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A moment later I was already in the welcoming embrace of a good night’s sleep.
***
It was almost 12 o’clock when I finally rose from bed. I got myself freshened up and dressed. Nobody seemed to be home, so I came out into the village street and ventured to the square. I found the biggest building and went inside.
Long dining tables took up most of the space inside the hall. Some people were seated, waiting for lunch. They waved or smiled at me, and I was again taken aback by how welcoming everyone seemed to be towards me.
From the other side of the building came the pleasant smell of a well-cooked meal. The dish seemed to be some sort of meat, probably something the hunters had brought back to the village. I wandered towards the door. It was open, so I glanced inside.
Yoselin, wearing an apron, walked around making sure everything was in order.
“Hello!” I called out to her. I wasn’t sure if I should disturb her, but she had told me to seek her out the next day, so I hoped talking to her now wouldn’t be a problem.
Yoselin clapped her hands and ran up to me. She took my hands in hers, and I let her. First Gabriel, then Yoselin. The people of this village seemed to be very prone to touch. I wasn’t used to so much contact, but the experience wasn’t unpleasant either.
“Daphne! I’m glad you came! I have a big favor to ask of you!”
“What is it?” so she wanted something from me after all… That figured. However, Yoselin had been kind to me, so I felt like I should try to repay her.
“Have you ever been a waitress? Giselle, who normally does the job, got sick. I need someone to fill in for her for the next week until she recovers.” She looked at me with pleading eyes. “What do you think, can you do it? It would help you meet everyone in the village. You can chat with them all you want while working!”
Talking to people wasn’t something I enjoyed a lot, but I didn’t think the open and friendly Yoselin would understand my feelings even if I explained them to her. Still, by taking on a job I could repay the village, and therefore Gabriel and Esteban, for the rescue. I hoped agreeing to Yoselin’s request would count for something in their eyes.
There was only one problem. “All my life I’ve only worked as a programmer. I’ve never been a waitress. I don’t know if I can do it.”
“A programmer? How cool! You must be very smart! You will catch on in no time. I will show you everything!”
“Alright then. I will help.” I hoped I wouldn’t regret my choice.
Yoselin showed me the ropes of the job. It didn’t take me long to understand what I was supposed to do.
I spent the next three days serving the people of Santuario. Some tried to chat me up, and I always replied in short but not impolite sentences. I didn’t feel comfortable with how nice and welcoming everyone was towards me. I couldn’t shake the thought that once they got to know me better, once they knew I was a half-breed and had been rejected by my mate, they wouldn’t want to associate with me any longer.
During meals I also saw Gabriel and Esteban, but they only greeted me and left me to my own devices. Still, I couldn’t help but think about the day coming when they would want something in return for their rescue efforts. Maybe by working in the dining hall I was repaying part of my debt. Maybe not. Until I discussed the details with them, I wouldn’t know.
The days passed by peacefully, and yet I couldn’t help but feel on edge.
Chapter Eight
Gabriel
Daphne had been with us for four days when I finally decided to approach her. I knew she was shocked and traumatized by what had happened to her, so I wanted to give her some space to adjust to her new, much friendlier circumstances but I wasn’t a patient guy. I wanted to mate with her. She needed to know I wanted her as a woman.
I waited until evening when Daphne finished her shift at the dining hall. I stood by the front door until she came out, accompanied by Yoselin. The two chatted happily; it seemed like they had become fast friends.
As soon as the two women saw me, they stopped in their tracks.
“Can I borrow Daphne for a bit?” I winked at Yoselin.
She knew Daphne was my mate. I had commanded everyone at the gathering not to mention that fact to Daphne, after she had left with Yoselin to visit her new house. I wanted to be the one to tell my mate she belonged with me and Esteban. The command had reached Yoselin as well, and I hoped she hadn’t blabbed about the mating to our woman.
By the look on Yoselin’s face, I knew she understood I wanted to spend some time with my mate. The cook’s expression changed to a huge grin. She loved when people in the village eloped. She gave me a thumbs up.
“I will leave you with the Alpha then.” She marched away towards her home with a big smile.
“Yoselin, wait!” Daphne called out after her, but the other woman just continued onward.
“Have fun, you two!” she replied instead.
