Across the lot and a few buildings down, Wyatt strode into the office and dropped the container onto a pile of paperwork Cage was sorting through.
“What’s this?” Cage sniffed at the box. The sweet scent of vanilla from the pancakes hit him first, then the luscious aroma of honey.
“Our sugar cookie made breakfast this morning. I know we all agreed it was easier to wait for our mates, but I don’t know if I can resist sniffing around this one,” Wyatt said plopping his ass down in the chair across from Cage’s desk.
“Sugar cookie? Mates? Did you hit your head this morning?” Cage said grumpily. He flicked open the container lid and peered into the stack of pancakes covered in butter and berries and four huge sausages circling the tower of sweet starch.
“Yeah, our new cook, Sophie. You do remember you hired her right? You didn’t tell me she was all hips and ass and cute accent. And damn can she cook!” Wyatt explained.
“First, yes I remember hiring Sophie. I had no idea what she looked like. By her starchy accent I assumed she was older. And why are you even talking about hitting on her? You know you won’t ever be happy with anyone until you find your one true mate. Our family, our clan has never had any luck dating non-mates. Bears need to find The One, anything else isn’t fair to the other person. I know you’ve waited baby brother. Believe me, I’ve been waiting too, so has Conner. But it will be worth it, just look at mom and dad. They waited for their true mates and that’s what I want. I know it’s what you want deep down too,” Cage said giving his brother a sympathetic look.
“I know, I know, but when was the last time you were even around another shifter. Let alone a female bear? They don’t grow on trees you know,” he quipped.
“Smart ass, I know they don’t grow on trees, but your bear won’t let you bond with anyone else. So to tease some poor girl into giving it up just to have you dump her eventually isn’t fair to either of you,” Cage advised.
Letting his head flop back against the chair Wyatt let out a pitiful moan. “This one’s cute though bro. Try the pancakes,” he taunted.
Cage shook his head at him and dug into the stack of fluffy pancakes. The first bite had his eyes rolling back into his head. A low rumbling groan tumbled from his chest. It was ambrosia, food of the gods. Whoever their new cook was, she was amazing.
Opening his eyes, he continued to chew as Wyatt gave him a knowing smirk. “Don’t you have work to do?” Cage growled.
“Don’t be a grumpy bear, eat your pancakes. I’m taking crew one out to the north ridge. We’re almost done with that section. Conner can have it for replanting after that,” he said standing and walking to the door.
“Fine, and don’t call me grumpy bear. I can take you and pound you. You know it and I know it,” Cage said letting his Alpha timber tinge his words. He watched the shudder hit Wyatt and saw his brother struggle to fight against it.
Wyatt was strong and it gave Cage a huge sense of satisfaction to see his brother fight his Alpha voice. His clan needed to be strong. Bear shifters were few and far between. His family had managed to stay secluded and prosperous for generations by staying strong.
“Alright, boss man,” Wyatt grinned and kicked open the office door.
Leaning back in his chair, Cage continued eating through his breakfast. He did need to introduce himself to the new cook. But he also needed to figure out why the boom arm on the loader wasn’t working. It was fine yesterday and now today it was dead in the water. Introductions would have to wait.
Chapter 7
It took two solid hours to clean up after breakfast. Sophie then sat down at the tiny desk in her room to go over the inventory she had taken and tried to figure out a meal for dinner. Distracted, her eyes would stray to the dirt lot outside. She watched men coming and going from different buildings. Some, hopping into work trucks, others carrying chainsaws over their shoulders heading to and fro.
Her eye caught on a large man coming out of the building that she now knew was the office. Even from this distance she could see how big he was. He had to duck through the doorway as he stepped out. He was even taller than Wyatt, maybe six foot six, and he was massively built. Broad shoulders and biceps that strained the fabric of his thick long sleeved work shirt.
He had bulging muscled legs she could see pressing against his jeans. He had on a pair of sunglasses and his dirty blond hair was just long enough to fall recklessly over his forehead. A short tight beard graced what looked like a strong square jaw.
He was speaking to someone carrying a clipboard when his gaze spun around directly at her. She didn’t think he could actually see her since he was looking back and forth like he was searching for something.