Fate & Fur

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?"

@ BearGirl

Aiden had had a long day dealing with disputes with some of the other members of his pack, and had wanted to get away and have a chance to sit by himself and collect his thoughts over a decent meal. So, when he'd spotted the diner that wasn't in his territory he'd gladly gone in, glad to spend some time away from his pack. He took a seat in a booth toward the back, looking over the menu while he waited for someone to come over and take his order.

"I'll have an iced tea, a burger and fries, please." He ordered, before looking up to look at his waiter. His eyes widened a bit as he looked at her, amazed by her beauty and feeling instantly drawn to her. He also silently cursed himself, doing his best to suppress the feeling. The last thing he needed to do was fall for someone from another pack.

@ katahdin

"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."
"Well, how about we switch tables then?"
Bailey let out a laugh and shook her head. "Oh, I don't think so! Unless you want to take 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 to the restaurant to set down his ice tea. "Is there anything else I can get for you for now?"

@ BearGirl

Aiden watched her attend to the other tables and head to the kitchen, doing his best to ignore the protective instincts that were kicking in. She was gorgeous, and the wolf in him wanted her to be his, but he knew better than to attempt to take someone from a territory that wasn't his.

He was busy arguing with himself when she returned, and he offered her a kind smile as he looked up at her. "Thank you, miss. I'm all set for now."

@ katahdin
"Sounds good. Your food will be out in a bit." Bailey said as she headed back off to the kitchen. She continued to move around the restaurant, assisting other customers. Every so often, she would do a quick swiping glance of all of her tables, to see if anyone needed her. Though one time she looked around, she could see the person who was sitting along, looking her way. Bailey smiled at the man and gave him a small wave before dipping back into the kitchen. 

A few minutes later, Bailey came out with a plate in hand and another ice tea. "Here you go." She said as she set down both items. "Anything else I can get for you?"

@ BearGirl

Aiden felt his heart skip a beat when she waved at him when she caught him looking at her, and he silently cursed as he focused his attention elsewhere, taking a long sip of his iced tea. He was the alpha of his pack, he couldn't go falling for some human in another territory, even if it was what his inner wolf seemed to want. He needed to find a mate that was good for his pack, not some random waitress.

He thanked her when she brought his food, offering her a kind smile. "Thank you, it looks delicious. I'm all set for now, thank you, although I might need another iced tea in a few minutes."

@ katahdin

"Then I will be back in a few minutes." With that, Bailey turned on her heels and headed into the rest of the restaurant. She moved through, dealing with the other tables before coming back a few minutes later with another Ice Tea. Though, this time she only set the drink down before continuing on her way to another, much larger table. 

It was a bit longer until Bailey came back with the man's check, setting it down on the table. "Is there anything else that I can get for you today?"

@ BearGirl

Aiden ate quickly, having forgotten to eat lunch due to his meetings earlier in the day, and was quite pleased with the quality of the food, as he generally found most diners to be hit or miss on the food. He thanked her when she dropped off his iced tea, keeping an eye on her as she made her way around the restaurant, growing especially concerned when he recognized another wolf at one of the tables, but they didnt seem to be paying him or her any attention so he turned his attention back to his meal.

When she brought the check he smiled up at her, shifting a little in his seat to pull out his wallet. "Thank you, I'm all set. The meal was delicious." He said as he pulled out a couple of twenties, setting them down on the check as he stood and collected his coat. "Have a lovely evening, and keep the change." He smiled at her before heading out of the diner, not wanting to draw too much attention to himself, especially when he wasn't in his own territory.

@ katahdin
It had been around a month since Aiden started coming to the diner regularly. It had taken only one repeat visit for Bailey to learn his name, and a few more until she considered herself his regular waitress. Now it felt only natural to bring out an Ice Tea to his table when he first came, without having to ask what he wanted to order. Bailey felt like she had, somehow, became Aiden's personal waitress at the diner. Though, she suppose it was due to him always specifically asking for her when he came in. Every time Aiden came in, he asked to be seated in her section. And, in a way, it made Bailey feel special. 

As he walked into the diner, Bailey came out with an Ice Tea before he was even fully seated at the table. A large smile was along her lips as she looked down at him. "How is my favorite customer today?" 

@ BearGirl

Despite his better judgment, Aiden had become a regular at the diner where Bailey worked, despite it being in another pack's territory. He'd tried to stay away a few times, but instinct had driven him back to the diner and to her, and so he'd given in and followed what his heart seemed to want.

Aiden smiled as she approached him with his usual iced tea, carefully taking the full glass from her and setting it down on the table before he took his seat, using the oppourtunity to touch her arm gently and leave his scent on her to ward off other wolves and mark her as being under his protection. "You flatter me, Miss Bailey. I'm sure you're sick and tired of serving me by now, there's no need to be polite." He grinned teasingly before taking a sip of his iced tea and glancing over the menu. "What would you recommend I try today?" The first few weeks of his visits he had stuck with the same order, but she'd convinced him at one point to change it up, so now he looked to her for guidance as to what to try next.

@ katahdin

"I would never be sick or tired of you, Aiden." Bailey reassured him, her eyes bright as she did so. Admittedly, Bailey had grown quite the soft spot for Aiden over the last few weeks. There was something about him that she liked. Perhaps it was just the kindness that he always showed towards her. But Bailey was sure there was something more to it than that. "I enjoy serving you."

With that, she turned slightly to take a look at the menu that he had been glancing over. She then leaned over Aiden slightly, pointing out two different things on the menu. "There is a brisket burger that I think you would really enjoy. Otherwise, maybe the chicken tenders sandwich with the secret sauce? That is actually one of my favorites here." Bailey let out a small laugh. "Though I normally get a shake with my food instead of Ice Tea." The girl let out a small pleasant hum before turning her head from the menu to look back at Aiden. "What do you think?

@ BearGirl

Aiden smiled as noticed the genuine brightness in her eyes, and it made his heart soar. He'd wanted to ask her on a proper date for weeks (since the moment they had met, actually) but hadn't been sure if she would be interested. But her smile and the brightness in her eyes told him that she'd at least be open to the idea, which made him more than excited. "I dont think I'd get sick of you either, Bailey."

He looked over the menu as she pointed out her suggestions, giving a little nod. "I've eaten a lot of burgers lately, so I think I'll try the chicken tender sandwich, especially if it's your favorite." He smiled, closing the menu to hand back to her. "Maybe... Maybe you could take your break early and eat with me? I'll pay, of course." He asked hesitantly, tensing a little as he waited for her answer, unsure of whether or not she'd accept his offer. It wasnt exactly a proper date, but it would be a start.

@ katahdin
Bailey took a moment to glance around the diner. There were a few tables at the restaurant but it was rather calm. Plus her only other table was finishing up their check now. She looked back to Aiden, wrapping her arms around the menu as she held it to her chest. She was feeling a bit giddy from the mere fact that he asked her. In truth, Bailey did have some interest in the patron that always asked for her. "I would like that. Let me just make sure the other waitresses don't mind." 

Turning, Bailey headed into the kitchen to talk to the other waitresses and put in their orders. As she is speaking with the others, a small group of three come into the diner and get a seat across the way. Two men and one woman slide into the booth. One of the men glance around before dropping their eyes on Aiden. His eyes narrow a bit before nudging the other and nodding towards Aiden. They could smell him from across the diner. 

@ BearGirl

Aiden watched her closely as he waited for her answer, a smile lighting up his face when she agreed. "Perfect. I promise to be on my best behavior." He grinned a little as he watched her head back to the kitchen, only looking away once she was out of his sight, pulling his phone out to send a few texts to a few others in his pack who had been wondering when he would be coming home.

His attention was pulled away from his phone and listening to Bailey chat with the other waitresses in the kitchen when he caught the scent of the group who had come into the diner, shoulders tensing as he looked over at the group, casting a warning glare in their direction. While he wasn't in his own territory, he was still an alpha, and didnt see the need to let them intimidate him. After all, he didn't recognize any of them as the alpha of this territory, and none of them seemed particularly strong, so in the event a fight broke out he figured he could hold his own.

@ katahdin
Bailey came out a bit later, holding two plates of food and a milkshake for herself. She set down her meal across from Aiden before setting his plate down in front of him. "The other waitresses said they could handle the restaurant while I took my break with you. " As she slid into the booth, the female wolf from across the way tensed up and was instantly on her feet. However, one of the men grabbed onto her arm and shook his head. The female seemed to growl a bit before sitting back down in her chair. 

 Once settled, the woman took a sip from her chocolate milkshake. She glanced over at Aiden curiously, her head tilting to the side a bit as she did so. Bailey couldn't help but wonder why Aiden asked her to eat with him. Though she was excited to find out. "I hope you the sandwich," Bailey said a bit nervously. It felt like it would be her fault if he didn't, since she recommended it. 

@ BearGirl

Aiden would have been on his feet too had Bailey not been there, not wanting to risk her getting injured by being between two wolves. He narrowed his eyes and let out a little warning growl only loud enough for the wolves to hear, although when he turned his attention to Bailey he relaxed and smiled at her. "I'll have to leave them a generous tip as a thank you for letting you take your break with me." He smiled, keeping his attention on her while remaining aware of what the other wolves were up to.

"I'm sure it's delicious, I doubt you would steer me wrong, and as you know, I'm not a picky eater." He grinned a little, reaching over to brush a little bit of chocolate milkshake that had been left at the corner of her lips with his thumb, before digging into his food.

"So, why work here? Do you live nearby?" He asked curiously. If she lived closer to his territory or in it completely, then the mess he was getting himself into with the other pack would be able to be avoided, although he was sure it wasnt going to be that easy.

@ katahdin

"I am sure that they would greatly appreciate that. Though it really is not necessary" Bailey said with a warm laugh. It was nice of him to offer, though she was sure the other waitresses weren't expecting anything for letting her take her break at that moment. Especially since it wasn't particularly busy or anything. "I would do the same for them and they know that."

As Aiden reached over and brushed his thumb against the corner of her lips', a small jolt of tingles ran down her face and spine. It was the mere act of him touching her like that. "Thank you." Bailey said gently before she started to eat the meal in front of her, having ordered the sandwich she recommended as well.

After a few bites, she started to speak. "I work here because I can get the hours I want. They kinda let me come and go as I need to. Also, because it is close to where I live on the edge of campus. I am a first year masters degree student. So, what do you do? I suppose you live close to here as well?"

@ BearGirl

Aiden smiled as he listened to her talk about the other waitresses, glad to hear that they looked out for each other. "Not a problem." He mumbled around a mouthful of his sandwich when she thanked him, offering her a warm smile, glad that she seemed to have reacted well to it. He nodded a little as she talked about where she lived and why she worked at the diner, a bit upset that she lived nowhere near his territory, although considering she was a student, he figured that if anything happened between them, he could convince her to move.

"What are you studying?" He asked curiously between bites, enjoying the sandwich more than he had expected. "As for me, I live on the other side of town, actually... it's about a twenty five minute walk from my apartment. But I help my family run a small buisness, and they dont mind when I wander off."

@ katahdin

"I am getting my Masters in Computer Science." Bailey told him as a huge smile came along her lips. "I know it is a little geeky but I really enjoy it." The woman glanced over at Aiden, wondering what he thought about it. There were times she would get a response she didn't particularly like about it. Especially since there seemed to be enough people who didn't think she was smart enough because she was a girl or because she was 'too pretty'. It was something that tended to show people's true colors pretty quickly, in her experience.

"That is kinda a long walk to eat, isn't it?" She was surprised to hear that he was walking about a half hour here so often to eat at the diner. Though, a part of Bailey did have the feeling Aiden wasn't coming just for the food. "What is your family business?"