Jasper(Zeus's Pack 1)(40)

Lynn Hagen

“No, but I can get you something.” The mate set about making

Avanti an early morning sandwich as Avanti took a seat in one of the

back corner booths.

He wanted to watch Toby but stay out of the customers’ way. Taz

was coming to relieve him later, so he could pick up Jasper’s truck

and go to the police station.

Why Zeus asked him was odd. He hadn’t even been there when it

all went down. Nonetheless, he wasn’t going to disobey his Alpha.

Zeus must have his reasons. His stomach did a happy dance when

Toby brought him a tray with a piled high sandwich and a bag of

potato chips. “Looks good.”

“Thanks, you do have to pay, you know.”

Avanti nodded as he bit into the delicious tasting food. He

grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth as he chewed, watching the

first customer of the day stroll in. By the time he was finished, the

place was packed.

He moved behind the counter but stayed back as Toby worked,

watching the human run around to get everyone’s order. Avanti

washed his hands and dove in, helping Toby cut through the numbers

and get everyone’s order.

“Thanks.” Toby wiped the counter down when everyone had been

taken care of.

“Why doesn’t Harold hire someone to help you?”

Toby shrugged. “I’ve asked him, but he says that costs money.”

“Cheap bastard, he has plenty.” Avanti would talk with Harold

about overworking Toby. If the mate kept his job, and Zeus or Jasper

didn’t make him give it up, he would need help.

Avanti’s head began to spin at an intoxicating scent. His eyes

darted around until they landed on a sexy as fuck man walking

through the door.

Mine!

He watched the progress as the man in uniform slowly made his

way to the counter. This must be the new deputy. Avanti had never



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met him before, or any of the new lawmen that took over after

Jackson’s defeat. There was no need for them at the Alpha’s home

after that, so he had never bothered to go to the station.

The man pursed his lips as he perused the menu. Avanti wanted to

kiss those twisted lips. The man was simply stunning. What was his

name?

“Can I help you?”

Avanti moved Toby out of the way, determined to find out what

he could. Avanti sniffed, and his senses told him this guy was human.

Odd, since he thought everyone in the sheriff’s department was a

shifter.

“What’s your name?”

The man tilted his head and studied Avanti and then a wide grin

broke out across his face. “I’m Craig, one of the town’s deputies.”

The man stuck his hand out, and Avanti took it, running his thumb

over the back of that smooth as silk hand. “I’m Avanti.”

“Nice to meet you.” Craig pulled his hand free and ordered his

lunch, Avanti getting his order for him. He ignored Toby’s curious

eyes.

“Here you go, on the house.” Avanti smacked Toby’s arm when

the human tried to protest. “I’ll pay for it,” he whispered quickly over his shoulder.

“Thanks.” Craig took his lunch and exited. Avanti had a strong

urge to follow the man, but as Toby had stated earlier, he couldn’t just walk away from his duties.

“Either you’re vying for my job or something’s going on.”

Avanti didn’t take his eyes off of Craig until he was no longer in

site. “He’s my mate.”

“Hell, then go after him.”

Avanti sighed as he shook his head. “I can’t.”