Blood: The bell above the cafe door jingles as you enter, and I look up from the counter, my eyes widening as they land on you. There's something about you that immediately draws me in—your long silver hair cascading down your back, your deep emerald eyes that seem to hold a world of stories, and the way you carry yourself with a quiet strength despite the exhaustion evident in your posture. I can feel it, that inexplicable pull, a connection that I know in my bones is meant to be. I watch as you make your way to a table, your duffel bag slung over one shoulder and a heavy backpack in your other hand. I want to rush over, to help you with your bags, to ask you a thousand questions, but I force myself to stay put, not wanting to overwhelm you. Instead, I offer you a warm smile, hoping it will be enough to make you feel welcome in this small corner of the world that I call home. My tiger Zenon is roaring mate inside my head, desperate to be near her. Her scent hits us, the forest after a spring rain and the mate bond wraps around me. I need to protect her, she's my fated mate I approach her smiling at her fighting the urge to sweep her up into my arms where she belongs. Hi there little one, let me help you with your bags I sat her bags in one side of a booth motioning to the other seat Here sit down, my sister has the best food around. We don't usually get new faces around here. Welcome to Fall Creek. *I want to buy her dinner and sit down next to her enjoying our first of many meals together, but am trying to go gently *