"Riiight," I murmur skeptically. "I doubt something like that even exists, so if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on my way."
"Wait. Okay, I’ll tell you the truth," he says after a brief hesitation. "But only if you come to the cafeteria with me and we talk calmly over a nice, warm, delicious burger. All right? I have a small matter where you could help me."
"Does it involve any sexual services?" I double-check, unable to keep the suspicion out of my voice.
He chuckles. "Gosh! Nothing like that. You’re a looker, for sure, but I’m forever taken, True Mate. Remember!"
"All right," I say, still wary. "But fair warning: if you, or anyone else, try anything, I’m not an easy opponent. I’ve fought purple alphas before." I probably sound like a little boy in a sandbox, threatening another kid with a plastic sword.
He flashes a wide grin and extends his hand.
"No worries. I’m Storm." For a moment, he seems to be waiting for me to introduce myself too, but I stay silent. "Come on. I can hear your stomach growling from here. We’ll talk, and there will be no fighting and definitely no sex. You don’t have to worry about that."
Still not entirely convinced, I decide to follow him. I have nothing to lose anyway, and maybe I really will get that burger. Just the word makes my mouth fill with saliva.
Storm leads me through a second set of doors near the section with metal barriers.
The security guards let us pass without a word, no reaction at all. Is the giant an employee here? But I do not ask.
Moments later, we find ourselves in a fairly busy corridor with doors branching off in every direction, but I have only one thing on my mind. The smell of food drifting toward me from somewhere ahead. The cafeteria must be close.
And it is. Soon, we are there.
The place is packed with people, crowding together, talking loudly. But I would wait hours for my food if I had to. I swallow hard, my gaze locked on the meals displayed in the glass cases, while Storm studies me.
A vertical crease appears between his brows, as if he is debating what to say next. I do not ask anything. However this conversation turns out, I will probably have to refuse him, so I would rather not start talking yet.
We stand in line, and finally reach the counter. I scan the menu and find a panini-style burger, which looks decent. Storm orders it for me, double. Surprisingly, they also have minestrone soup and a salad that vaguely reminds me of the ones I used to eat every day, with tomatoes, olives, cheese, and olive oil.Oh Diu bonu!(Oh my God!)
It all looks… edible! I stare at the tray as if he were offering me gold.
At last we find a free table in a more distant part of the cafeteria. It’s near the railings that separate this section from the stream of people heading toward the halls, where desperate dreamers of all subgenders put their marriage contracts up for sale.
We sit down, and I immediately attack the food. I shove huge bites into my mouth, barely chewing before swallowing. My dear Fate! The sensation of food sliding down my throat is pure bliss. I take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and only then do I lift my eyes to Storm.
He is watching me closely, one hand lightly rubbing his chin. His eyes are narrowed, intense.
Does he wear contact lenses? No one should have eyes that bright. They look like they are glowing with fluorescent turquoise.
All right. Now that the edge of my hunger is gone, I can finally ask what this giant wants.
"So. Talk."
"You see, I’m a purple alpha."
Uhum.
"Shocker," I mutter, since it sounds bizarre. People do not usually introduce themselves like that. Most people do not just talk about their subgender or subtype. This is weird.
"And I have a rather specific talent, which is why I work here, at this matchmaking agency."
I turn my attention to the salad, scooping up generous spoonfuls.
Storm watches my plate for a moment before continuing.
"My gift is that I can see who someone’s True Mate is. All I need is to see their face, or to have seen it in the past."
I freeze, my spoon of tomato slices suspended just in front of my mouth. I have no idea whether he is joking or what this is supposed to be, but for now I decide to stay quiet. I want to see where this strange monologue leads.
