Part 5
1507 Words
Alec spotted Charles father on the other side of the counter, reading the newspaper, his head tilted to the side, a toothpick dangling from the corner of his lips. He hastily walked down the length of the store, his eyes going over the different items neatly stacked on the shelves. It's seven in the morning, and the supermarket was deserted, save for the employees adding tags on the items.
Ignoring them, Alec picked up some of the items randomly, adding them to his cart—Eggs, milk, chocolate, bread, cereal, jam spread and some cheese. He couldn’t sleep in his room and needed to find some distraction. So the minute he woke up, the Alpha went straight to the supermarket.
Once he had everything he needed, Alec slammed the cart on the counter. He relaxed when Charles Sr. snapped the newspaper close to focus on him.
“That will be thirty-four dollars”, The supermarket owner announced, and Alec passed over a couple of crumpled bills, his eyes twitching as they unconsciously glance down to the closed newspaper. Charles father put all the items in a bag and gently passed them over.
Alec tried not to squirm under his gaze. The owner assessed him, a frown marring his features.
“Are you alright now, son? You left the feast rather abruptly last night.”
The Alpha tightened his digits around the bag’s handle. He schooled his face into a neutral one, though he added a soft smile, so the lie that came out of his mouth afterwards appeared more believable.
“Of course,” He pulled his lips together. “I was tired from my journey. That’s why I left early” He slowly backed away toward the door. In reality, Alec felt guilty sitting around the table and being praised for his achievements in New York. The pack members were not furious; instead, they were proud of him.
“Have a nice day, Mr Walt!”
Charles father yelled out something that sounded more like you too! But he’s already stepping into the street, the words getting muffled as the door closed after him. Alec breathed in the crisp air, closing his eyes for several seconds to get his breathing under control. Suddenly the weight of the bag in his hand appeared heavy.
***
The Alpha took an easy route to the packhouse, but before he could move and quietly slip out of view, Janet caught his eyes, and she instantly waved him over. Alec wants to groan and pretend he couldn’t hear, that he had other things to do, but he walked towards her. She was another older woman who’s interested in setting him up with his daughter.
There’s an omega beside her, staring at him with a shy smile curved on her lips.
“Alpha Alec!” Janet took his hand affectionately, beaming at him. “How are you? I’m sorry I could make it to your feast last night. My back was killing me.”
“No, it's alright! We can have you over some other day.” He mumbled. “And I am sorry about your back.”
“Eh,” She waved her hand. “It's my age catching up to me. Anyways I want you to meet someone.”
“Oh”
“I heard that you hadn’t bought anyone from New York.”
Alec nervously rubbed the nape of his neck. “I still have some time to find a mate.”
“Age is just a number. You should start looking.” Janet laughed. “This is Sophie—”
The Alpha was aware of where it’s going. He quickly cut her off. “I’m sorry, Janet, but my mom is waiting for all these groceries. I’ll meet you some other time, yeah?”
***
Alec was lounging lazily on the couch, his legs folded together. The Alpha had to leave for training in few hours, merely waiting for Martha to get his breakfast. She was still sour about him not tasting her food a day before.
From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Charles rushing towards inside. He had a stack of letters in his hand, probably to deliver the Pack Alpha. His best friend took over his beta duties even before Alec was made the Pack leader. Maybe because Silas Romanos beta met with death in the war.
“Charles”, Alec motioned him to come closer.
The Alpha wanted to start by helping his father. It would ease some of his guilt, at least. Besides, his father and mother were away to meet the town witch. That’s something they did every month for reasons unknown.
“Hey” Charles waved at him. “Feeling better now?”
Alec nodded his head, his lips pressed together. After he left the feast abruptly, everyone has been asking him the same bloody question. He’s just annoyed.
“Are those letters for my father?”
“Ahh, yes.”
“Hand me over. I’ll answer some of them.”
Charles looked hesitant, his eyes roaming around the living room. “Are you sure?”
“I’ll be doing these things a few months later anyway. Let me get used to it.”
“You got a point”, His best friend hummed, plopping on the empty love seat adjacent to the couch. The letters were spread all over their glass coffee table, separated into various sections.
Alec's eyes caught on a letter with a distinct scent. His eyes rolled back as he immediately picked up and inhaled a faint hint of lavender and delicate perfume. Almost familiar. As if it’s from that strange woman from that night. He shook his head. No. That couldn't be her.
The Alpha ripped open the letter, his eyes skipping through the lines, mouth dropping open by the end of it.
“What happened?” Charles raised his brow. “Who is the letter from?”
“From a hunter,” He said in an awe tone. “A human hunter who wants to meet the Pack Alpha or someone equivalent. And apparently, she comes in peace.”
Charles snickered. “Yeah, right. That girl must be incredibly stupid to think we would go anywhere near them.”
“Or incredibly brave”, Alec added.
“Please don’t tell me you’re thinking about meeting her.”
Alec shrugged. “Why not? Give me one good reason.”
The Alpha was impressed by the sheer honesty in the writing. Or maybe it’s the incredibly intoxicating scent that urged him to see the person. Whatever. He was curious and wanted to meet this hunter who had the guts to request something like that.
Charles sighed. “I can give you a hundred. For starters, she’s a human! And a hunter. We cannot take that kind of risk.”
“Allison said she comes in peace.”
“Allison?”
“That’s her name”, Alec murmured.
“Whatever.” His best friend massaged his forehead. “And you believe this hunter?!”
“Why not?”
“This conversation is going nowhere.”
Alec nodded his head, folding the letter and tucking it in his jacket pocket. “Exactly. I’ll respond and meet her.”
“It’s your funeral. But as your beta, I will have to protect you, so I’m coming along.”
“Charles, I can handle it.”
“I doubt it. You had no skill training for the last five years.”
Alec looked away. Between attending his classes and setting up his business, the Alpha barely had time to train. Of course, he used most of his weekends to shift in his wolf form and run few miles. His wolf needed to be out in the air once in a while. But that’s the extent of it. He did not do any skill training, having to prepare for nothing in the safety of his New York apartment. Everyone went on with their business, and no one attacked anyone out of the blue. It's a civilised society.
“Y-Yeah, but I can handle myself.”
Charles rolled his eyes. “Still, I’ll be going with you.”
It's a losing battle—convincing Charles not to do something. The Alpha hummed and worked on reading other letters. In the back of his mind, Alec couldn’t stop thinking about this human hunter. Allison. He rolled her name in between his lips. There’s something that intrigued him and made him impatient to meet her.
***
The following day Charles bought the news that the meeting with Allison was fixed. They were supposed to meet in some crowded coffee shop for both their protection. He was relieved once Charles accepted the idea.
Once they arrived at the coffee shop, he gawked at the interiors. Alec was amazed by the decorations, having seen nothing like it in his town. He believed only a city like New York had luxurious cafes and restaurants. Charles agreed to trail behind him, sit a table away so that he could protect him from afar.
The Alpha was escorted to the table the hunter was waiting for him. As he walked forward, he caught the sight of her back facing him. His breath hitched as the scent became stronger, the smell almost making his mouth water. Alec rubbed his clammy fingers against the jeans, his heart beating a little too loud. He couldn’t explain this visceral reaction to her.
Alec finally stood in front of her when his mouth dropped open. The Alpha blinked several times; unable to believe the sight in front of him. It’s the same woman from that night. All this time, he thought that they would never meet, and she’s sitting few feet away from him.
The hunter narrowed his eyes at him.
“A-Allison?”
***
Next update will be on Monday. Tell me what you think so far :)
- Writer
