#Chapter 79: Mean Spirited
Abby

The lunchtime rush is finally easing up. Much unlike yesterday, it’s been a smooth day so far, and I feel

relieved; but that’s exactly when it happens.

I’m scanning the restaurant floor, making sure everything is running smoothly, when I hear the crash.

It’s a shocking mix of the sound of ceramic shattering, gasps, and the thud of a body hitting the floor,

followed by a loud “Ow!”

My heart lurches into my throat as I rush over to see one of my waitresses, Sarah, sprawled on the

ground amid a mess of broken dishes and spilled food.

“What happened?” I ask, my eyes darting around the room, locking onto a group of snickering

teenagers at a nearby table.

“I saw it,” Karl says, striding past me. “Those little s hits tripped her. Deliberately.”

In seconds, he’s at their table, his face dark with anger. “You think that was funny? Get up.”

“It was an accident!” one of the kids says, feigning innocence. But it’s clear that he’s full of sh it. They all

are.

I kneel beside Sarah, who’s clutching her wrist, her face pale. “Are you okay?” I ask.

“I think so,” she mumbles, grimacing as she attempts to move. I call over two other employees to clean

the mess and guide Sarah to a chair.

Karl reappears, dragging the shame-faced teenagers behind him. “Apologize,” he commands, his voice

icy. They mumble sca ttered apologies, looking anywhere but at Sarah or me.

“Sorry isn’t enough,” Karl continues. “You’re washing dishes for the rest of the night. And if I see any of

you around here again causing trouble, you’re going to wish you never set foot in this place.”

“Karl, you can’t—” I begin, but my voice trails off with a look from Karl. A look I know all too well, one

that embodies his spirit of an Alpha.

I watch the teenagers slink off to the kitchen, led by Karl. The room is quiet now; even the low hum of

conversations has died down. But my focus is on Sarah, who is sitting by the bar and wiping tears from

her hands

Abby,” she says as I approach. “All that

I give

little while, I help pick up the slack in the dining area to relieve some of the anxiety from

before the front door

them tells me all that I need to know: they have that classic “I’d like to

my heart

you the owner of this establishment?” the woman asks, her eyes scanning me

worthy of

I reply, bracing myself

us they’re here, washing dishes? Something about a prank?” the man

arms

my throat. “They tripped one of my

and there was damage to

even threats of a lawsuit. But instead,

exchanging a tired

you have to deal with this,” she says,

responsibility in them, but teenagers will

doesn’t excuse mean-spirited pranks,” the man chimes in. “They told us it was

a joke. Someone

is not the reaction I was

lifting off my shoulders.

be a

cautiously, gauging their response.

The man nods, looking toward

if you’d be willing. A week of

should drive the

you sure?” I ask, stunned. “I wouldn’t want

woman assures me. “It’s about time they learn a good lesson.

expect

Karl emerges from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a

a smile breaking through my

parents,” I explain. “They agree

for an

each parent. “I appreciate

know.” He glances

gaze to my

the man says,

toward the kitchen, presumably to have a serious chat with their

lean against the bar, suddenly drained but also immeasurably

me, his shoulder barely touching mine. “Not what

at all,” I say softly, a slight laugh escaping my

chock full of surprises.”

me, his eyes warm and comforting. “Some surprises

his words. Maybe it’s the

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