I have prewritten a large portion of this story. Please let me know if you enjoy it so I know whether it is worth continuing. I will post the first two chapters tonight, and try for another on Sunday…possibly.

….

Snow fell quietly in the streets as Holly made her way to the Moonlight Hotel she worked. Her Aunt Louisa owned the place and Holly was on an errand to pick up some holiday decorations for the windows. Her Aunt and her never celebrated the holiday together, it was simply a way to attract more guest to the bar and restaurant.

As Holly worked on decorating the window's she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find her older cousin Terrance staring at her with ire. "How can I help you Terrance?" she asked simply.

"Aunt Louisa needs you over at the bar. It seems a customer is requesting your service," He replied angrily. Holly nodded and stood up when he grabbed her arm, "I don't know why that man is requesting you, but I'm watching you."

Holly pulled her arm from his grasps and said, "Relax, it's probably just one of my regulars. Besides, when would I have time to meet someone."

As Holly walked towards the restaurant, she looked up she recognized the customer that requested her instantly. The man's name was Doctor Ford, He had medium-length blonde hair and violet-colored eyes. The man was tall and thin, but she sensed he could be intimidating if he had to be. Ford usually came in one day out of every month, always by himself. He was always really kind to her and left generous tips.

This time however Ford had a guest sitting with him, "Good Afternoon Dr. Ford, I am so glad to see you here," Holly questioned, "Who's your friend?"

The stranger winked at her and said, "Howdy Miss Holly, I heard the most beautiful woman works in this here establishment and I just had to see."

Holly was dumbfounded for a moment wondering how he knew her name before she realized she was wearing a name tag. Holly bit her lip and said, "I will pass on your compliment to Aunt Louisa. Now, what can I get you?"

Wayne who was rarely shaken by anything was thrown off by her reply. Ford placed his order to make the silence less awkward. After she left for the kitchen Wayne asked, "Is she serious?"

Ford let out an annoyed sigh and replied, "Unfortunately yes. That I why I am asking to be able to use the moonlight pendant." He lowered his voice and whispered, "I visit her daily in my wolf form. But she doesn't have a clue who I am. She just assumes I am a stray dog that randomly brings her presents."

Wayne knew Ford wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary, "As you know, the pack only has one pendant. It is required for handling business with humans when there isn't a full moon. But, if the pendant does become available for a few hours, I suppose I can find you. However, you must return it before the next pack obligation."

Ford smiled, "Of course."

At that moment Holly came walking out of the kitchen carrying two heaping plates of food and placed them in front of them. "Is there anything else I can get for you two?"

"No, but I have something for you." Ford said pulling out a beautiful, beaded hairpin, "I saw it while traveling to another pac… part of the country and I thought of you."

Holly gasped when she saw it and said, "Doctor Ford, I couldn't possibly accept something like this. It is far too precious for someone like me."

Ford closed her hand around it and replied, "You're worth it."

He smiled when he saw Holly place the pin in her hair and whisper, "Thank you," before heading back into the kitchen.

…

As they left the establishment Holly picked up the tip and stuffed it into her pocket before heading to the back. When she reached the kitchen, she was thrown off balance when she felt a hand slap her across the face. As she hit the floor, she immediately felt a pull at the back of her head. She looked up and saw Terrance had pulled her hairpin out and snapped it in two.

"Do you have to ruin every little joy in my life?!" she asked.

Terrance sneered, "If it means you're stuck doing my bidding, absolutely. Now get back to work before I tell Aunt Louisa you're slacking off."

Holly picked up her broken hairpin and ran off crying, leaving the entire kitchen staff glaring at Terrance. "Get back to work," he said irritably before leaving the kitchen.

…

Ford and Wayne spent the rest of the day ordering things to be sent back to the packhouse. They were about to leave town when their sensitive hearing picked up on a conversation happening in the store, they were just in.

"…When he heard one of the customers gave her a gift, he knocked her to the ground and broke it. I heard she left the room crying her eyes out."

"You don't think that's Holly, they're talking about?" Ford asked Wayne.

Wayne looked at the sky and saw it was about to get dark.

"If you want to go see her tonight, I can go on without you," Wayne said.

Normally Ford would outright reject this offer, Wayne was his Alpha after all, but tonight he felt it was necessary, "Are you certain?" Ford asked.

Wayne gave Ford the biggest smile and said, "Yes unless you find me much more attractive."

Ford rolled his eyes and replied, "I'll see you back at the packhouse."

...

Ford wondered deep in the woods before removing his clothes and transforming into a wolf. While he waited for everyone to go indoors for the night, he gathered a bunch of wildflowers in his mouth and walked over to the back of the hotel. Holly lived in an exterior room of the hotel. He scratched on the door and waited for Holly to open the door. When he did, he saw a hand mark on her face and growled lowly. Holly smiled halfheartedly at the dog, he had been visiting her for two years and always showed up with little gifts. "Thank you, Zeus. It's been a rough day."

A/N Zeus is what she calls Ford in Wolf Form. She has no idea of his real identity.

She placed some food on the floor for him and stroked his fur while he ate. "One of my really good customers came in today and surprised me with a beautiful hairpin. It had tiny beads shaped like flowers going up the wooden spine…Unfortunately, the second I was out of earshot my cousin attacked me and broke it." She sobbed quietly into Zeus' form, "I don't understand why he's so cruel."

Ford felt rage swell within him. He's going to have to deal with this cousin of hers.

Holly eventually calmed down and said, "Can you keep a secret Zeus?" The dog licked her hand and she placed the now glued hairpin down. She walked over to the bed and laid on her side to face Zeus, "The man who gave it to me, Doctor Ford… I think I like him. He's just so different from people around here."

She giggled for a moment before continuing, "He also has an odd quirk… he always smells like a pot of freshly brewed coffee. I simply can't get enough of that smell." Holly let out a tired yawn and whispered, "Sleep well Zeus," she then closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Normally Ford would stay a while, but he wanted to make sure his alpha returned home safely. He stood up on all four legs and nuzzled her face to let her know he was leaving. She smiled in her sleep and he turned around and used his mouth to pull down on the handle of the door. Once outside, he pulled the door shut and took off towards the packhouse.

…

When he got back, Wayne was sitting on the couch making out with a random woman visiting from another pack. When Wayne came up for air, he looked over to Ford who was putting his coat away, and asked, "How did it go?"

"Her stupid cousin hit her because of the gift I gave her today," Ford explained, tightening his hands into fists.

Wayne straightened his face into a line. He then pushed his lady friend off him and said, "Jennifer dear, I have some pack business to tend to. Feel free to entertain yourself in my room."

Ford rolled his eyes as he saw the woman kiss him and walk away with a wink.

Wayne laughed and said, "Don't be a prude. I haven't found my mate yet. I might as well have fun until I do. Now come on, let's talk in my office."

Once inside Wayne's office, Wayne reached inside his desk and said, "As you know, the human population and the wolf population are always at each other's necks. As a result, I can't allow you to harm her cousin, I can however instruct the pack not to give any business to that hotel for a while, which will put a strain on their pockets. Eventually, I am sure either Terrence or his mother Louisa will come here, and you can stress your grievances."

Ford thought for a moment and asked, "Can I make a suggestion?"

Wayne smiled, "Ford, we've been best friends since we were pups, of course."

Ford let out a breath and continued, "What if when they come we made a deal with them, we will allow the wolves to return if Holly works here full time instead. It would prevent her from getting hurt and allow me to get to know her better. Besides, I am sure the omegas wouldn't mind an extra hand in the packhouse."

Wayne smiled and stated, "That's a brilliant idea, Ford. You can even offer her room and board here if she accepts the job offer. We certainly have enough space."

"How do you think the members of the pack will react to having a human living here?" Ford asked curiously.

Wayne shrugged, "Some won't like it, but I am certain Holly will make friends before anyone can cause her trouble. Besides, I know you'll be watching her like a hawk."

…

A few days later, Holly was reading in a field of snapdragons. There was a festival happening in Lulukoko which meant the hotel was bare. It was one of the rare days that Holly enjoyed. She laid back and read for a few hours until a shadow blocked her light. She looked up and smiled when she saw Doctor Ford smiling back at her. "Doctor Ford, well isn't this a treat? Normally I only see you once a month. What brings you to this part of town," Holly asked while she used her hand to block the sun out of her eyes.

Ford sat across from her and placed a bag between them. "Well, I had a few hours to stretch my legs and decided to visit my favorite waitress. However, when I got there, I was informed the kitchen was closed for the day. So, I asked around and found you here. I brought some food from the restaurant across the street if you'll join me."

Holly's face turned a slight shade of pink as he handed her a plate of food. "Of course," she replied shyly.

"How are things going at the hotel?" Ford asked while they ate.

Holly sighed, "Things are slow which is good because I get a little more peace. However, it has my family pretty stressed. I've been trying to avoid them as much as possible."

Ford pursed his lips at the comment, he didn't want to make things harder for her. He took a sip of his drink and asked, "Have you ever thought of leaving? Maybe getting a job at a different location?"

Holly shook her head and replied, "They would never allow me to go… Can we change the subject please?"

Ford realized she was starting to feel uncomfortable and asked, "Rumors are going around town about a werewolf pack nearby. I saw a flyer on the hotel wall that they are going to have a meeting at the church tonight. Do you know what that's all about?"

Holly shrugged and replied, "The preacher claims that there are hundreds of them and that they're planning an attack. The meeting tonight is supposed to be discussing how to avoid war with them."

"What are your thoughts? Do you think werewolves are real?" Ford asked.

Holly sighed, "Maybe? Who knows how many undiscovered creatures are living in the forest?"

Ford was intrigued by her answer and pressed further, "Let's say for a moment that they are real, do you think they are dangerous?"

Holly shook her head, "If they are living among us as the churches claim, they have obviously adapted to our laws and customs. They're probably just trying to get by, like the rest of us."

Ford nodded and looked at the time, "It's been wonderful having lunch with you, but I have to get back." He picked a flower and handed it to her, "I hope to see you again soon."

Holly's heart fluttered as she accepted the flower. "Me too," she replied simply.