The casual dining restaurant sat in the middle of the town. It had a low-key atmosphere and particular choices in decor. There were about a dozen of round tables and a few booths against the warm mocha colored walls.

As soon as the waiter seen Ryker and Mary walked through the door, he worked quickly in getting them seated. Ryker and Mary sat in a booth by an open window. On the other side of the open window was the perfect view of their dense woods and the mountainous blue skies.

"Would you like to have your regular order, Alpha?" the waiter asked.

Ryker orders only one dish from this restaurant. Nothing else. Everyone knows that the Alpha was a picky eater. He was a meat kind of guy. The owner of the restaurant cooks Alpha Ryker's dish. It wasn't an inconvenience because Ryker was paying him to work here in the mountains. The dish was pan-seared beef tenderloin with a roasted garlic, chili infusion with a sweet, tangy mango salsa to abate the heat of the chilis. They also served it with a simple side salad or steam vegetables, and wine.

The dish sounded delicious to Mary and because Ryker ordered it; she wanted to know what were his preferences.

About thirty minutes later, and the dishes arrived. When Mary caught a whiff of the aromatic garlic and rosemary scent, her stomach grumbled loudly.

"Sorry. I didn't eat breakfast this morning," she apologized.

"Why didn't you?" He picked up his steak knife and fork.

"I was making breakfast for Luis and Doris. I got occupied... "she said shyly.

With the time they spent in the greenhouse, picking some vegetables for her to bring home, and traveling here, it was past noon already.

Mary cut into the medium-rare steak. They cooked the steak medium-rare with pink to the flesh. She mixed it with the salsa and brought the fork to her mouth. Immediately, the chef's skills impressed Mary. He seasoned the meat properly and she could still taste the infused garlic and chilis, but the mango salsa cooled the heat.

"I can see why you like eating this dish," she said with a smile.

"Do you like it?" Ryker asked.

"The chef here knew what he is doing. I love the different textures and flavors that he put together." She took another large bite.

"I was traveling in the Pacific part of the states when I came across him at a restaurant." Ryker shrugged while chewing his food. "Made an offer he couldn't turn down."

"Do you do a lot of traveling?" she asked curiously.

"I don't like to travel very much. However, with Alpha duties and pack responsibility, there are many pack members that rely on me. Its important that I oversee some matters personally. So, to answer you question, I travel more than anyone within the pack."

"Does Abraham go with you when you travel?" Picking up her of lemon water, she took a sip.

Ryker stuck his fork into a steamed broccoli. "No, I like to have him here to watch the pack."

"So, you travel alone?"

"Most of the time," he replied with a shrug.

"That must be lonely." She couldn't imagine traveling alone. The idea was a little frightening and lonely. Imagine the many nights he slept alone in a hotel room or appeared in a room filled with strangers. She felt his burden.

"I'm used to it."

Mary ate the last of her steak, scooping up all the salsa on the last slice of steak before popping in her mouth. The waiter refilled their cups of water before leaving them alone again.

"Even if your used to it. It must still be lonely," she insisted. "How about I go with you? Keep you company?"

Ryker sat down his fork and steak and studied her. Did she offer to join him on his trips?

"You can't go," he said. "It isn't safe."

"Your last trip was safe," she rebutted.

"My last trip was an easy one."

"Then take me on the 'easy' ones," she pushed.

Ryker wanted to laugh. Seriously, she was persistent. Did she really want to go with him? He had to admit; the idea seemed appealing to him. He liked her company more than he would like to admit, too.

"I'll think about it," he ended their conversation.

"So, has it always been just you and Abraham?" she asked.

Ryker leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. She asked questions no one would dare to ask. It was the only reason he answered her.

"If you read up on my bio, you'll see that at age twenty-two I started my investments. When I turned twenty-five, I gained an Alpha title by wealth and merit." He merely stated facts from what was already on public record. But they both knew what Mary was asking. Mary wanted to know about his past before he became who he was.

"What about you?" he asked.

Mary shrugged. Leaning forward, she placed her elbows on the table and propped her chin on top of her hands.

"My life is as boring as me. I don't-"

"You are not boring," he interrupted.

A simple smile appeared, and just like that her face lit up underneath the dimmed lights. Ryker could see the sprinkle of freckles on her cheeks and over the bridge of her nose. Then there were those golden-brown eyes that paired so well with the mousy brown hair, it glistened like gold threads underneath the soft light.

"I've no accomplishment like you. You've done so much. My minor accomplishments are nothing compared to what you have done," she said honestly.

"Good afternoon, Alpha," someone interrupted them.

Ryker and Mary turned to see that it was the chef. He stood tall and slim. One thing Mary noted about him was how fair and handsome he also looked. His shoulders were wide and pulled back. An air of arrogance fluttered around him like he knew he looked as good as she saw he was. The chef's jacket he had on was a strong contrast to his rich sard skin. He had an afro side fade haircut.

"Good afternoon, Easton," Ryker greeted before introducing Mary to him. "Mary also loves to cook. I brought her here to work with you."

Easton's dark brown eyes landed on Mary again.

"I don't work well with others," Easton said.

"Well, you're going to have to," Mary interrupted them.

Easton turned to face her. His eyes narrowing into slits. Immediately, Mary felt herself go back to culinary school. When males wanted to prove that they were smarter than females in every way. Belittling her for her culinary knowledge. Easton was looking at her the same way her classmates were.

"I don't have to do anything that I don't want to," Easton returned coolly.

Well, if that was the case, Mary decided it was better not to be around him. If he doesn't want to work together, then she would not force him.

"Easton." Ryker's voice held a thread of anger to it.

"Alpha, you know me well enough to know that I don't work well with others," Easton reminded Ryker.

"I'm well aware of that, but eventually you must learn. You can't run this restaurant all by yourself," Ryker growled.

"What makes you think she can handle this restaurant with me? I've been handling it well on my own."

Ryker was about to speak up, but Mary startled them both by shooting out of her seat. An indignation look in her eyes.

"You're right. You don't know me. As a chef, you know that the best way to know the full potential of the people you hire is through their cooking. Give me one hour and I'll give you all that I am in one plate."

"All in one plate?" Easton said the words slowly. He didn't look like he believed one bit. How would she be able to manage something like that?

Soon, Mary was in Easton's kitchen. She picked through his fresh ingredients. Found some fresh honeycomb. She squeezed a little of the honey onto her finger and tasted the flavor. It was strong and sweet in flavor. Moving on, she found some dried hibiscus flower petals, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla beans, and milk.

She made quick work in whisking and heating the ingredients. Soaking and heating the dried hibiscus flower petals with the cream, vanilla bean, milk, and honey. Once done, drizzled the hot cream mixture over the whisked egg yolk before returning the mixture back into a saucepan and whisking the mixture.

After, she poured the custard over a fine-mesh strainer and into a metal container to catch the flower petals and bits of eggs.

Finally, she poured filtered custard into an ice cream churner. While waiting, she caramelized some sugar and played with a cute design. The hard contrast of the caramelized candy sugar will contrast the texture of the silky ice cream.

Plating was also important. After twenty minutes, Mary could plate her ice cream. Scooping it into a spoon, she smoothed all the rough edges on the ice cream with quick hand movements and two spoons before placing it onto a white cold plate. Then she drizzled a little of the honey on top and add the piece of caramelized sugar on top.

The kitchen door opened, Ryker and Easton walked into the kitchen. Both of them looking at the simple yet elegant dish. Mary offered them spoons to taste the dessert.

Easton was the first to dig in. He caught the edge of the egg-shape ice cream, cracked the caramelized sugar, and scooped a little onto his spoon. Taking his first bite, Mary watched him eat her ice cream slowly.

Time ticked by slowly. Mary swore she could hear the hand on the clock move.

She chose ice cream for one reason. When people first look at ice cream, their first thought was cold but once people get to tasting the ice cream. It wasn't just cold. It held more than its coldness. The honey makes it warm and sweet. The hibiscus flower petal signified female, beauty, and perfection. Mary used this flower for one reason. She wanted to show him that females were not inferior. They were equal to males.

Easton's eyes found Mary.

A small curve to his lips.

Ryker tried the dessert. His eyebrows shooting up a little at the taste. He wasn't a big fan of dessert, but he didn't mind this one. It wasn't too sweet. It was creamy and perfect.

"Well?" Mary couldn't wait for his answer.

She hoped Easton felt what she was trying to convey.

"I start work every day at 10 am. I expect to see you here at nine tomorrow morning."

Mary's smile was the biggest Ryker has ever seen. It cracked the walls to his heart like a shooting arrow. Her eyes held so much happiness when he looked at her, he couldn't speak but admire her silently. A soft, joyous laugh escaped her.

"Oh, thank you!" she exclaimed.

Mary couldn't believe it. She did it. She earned herself a spot within the pack and it came from her. Even if Easton was an asshole, it would not deter her from working hard because cooking meant so much to her.

She couldn't wait to see what else was in store for her. Sleeping tonight would be hard since she couldn't wait to start tomorrow.