Chapter 1
The sun was pushing through cracks in the curtains, creating bright stripes of morning light in the otherwise dark bedroom. The large man occupying the room was still asleep despite the sun being up. He moaned restlessly and tossed, caught in an intense dream. Inside his head his wolf was free, nose to the ground, following someone through a dark forest. He caught the scent again and howled triumphantly as he ran to catch up. Through the trees a flash of white fabric, long brown hair. On the wind the warm smell of vanilla and sugar. Cupcakes. He was desperate to catch her, but she stayed just out of reach. He growled in frustration, having lost the scent again and before he could find it his alarm pulled him back to consciousness.
He groaned and stretched, grabbing his phone to silence the alarm. He lay for a moment still feeling the desperation of the dream. Despite being awake he could still smell cupcakes. The smell led him out of bed and downstairs to the kitchen, where his mother and several of his sisters were baking.
"Good morning sleepy head." his mother quipped good naturedly.
"Man that smells good. It made its way into my dreams." He peered into the oven at the yellow cupcakes starting to dome up.
"Don't even think about it!" His sister Helen snapped at towel at him to shoo him away from the oven.
"Hey! I'm just looking." He rubbed his thigh where the towel had snapped him and tried to look hurt. Helen giggled and wrapped the towel up to hit him again as he ducked behind his mother for protection.
"Don't get me in the middle of your shenanigans please Rig, I've got to get this icing made so we can get these cupcakes done for tonight."
"I'll be the bigger man," He kissed his mother on the cheek, "I need to hop in the shower anyway."
His sister's taunts followed him back up the stairs, finally cut off when he closed the bathroom door. Rig grinned as he turned on the shower, he'd miss Helen soon enough. She'd recently found her mate and would be moving out of the family home. Not that there would be any shortage of other siblings, but anytime somebody moved away from their tight knit family they were missed.
The bathroom filled up with steam while he showered. Wiping off the mirror revealed his ruggedly handsome face with the shadow of a beard that no amount of shaving could completely remove. He kept his hair buzzed short because he didn't like to fuss with it, a decision his mother and sisters approved of as it suited him. Warm brown eyes shared his face with a strong nose and a mouth that was always ready to grin. Rig wasn't given to vanity but he had to admit there was nothing obviously objectionable about his appearance. His body was strong and fit, with broad shoulders and the kind of muscles you earn working hard. Standing right at 6 feet tall he was generally oblivious to the heads he turned, but turn them he did.
Wrapping a towel around his waist he made his way back down the hall to his room, saying good morning to a couple of his brothers that shared the floor with him. It was time for work and the house was buzzing as the large family prepared for the day.
Rig, with his 6 brothers, worked for the family construction business. At 30 he was the oldest son still at home, something he was regularly teased about. Wolves generally stayed at home until they found their mate and his had yet to show up. She hadn't shown up in the waking world anyway, but she was there almost every night lately haunting his dreams.
This morning he was on his way to a site he was supervising, a large commercial building big on concrete and small on style. Checking the time he realized he was running a bit early, which gave him time to drop into a coffee shop he'd noticed nearby. A big cup of fancy coffee sounded perfect.
The shop was moderately busy as he walked in, there were 4 people ahead of him in line to order. To his sensitive nose the scent of coffee was usually strong and powerful, but as he stepped in the door he was hit with that delicious smell of cupcakes again. It was the most wonderful thing he'd ever smelled and he had an immediate visceral response. His heart was pounding, his wolf was howling and he nearly stumbled as his cock swelled uncomfortably.
Skipping the line he moved to examine the bakery case. It was full of breads and confections, but no cupcakes. He looked around the store, the smell driving him to distraction. His wolf was frantic, clawing for control in a way he hadn't experienced since puberty. Rig sniffed the air, trying to zero in on where the scent was coming from. He scanned the store, no other cases. From the other end of the counter, in the pick up line, a woman laughed. It was melodic, absolutely feminine and he whipped around at the sound of it. His wolf lunged forward toward the source. Here she was, finally, in the waking world, he'd found her.
And she was not what he had expected. She was human, not unheard of but special and rare. Something you expected of an alpha's mate, not the average pack member. Certainly more complicated than a natural wolf. He retreated to a table and sat down heavily, watching her closely.
She was the personification of a cupcake. He grinned as his wolf licked his chops. She was decadent, round, soft and delicious looking. A vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing, he thought admiring her lush brown hair as she laughed again and shook her head. Everything about her looked impossibly lush as a matter of fact. Full breasts, generous ass, curvy legs that ended gracefully in the cutest little feet he'd ever seen. He realized he was growling softly, clenching his fists. With a tremendous effort of will he took several deep breaths and went to order his coffee while keeping one eye on his mate.
How are we going to do this? The primal, animal part of him was snapping and straining to just grab their mate. The logical, human part of him knew he had to proceed carefully. Most humans had no idea non-humans existed at all and could react badly when confronted with proof. He couldn't risk this going badly.
She had picked up her order and sat at a two top table near the window. As he ordered she pulled a Kindle out of her bag and started reading while drinking her coffee and taking bites of what looked like quiche. His sense of smell was so overwhelmed by her he couldn't pick out anything else for certain.
Just stay there sweetheart, just stay right there he thought as he waited for his coffee. It seemed to take forever but she was only halfway through her food and didn't look like she was moving any time soon. He admired her smooth bare leg and shapely ankle as she crossed her legs and settled in her chair. She was wearing an emerald green wrap dress that hugged her voluptuous breasts and skimmed flatteringly over her tummy and thighs. His eyes were drawn to her deep cleavage as she leaned forward to take another bite. He followed the fork to a pair of lips made for kissing. She closed her eyes and smiled appreciatively as her lips closed on the fork, causing his breath to freeze in his chest. When her eyes opened she looked up and made eye contact. Everything stopped for a split second, all he could see were two big blue eyes. She blushed and looked down and he expelled the breath he'd been holding.
"Sir?" The barista sounded irritated, holding his order out toward him.
"Oh, sorry, I got off in my own little world there. Thank you." He took the coffee and blueberry muffin and turned back towards his mate. Taking a deep calming breath and admonishing his wolf to behave he walked toward her.
Fate was on his side, there were no empty tables, giving him a perfect opening to join her.
"Pardon me." He stood beside the open chair trying to look casual and non threatening. She looked up from her book giving him an open, friendly smile.
"Yes?" The single word sending a tingle along his spine, "Can I help you?"
"I hope so, see there aren't any open tables this morning and I was hoping to sit for a few minutes before heading to work. I, uh, was wondering if I could share your table?" His confidence faltered a bit but he made it through with what he hoped was a charming smile.
"Oh!" She glanced around at the rest of the shop, "Well yes, that's fine." Her cheeks turned a soft pink as she gestured to the open chair.
He sat down his coffee and held out his hand, introducing himself "Rig Cabello."
"Georgia Allen, but most people call me George." She lay her hand in his. It was warm and soft and his body buzzed at the contact. George drew a sharp breath and her cheeks flared red, his skin against hers causing a reaction for her as well.
"Nice to meet you George." Rig's voice was husky as he tried to steady himself. He reluctantly released her hand and sat down. He crossed his legs hoping the erection straining his jeans wasn't obvious.
