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His black hair was gelled and curled to one side, his handsome face crinkled with his soft smile, and his green eyes sparkled as he looked at me. He had only gotten better looking with age.
“Hey,” I said in a crisp voice, watching as he set the pile of neatly folded quilts on the counter. “Thank you for the delivery.”
“Glad I finally get to see you,” said Lio, his teeth stark white. He wore faded jeans with the biggest belt buckle and a tight white shirt two sizes too small for him.
“Yeah, I’m usually super busy,” I said, leaning back against the counter.
Alright, he gave me the quilts. He could go now.
But of course, he didn’t get the message. He continuously wanted to hang out or be in my presence, but I’d text him a bullshit excuse for not making it. After the fateful night on the beach, I didn’t tell a soul about what happened.
Not even him.
After that night, I ran all the way home and cried all night in my bed. All my feelings for him had dwindled. It was no longer something magical for me. From then on, I limited interactions with him and distanced myself from all males who weren’t my family.
“Me too,” said Lio, who seemed intent on having small talk with me.
I swallowed when he crossed his arms and leaned over on the counter, watching me.
“Well, how’s work?” I asked.
“Very knotty,” he chuckled. He worked as a professional knotter in one of the omega heat clinics on the island, a drastic change from the nerdy kid he was back in school.
When I had first heard about it, I was shocked but also realized it was much easier for me not to like him inthatway- when he was busy easing omegas during their heats and knotting them. A part of me also broke down, wishing that wasn’t his job, but I had shot him down every chance. Professional knotters made a ton of money at their jobs, signing contracts that they wouldn’t take a mate or otherwise lose their job. They weren’t allowed to have babies either, and there were various birth control options in place now at the heat clinics.
A young, virile alpha like him was in hot demand.Who was I to stop him?
“Oof, sorry I asked,” I said sarcastically.
“What can I do to get you to smile?” he asked, looking at me curiously. Ever since the fateful night at the camp, it wasn’t easy for me to smile and be as light-hearted as I used to be.
I bit my lip, wanting him gone now.
“Sorry, it’s just been a busy day,” I said, breathing hard. Just then, my grandma popped her head around the corner and gracefully hugged Lio, her lilac perfume wafting past me.
“How’s Mama Keera doing?” she asked.
“She’s doing good,” said Lio, louder than ever. “The new quilts are here for you.” He was close to my family since we had grown up together, so they adored him.
“I wish she would accept payment for it,” muttered my grandma, shaking her head as she softly touched the quilts. “I will call her later.”
“Of course,” said Lio. “Have a good day. Both of you ladies. See you at the Midsummer Fest tomorrow.”
He nodded at me, concern in his eyes. Then he gave Grandma one more hug and left the shop. I breathed out a sigh of relief. Every time I saw him, it was like a wave of anxiety would rush through me. Uncertainty and fear even though he had done nothing to me. I wanted to avoid everything from my past.
Including him.
Chapter 2
Alana
Thesunwarmedmyskin as I curled my bare toes in the sand.
I enjoyed being out at the beach early Saturday mornings to relax while Grandma took care ofOmega Oasiswith her friend. I was lying on the beach towel in a remote area and wearing a black bikini and a tank top. Pulling my diary out of my rucksack, I opened it and watched the waves as I held the pen between my fingers. I scanned the horizon with my eyes, looking and searching.
Always searching for him. For the creature who saved me.
I never saw him again after that traumatizing night. It felt like I had been dreaming the entire time and that it was just a nightmare. Did I really see a creature I’d never seen before? I couldn’t comprehend it, and I wanted answers. He literally appeared out of nowhere, and I was starting to doubt myself and think it was a figment of my imagination.
