha who walked in had dark eyes and hair, with just a tiny bit of silver at his temples. I’d seen him many times before. He always sat by himself in the corner and ordered the same thing every time; fried eggs, crispy bacon and black coffee. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, he always got the same meal.
Patty was busy with several tables, and it occurred to me if I wanted to mooch a ride from her, I might earn brownie points by helping her out some. She’d probably take me home anyhow, but this way I didn’t feel as beholden. I didn’t like owing people things. Then they thought they had power over you, and I didn’t care for that feeling at all.
I grabbed an order pad from under the counter, along with a menu. As I approached the alpha, he held my gaze without blinking. I smiled a greeting. “Welcome.”
“Thanks.”
I led him to a booth and attempted to hand him the menu. “Coffee?”
“Yep.” He didn’t take the menu from me. “I think we both know I don’t need that.”
I wiggled the plastic coated menu in front of him. “I thought maybe you’d want to try something different today. It’s the holiday season. You should live a little.”
“Is that right?” He arched one brow.
He was attractive. I mostly knew he was older than me because of the dusting of gray at his temples. But the tanned skin of his face was smooth, and I assumed he had a nice body from the way the material of his jeans clung to his firm ass and muscular thighs.
I shook myself. I was supposed to be taking his order, not ogling him. “Maybe some pumpkin-spice waffles, or our special Christmas omelet?” I gave him another smile.
He chuffed. “Tell you what? How about you put some cream in my coffee for a change?”
I frowned. “Wow. You’re a real thrill seeker.”
