A place to belong and new friends.
And maybe even a future she could help shape.
Not just at Caesar’s side as his alpha female, but as part of something bigger than either of them.
Monday afternoon, Caesar patrolled the interior of the park, watching for anything out of the ordinary like jaguars who didn’t belong there.He was walking with Benjamin, one of the wolves on the security team, who was discussing a date he went on with a female from a local bar the younger shifters frequented.
“Not your soulmate, huh?”Caesar asked.
“Nah.She’s cute, though.I didn’t think she was my soulmate when I accepted her offer for a date, I just thought it would be fun.”
“I’m sure it was, and I’m doubly sure that your soulmate will turn up at the perfect moment.”
“Maybe not at the bar, though.”
Caesar chuckled.“Well, I guess you never know with fate.”
“Hey, Caesar!”
He turned at the feminine voice and saw Jeanie waving at him as she walked quickly in their direction.
“Hi, Jeanie.How’s it going?”
She stopped in front of him and smiled.“Great.I was wondering if I could bend your ear for a moment?”
“You bet.I’ll catch up with you, Benjamin.”
“Sure.See ya, Jeanie.”
“Bye.”She looked at Caesar.“So you know how our little group got together this morning?”
“Yes, I was just thinking how happy Sera was when I saw her for lunch.”
“She brought some amazing scones and blueberry syrup and we made flavored sparkling water.It was really awesome.”
“She’s talented.I’m lucky to have her in my life.”He was also liable to put on a few pounds if she kept baking delicious treats like she was.
“So,” Jeanie said, lowering her voice.“I think you should consider opening a coffee shop in the park.Imagine how well the park would do with a coffee shop, especially if she could also offer the flavored waters in the summer.I mentioned it to Joss and he said I should talk to you.So here I am.”
Caesar hummed.He knew that Sera had been wondering what she could do in the park, but she wasn’t really in a position to be out and about while everything was up in the air with Otto.
“It’s not really safe here right now,” he pointed out.
“It would take a while to build an actual coffee shop, but in the meantime, we could create a space for it in the market.She could work breakfast with me, and I’d love to have a dedicated coffee and tea person, plus pastries.The girl can bake.”
Caesar grinned.“I really love that idea.Thank you so much, Jeanie.”
“You bet.Whenever she’s ready to talk about setting things up, I’ll be in the market."
He sent a text to Joss asking when he was free for a chat, and then he hurried to catch up to Benjamin to finish his patrol.
His phone buzzed a few minutes later.
Free in an hour.Meet me in the market cafeteria?Joss texted.
Perfect, Caesar texted back.
He put his phone back in his pocket and caught up to Benjamin.They finished the rest of the patrol around the park in relative silence, Caesar’s thoughts spinning as he considered layouts for a coffee shop, equipment lists, seating, supplies.He didn’t know much about coffee except that he loved whatever Sera made, but he’d damn well figure it all out if it meant giving her something of her own.
