(I'm taking a break from Love& War. I don't get along with those characters. I recommend you read Howl at the Moon first. This is a sequel to that.)
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Cian let out a deep sigh as he recleaned the bar. How could his entire pack have left? Why had they chosen to side with Finn? Finn was a rebel with no standards. He didn't care about rules. Finn was a punk who played fast and lose. He had no respect for traditions. None of that mattered right now though, Finn and rest of his pack would be back. He would forgive them. That's what he did; he was Alpha after all.
It was 3 am and the bar was closing. A knock came on the door as soon as Cian turned off the neon sign. He was tired but he went to open it. There stood a pale and gaunt woman. She was shivering in the falling snow and her hands were gloveless. Cian could tell this woman was beyond exhausted. He was surprised that she didn't fall asleep where she stood. The small woman looked up at him. But, somehow managed a small smile. It lit up her entire face.
"Oh...I didn't realize you were closing...I suppose it is late. I'll be going." said the woman as she shuffled off into the cold night.
"Wait...come back, a customer is a customer. It looks like you're going to be my last one for the night. Sit down, I'm all yours."
Much to Cian's relief, the woman did turn around. She made her way in and sat down at a table. Once she was in the light, she looked even worse than Cian expected. She had a black eye forming on her face, along with a bruised collar bone. Cian didn't need his wolf senses to know that she was injured in other places along her body. He'd seen it before, long ago in his own mother. For now, he pretended not to notice.
"Cold out there. I think we're going to get a big storm. Probably, the first of the season. You have such a nice bar, it's tidy. It's a creative name, The Wolves' Den. It's a bit spooky but it feels safe at the same time. Do you know what I mean?" questioned the woman. She looked down as she spoke, not meeting Cian's eyes. The woman was ashamed of her appearance
Cian had never been good at talking. He was strong and silent. He rarely talked to his own pack members. Cian couldn't remember the last time he'd talked to a human woman without another wolf there.
Still since his pack had up and left, Cian had been very lonely. This strange woman made him feel uneasy even though he was the Alpha. Still Cian thought to himself that he was a powerful Alpha. What did he have to fear from this small woman? Surprisingly, found himself wanting to talk to her. He figured he better start small.
"I'm Cian...this is my bar. I was just about to make some boxty. It's really the only thing I know how to make. It's a traditional Irish recipe. My mother taught me how to make it...long ago. I think I even have some bacon to go along with that. Would you like some?" questioned Cian. Cian never dilly-dallied with questions like "are you a vegan?" If there was food, you took what there was, said thank you and shut-up.
The woman scratched the table and looked down nervously. Then she took out her well-worn purse. Cian knew she was counting her money. From the fraying appearance, Cian knew there wasn't much of it.
"It's on the house, Ma'am. It's almost throwout time and I hate to see all of this food go to waste. But as long as you and I are here to eat it, we can save the food. So help me?" questioned Cian. He smiled and winked, as he wondered where that smile and wink were coming from.
