Not My Alpha

Chapter 15 ‘A Bright Color’

Keira’s POV

My alarm goes off at seven o’clock. I didn’t want to sleep in too much, just incase someone got here early. I get dressed and eat a banana. There was some fruit and food in the fridge left by Lynn. I don’t know how to cook a lot of things, but I can make eggs, which is what I had for dinner last night. This is going to be such a different world for me. Making all my own meals, and working. I never thought about what this life would be like. I take a shower and get dressed. I look so bizarre with my new hair, it’s definitely going to take some getting used to. I hear someone open the door to the shop, there are three bells that hang from the handle. I head down stairs and through the kitchen. But then I think, what if Dawson has found me? What if it’s someone coming to take me back to him.

“Hello?” I say. I look around for a weapon. Then a girl with pink hair pokes her head into the kitchen. I jump.

“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Talia. Lynn asked me to come by and show you how to run the place?”

“I’m sorry I’m a bit jumpy.” I smile at her. She walks over to me and hugs me out of no where.

“Umm” I don’t know what to do. She pulls back.

“I’m sorry, Lynn told me Samara dropped you off, and your bruises.” She trails off. I can’t wait for them to go away, I’m sick of people looking at me like this.

“I’m fine, please don’t worry.” But this girl is too sweet to care.

“Alright, you ready for me to show you some stuff? I was thinking I could show you the basics then we can clean, then I’ll test you. How does that sound?” She asks.

“Sounds good.”

“Follow me.” She walks out front and I follow her.

“Ok, the first thing you are going to want to do in the morning is go get the baked goods, I’ll show you the store.” I reach out and grab her arm.

“Do you think we can just stay in here. I really don’t want anyone to see me like this. It doesn’t really make the best first impression.” I say. Talia smiles at me.

“Of course. I understand. But you know, you aren’t the first one Samaras dropped off here. In fact, the girl who works at the bakery was brought here by her.” She says.

“If you want, there’s a back way there. No one will see.” She offers.

“Alright.”

“Come on.” She leads me through the back door and into the alley.

“It’s just two stores over.” She walks to a back door and knocks. After a few minutes the door opens. A girl with blonde hair pulled back in a bun, wearing an apron answers the door.

“Talia, what are you doing back here?” She asks.

“This is Lily. She is going to be working at the coffee shop. I wanted to introduce you. Lily, this is Nat.” The girl looks me over. “Come on in.” She smiles at me. We walk in and the kitchen is a bit busy, but spacious.

“When you are more comfortable, you can use the front door. When will the shop be opening?” Nat asks.

“In a week. We have some cleaning to do, and some training.” Talia says.

“Alright. I’ll have an order waiting for you then. You can pick it up by 5 am.” Geez that’s early. But I guess I’ll just have to get use to it.

“Are you going to be working there too?” Nat asks Talia.

“Yep.”

“Really?” I ask.

“You can’t work 12 hour shifts 6 days a week. That’s crazy. Don’t worry, we look out for each other here.” Talia says.

“Alright Nat, we’ll get out of your hair. Don’t work too hard.” Talia throws a wave over her shoulder as she pushes me out the back door.

“So that was Nat. She’ll warm up. So once you get the baked goods, just bring them back here.” We walk back into the shop.

“Then you’ll start brewing. You’ll brew three types of coffee.” We walk over to the machines.

“Decaf, French Roast, and House Roast. So you put one of these in here and hit start. That’s super easy right?” She pulls a filter bag out of a box and inserts into a drawer.

“Yeah it is.”

“Great, so those are your regular coffees. Now let me show you the other kinds of drinks we make.” Talia shows me how to make lattes, cappuccinos, and pour overs.

“Let’s clean up a bit, have some lunch, and then I’ll quiz you.” She says. We clean the dining area and the display case. She runs out and grabs us some lunch and we eat together. She tells me all about her family and the pack.

“It’s a small pack, but everyone is really nice. Even the Alpha and Beta. They are on the younger side, but they are great. Hot too. It’s surprising they don’t have mates yet, but if you asked them they’d probably say they are too busy. The warriors come through the shops regularly and are pretty friendly. We do have the occasional rogue attack, but no one has died from one in a long time. So it’s pretty safe. I might be a bit biased because this is the only pack I’ve ever been a part of, but I think it’s pretty great.” She says.

“It sounds like it.” I agree.

“You ready to be tested?” She asks.

“Let’s do this.”

“Make me a skinny vanilla latte.” She says. I make the latte and a hand it to her. She drinks it.

“Perfect. We’ll work on that foam art some other time.” She says.

“I think that’s enough for one day. I’ll come back tomorrow and show you some more. Do you have any questions for me?” She asks.

“Actually, yes. Is there some place I could buy some paint? Upstairs is like a grandmother’s paradise. I wanted to change a few things.” Talia laughs.

“Yeah. There’s a hardware store at the corner to the right.” She tells me.

“Thanks a lot.”

“See you tomorrow.” She waves at me as she leaves the shop. I lock the door and head upstairs. I change clothes and try to hide my bruises with a bit of makeup. Nothing will hide my cut, but in a few days it will all be back to normal. I head out to the hardware store. It’s a little corner store, but it’s cute. The guy at the register greets me.

“Hello, is there something I can help you find?” He’s in his late teens, I’m at least a few years older than him.

“I’m looking for some paint.” I tell him.

“We have the colors here. Just tell me which one you want and I’ll order it for you.” He says. He hands me a stack of sample cards.

“Do you think I could borrow this and bring it back tomorrow?” I ask.

“Sure thing. You taking over the coffee shop?” He asks.

“Yeah, how’d you know?” I ask.

“I heard a new girl was coming. And you’re new. My name is David. But everyone calls me Dave.”

“I’m Lily. The upstairs needs some updating. I’m thinking yellow, but I just want to be sure.” I say.

“Yellow is a bright color.” I hear a voice from behind me. I turn around and see a handsome guy with black hair and dark blue eyes. He smells like fresh mint and lemon.

“Hey Beta Shepard. This is Lily. She’s taking over the coffee shop.” Dave introduces me. If he’s the Beta, I need to keep my distance.

“Is that so. When will it be opening?” He asks me.

“In a week.” I move my eyes to the floor.

“Good, some of us can’t survive without it.” He says.

“I’ll just be going.” I turn and walk out of the store. I head back to the coffee shop.

Shepard’s POV

“I’m Lily. The upstairs needs some updating. I’m thinking yellow, but I want to be sure.” The girl at the register says.

“Yellow is a bright color.” I say. She turns around and her blue eyes burn into mine. Her brown hair frames her face and through her makeup I can see the cut on her chin. I also notice the bandage peeking out of her shirt.

“Hey Beta Shepard. This is Lily. She’s taking over the coffee shop.” Dave says.

“Is that so. When will it be opening?” I ask her. I feel like I’m scaring her.

“In a week.” She looks at the ground. I feel bad.

“Good, some of us can’t survive without it.” I say trying to lighten the mood.

“I’ll just be going.” She turns and leaves. I walk up to the register.

“Scared thing isn’t she.” I comment.

“She’s new. This is the first time I’ve met her. I heard Samara positioned her here. She just needs to get used to us.” Dave is young, but he’s pretty observant.

“I’m sure you’ll make her feel right at home.” I tease him.

“You know I’m into blondes.” He teases back.