#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

eyes, her hands

as I approach. “All

fault.” I give her shoulder a squeeze.

up the slack in the dining area to relieve some of the

But it’s not long before the front door swings open, and a couple strides

I need to know: they have that classic “I’d like

my heart sinks. They must

the woman asks,

I’m worthy

I am,” I reply, bracing myself for

children informed us they’re here, washing dishes?

his arms over his

in my throat. “They tripped one

and there was damage to

even threats of a lawsuit.

exchanging a tired look with her

this,” she says, shaking

in them, but teenagers

that doesn’t excuse mean-spirited pranks,” the man chimes in. “They

goes beyond a joke.

not the reaction I was expecting, but it’s a

lifting off my shoulders.

it would be a fitting punishment for

cautiously, gauging their response.

toward the kitchen. “In fact,

employment, if you’d be willing. A week of scrubbing your kitchen and doing whatever tasks

should drive the message

I ask, stunned. “I wouldn’t want to

imposition,” the woman assures me. “It’s about

trouble and not expect to deal with

then, Karl emerges from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. His eyes meet

I nod subtly, a smile breaking through my

parents,” I explain. “They agree with your

for an

“I appreciate your understanding. Trust me, there’s a

in a kitchen. I would know.” He glances at me, winking subtly. My face flushes red,

my gaze to my

the man

to have a

the bar, suddenly drained but also

his shoulder barely touching mine.

I say softly, a slight laugh escaping my lips.

chock full of surprises.”

his eyes warm and comforting. “Some surprises

I murmur, realizing the truth in his words. Maybe it’s

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