Soma’s POV
Getting home I was exhausted, I didn’t think putting a store together was going to be that exhausting. I couldn’t wait to take a long bath and snuggle with my pillow. Tomorrow was going to be even longer, even though I had a few more days until I would open my store. A guy was bringing my sign for the store; I was super excited about that. Once that was in place I was one more step away from making my dream a reality.
Unlocking my apartment, my cat Mouse greeted me. “Hey Mouse.” I said picking up the overweight cat. “I’m exhausted.” I said kissing him. “Time for mommy to take a bath and then off to bed.” I said putting him down to feed him and then I would run my bath.
Once I was in the bath, Mouse came and sat on the toilet and watched me. I enjoyed the hottest path a human could withstand for whatever reason. After that, I managed to climb into bed and knock out until the alarm blared.
“Today is going to be great.” I smiled. My sign would be here, I would be able to get the final touches for the store and I would finally be able to order the door. I was nervous though, no one would be able to bail me out if I made mistakes. I just hope today would go on without issues and people would come and buy my tea.
I fed Mouse and headed out the door, I couldn’t wait to see my sign and then my window shopping and everyone would be set up. My nerves would be a lot better today. I was handing out excited and couldn’t wait. The drive was quick; I unlocked the door and danced around my shop, making sure everything was in order. I probably looked like a pretty big dork but I didn’t care at this point. The people probably would love me one way or another.
I didn’t have to wait long before the man knocked on my door holding the sign, I opened the door and he smiled.
“Sorry I am late.” He smiled.
“Don’t worry, I am happy that you made it in the short time you did,” I said. “Once this baby is in place, I am going shopping to get the stuff I need, and this afternoon I am open.” I squealed. I was a little nervous to see this all set up, I knew as this was happening I was getting closer to being open. I was scared and happy all the same. Nick would be so proud of me, and seeing that I’ve made this store into something great.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone this happy in a long time, good to know someone can be.” He smiled and excused himself to his truck to get the ladder.
I walked back into my store and doubled checked everything. Everything looked great, just a few minor decorations and I felt the place was ready for my new chapter in my life. I just hoped everything else would fall into place. I had a good feeling about my shop even if the coffee shop was busy; maybe I would have some of their customers.
About an hour later the man that was installing the sign came into the store. “Are you ready to see your masterpiece?” he said with a smile on his face.
“I am.” I smile big. “I am nervous too.” I giggled.
“Don’t be, you choose the perfect name,” he said leading me outside. “Just as the sunset, the colors are coming out perfectly.” He said pulling me closer.
As I looked up, my heart went into my throat. The sign lit perfectly, I was shocked. I didn’t know what to say, it was beautiful I almost cried. This was my store. This was my dream; I couldn’t believe this was real.
“This is perfect!” I said clapping my hands together, this was real. I was a real owner of the store now. Everyone would see my sign from the road and hopefully that would draw them in and they’d want to buy some tea from me. I still had my doubts, but that was only because it was New York, and honestly I still wasn’t sure I chose the right state for this.
“Congrats, I hope this brings you millions of dollars.” He said before leaving me standing there. I was amazed, I couldn’t move from the spot for the longest time. When I was able to, it was dark. I was still smiling when I walked back into the store. Tomorrow I decided I was going to open the store; I hoped to bring in the business.
Locking up the store, I decided to head to the local stores and see what they had to offer for decorations, I was excited. My smile wouldn’t be ruined by anyone, I had butterflies and I knew this was going to be an everyday thing.
There was a craft store down the road, I walked in and it was filled with everything I needed. I grabbed a cart and filled it with everything I needed. I remembered not to go crazy since it was for only one season and I would have to remember it was only for a couple of months.
Getting back to my store was quick; I unlocked the door and headed inside. Dancing around, I laid out the oranges and browns, everywhere was colorful. I was happy, everything was ready. I wanted to get to know the town and the people tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.
I locked the door and took one last look at the store, tomorrow was going to be a great day I couldn’t wait to see my first customers. I was nervous, but it would be okay. It was like my first day on the job just like every time. I knew everyone would be excited like me. I couldn’t contain myself.
“Excuse me.” Someone said.
I jumped; my heart was in my throat turning to face the man, he was dressed in a black coat. His hair was dark and his eyes were cold. He didn’t smile, he stayed where he was standing at least for the time being.
“So sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. My name is Detective Marks.” He said flashing his badge; I didn’t get a good look at it.
“Um hi.” I half-smiled. I wasn’t sure why there was a detective in front of me.
He took a few steps closer to me, I wasn’t sure if he was going to arrest me for something, or if something happened while I was hone. “I am going to each store owner, which I am guessing you are the owner of this store.” He said pointing to the tea shop, and then he looked at me.
“Um yeah, what is this about?” I said opening the door to my car. I wanted to get in and drive away, something about the man scared me. I wasn’t entirely sure he was a real cop seeing he flashed his badge quickly, and he wasn’t acting like a cop.
He glanced in the direction of the coffee shop, I wasn’t sure if there was a reason he did that or if he was giving me some kind of hint. “Oh well there is a crime family in the area, they are looking into these stores to possibly rob them.” He said clearing his throat. “I just wanted you to be aware of them.” He said pulling out something from the inside of his jacked, he handed me a picture.
“Thanks,” I said looking at him and then the photo, I didn’t know who he was. I felt like I was being watched from the shadows. “I don’t know this person.” She said looking at the picture.
“He may not have come around, but I wanted you to be aware of him in case he does come to your shop. If he does please call me as soon as you can.” He said pulling a card out of his pocket and handing it to me. “Again I apologize for scaring you.” He said backing away from me so I could get in my car and leave. I half smiled and then got in my car and drove away. He stood on the sidewalk watching me. There were no other cars around, so I wasn’t sure where he had come from.
I watched him until he wasn’t in sight anymore, something about him was off. The picture of the man, I didn’t know. I was a little worried it wouldn’t be the last time I’d see him; in fact, I felt like he was going to come around and harass me and annoy me. Whoever that man in the picture was didn’t look like he would hurt anyone, but that didn’t make me feel any less scared.
Oliver’s POV Watching the woman with the man that installed the sign talk made me jealous for some reason. The way he flirted with her was something that made me want to go over and tell him to back off, thankfully he didn’t say around. After she left, I was able to concentrate again; Jack and Ryan will be coming later tonight to figure out where she at least lived and her routine. “I still think it’s not a good idea to stalk the human,” Micah said walking over to me. “Well good thing you’re not the Alpha,” I said without looking at him. “I have a feeling about her, something unexplainable, and until I figure it out she needs to be protected,” I said looking at him. “If I feel you are going to be the one stalking her, you are not to question it.” Micah crossed his arms, he hated when I talked down to him, but when I’m in a mood he knew not to bother with me, but somehow he was missing that I was in that mood. “You’d put me on babysitting duty
Soma’s POVGetting back to my apartment, I felt safe. Before I closed the door, I looked to see if anyone was following me. I had butterflies in my stomach I don’t know why I was so bothered by the cop and why he showed me a picture of some guy. Maybe there was a crime family in the area, I have heard about New York and the Mafia but why would they go after a shop that just opened. I had no money, no business.Walking over to the window, I looked out, “Come on Soma, now you’re crazy.” I said shaking my head before I closed the curtains.Mouse sat near his bowl; I fed him and ordered some Chinese. Something about orange chicken tonight would be awesome. It would take forty-five minutes, I didn’t mind. I took a quick shower and then poured myself some wine. Something about the glass of wine made me feel relaxed, I don’t know why I was on edge, the cop was probably just looking out for me and I should be thankful someone was around to keep tabs on my store for me.A loud knock startled m
Oliver’s POVBarely able to contain myself I was able to sit down, that intoxicating smell. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Closing my eyes I held my breath until both my wolf and I calmed down. That was like a roller coaster ride, it was a high I didn’t want to come down from, but I needed to control myself whatever that was I wasn’t ready for, but it was amazing.“Oliver?” Micah spoke. “You okay?”Opened my eyes, and found him staring at me curiously, “I’m fine. Did you smell that, an overwhelming smell of fresh pine and waterfalls?” I could still taste it on my tongue.Micah cocked an eyebrow. “You’ve lost your mind. There is no such smell here, maybe you should go downtown there is a problem I need to be fixed. Marks is causing a scene.” He said throwing papers at me. “Fresh pine and waterfalls.” He chuckled.Grabbing the papers off the desk, I looked down. One of our coffee vendors was due to make a delivery this morning and hadn’t. Rolling my eyes I seriously didn’t want to de
Soma’s POVThe day seemed to go by fast, I was busy and I was exhausted, my mind wandered back to the cop. I wasn’t sure why he was threatening me. I was new to this place and he didn’t have to be so mean. I went to the coffee shop once, maybe I should say something to the owners of the shop just so they know a police officer is going around telling people about them. I wasn’t sure if that was a good idea or not. I didn’t want enemies and I didn’t want problems either.Locking up the money, and cleaning up the little bit of mess. I stocked the shelves so I didn’t have to do it tomorrow before I opened. I yawned, I didn’t want to drive home, even if it was only a few minutes from here, I wish I had a bed in the back, tonight it would have been awesome to sleep here.Turning off the lights, and locking up the store, a cold breeze sent shivers down my spine, I knew winter was coming, but damn I wasn’t ready for it just yet.My hands trembled as I unlocked the car, I felt watched, but I d
Oliver’s POV“I haven’t touched a female, relaxed Drew!”Drew gave me control, I relaxed my hold on Micah and shook my head, and left the coffee shop, I don’t know what the hell just happened. Drew went silent, and I was too dazed and confused to understand anything. Who was he talking about, who was his? We have no mate. At least not until I get the answers about Soma, she may or may not be our mate. She isn’t human, a wolf, or a vampire, and things weren’t adding up.“We have no mate, Drew,” I said to him, but he completely ignored him. I was getting pissed. I wanted to know why he freaked out the way he did, and why he wouldn’t talk to me now. This was going to be a long way and I wasn’t going to go back to the coffee shop until he told me what the hell was going on. “Come on Drew I need to know what is going on, that smell, you freaked out.”“Mate.” He growled and said nothing more.I wasn’t sure going back to the coffee shop was a good idea, but I needed to find out where they we
Soma’s POVI wasn’t sure how long I sat there, but the sun was down and they were already closing down, the clerk behind the counter brought me another coffee and some more cookies.“We’re closing up, Boss said to bring these to you.” he half-smiled setting them down in front of me. “I hope you have a better day tomorrow.”“Thanks,” I said getting up from the table. I wasn’t sure how tomorrow was going to be, I was scared it was going to turn to shit and I would be out of a shop and this cop was going to make my life hell.I decided I wasn’t going to open the store tomorrow. Running across the street, I unlocked the store and quickly wrote a note and posted it on the door. Looking around I frowned tears formed in my eyes. This was my whole life and I was letting some halfwit detective bully me, he wasn’t going to win but I didn’t fight tonight. Locking the door, I headed home. Mouse greeted me with a long meow.“Don’t look at me like that.” I hissed at him. “I know I could have been s
Oliver’s POVI wasn’t sure where I was running, so I shifted and let Drew out and let him lead us. He was pissed, so he needed to run this off. I knew Micah was right about everything, if she was our mate, she would be in danger and if Marks had her in his sights, there was a reason for it. I just hoped he didn’t know anything more than we did at least for now.For some reason we ended up near an apartment building, I wasn’t sure why we were here and Drew wasn’t answering me so I let him have his way, at least until we ran into Ryan.“Alpha why are you here?” he questioned.“Why are you?” I narrowed my eyes at him as he handed me some clothes.“I’m protecting the girl as you requested.” He said taking a step back. “Did something happen that you are here?”“No I let Drew come out for a run, and we ended up here. I am wondering if he knew she was here. He isn’t speaking to me right now, he’s upset we will not talk with the girl.” I said looking around. “So the girl is around here?”“Yes
Soma’s POVI decided to head to my bed, laying my head down, the room was still spinning but I was glad to make it to my bed. I didn’t want to face the detective, but I didn’t have any choice. I wasn’t hiding anything, but I wasn’t sure what he had on me. I was innocent in this whole thing, and I wasn’t sure if he was going to pin something on me and make it stick to bring down Oliver or get him to react. I didn’t even know who Oliver was really.Waking up the next morning, I had a major hangover, I knew I shouldn’t have drunk as much as I did. Crawling out of bed, I took myself to the shower. Once I finished I was feeling a little better. Getting myself ready for the day I was dreading, I kissed the mouse before I left for the day.Driving to the tea shop seemed short, there weren’t any cars in front of the store I was thankful for that. Opening the store like I normally did, I grabbed the money from the safe, and walked around the store. My nerves were shot, I was scared.I remember