Not My Alpha

Chapter 14 ‘Floral Print’

Keira’s POV

“Let me show you where you’ll be going.” Samara says. She pulls out a map. This one’s more detailed than the one Macie gave to me.

“Here is Cedar Creek Pack.” She points to a small area north of where I am now. It’s a good distance from Pale Moon and Elk Forest.

“When can I go there?” I ask.

“We can head out now! I’ll come along to help you get settled. Let me get ready.”

“You don’t have to.”

“It’s better if I do. You’ll have to cut ties with your old pack and join the new one. Plus I’d like to see my old friend.” She says before heading to the back of the house. I wait on the couch for her to come back. A few minutes later she returns with a small bag and a book.

“Alright, I’m ready to go.” She says. I grab my bag and we set off. I follow her through the forest.

“We’ll take my car.” She yells back.

“You have a car?” I ask.

“Of course I do. Do you think I’m some hermit that lives in the woods?” She replies with a laugh.

“I mean, I just didn’t know.” I say chuckling.

“I keep it parked on the road. We’re almost there.” She says. We walk for a bit longer before we come up on a small faded blue car.

“Here we are.” She opens the door and we set off for Cedar Creek Pack.

“So you will need to go by a new name, Lily is fine if that’s what you pick. You can not tell anyone you aren’t an omega. And whatever you do, don’t shift. You’re size will give you away.” She says. I just nod in agreement. It was an bit of a drive, but we finally make it to the pack lands. Samara pulls into a town and stops in front of a small building with a sign that says ‘Canine Coffee’.

“When you said ‘shop’ I thought it was going to be more like a store.” I say.

“It’s a coffee shop. Is that a problem?” She asks.

“No! Not at all!” I reply quickly. I’ve never even made coffee at home before. I’m not sure the first thing about running a coffee shop.

“Come on, I’m sure Lynn is already waiting for us.” We walk over to the door and knock. The door opens to a beautiful woman with wavy strawberry blonde hair pulled back in a bun.

“Samara, finally. And this must be Keira.” I look at Samara.

“I told her everything. She’s the one in charge of you, she deserves to know the risks.” Samara walks into the shop, I follow behind her.

“It’s okay Keira, this isn’t the first time I’ve stuck my neck out for Samara. Your secret is safe with me. But I do have one concern. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but do you think you can really handle the shop?” She asks.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about running a coffee shop, but I’m a quick learner. If someone can show me how to do everything, then I’ll certainly do my best.” I say.

“Alright, I think we can manage that. Now, let’s get you a part of this pack.”

“I thought the Alpha had to do that?” I ask.

“Not really. The Alpha doesn’t have to go welcome every member of their pack. Especially the omegas. Lynn can accept you under her. Lynn?” Samara calls her over. Lynn stands in front of me and holds her hands out. I grab them.

“Just repeat after me. I, Keira Heartfelt, renounce my link to Pale Moon Pack and seek acceptance into Cedar Creek Pack.” Lynn says.

“I, Keira Heartfelt, renounce my link to the Pale Moon Pack and seek acceptance into Cedar Creek Pack.”

“I, Linda Crane, offer you sanctuary and acceptance into Cedar Creek Pack. Do you accept this blood link?” Lynn asks.

“I, Keira Heartfelt, accept the blood link.” I say.

“Perfection!” Samara squeals clapping her hands together. Lynn joins in the celebration, I smile. It was really that easy.

“Very good. I’ll show you around now. This is obviously the shop. It’s open Monday through Saturday, 6 am to 4 pm. The woman who ran it before, got too old to handle it. It’s been closed for a few weeks now, so it could use a good cleaning. I’ll have someone show you how to make the drinks tomorrow. Right through here is the kitchen.” We walk in to the kitchen I see some ovens and mixers pushed up against the corner. “They don’t bake here anymore. Everything is brought in from the bakery two buildings down. You’ll have to pick it up daily. You will live right above the shop, I’ll show you.” She leads me upstairs, Samara following behind us.

Lynn pulls out some keys then unlocks the door. I walk in and the first thing I see in the apartment is a picture hanging on the wall in the living room. It’s a painting of a pink and white wildflower meadow with a little cottage, and a babbling brook. It puts a smile on my face.

The apartment has a stale smell to it, but it’s decent sized, perfect just for me. Next to the living room is the kitchen. It’s small with a two burner stove, and a wooden table with two chairs stacked on it. I walk over and flip one of the chairs over and the leg of the chair falls off to the ground. I look over at Lynn.

“I’ll see if I can get you some wood glue for that.” She responds. I pull down the other chair and sit on it. It creaks a little but it will do just fine.

“Over here is the bedroom.” Lynn says. I get up and follow her. The room is bigger than I expected. There’s a bed in the corner with some sheets and blankets folded on the edge. I walk over and pick up the linens.

“They’re not silk like you’re probably used to as an Alpha...” Samara says. Her and Lynn are standing near the bedroom door.

“They’re perfect.” I respond. Lynn smiles.

“Alright well when you aren’t working, you are free to do as you wish. You are also provided a weekly allowance. It’s not much, but it’s enough to get by. You won’t have much need to go to the main pack lands, and I suggest keeping your distance. Any questions?” Lynn asks.

“No, not right now.” I respond. I’m a little overwhelmed truth be told. Just 24 hours ago I was waking up to make a sandwich now I’m here, standing in my new apartment.

“Well, I guess my work here is finished.” Samara says. She gives Lynn a hug and walks over to me. “Good luck sweetie. You’ll be just fine.” She says squeezing my shoulder. I grab her and give her a hug.

“Thank you.” I say, and then Samara leaves. Lynn and I walk back out into the living room.

“There is a land line over here, and my phone number is by it. You can change anything you want in here. This place is yours now. Tomorrow I will send someone over to help train you on the shop.” Lynn says lingering near the door.

“Sounds great.” I reply. Lynn looks like she wants to say something.

“This will be a bit of an adjustment for you, life as an omega is very different than life as an Alpha, but it certainly beats what you’ve been through I’m sure.”

I look down unsure of how to respond. The reminder of Dawson puts a pit in my stomach. Lynn walks over to me and places her hand on my shoulder. “I was sorry to hear about your mate and the wounds he’s left on you. I hope you can find some peace and rest here.” She says.

“Thank you so much for your kindness.” I respond.

“You must be a kind person. Samara wouldn’t have helped an Alpha so easily. You must have really made an impression on her. I will leave you to rest for the night. And I’ll be sure someone comes later in the morning to give you more time for rest.” Lynn turns the leave, “OH HERE!” She comes back and hands me the keys.

“Thanks again, I say.” Lynn waves and heads down the stairs. I close the door and take another look around my new apartment. You can tell an older woman lived here before me. There is floral print everywhere. I definitely need to change that. I can’t believe I just joined another pack. I can’t believe this is my life.