1
AMARA
The library that I'd been working in for the last few years smelled of old paper and lemon polish. It was probably one of my favorite scents in the whole word, and slowly I sucked in the air, holding it for just a moment.
Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I adjusted the stack of returns on my cart and began wheeling it down the aisle. The wheels squeaked softly against the hardwood floor. It was the kind of sound that would drive most people crazy, but to me?
It offered me three things:safety, predictabilityandcomfort.Who could ask for anything more.
"Morning, Amara," Mrs. Luna called from the circulation desk.
I waved back, managing a small smile. Mrs. Luna who stood at just a few inches taller than me, was one of the few people I actually liked talking to. We often had tea together while she talked about her family that seemed lovely, especially her grandchildren. And while we rambled away, she never asked why I was single or if "settling down" had crossed my mind. She never placed any sort of pressure on me about finding the "right alpha," like my cousin Lila had.
Fuck Lila,I thought and instantly guilt hit me.
Wait,I thought again.You can still be mad at Lila, you didn't betray her like she did you…
Sliding a copy of Pride and Prejudice back onto the shelf, I let my fingers linger on the spine. Elizabeth Bennet had it figured out. She'd demanded respect. She'd refused to settle.
And she'd gotten her Mr. Darcy.
Meanwhile, all I'd gotten was a cousin who'd stolen my almost-Alpha and a mother who reminded me every Sunday that my hips were "a bit much" for most men.
"You good over there?" Mrs. Luna's voice pulled me back.
"Yeah," I called. "Just reorganizing."
Liar.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. Seven forty-five. The Ember & Crumb opened at eight, which meant if I finished this cart in the next ten minutes, I could make it there right when Kael unlocked the door.
My heart did a stupid little flutter at the thought.
Stop it,I told myself. He's just nice to everyone.
But my traitorous Omega brain didn't care. It remembered the way his scent wrapped around me every morning the second I entered into the bakery. Warm sugar and smoky vanilla. Like someone had set a cinnamon roll on fire in the best possible way and God did I want to take a bite.
I shoved the last book onto the shelf and rolled the cart back to the front desk.
"Heading out?" Mrs. Luna asked, not looking up from her computer.
"Just for a coffee run. I'll be back in twenty."
She waved me off. "Take your time. It's Monday. No one's coming in here before noon anyway."
I grabbed my bag, a soft leather cross body I'd found at a thrift shop, and headed out into the cool morning air. It was alittle worn, and not as new as something my cousin would buy but it had a certain level of charm to it.
God, I loved this time of year.
The last remnants of winter were giving way to early spring. Tiny crocuses pushed through the patches of melting snow, little bursts of purple and white against the gray pavement. My boots splashed through shallow puddles as I made my way down the block. I tugged my coat tighter around myself, the fabric worn but warm.
The Ember & Crumbsat on the corner, its windows glowing with warm light. A chalkboard sign outside advertised the special of the day: honey-ember tarts.
They were one of my absolute favorite pastries that I’d ever come across.
Does he know that?I wondered. Or is it just a coincidence?
The bell above the door chimed as I stepped inside, and the scent hit me like a wave.
