Not all alphas are bad, right?
TWO
Faye
What the…
Where’s the sound of twinkling wind chimes, Gram’s pot bubbling in the kitchen, or the scent of freshly ground, leafy herbs? Then I remember where I am and wake with a jolt.
Wrapped in a pink robe with one hand dipped into the bag of pretzels, crumbs everywhere, my phone lies to my side. It’s 7pm, and the Stella Girls’ group chat is already popping. Sabs has sent a photo of herself sitting at a bar, posing next to Kady who raises a cocktail with a tiny umbrella. Another girl, who I assume is Delilah, grins shyly at Kady’s side. She has a curly, dark bob, tied with a giant ribbon, giving her a country-boho vibe. The caption says:
SABS
You’ll have to join us next time, Faye! Don’t wait up!
There’s a message from Gram too. She’s not great with technology, but she’s muddled a sentence together:
GRAM
I’m so proud of you, Hedgey. Squeak soon.
I got my unusual nickname from the hedge sparrow—a shy bird found in Europe and Asia. Gram fell in love with them during her travels to England in the seventies. When I was a child, she said the quiet way I moved and searched for herbs reminded her of them.
At home, I usually go for a walk in the meadows at dusk to gather flowers to put in Gram’s overnight blends. Perhaps a walk will do me good.
I slide off my robe, still wearing my lightweight dress underneath, pop on my well-worn sandals, grab my campus map and a book, then I head out. Although Sabs promised me a full campus tour tomorrow, I like exploring alone, especially after sundown.
I pad out of the house then take a quick stroll up the street, wondering how full the omega houses are. I follow a small path cutting between houses. After a few turns, I land up in a small, secluded area of woodland.
I breathe deeply, inhaling the stillness. My muscles loosen as I take in the magnificent pine trees. If I need a break from the house, this is where I’ll come.
I slip off my sandals to get comfy under an overhanging tree, scrunching my toes in the soft grass as I open my fairy smut book. Even though Clover Hollow is small, the local library has a surprisingly diverse romance section.
I lose myself in the pages, only realizing the sun is setting when I catch myself squinting at the words. I pack up my things, but before returning, I decide to follow the sound of running water close by to take a quick look. It’ll be easy to loop back, and I’m eager to explore any plant life. After passing lush flowersand shrubs, I come across a little brook and bridge. On the other side, a gate leads out onto a street where students mill around by a parked food truck.
Cautiously approaching, I peer over the gate, watching students carrying the most amazing-looking ice creams I’ve ever seen. The cones are piled so high they practically defy gravity.
I shine my phone torch over my map. Passing through the gate would mean leaving Omega Village behind and risk getting lost, but my gurgling stomach spurs me on. I’ve already devoured pretzels and most of Delilah’s cookies, but a hot fudge sundae is too hard to resist.
Surveying my surroundings, I sniff the air. I can’t smell any strong alpha pheromones or anything off, so I deem it safe to join the line.
No one notices as I do. Everyone’s too busy talking amongst themselves. From what I can gather, they are a mix of omegas and betas, chatting about the latest sporting events. Apparently, the hockey team—the SVU Foxes—are a big deal. Being around so many people is surreal. My typical Friday nights involved flower-pressing and helping Gram stir mixtures before getting snug with a book in bed.
Ahead, I scan the amazing menu board. It boasts plenty of options, all of the classic flavors peppered with unique ones like blackberry merlot, miso caramel, and hazelnut toffee crunch, alongside a variety of toppings and sauces. I’ve already revised my order ten times by the time I reach the front of the line.
“You’re new!” A woman with blue, spiky hair, colorful tattoos and a septum piercing greets me. She smells like bubblegum and seems to have the personality to match. “I’m Vi, owner of sCream Queen, the best ice cream truck in the land. What’s your name, sweet pea? I never forget a name or an order.”
“I’m Faye.” I chew on my lip. “There’s so much to choose from. What would you recommend?”
“Don’t you worry, I’ll be able to find your fairy-tale ice cream match. It’s my special talent.” She winks. “Are you more of a fruit or chocolate gal?”
“Chocolate.” I eagerly rub my hands together. “Definitely!”
“All righty, then. I have just the thing!” She beams at me. “How does a cookie dough and pecan maple sundae with a drizzle of cinder fudge sauce sound?”
“Like heaven in a bowl.” I almost groan, then my eyes light up at a bag of salty chips behind her. “I know it may sound weird, but can I have some of those chips sprinkled on top?”
“You know, there’s only one other person who adds those to their sundaes.” She arches an eyebrow. “Now that there are two of you, I’ll make sure I always have them around.”
