Dead Luna
Chapter 1

Amelia's POV

Snap!

The sound startled me from my thoughts as I walked along the well worn path thru the bit of forest between work and my little apartment. I looked around, but didn't sense anything large or menacing nearby. Perhaps it was just a rabbit or a squirrel? Still, I started to feel uneasy and picked up my pace.

I had just wanted to get home quickly after my shift at the diner. I guess that was my first mistake. I'd been on my feet since 11 am doing back breaking work as a waitress, the day had been kinda crappy, and it was after 8 pm now. It was early July, so it was still light out and seemed safe enough to take my chances.

Perhaps it might have been a better idea to take the bus or a taxi, but I was trying to save money to buy a car. So I guess trying to save some money might count as my second mistake.

Then I detected a faint smell that I recalled from one of my customers. So forget the order of the "mistakes" I made tonight. My biggest and worst mistake happened less than an hour ago. I may have pissed off a group of werewolves seated in my section. I hear a growl from behind me, and turn around quickly. Uh, oh. There are three wolves about 20 yards behind me. I am so dead.

*flashback*

They were seated at table 10, in my section. I could sense they were werewolves before I even walked up, even though I dont have my own wolf. I was the daughter of a female omega wolf and an unknown father, so I had grown up around werewolves and could easily tell them apart from the humans. We often get werewolves in the diner, since this little town was only a few miles outside the territories of both the Green Mountain pack and Silver Falls pack. These werewolves didn't smell like either of those packs, though. Iron Peak, I think. And looks like I got the Alpha, the Gamma, and perhaps the Delta, based on their physique. All three were tall, ripped, and imposing specimens of werewolf kind. And all very attractive.

"What can I get started for you boys?" I ask, innocently enough. I always try to keep the flirting to a minimum with werewolves, since I don't want to get in over my head with the hyper s****l beast men. They look up from their menus and it's obvious that they like what they see. I'm rather tall, and statuesque. My dark brown hair was pulled back in a messy bun. I'm trying to give them a no nonsense look with my light green eyes. I'm hoping they get the hint and don't cause me any trouble. But based upon the looks on their faces, that is probably a futile hope. The Alpha of the group is quickly rearranging his face into a sultry come hither look, cocky grin and all. "Hey there! You've already got my engines started" He states in a gravelly sexy voice. "How about getting me your number, gorgeous?"

"No need," I respond playfully with my typical response to these sorts of requests. "I already have your number!"

At that moment another group of werewolves enter the diner and are sat in my section. This time the scent is a very familiar one. Winter Moon. The pack of my childhood. A place I left 3 years ago, thanks to being rejected by their future Gamma, Leo Hart. And guess who the cat just dragged in? Crap! How am I going to get through this evening? Goddess, give me strength!

My smile froze on my face while I gave my current table a moment to give their Alpha a good ribbing before they settled down and placed their order. Then I scurried into the restroom to have a mini panic attack. A couple deep breaths later, I pull myself together, then went to grab drinks for table 10 while I formulated a plan to deal with Winter Moon at table 13.

My feet seemed to move in slow motion as I walked towards the new group. I see Leo look up at me as I approach, he must have just now scented me. He has a pained look on his face, like he was sucking on a lemon. Why should he even look like that, though? He rejected me! Not the other way around. He's seated next to the Beta Jackson Ames, and across from Alpha Derrick Lyons.

"So, Derrick, what brings you all the way here from Winter Moon? The baby back ribs are pretty damn good here, but hardly worth a 3 hour drive!" I joke, keeping the mood light. Leo sinks down in his seat a little, trying without any luck to look less conspicuous. Alpha Derrick looks confused for a moment, trying to place me since I obviously know who they are. I see him glance at my name tag, and I guess that jogs his memory a little. I did work in the pack house kitchens for over 2 years, after all.

"We are here for a meeting". Derrick informs me, remaining vague in case we are overheard by any nearby humans. "So, Amy, you recommend the ribs? I'll have that, the chocolate peanut butter pie, and coffee."

Jackson orders the same.

"Anything for you, Leonard?" I ask, unsuccessfully trying not to sound too bitchy and also using his full name which I knew he didn't care for. I could tell the others were instantly mind linking each other, most likely asking Leo about my obvious dislike. After about half a minute he tells me he wants fried chicken, baked potato, apple pie, and a beer.

I put in their order with a few "alterations" to Leo's order. Then I take care of my other tables and grab a couple drink refills while I wait for the food to be ready. I even flirt a bit more than I typically do with the werewolves at table 10, knowing that Leo would be able to easily hear me with his acute werewolf hearing from 3 tables over. I'm sure I even heard a bit of growling coming from the direction of table 13 a couple times.

When 13's food was up I made sure to bring out the ribs and and desserts for Derrick and Jackson first, even though Leo's was actually done first. Then I waited a few extra minutes so it'd be lukewarm once i delivered it to the table.

"Here you are!" I said a little too chipper when I set Leo's food down in front of him. He immediately became angry when he saw what was on the plate.

"What the hell is this?" Gesturing to the meal before him.

"Smiley face chicken nuggets, a side of broccoli, and a kiddie sundae." I informed him with steal in my tone. "Why? Is this not what you were expecting? Were you really hoping for something else? Something you believe to be superior? Do you want to reject this perfectly good food?"

"Umm..."

"This food is perfectly fine. Be grateful that I brought you this food and not what you ordered. Because if I had, I would have spit on it, added a bunch of extra salt, as well as taken a piss in your beer. You will eat this food without complaint, you will pay for the food and leave me a good tip, and then you will leave here and hopefully never see me again."

Then I walked off and mostly ignored that table except for drink refills for the rest of my shift.