Not My Alpha

Chapter 16 ‘Party’

Keira’s POV

Over the next few days I work with Talia on learning all the different drinks and cleaning up the shop to get it ready for the grand re-opening. Talia was nice enough to make me a chart to follow for some of the more complicated drinks, I have it laminated and taped to the counter for easy access. I’ve also been learning how to work the register, and how to clean and maintain all the different equipment. There’s the coffee pots, the espresso machine, the grinders, the milk steamer, the dispensers where we store the cold brew, and chai, and even the dishwasher. It’s a lot of new information so Talia also made me a daily and weekly cleaning/ maintenance checklist for everything. I’ve been keeping pretty busy with the coffee shop, but I’ve also managed to begin updating my new apartment. I picked a pale yellow color for my walls and had Dave order me a few gallons. When I’m not training in the shop, I’ve been deep cleaning and painting my apartment. Talia and Dave have been helping me, and I’m really grateful for them. They’ve both been so welcoming and kind to me. They get along like brother and sister, it’s quite entertaining to watch. They’ve welcomed me as one of their own, and I’m starting to get more used to my life here. My bruises are gone and my cut is mostly healed, the last traces of my old life are finally fading away.

“You know we should have a cook out tomorrow and invite the other omegas. That way you can meet some more people. What do you think?” Talia asks me while we’re scrubbing the display case in the coffee shop.

“I don’t mind, just nothing too big. I don’t really like being the center of attention, so please don’t make it just about me.” I say. Attention is the last thing I need right now.

“Don’t worry, we don’t really need a reason. We do this more often than we should.” Talia says.

“Leave everything to us.” Dave chimes in as he sets down the pile of chairs he carried in.

LATER THAT DAY

Shepard’s POV

“Shep, where you headed off to?” Alpha Theo asks.

“I’m headed back to the hardware store. Apparently someone thought it would be fun to use up all the duct tape.” I look over at my little sister Vivian.

“My wallets aren’t going to make themselves.” Viv says.

“Why don’t you just send someone to go get it for you?” Theo asks.

“Then when would I get a break from you?” I tease.

“Ha. Ha. Ha, very funny. I’ll see you when you get back.” Theo and I have been best friends our whole lives. He’s more like my brother than my friend. I head out the door and drive over into town. I enter the hardware store and see Dave behind the counter.

“Afternoon Beta.” He greets me.

“Hey Dave, how’s it going?” I ask.

“It’s going pretty good. Oh, we’re having a block cookout tomorrow for lunch. You should swing by. It’s really to welcome the new girl Lily.” He says.

“Oh really? Has she warmed up to everyone?” I ask.

“Me and Talia are helping her paint the upstairs apartment. But she’s still pretty shy.”

“I bet this was Talia’s idea.” I say.

“Yup, but you should come, and bring Vivian.” He says.

“Sure, why not. Maybe it will keep her from using all my duct tape.” Dave laughs. I go and grab a few fresh rolls in the ugliest color I can find, then I grab a pink and blue patterned one for Viv and bring them all to the counter.

“Do you know what pack she came from? Lily, I mean.” I say to Dave as he rings me up.

“Nah, she doesn’t talk much about that. The only think I’ve learned is, she was an only child, she was a really good student, and we’re her third pack.”

“Her third? Did she say anything else?”

“Not really, that’s pretty much all she’s mentioned about her past, and I don’t want to pry either.”

“Yeah I understand. Thanks for the invite Dave. I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.” I head back to the pack house.

“Viv!” I shout as I walk through the door. She comes running down the stairs.

“Welcome back.” She says.

“Here, this is for you. But the rest are for me, alright?” She takes the roll of brightly colored tape and smiles. Then starts to run away.

“Aren’t you going to thank your big brother?” I shout at her. She turns around and runs back down the stairs.

“Thanks big brother.” She says. She quickly hugs my waist and then runs away again. I roll my eyes and smile.

“Oh and tomorrow we’re going to a block party in town.” I shout at Viv as she disappears up the stairs.

“Really? What’s the occasion?” Theo asks from the top of the stairs.

“Just for fun. You know they enjoy their fun. And the coffee shop should be opening in a few days.” I tell him.

“Sounds fun, doesn’t it Viv?” Theo asks her.

“Yeah it does.” She replies to him.

THE NEXT DAY

Keira’s POV

I have the day off from training and cleaning. Talia says I’ve learned just about everything I can. The shop opens tomorrow so this is my last day to do nothing I guess. I wake up and make myself some toast and eggs. Then I brew a cup of tea and just relax. Today is the day we’re having the cookout with the town, it’s supposed to start around lunch time. I was getting anxious about it last night before bed, but it’s a small pack. How many people can it be? I should be fine. I look out the window and can see people setting up tables and chairs already. Then there is a knock at the door. Talia has a key to the shop, but not my apartment. I open it and see her standing there with a shopping bag in her hand.

“Morning Lily. How’d you sleep?” She hands me the bag.

“Pretty good actually, what is this?” I ask.

“A new outfit. No offense, but your have like two shirts.” I look in the bag and see a dark blue summer dress and some sandals .

“I can’t take this.”

“Please, think of it like a welcome to the pack present. It will look beautiful with your hair. Please.” She begs.

“Fine, but no more. I’ll buy myself some more clothes later.” I say.

“Good, because if you showed up in those paint covered shorts and that green shirt I was going to lose my mind. Now go get ready.” She shoos me back to my room. I go into my room and put the dress on, it fits me perfectly. Honestly, it’s nice to have something else to wear. I’m going to have to buy some clothes for work so I look nice enough. I slip the sandals on and walk out.

“Oh I knew it would fit you. You look so nice.” Talia says. She is so sweet. I’m glad I got to meet her. She takes my hand and leads me downstairs.

“Everyone is getting everything set up. I thought we could make a few pots of coffee for everyone.” She says. We brew two large pots and people come in every now and then to have some. Talia introduces me to everyone who comes in. They’re all very nice and polite. It makes me wonder what the Alpha is like. I met the Beta at the hardware store a few days ago, he seemed okay. But I knew I needed to keep my distance. Dave came by and had a cup as well.

“It’s almost ready, thanks for the coffee Lily.” Dave says as he exits the shop. There’s still a few hours before the event starts and I’m already starting to feel like too much of the center of attention. I decide to go for a walk to get some fresh air. I walk down the street and see groups of people working together to set up different booths and games. Everyone here seems really happy in this little pack. I walk to the end of the street. There’s a park with swings and benches, and behind it is a big lake with benches around it. I walk until I find a bench in the shade. I take a seat and look out over the water. It’s peaceful here. I hear a branch break behind me and turn around quickly. It’s a girl, probably around 7. She has long black hair.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” She says. She so polite for a little girl.

“It’s ok, I’m a bit jumpy myself.” I look around for her parents.

“Are you out here alone?” I ask. She walks towards me.

“No. Are you new to our pack? I’ve never seen you before.” She says.

“I am new. My name is Lily. I’ve only been in your pack for six days.”

“Wow that is new. Do you like it here?” She sits down on the bench next to me.

“Everyone has been really nice. I do like it.”

“Why did you leave your old pack?” She asks.

“Someone there was mean to me, I thought it better to start over.” I tell her. I guess I can be honest and vague at the same time.

“What about you? Where are your parents?” I ask.

“My mom died giving birth to me. My father..”

“VIVIAN!” I hear someone shouting. A man runs over towards us, it’s the Beta. What was his name again?

“Vivian, I told you not to wonder off.” He says. Then he sees me.

“I wanted to meet Lily. She is the reason for the party.” She’s pretty perceptive for a little girl.

“Sorry about that. She likes to explore.” The Beta says.

“Oh it’s no problem. I just needed some fresh air. She was very polite and kind.” I smile at her. He seems a bit young to have a daughter.

“Yeah, she got that from our dad. He would always talk like that. She started copying him and never stopped.” He rubs the back of his neck. So she’s his sister. He is very handsome, more than I remembered.

“Well.. I should head back. It’s my party after all.” I smile at Vivian again.

“It was a pleasure to meet you Vivian.” I say and begin walking back to street.

Shepard’s POV

I watch Lily walk back towards the party. Her dark blue dress brings out the color in her eyes.

“I like her.” Vivian says.

“What did you two talk about?” I ask.

“She said she moved here because someone wasn’t nice to her. You need to be nice to her.” She says.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be nice.”