"Coffee and water for both, I think."Krevan glanced at Ancelin.
"Perfect," Ancelin nodded."I could use the caffeine."
"Your server will bring those right away."The hostess scurried off, avoiding eye contact with the other waiting patrons.
Ancelin leaned across the table."Did you see that?Everyone's been waiting, but she seated us immediately.And nobody dared object."
“Yeah, they truly worry I may get hungry and eat someone before I’m fed.They don’t want me to bite anyone, and no one wants to draw my attention,” Krevan told her and wiggled his eyebrows at her again.“After all, I’m dangerous.”
Ancelin snickered at his comical expression.“Would you, bite them or eat them?”
"Not today."Krevan's smile revealed teeth that gleamed like polished daggers."Nobody's crossed us, so I've no reason to bite anyone.But make no mistake—I'll do whatever necessary for our survival."His tone carried a weight that left Ancelin momentarily speechless.Rather than dwelling on his ominous promise, she buried her face in the menu, seeking comfort in the thought of something sweet and substantial after their long day traversing the town.As she scanned the options, movement caught her eye—a cherubic four-year-old girl seated with her parents and siblings in the far corner.The child's face was adorably smeared with food, her innocent joy a stark contrast to the tension Ancelin had felt earlier in the market.When their eyes met, Ancelin offered a smile, and the little girl enthusiastically waved back.They were still exchanging waves when the waitress arrived with their drinks.
“What would you like to eat, miss?”the waitress asked.
Ancelin glanced up from her menu."The steak burger looks good.What's your meat selection today?"
The waitress tucked a strand of hair behind her ear."We've got Triaxen tartis, Earth beef, or Tylon Moon Varga."
"Earth beef for me, please.No sides."Ancelin closed her menu."And save room for that crayoberry pie I saw at the counter."
The waitress shifted her weight, eyes darting to Krevan before settling somewhere near his shoulder.
"And for you, s-sir?"Her knuckles whitened around her order pad.
"Two burgers for me," Krevan said, his deep voice making the waitress flinch."Earth beef and Triaxen tartis.And whatever pie my wife is having—two slices."He nodded toward Ancelin.The waitress's eyes darted between them, her mouth forming a small 'o' of surprise before she scurried away, order pad clutched to her chest.
Meanwhile, the little girl kept gesturing towards Ancelin.Krevan watched Ancelin interact playfully with the child and smiled.
"Despite what you’ve said, you seem very interested in children.After the shot wears off, we could...I mean, if you wanted to."He paused, swallowing hard."My parents had six of us."His eyes fixed on hers with an intensity that made Ancelin's breath catch.Something primal and tender passed between them across the table, and she felt her pulse quicken beneath her wrist where he held it.
"A baby?"Ancelin's voice caught.She reached across the table, her fingers brushing his."As I said before, someday, yes.For sure."Her gaze dropped to the table."But after what happened to my family...I need time.Those people might still be out there.I couldn't bear losing anyone else."She swallowed hard."Especially not our child."
Krevan's jaw tightened."No one will touch what's mine."
"That's not—" Ancelin shook her head."I don't want bloodshed.I want peace.Safety."Her voice softened."A home where violence and fear can't find us."
"I give you my word," Krevan said, his voice dropping to a resonant whisper.The silver in his eyes brightened until she could almost see her reflection in them, twin moons caught in his gaze.Something electric passed between them across the restaurant table, sealing his vow.
Ancelin's breath quickened.The restaurant faded around them—the clattering dishes, the murmuring voices—until there was only Krevan.His presence pulled at something deep within her, a yearning that made her fingers tremble against the tabletop.She wanted to be closer, needed to be closer.
Suddenly, a high-pitched cry shattered Ancelin’s daydream like glass breaking—a sound that scraped against her eardrums and made her blood run cold.Ancelin's head whipped toward the source, her neck muscles tensing as she spotted the little girl with food-smeared cheeks.The child's mother's hand cracked across the girl's face again and again, each impact leaving angry red welts blooming on skin as delicate as flower petals.Something primal ignited in Ancelin's chest—a molten fury that propelled her upward.Her chair screeched against the floor tiles before toppling with a hollow clatter.Three long strides carried her across the restaurant, her heart hammering against her ribs like a war drum.Without hesitation, she thrust herself between mother and child.Behind her, she heard the scrape of Krevan's chair and sensed his towering presence.“What do you think you’re doing?”Ancelin demanded, her voice firm.“Stop hurting her!"The little girl's cheek flamed crimson beneath tear-streaked skin, a perfect imprint of four fingers visible even from across the table.The restaurant atmosphere crystallized into silence—the clinking of cutlery ceased, conversations evaporated mid-sentence, and dozens of wide eyes locked onto the confrontation.
The woman's face transformed, her features twisting into something untamed as her pupils contracted to needle-points in muddy brown irises."My kid, my business."She sneered at Ancelin, glancing at Krevan."Back off before I make you regret breathing my air," she hissed through yellow teeth."This ain't Earth with your precious rules and child protection nonsense.”Her gaze flicked toward Krevan, lips curling back to reveal a nauseating smile."Look who's preaching about abuse—sharing a bed with one of those Triaxen beasts.”
Ancelin's hands trembled like leaves in a storm, but her voice cut through the restaurant's silence with the precision of a blade."I understand there are laws here protecting children from abuse.I'll report this to the authorities before nightfall."
"How dare you, bitch.”The child's mother grew more furious at Ancelin.
As the woman raised her hand to strike Ancelin, Krevan swiftly grabbed her arm."Don't force me to break your arm in front of your kid," Krevan warned threateningly."If you hit my mate, you'll face much worse from me.Do you understand?If I injure you, my mate might get upset with me—or maybe not.She's usually kinder and doesn't favor violence.But if she does get angry with me because of you, I'll take it out on you even more.Am I clear?"The restaurant fell silent, waiting for the woman's response.
Another woman in the restaurant stood and called out to Ancelin, "I know who she is, and I can tell you where they live.She hits her kids all the time and needs to be reported.Those poor children are always being beaten.I'll report her too.She should be stopped."
"Thank you.I'll get some paper for you to write down the details, and I'll file a report," Ancelin replied.
Krevan's fingers encircled the woman's wrist like a steel manacle, the blue veins beneath his knuckles pulsing with restrained power.His emerald eyes had darkened to gun metal, and when he spoke, his voice carried the low rumble of distant thunder."Are you going to behave now?"The words emerged through barely parted lips, revealing the edge of those unnaturally sharp canines."I really hate to hurt you, especially in front of the child.I like children."His gaze flicked momentarily to the little girl, softening for just an instant.
The woman's face had drained to the color of curdled milk.A bead of sweat traced the hollow of her temple as she swallowed hard, her throat clicking audibly in the silence."Yes, I’ll be good," she whispered, her voice like dry leaves skittering across pavement.
