Here Tonight

Bailey Trenala | BearGirl
Landon Mushkavee | Ambivalent

Bailey quickly headed into the staff entrance of the diner, completely dropping her backpack in the storage area before sliding into the kitchen. As she snatched an apron off one of the hooks, she turned to the main cook with an apologetic look on her face. "Jensen, I am so sorry I am late. Class ran longer than it was suppose to." The woman smoothed out her work skirt before wrapping the apron around her waist. As she looked down and checked the pockets from a notepad and a pen, the cook waved his hand dismissively.

"School comes first, we know that. Just make it up to the other waitresses by getting out there. I think they needed help in section C the most." He said before turning to the food on the grill. "The dinner rush just started. So you got lucky this time."

Bailey gave the cook a quick nod before sharply turning on her feet and heading out of the door. Immediately, she found the head waitresses and was told specifically which section and tables to take over. Now Bailey knew she had to be on the top of her game today. She didn't want to be a burden on the others when she was already late. Her eyes dropped down to the first table that needed her assistance and Bailey walked up. "Good Evening. My name is Bailey and I will be your server today. Can I start you off with a drink today?"

---

Victor shook the nerves out of his system, taking a few deep breaths to calm down. The line crossing over to his neighbors, The Astral Pack, was only a mile or so away. It would be a short run there, but he needed a moment to compose himself. Soon, he was going to be asking for the alpha's daughter's, Lilliana Obertin, hand in marriage. While the practice wasn't exactly abnormal for wolves, the thought of doing so was nerve-racking. There was a good chance that the woman would say no immediately. If she did, all of this would be for naught.

Though he wasn't expecting a yes either. What Victor was really hoping for was an approval to court her. He had to show his intention to proposal to Lilliana and be given permission to move forward. It would be a good alliance for him and his pack. More territory to rule, a larger pack, an alpha female to rule with... Victor needed someone and he could no longer rely on a soulmate.

With these thoughts in his head, Victor started to run towards the boarder. They should know he was coming, as he had sent one of his pack members ahead to send them warning. They should also, hopefully, know why Victor had asked for a meeting with them. Forcibly, Victor turned his thoughts to his earlier conversation with Landon. He had to remember why it would benefit the Astral pack to agree to this alliance. They were one of the strongest packs in the country, he had strong allies as well. They had resources that would benefit them as well. There was really no reason for them to deny him outright...unless Lilliana had a known living soulmate.

Lilliana sighed heavily as she paced the floor, her bright red heels clicking against the marble floor. The leader of the neighboring pack was coming over and that made her nervous. She had speculations of what the reason of his visit could be. It made her anxious and nauseous just thinking about it. The last thing Lilliana wanted was to get married. If that was even the reason why he was coming. She wasn’t the type to get hitched because it benefited everyone else. Even though she couldn’t find her soul mate, she was determined to marry in the terms of love. Although, she was almost certain that her father would make her do whatever, regardless.

After an endless and exhausting search for her mate, Lilliana had given up almost all hope of even finding him. She was determined to lead her pack on her own when the time came. Who really needed a man? She certainly didn’t. They just got in the way and the only thing they were really actually useful for was their dick. Pleasure and reproducing is the only thing she could get out of them. Honestly, she wasn’t even sure if she wanted to even reproduce. Having “pups” wasn’t exactly at the very top of her bucket list, but she knew she would have to pass on the lineage some how.

Lilliana looked at herself in the mirror, smoothing out her skin tight, black dress. She pulled her red lipstick out of her clutch and reapplied. She fixed a few strands of dark hair that was falling in her face, sighing heavily.

---

Landon groaned and stretched as he parked in a parking spot at the diner. He decided to get himself something to eat before he went home and delt with pack stuff of his own. He had been helping Victor with the decion to ask Lilliana to marry him. Landon had to commend Victor on his bravery. It was going to take a very strong willed man to even try and tame that woman. He should know, he dated her a few years back thinking she was possibly his soul mate but turned out she definitely wasn’t. Either way they only went on two dates before he decided she was bat shit crazy and wanted nothing to do with her. Ever.

Landon shook his head and got out of his car, not even wanting to think about it. He walked into the diner and told the woman at the podium he wanted a booth, shoving his hands in his pockets as he followed her. He gave her a small smile before she walked off, opening the menu and sighing. There was always so much to choose from, it was insane. He never knew what exactly he was in the mood for. Maybe he’d go for some breakfast this time around.

Hearing a voice, Landon looked up from his menu at the waitress that was now suddenly standing st his table. His eyes widened slightly as he stared at the Beauty in front of him. She was gorgeous[/3]. He’d never seen a girl like her before. Her eyes were a gorgeous shade and her hair looked so soft to the touch. Landon cleared his throat and shook his head, trying to shake the fact that he was being a total creep. “Well, Bailey, ill take a class of water and a coffee, if you don’t mind,” he told her with his awkward winning smile.

@ Ambivalent

Bailey smiled back at Landon as he gave her his order. She had noticed the way he had stared at her and thought it was a little odd. The man looked almost starstruck at the sight of her. Though, perhaps, he had not seen her come up to the table, or was having a long day. It certainly would not be the first time that one of her tables acted a bit strangely. "I will bring that right out for you, sir." With that, Bailey turned around and headed to a few other tables to grab their drink orders before heading back into the kitchen.

Two of the other waitresses were talking as they collected drinks for their respective tables. "Did you see the cutie in section C, table 4?"
"Yes I did! Talk about a stud muffin."
Bailey joined them at the drink dispenser, letting out a bit of a laugh at their words. "That is my table actually. To be honest, he seems a bit awkward. I tried to get his order and he just stared at me like he was lost."
"Oh look at Bailey, complaining about some hot guy staring at her!" One of the girls teased, a huge smile on her face.
"Well, if you mind, how about we switch tables? I wouldn't mind some hottie staring at me!
Bailey let out a laugh and shook her head. "Oh, I don't think so! Unless you want to table my shift on Thursday?"
"I have classes then! Not fair Bailey!"

A huge smile moved over Bailey's face, "Well I guess that is just too bad for you then!" With that, Bailey grabbed the last of her drinks and headed back out onto the restaurant. As much as they joked, they knew they couldn't really be switching tables in the middle of a dinner rush. She moved throughout her tables, dropping the drinks off and grabbings orders before moving back to Table 4. Bailey set down his coffee and glass of water. "Would you like to order or do you need more time?"

---

Once Victor reached the boarder of the neighboring pack, he was greeted by three other wolves. They were members of the other pack, there to welcome Victor onto their land and to bring him to their Alpha. It was customary to send a welcome party to meet another alpha. This ensured that both parties had agreed that he was allowed to be on their land. Even with allies, it was best to make agreements on when they could and could not be on each other's territory... wolves were very particular about their land and fights over it were started easily.

Soon enough, Victor was brought to the pack's home base. Once the welcome party transformed, Victor did the same. He took a moment to ensure that his clothes were straightened and that he looked presentable. Things tended to move a bit during a transformation and he wanted to make a good impression on Lilliana and her father.

He followed them through the area, leading him up to the alpha's house, where they should be waiting for him outside to welcome him in. If they were not, it could easily spell trouble for Victor. It would be an insult to him and his pack to not be welcomed properly. And it would suggest that they were not interested in what he had to say.

“Let’s go, Pumpkin. Victor is here,” Lilliana’s father said with a smile, placing a hand on her back and leading her outside. She made a small face but was quick to replace it with a joyous smile. She really didn’t want to hear a lecture from her father today about how she needed to be happy and perk up. She stood next to her father on the front steps, clasping her hands in front of her. She could see a small group of wolves in the distance, one in particular catching her eye. He was huge, and that excited Liliana. She wasn’t sure why, though. All of the female wolves knew that the bigger the wolf, the better. The alphas were usually the ones who had the tremendous wolves. As for females, they were usually the smallest, except for her. Lilli’s wolf was rather large for being a female, but that was because she was destined to be the Luna of her pack someday.

She shifted on her feet as the group of men approached them, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “Welcome to our neck of the woods,” her father greeted with a laugh. “Please, come in. It’s good to see you, Victor,” he said as he clasped his hand on the others man’s shoulder. Lilliana’s breath got caught in her throat when Victor passed her, biting down on her lower lip hard. He smelled so amazing, whatever cologne he used worked for him if it were even a cologne.

“Are you coming, pumpkin?” Her father asked, tearing her away from her thoughts. “Oh, yes,” she murmured, following them inside and into the parlor where her father usually held his meetings. Lilliana honestly just rather call it a living room because that was basically what it was. Her father just liked thinking up fancy names.

---

Landon needed to pull himself together. Did he just find his mate? There was no denying the feeling he had when he looked at her. Goosebumps rose on his skin and his heart was racing. Though, this could all just be a trick. Some spell castrd to make him think he found the one. He groaned and shook his head, he was being ridiculous. Maybe all of the love talk with Victor got his imagination going into over drive.

Landon looked over the menu, sighing softly to himself. He was kind of in the mood for pancakes. But then again the breakfast scramble looked really good. He was just in the mood for breakfast in general. He looked up when he heard Bailey, smiling at her. “Well let’s see,” he mused, opening back up his menu. “I’ll have a stack of pancakes, sausage, home fries and a side of gravy. Oh, and toast,” he told her with a cheesy grin. He was starving and he could definitely eat his weight.

Landon bit his bottom lip as he looked Bailey over, getting butterflies in his stomach. He was definitely going to have to ask this girl for her number or something before he left. Or maybe he’d just keep making frequent visits to the diner to see her so he didn’t seem like a total creep. Well actually, making frequent visits would make him seem like a creep either way so he was kind of ducked. He’d have to figure something out

@ Ambivalent

The moment Victor eyes were on Lilliana, it felt like he had been hit by a brick wall. Everything about her had him completely memorized. Her beautiful long black hair and how it seemed to just cascade down her perfectly. That eye catching smile that was spread across her face and the dimples that showed in her cheeks. Though nothing pulled him in as much as her heart stopping eyes.

Though as a hand was quickly clasped down on his shoulder, it was like had had been brought back to reality. Victor's eyes quickly shifted back to the alpha. Victor wasn't quite sure what had just happened but it felt like had just experienced tunnel vision. Maybe he was just nervous? Though nervous or not, Victor needed to get his act together again. He needed to ensure that he was paying attention to Lilliana and her father.

"It is good to see you as well." Following the man inside, Victor took a seat at a chair across from the both of them. "Thank you for letting me come with the both of you." It was typical to agree to a meeting unless there was ill will. Though Victor was still glad that they agreed to it, some packs had difficulty letting anyone on their territory even if it was just for a day. "There is a preposition I would like to offer and I am hoping that you both will hear me out." With that, Victor turned his head back to Lilliana, meeting her eyes again. It was her that he needed to get approval from the most for this.

---

As he ordered, Bailey nodded and put it down on her pad. "The home fries here are absolutely delicious. A very good choice." Bailey told him with a large smile on her face. Even though she thought him a little odd, the man seemed nice enough. And to be honest, she kinda liked the way he smiled. Her coworkers were right about how attractive he was, even if he had been a little awkward. Though Bailey supposed that there could be something quite endearing about that as well.

Bailey stopped herself from going down that rabbit hole. It seemed that the other waitresses were putting thoughts into her head and that was enough of that. She wasn't really one to flirt with customers. Besides, it wasn't like he was asking for her to do so. She needed to focus on work, not who had the best smile!

"I will be back with your order in a bit!" With that, Bailey turned and headed back to the kitchen. She dropped off his order before going about the rest of her job, going to other tables and doing a few things in the back for the others.

Lilliana sat down on the small sofa next to her father, crossing her ankles to the side and placing her hands in her lap. She stared down at her hands most of the time, but she certainly couldn’t help but sneak a few peeks at Victor. He was really handsome, she couldn’t deny that at all. He also had a very well build body, rightly so for an alpha. Lilliana appreciated that very much.

“You’re most certainly welcome,” her father replied to Victor, a cheesy smile on his face. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he was up to something. “Would you like a drink, Victor?” Her father asked, getting up from the sofa and walking over to where he kept his liquor. He poured both him and Victor a glass of whiskey, walking over and placing it infront of Victor on the coffee table that separated them.

At this rate she was going to be needing a drink. Liliana honestly just wanted to know the reason for this man’s visit. “So, what do we owe the pleasure of your visit today?” Lilliana spoke up, sending Victor a small smile. If her father wasn’t going to ask, then she would.

---

Landon smiled and nodded. “Thank you, I appreciate it,” he told her softly as he watched her walk off. “Get it together, Landon. You’re being an idiot,” he murmured to himself, shaking his head. How was he supposed to woo her over if he kept being a stupid ass?

He sighed heavily and took a sip of his drink, looking out the window near him. It was a beautiful day, that was for sure. As much as he’d rather be out and running with his pack, he was interested in this waitress. He definitely felt a connection with her and even though it was extremely rare for a human to be a werewolves mate, he had no doubt that she was his.

Landon’s phone vibrated on the table near his drink, breaking him away from his thoughts. He raised a brow as he looked at the name of the person from the text he just received, sighing heavily when he saw that it was his beta. He was probably texting to tell Landon that he burnt down the house again, and that was something he really didn’t want to deal with.

@ Ambivalent

"Yes, please. Thank you." Victor said as the alpha offered him a drink. He needed it. Just anything that could help him take the edge off a bit would be helpful. Especially with the way his stomach did flips whenever his eyes landed on Liliana. Damn, he never remembered being this nervous about anything before... Though, Victor suppose that he had never done anything like this before.

His eyes landed on Liliana as she asked why he was here. That was certainly a fair question. It was not often that alphas dropped by unless they were allies, which the two of them currently were not. Once the alpha handed him his drink, Victor took a sip before setting it down on the table in front of him. Well, here he goes.

"I have come here to ask for your hand in marriage, Liliana." Victor said outright. He continued before either of them could really get a chance to react. "Or rather, I am asking that you would consider the arrangement. I believe that an alliance of this nature would benefit both of our packs and would like the chance to prove that I am a worthy suitor."

---

Bailey continued about her job, helping other tables, talking with the other waitresses and speaking with the cooks when there was some time. Though, of course, she spent most of her time running from table to table. Bringing out food, drinks and other items that their patrons might need.

For the most part, she left the table with the man alone. Though she would look over to see if he need anything, but also to see what the lone man might be up to. Some interest grew in her as she watched him pull out his phone and look at it. That was not a very good look... But it was truly none of her business.

A few more minutes passed until his food was completed. Bailey brought it out, setting it down on the table in front of the man. "Is there anything else that I can get for you?"

Lilliana’s jaw dropped the minute the words left the man’s mouth. Was he serious? He couldn’t be serious. She knew that her father would agree to it, mostly because of how powerful he was and how good of an opportunity it would be. Honestly, she couldn’t say no, it would be absurd for her to.

“You’re proposing to me and you’re not even going to get down on one knee and present me with a ring?” She murmured, clenching her fists.

Lilliana had always told herself that if she ever married, that it would be for love. She wouldn’t be doing this for the sake of saving her pack or because it benefited them, but she knew that this would make her father happy. Right now, against all odds, he truly was the only man in her life that she wanted to make happy. She loved her father very much, regardless if he was her alpha, he was her role model and she hoped to be able to be as confident and as strong as him someday.

She cleared her throat and shifted into a more comfortably position in her seat, sighing heavily as she prenteded to ponder. Lilliana already knew her answer, as did her father, she was sure.

“I accept your marriage proposal, Victor.”

---

Landon cursed to himself as he quickly began typing a message back to his beta, telling the other wolf to stop being such a dumbass and put out the barn fire. They had a barn where they threw axes for fun, but it also came in handy with their aim. Of course, his beta decided it would be a grand idea to throw flaming axes and now it was currently burning to the ground.

Landon lookednup when he heard a voice, smiling when he heard Bailey, seeing her with his food. “Nope, that’ll do it,” he told her with a heart warming smile, watching her walk offf before digging into his food.

He definitely loved the food here, he always had. It was his go to place for comfort food whenever he needed it. He wasn’t so sure why he needed some comfort food today, maybe because he had helped Victor with his engagement to Lilliana. Landon definitely was lonely and desperate to find his mate and although he was almost certain that he had found his, there was always that possibility that she wasn’t and that she could reject him.

@ Ambivalent

Victor looked up at Lilliana, rather surprised that she accepted his marriage proposal immediately. He had been expecting for her to agree to give him a chance to prove himself and nothing more. Though, Victor suppose she would be able to call off the engagement anytime she wanted before the marriage was official.

"I am very pleased to hear that." Victor said, smiling over at Lilliana warmly. Once again, his heart seemed to beat irrationally in his chest. What was it about her that made him feel this way? And why did he feel so over the moon that he had agreed to her proposal? Victor had known that he would be pleased that his planned worked, but he never thought he would be this happy. "And my apologies for not bringing a ring, Lilliana, I had thought that we could pick it out together as partners. But if you prefer, I can go get one and propose to you more traditionally when we announce the engagement."

In truth, Victor had thought a true proposal would have been rather foolish. This was more like a business arrangement than an act of true love. He also did not want to buy a ring for her to reject him or hate the one he picked. It had seemed better to go together as a team and for Lilliana to pick out the one she truly wanted. Now it seemed that he was wrong. "Speaking of which, I would like to host a party for our packs to announce the engagement. You both would come as my honored guests, of course."

---

Once she left the man's table, Bailey had a sudden rush of new guests come in. She tried to be quick to help them get seated and get their orders in. Though by the time she had done that, she could see that several of her other tables were ready to get their checks and head out. Normally, she wanted to check on them while they were eating but unfortunately, she had not had the chance to do that this time.

Bailey went ahead and took care of the larger tables, getting them dessert or the checks so that they could leave. Once that was all taken cared of, she headed back to her only table of one. She had hoped that he would be a little more patient than the other tables, but there was really only one way to find out.

"I am sorry for the wait. Is there anything else I can do for you? Dessert or the check?" Bailey asked once she was back with him. She picked up his empty plate to bring to the back.

Lilliana’s cheeks flushed at the smile Victor gave her, making her furrowing her brow and shift in her seat. What the hell was wrong with her? “I wouldn’t mind going and picking one out together, I guess,” she murmured, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear. Of course she wanted to make sure she got the ring if her dreams if she was going to get into an engagement under these circumstances.

“Of course, we’ll be honored to go! You just let us know when you’re thinking about hosting the party and I’ll be sure to let our pack know the details so they can attend as well,” her father spoke as he took another sip of his drink before leaning back in his seat.

Lilliana sighed heavily and rubbed her temples, nodding. “Yes, what my father said. An announcement party sounds like a great idea.” She was forcing herself to remain calm and under control. One minute she felt like taking this man up to her room and ripping his clothes off to have her way with him, the next she wanted to rip his throat out for the inconvenience he was causing. What inconvenience though, she wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like she was actually going to find her real mate anytime soon.

---

Landon are his food slowly, watching the busy waitress zoom around the diner and wait on people as fast as she could. He noticed that she was breaking out into a bit of a sweat, and honestly he could smell it. She smelled pretty delicious and the hormones that were pouring out of her with it were enough to make him want to bend her over this table an show her what it’s like to be with a real wolf.

Landon’s eyes widened and he shook his head, rubbing his eyes as he tried to snap out of it. “Jesus Christ,” he muttered to himself, clearing his throat. He needed to pull himself together. Hearing a voice, he looked up and saw Bailey finally standing before him. He almost couldn’t make eye contact with her after the vulgar images he just had in his head of her.

“I’ll take the check whenever you get a moment, please. The food was fantastic, though,” he told her, his voice cracking a few times. He seriously wanted to kick himself in the ass right about now.

@ Ambivalent

"I was thinking next Saturday. I will be sure to tell you both more once things are settled." Victor said as he looked to the alpha. That would give him enough time to plan a proper party for them. And should give both packs enough warning to prepare themselves for it and trying to get out of bed the next day. Though, there was another reason why he wanted to wait a week before officially announcing it...

"I would also like to spend some time with you, Lilliana, before the party. Would you be able to find some time for me? Maybe we can go out to the city and pick out the ring?"Victor had committed himself to do this no matter what, but that did not change the fact that he wanted to spend some time with the woman that he was going to soon call his wife. And some alone time before both packs started to get involved sounded like a good idea to him. It would be good to know what kind of woman she was.

While waiting for her response, Victor picked up his drink and took another sip of it. For some reason, he still felt nervous, despite the fact that she had already said yes. Why did he want this date with Lilliana so much? There was no reason for her to say no to it so why was his heart still buzzing?

---

A warm smile moved over Bailey's lips as the man spoke. She was pleased to know that he had not minded the wait - or at least was not particularly upset about it. Some customers would get a bit...rowdy if things did not go their way. "I am pleased to hear that. And I will go get your check right away."

With that, Bailey turned around and headed off to the kitchen. She dropped off the man's plate and her two coworkers had found the time to look out the little service window to stare at him one last time before he left. Bailey shook her head at them before going to the register and getting his check.

She headed back to his table, setting it down before dropping two mints on top of it. "Thank you for coming, I hope you have a great day today." Bailey smiled at him warmly.