I flopped back on my bed with a satisfied sigh, staring up at the fairy lights I'd just spent the last half hour stringing along my ceiling and down to the headboard of my newly installed double bed.
A smile spread across my face as I finally let myself relax. My new room. In my new apartment. In my new town.
Sigh.
It felt so good to have my own space.
Well, mostly my own.
I did have a roommate-my very generous Beta bestie, Morgan. Without her, I'd still be stuck in my childhood bedroom, wondering what to do with my life. When would I perfume? When would I go into heat?
The thought of experiencing either of those things in front of my incredibly loving but incredibly overbearing parents, Alex and Debbie Whitehall, made me shudder. As wonderful as they are, they've definitely struggled with the concept of me growing up.
A knock at my door snapped me out of my thoughts. I sat up abruptly to see Morgan standing in the doorway, holding two bowls of steaming chicken stir-fry. Her wide smile lit up her gorgeous, sun-kissed face.
"Hey, babe. Dinner's ready! Wow, your room looks amazing!"
She stepped in, her eyes sweeping over the fairy lights, the soft glow of the lamps on my freshly painted white bedside tables, and the bookshelves lining the far wall, crammed with books and photo frames.
"Thank you!" I said, taking one of the bowls from her. "For both," I added with a giggle, gesturing to the food.
"Let's eat in the lounge," I suggested, shepherding her out toward the coffee table in our spacious two-bedroom apartment.
We settled in, Morgan sitting cross-legged across from me as we dug into our bowls. "So," she asked between bites of rice, "how are you feeling? All settled in?"
I nodded enthusiastically, spearing a piece of chicken with my fork. "Definitely. I can't thank you enough for this opportunity."
Morgan shrugged with her usual grace. "Don't worry about it, babe. The timing worked out perfectly, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Cheers to that!" I laughed, raising a piece of chicken in a mock toast. Morgan rolled her eyes but played along, clinking her fork against mine.
After ten years of friendship, Morgan was used to my antics. We'd grown up in the same town, only separated briefly when I attended the Omega Academy. She'd always been my rock-calm, steady, and dependable, just as you'd expect from a Beta.
Now, a year into her bioengineering degree, Morgan was already thriving. Meanwhile, I was still figuring things out. I hadn't gone to college-yet. Honestly, my lack of presentation and the fact that I hadn't experienced my first heat had made it hard to even graduate the Omega Academy. I'd scraped by on theory alone. I'm still waiting for the day I get dragged back after I fully present.
Shudder.
Moving here with Morgan felt like the fresh start I desperately needed.
"Have you applied to any of those jobs you were looking at?" Morgan's question pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Not yet," I admitted with a sigh.
I already had a part-time job lined up at the local café, but something extra would be ideal.
"Well," she said, rising to collect our bowls, "maybe that's what you should focus on tomorrow."
I nodded. "Yeah, I think you're right. I'll look around and maybe print off my résumé."
She flashed me a thumbs-up as she started rinsing the dishes. "Exactly."
I followed her into the kitchen. "You cooked, so I'll do these," I insisted.
Morgan shook her head, chuckling. "We'll sort out a roster or something later."
The evening passed in a comfortable rhythm of casual conversation and laughter until I finally retreated to my room. Content and happy, I scrolled through my phone.
A text from my mom popped up:
Mumma Bear: Goodnight, sweet girl. Send me photos of your adventures tomorrow! I miss you already. ð
Baby Bear: Goodnight! I will. I miss you too. ð
Smiling, I set my phone down and drifted off to sleep.
---
The next morning, I woke to the sound of the apartment door clicking shut as Morgan left for class. Groaning, I burrowed into my soft, silky pillows, savoring the luxury of sleeping in.
Until my bladder had other ideas.
After freshening up and making myself a quick cold brew with Morgan's setup (bless her), I headed to the library with my laptop to print some résumés.
What should've been a quick task turned into an hour-long ordeal of wrestling with the printer. The Omega assistant behind the desk, who smelled like a mixture of wet wood and musty books, spent the entire time with his nose buried in his book, was no help. But eventually, I emerged victorious, résumés in hand.
By 1:30 p.m., my enthusiasm had waned. Hungry and a bit defeated, I found myself standing outside the café where I'd already secured a job. It felt like the perfect place to regroup and recharge.
The tinkling of the café door welcomed me as I stepped inside, the soft glow of warm lights and gentle hum of conversation embracing me. This was a good choice.
I approached the counter with a smile, catching the attention of the elderly Alpha behind it. She looked up, her kind brown eyes crinkling as she smiled back. She smelled of coffee and nutmeg-a comforting, familiar scent.
"Hey, what can I get you?" she asked, her voice warm and inviting.
"Um..." I glanced at the adorable chalkboard menu behind her. "I'll have an oat milk cappuccino, a salad sandwich, and a raspberry muffin, please," I said, returning her smile.
"Certainly!" She jotted down my order and handed me a small metal sign with a number perched on top. Taking it, I found a cozy table by the window and settled in, pulling out one of my favourite books.
An hour later, with lunch and another coffee well and truly finished, I was curled up by the window, completely engrossed in my story. The world outside blurred as the story's world unfolded in my mind. That was when the scent hit me.
Salted caramel-and something else.
It was heavenly, and it made me pause mid-sentence. I looked up, startled, as a shadow fell across my book.
Standing before me was the largest Alpha I'd ever seen. He had to be at least six foot two, his frame broad and imposing. Black combat boots and worn jeans clung to his muscular legs, leading up to a snug black tee that hinted at a powerful chest and arms. The colorful tattoos trailing from his sleeves across bulging biceps were striking, vibrant against his tanned skin.
Gulp.
My gaze traveled upward, and I took in his face-a thick golden beard framing full, plush lips; a long, straight nose; and a strong brow that crowned two swirling pools of chocolate brown.
Is he... growling?
Oh.
Oh.
Shit.
---
Hey, hi.. hello ð
Ohhhhh goodness okay. I can't believe I am doing this...but here I am doinnngggg the thiiiing..
I've thought about doing the thing for a very verrrry verrrrrrry long time.
Obviously didn't, now I am.
It's my first time, be nice.
But also tell me what you think? Sorta...idk.
Enjoy! I hope.
Oh! Also I should upload preeeettyy frequently. But also work full time and like... don't even know it's good tbh. ð
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