SIW Adam & Bronwille: Teaser Ch 04

Chapter Four : Confrontation.

It had been a quiet morning. All the regulars stopping by for breakfast, than the usual break as he got thing prepared for the lunch hour rush. Over time he had thought himself to single out all the smells around him. And then it hit him, that sweet smell he so longed to drown himself in. Adam twisted around. Smelling the air again, he wasn't sure he could believe this. She's here! Forgetting all about the food, he raced up front, stopping just in time to see her entering his tavern behind Mia.

What in heaven's name made her decide to come here for lunch he thought angrily.

Looking around he motioned for Katie to come to him. Restless as his wolf was, Katie was the safest choice as not to rile up the other staff, she was the only human working here.

"When they're seated can you ask Mia to come talk to me, Katie? You can tell her she's got a call waiting for her. She'll understand," Adam told her then he turned and went back to his kitchen.

He cursed loud when he saw several pans had burned food in them. As he kept on mumbling to himself he restarted the dishes that had gotten burned. So occupied with correcting things he didn't notice Mia stepping into his kitchen.

As she said hello to his, he startled and turned around abruptly, almost dumping the contents of one of his pots over her.

"Mia, are you out of your freaking mind? Why did you bring her here?" he spoke in an accusing tone. His wolf was close, pacing back and forth.

"Get a grip, Adam," she shot back at him, "And think for a change. Sure I admit, I haven't told her this is your place and whether she finds out or not is up to you. I hoped you would realize what it means for her to go outside already."

Mia tapped her foot impatiently, giving Adam the time to process everything.

"Mia, I've read her story, the first one. You have no idea how hard it is to contain myself. I just want to swoop her up and lock her away, making sure she's ok," Adam said with a pained voice. He paced angrily in front of Mia trying to gather his thoughts as if making up his mind on what to do, how to handle this, how to cope.

"You know you can't do that."

"Of course I know, I'm not that stupid!" Adam practically growled at her, his wolf's behavior taking over more of him than he was happy with.

He let out a grunt and turned back to his stove, trying to rescue some more food. His wolf was getting agitated, knowing their mate was up front and they couldn't really go near her. She would only back away from him and he didn't want that, couldn't endure that right now.

He felt a small hand on his back.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. My wolf is losing it and it's hard sometimes to push him back," Adam apologized.

"Relax Adam, take a breather. Think again what this means for her. Think how this can help both of you, even if you don't come out and say hello to her today," Mia soothed him.

"It's not that I don't want to say hello to her. You have no idea how badly I want to be around her. I'm afraid my wolf won't cope with it as well as I can. I've been having a hard time reading her story. That night in the 'The Viper' was perfect for us and that memory got tainted with her assault. I know, I got my revenge for that one. Sadly it's nothing compared to what I want to do to that piece of shit that abused her all those years ago. I want to rip him apart!"

"I understand."

"Do you?" he asked as he turned around, startling Mia with his sudden movement. "You only met me recently, you know me as the joker and the fun guy, but trust me, I have my own demons as well. To some level I was as bad as the ones that did this to her, but for totally different reasons. I did some bad things, things I'm not proud of, but I did them anyways. Reading her story has woken those up. I thought I had put it all behind me, guess I was wrong."

"What do you mean?" Mia asked in a concerned tone.

"Just leave it be for now, maybe one day, but not today. I've got to work through this. I think I get why you brought her here of all places, but I wish you hadn't. You only made me more determined to settle things once and for all for all those involved."

"Adam, what are you talking about? Don't start talking shit to me, you know I won't have any of that!"

"Just some things I have to go and take care of. I wasn't sure of it first, but seeing Bronwille…" he sighed. He pulled Mia in for a hug.

"I don't know how things will go, but I promise I'll let you know when something is up. But for now trust me, I've got to do this on my own, for me, for us. She may thank me for it later or maybe she won't. Just be there for her, ok?"

"Adam, you're talking in riddles here. I don't know what's up with any of it, but I don't like the sound of this one bit!" she said, getting out of his hug.

"You don't have to like it, just respect it and know it's something I just have to do on my own. It's like you at first, you didn't want us all to know what really was going on, but you see now it all worked out in the end. Mine is similar. Just promise you'll be there for her? Despite my anger I am happy to see her outside of her flat. It means there is hope. I won't be gone just yet, as I said, I promise to let you know. I owe you too much already."

He exhaled slowly. His wolf was a bit calmer now.

"I'm an emotional mess right now. Think Bronwille and I can compete about that. When the time is right I'll talk to you. Just let me deal with this?" he pleaded again.

At some level Mia understood there had to be a lot more to this outburst then he let on, she didn't like it, but if he had to fight his demons, then so be it. She remembered how adamant she was about keeping the rest of the Whelan-pack out of everything. She could only try to be the best friend possible, for either of them.

"Fine! Just read her other story before you do anything else? I'd hate to see you jump into things that would only drive you two further apart than is needed."

"That is on my to-do-list for when I go upstairs after work today. And Mia?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you and sorry. I shouldn't snap at you, none of this is your fault and in your condition. I should know better than to piss of a pregnant wolf," he chuckled with the last few words.

"Just cut it out already. We're wolves, we don't break easy, pregnant or not. Just sort your stuff then sweep this girl of her feet and show her how charming you can be if you set your mind to it."

Adam had to laugh. "I'm glad you're a friend, Mia. It's best you go back now before she gets agitated about being left alone. I'll bring you your usual, anything in particular Bronwille likes or dislikes?"

"She's got the same appetite as me, she's small, but she enjoys her food as much as I do," Mia answered with a wink.

"Just tell her the boss will make something special then, ok? On the house."

"Will you bring it?"

"Think it's best I don't, at least not at this moment. I can sense her anxiety, I don't want to make it worse. Remember she doesn't want to see me or talk to me. One step at a time."

"You may have a point there. I'll be off then. Whatever it is you need to do, try to sort it out fast and keep me in the loop."

"I'll do my best. You keep an eye out for her too, ok?"

Mia nodded and with that disappeared from his kitchen.

"Oh and Adam, remember one day you will tell me," she said winking at him as she turned. A small smile graced her face as she had gotten the last words.

Mia you little… Adam shook his head.

Closing his eyes he had to take a few deep breaths. He had his wolf under control, albeit barely. If he would go up to her right now, he couldn't be held accountable for the reaction of his wolf. Not  having read her ordeal. Not after having his own demons being brought back.

He understood he probably sounded like a complete idiot, but he felt he was put in a position he didn't want to be in. At least not forced. If he wanted to make things better with Bronwille, it had to be on her terms.

Absentmindedly he put together the plates that had been ordered, adding an apology for any delays and then started working on a dish for Mia and Bronwille. He smiled to himself as he remembered Mia's word, telling him his cute little redhead had the appetite that could easily compete with that of a wolf.

When he was done dressing the plates he wanted to add another personal touch. Looking around his eyes fell on the huge bouquet of flowers that stood on the bar. Luckily for him Katie was just behind it, pouring out some drinks.

"Katie?" he whispered, trying to get her attention.

"What's up Adam?" asked the young girl.

"Think you could hand me two of them roses from that vase?"

Katie gave him an odd look.

"Anything wrong with you?" she questioned him.

"Just give them roses already," he grunted a bit more impatiently now.

Katie smiled, something must have happened to him in such a twist. He'd been grouchy for weeks on end now. She knew it was something important because every time she saw Mia come back from her visits to Adam he always seemed to be in a better mood.

"You making a pass at another man's woman? He's not going to like that?" Katie couldn't help but tease him.

Adam just gave her the evil eye.