This is the edited version of Thorn part1 and Thorn part 2. I hope you enjoy it now it has a bit more depth. I still think I can improve it more, but look forward to your feedback. I will be working on editing part 3 and 4 this week and also on continuing the story from the part 5 I posted last week. When all the chapters are edited I will delete (I think I have this ability?) the original versions. In the meantime to help readers and myself keep track the originals are parts 1-5, the edited versions are titled in chapters. This, being the first 6 chapters. Please continue to give feedback, with thanks JM
THORN
Chapter One
Thorn watched her walk into the restaurant, having felt her presence before she even came through the door. Sensing her near had already put him on high alert. Some of his staff had reacted to his change instantly, becoming more in tune with him. Initially unsure what had caused the tension in his body, the sudden lift of his head. A breeze ruffled her hair as she crossed the threshold. Inhaling her sweet vanilla fragrance he fought the urge to jump the counter and claim her. His fingers gripping the bench, knuckles white, as the surge of need rippled through him. He admired her small frame, the long silver-blonde hair. The soft feminine sway of her movements. Her tiny build bringing out the desire to throw her over his shoulder on one hand, and play bodyguard on the other.
He had always wondered what it would feel like when he found her. It was one thing to witness someone else finding their perfect mate. The one they would spend the rest of their lives with. But to experience it for himself. The instant knowledge, the hope and the need rocked him.
He watched her move slowly through the busy room. Take a seat at a small table. She adjusted her hair behind her shoulders. A male server headed in her direction, sexual interest in her evident. "
No
" his singular word making no sound but forceful in its command. The one word meaningful enough that nearly half the room now recognised the reason for the hum of energy coming from him. The server lowered his head slightly sending a silent apology, then exchanged a brief word with her, letting her know someone would attend to her shortly, before barely stopping as he passed.
"You okay Thorn?" He turned to see a cheeky face beside him. She of course, one of the many that had worked out already, what was in the air.
"Gem, go and look after her, and try to resist pushing my buttons." Thorn directed.
"Then I won't mention the big marks you have put in that bloody counter then. And I certainly won't mention the fact you actually 'growled' when she walked into the place. Animal"
At his furious look she bowed her head and almost backed away. "I'm going."
Thorn listened to Gemma gently get the facts on her. He found out she was looking for work. That she had not had any luck so far, few places even taking her details. He learned her name caused her some sort of embarrassment, so she went by her initials, LJ. He watched her blush at Gem's antics and then smile at the woman's attitude and energy. He knew exactly how she felt there was something about Gem that just drew everyone in.
The most recent member to his family, Gemma, had been through a lot. He admired her plucky spirit, but knew there was a world of conflict under that upbeat mask. He worried about her, and wondered what the next step to dealing with some of the burden she carried on her young shoulders would be. There was a chance like all things, time was the only cure, but the wait was causing confusion and pain, for more than just herself. The unsettled situation meant he feared for her, and his family.
He looked around the busy room quickly taking in the entire scene. Today was going to be a life changer and yet it all looked like just another busy afternoon at a café. His staff took orders, cleared tables and laughed with each other. Below that there was now a low hum of excitement. The sweet scent of hope and expectation. He finally let go of the bench, lightly tracing eight new crescent shaped marks in the wooden top. He began to plan his approach, he could not let instinct take over. With this he needed to take it slow, just be casual and friendly. He could not order everyone to get the hell out, and then take her over the table she sat at. No this was not going to be that easy. But he'd never found easy all that rewarding anyway.
"Hey Boss," Gem spoke slightly louder than required "I'm just grabbing a jug of juice for the blonde over there" helpfully pointing out his prey she continued "She wants the job, so I said you would pop over and give her a quick interview."
"She's really sweet Thorn, maybe too sweet for an old grump like you."
Gem gave him a huge grin
.
"Great, thanks Gem, it will give me a chance to work on my waiting skills" He spoke in his regular voice, a tone that held calm authority according to his sister, keeping his back to the girl of his dreams.
"I hear I'm a bit rusty.
In fact I also heard you were doing a double shift today, an old grump insisted. After that Lucas is going to teach you what it means to respect your 'boss', had you heard that?"
He shared silently.
"Thorn, I'm sorry, you know I just kid around" she spoke quietly as she passed him the jug of apple juice, and attempted to look chastised.
"Sorry Thorn, please don't get me in trouble with Lucas. I know you're a little wound up right now, but she'll love you, I was helping I swear. Please don't think I was causing trouble. Crap Lucas always thinks I'm causing trouble, but I'm not, well I don't try to. I honestly don't know how I end up in half the trouble I get in. God I only just got back in his good books after the whole Damon..."
"I do not want to hear about that. We all hear far too much about that. I have an interview to do
,
but just a tip if you don't want to piss of your boss, and your alpha, don't call him an old grump and hint that his woman won't want him. And if you don't want to piss Lucas off, don't return to that bloody place, and certainly do not contact Damon or anyone else connected to him."
"Well your brother met me at that bloody place, he should understand."
"Not only will he never understand, I don't understand, you refuse to talk to us. You refuse to accept what has happened. You waltz around here like everything is fine but you aren't fine Gem. I know about the nightmares, I know you are only prepared to accept certain aspects of your life. Have put up walls in your relationship with Lucas. Only let anyone in so far. Gem you need to let it go and find a way to move forward."
"I'm fucking trying. He doesn't want to know, he says he does, but every time I share my thoughts, those bloody dreams, it makes it worse for him. This way we can cope."
"Neither of you are coping, you're so bloody buried in denial. You're both in pain and if he needs to tie you down and whip that fake smile off your cheeky face so you can see the truth ... neither of you are going to get what you need."
"But we both get what we need when he does exactly that."
She gave him a little wink but her smile didn't meet her eyes.
"Look I'm not ready. Focus on your own woman. She's looking at you right now."
***
Luna looked around the busy restaurant. Fresh apple green and rich timber, mixed with black and white, to make the place look modern yet inviting. The funky lights and combination of larger tables and little nooks showed a sensitivity to the different needs of the clientele. Black and white oriental screens gave some structure to what would otherwise be a large open room. The casual atmosphere hummed with activity yet nobody seemed to be hurried or for that matter, anything other than content to enjoy the afternoon. Staff and customers interacted like they knew each other. A young waiter laughed at another member of staff across the room, who was clearly wanting the response with an impromptu juggling act. The meals she could see looked delicious and carefully presented. She realised she was hungry as she admired the dishes, but knew she couldn't afford to literally eat into her limited budget at the moment. She still had a few items in her car. She would eat later. She hadn't been in town long but if something didn't change pretty quickly she would need to be on the move again soon. LJ couldn't help wondering when she would ever be able to enjoy an afternoon the way those around her were, have that sense of belonging.
She looked back at the large counter her waitress, Gemma, had ducked behind, and saw her talking to a tall man with dark hair. His back was to her as they chatted, but she could see they were talking, and she knew it wasn't just about her wanting to interview for the job. The athletic girl was everything Luna wasn't. Sexy, confident and although lean muscle shaped her arms and legs, she had enviable curves. She shook her head and the dark hair, styled in a longer pixie cut with a flash of bright blue in it, settled back around her head. Luna saw the women had lost a little of the sparkle she had when they had talked. She hoped she was okay, and then worrying, she hoped the man wasn't that unhappy to have to interview her. There was a definite current of frustration. This was the first opportunity she had even sniffed since arriving in town, she needed to make it happen.
Studying people was something LJ spent too much time doing, and she quickly saw that there was obviously a friendship between them. A level of respect. Maybe the frustration was more personal. It wasn't so much anger she could see in the way he stood and the gestures he was making, there was a concern for the woman. He turned around then and she almost released a moan of appreciation. That man was one fine specimen. Onyx coloured hair, thick and healthy and a little longer than most men wore it, gave him that sexy just got out of bed look. The look all the magazines tried for but often failed. He was tall but looked totally proportionate, there would be no gangly legs or knobbly elbows on him. He had the bronzed skin of a man that had a love of the outdoors. He looked like he was worried about far more than any man should be. Then he smiled and she felt her heart stop momentarily. She couldn't make out his eyes from here, but assumed they would be a sinful chocolate brown. LJ drooled over him a good few moments before reality hit. Shit that was hopefully going to be her boss. No more drooling allowed.
***
"I haven't stopped thinking about her since she walked through the door, but even with my heart racing and my whole body wanting to meet her, I will never ignore a member of my pack. Not one in need. Not one pushing my buttons. Not one that needs help. And definitely not one that needs punishment."
He gave her a grin and pulled the little blue streak in her hair
