Half-blood haven

** 4 YEARS LATER **

Sara POV

Orphic valley was supposed to be a small, quiet town. Less hustle and bustle. Little excitement. No drastic change to tire us out. Life here has been more than great. The people were supportive and extremely helpful throughout the pregnancy and birth of my child.

I have a stable job in the local environmental council and my dad was happy with his food business. But it was starting to look like all of these comforts were about to end. Or at least that's how my dad felt.

The last four years have been peaceful and nothing short of a happy one for all three of us. I know he's afraid that the peaceful part was drawing to a close.

"Dad, If they're building a mall, it's good for you. You may not even have to move the food truck," I tried to ease his mind.

"I know," he replied. "I'm not worried."

Lies! My father hated the idea of a skyscraper in this town. He didn't want any city vibe at all.

"You look worried. I mean, yeah, you'll be uncomfortable for a few weeks or months. But once the construction is over, it'll be great for your business. You could even lease a shop INSIDE the mall."

He scoffed. "Yeah, right."

Sighing, he added, "Guess I'm getting old. I hate change." Carrying his cup, he went into the living room. I followed, eager to reassure him that all was going to be okay.

"My boss is really excited for this project. That's how I know it's a good thing. I'm not surprised at all. Orphic is a promising place real estate-wise. I always knew some corporation would soon try to snatch it."

"Yeah," he mumbled, taking a small sip of his tea.

"Even if you did have to move, it won't be so bad, dad," I continued my sermon.

Instead of convincing him, the look in his eyes was stirring worry inside me now.

The three of us could survive on my wage as a public servant. We didn't leave extravagant lives, after all. But my dad was a workaholic. He needed to keep doing his thing.

His brow creased as he took another sip from his hot coffee.

"Fairview," he said.

"What about there?" I asked him.

"I could move my food truck there. The apartment lease expires by the end of the month," he said..

"Yeah, I got the reminder yesterday."

"Let's not renew it. We could move to Fairview. It's only an hour's drive from here," he said casually, but I can sense the seriousness beneath his tone.

"Is the mayor asking you to leave your shop spot already?" I asked.

"No, but he will. Soon." he replied, looking into his cup.

"Dad?" 

"We can find another preschool nearby for Alex and I'll just move my truck. That's all," he explained.

"Moving is exhausting. Plus it'll be one hour drive to work for me. Let's just wait till they actually give you a notice, then we'll think of the next step." I started returning to the kitchen and he followed me.

"It'll be forty minutes drive not one hour. And I'll handle everything. You won't be exhausted -"

"Mommy," Alex's voice got our attention. "Gyandpa."

"Hey, baby, you're awake," I turned to look at the clock. It was already 6:35 AM. 

"My little wolf!" My dad set his cup on the table and lifted my son into his arms. 

"Can I ride in your giant twuck today?" Little Alex's grey eyes twinkled as he asked.

"It's not Saturday, and you have to go to school," my father replied sweetly.

I quickly got to work on making breakfast as he carried the child out of the kitchen.

Our kind are few in this town. Thank the Goddess, no powerful pack has come to try to claim it as their territory. Though I have to admit, the place was crawling with half bloods, most of whom didn't even know they carried the werewolf gene. There are also a few omegas like us, but that's it.

As an unspoken rule, the werewolves didn't pry into each other's lives. All that's required is a smile or greeting of acknowledgement whenever you ran into them.

We've made comfortable friends here. Everyone knows everyone, but only on the surface, especially among our kind.

My son is very happy in this town. Then again, he's three and has never been anywhere else. Fairview sounds like a nice town. My only worry is the fact that it may not offer the same comfort as this place. What if the people there didn't mind their business? What if their werewolves are hostile?

There are woods around where little Alex could play like he loves to. I'm sure that's why my father thought of that place. But what if a powerful pack already runs it? Alex could be in danger because of his alpha gene. I wonder if my dad thought of these unpleasant possibilities.

As I made our breakfast, it occured to me how much I've come to love Orphic and our daily routine. I decided then and there that we weren't leaving.

****

After breakfast twenty minutes later, my dad started to leave for work.

"You have to let me think about it," I said as he was grabbing his coat.

He nodded and kissed Alex forehead.

"Bye, gyandpa." The child waved.

"See you two later," he said.

The day continued like just another day. I dropped Alex at the preschool and headed to work at the local environmental council office. Everyone seems overly excited at the proposed project. 

Jane, my closest colleague, was getting in to work at the same time as me.

"Sara, wait up," she called out.

I wanted to pretend I didn't hear her, but she was already near. The fact that she tried to get too close made me wary of her. A halfblood who didn’t know that she carried the wolf gene was not someone I wanted too close. She didn't even know werewolves existed. At twenty-five years old, I doubt she would ever find out. It's too much responsibility for me.

She started yammering as soon as she caught up with me.

"Don't worry about your dad. My mom knows the mayor."

"I'm not worried, Jane," I lied. "He'll just find another spot. It's no big deal. It won't be the first time he has to move."

"Good. That's what I was thinking," she replied. "Hey, did you know it's not a mall they're planning to build. It's something much larger."

We were walking into the building now. I wanted to ask how she knew but the words died on my lips at the sound of my name.

"Hey, Sara and Janet." It was Lori, the receptionist.

As I waved at her, my eyes locked on the police officer approaching. Another half blood who knew exactly what he was and the fact that I was like him.

 “Heyy, Sara and Janet,” he mimicked Lori, striding casually towards us as if he'd been waiting.

“Good morning,” I smiled and kept walking.

"Heyy, yourself, Avery," Jane greeted excitedly. "I need to ask Lori something. You two go ahead. I'll be right there."

Did she seriously think she's giving us privacy? It's 7:58 in the morning and this is a workplace.

I doubt the man was here solely to confirm our date for this evening. Jane already knew I wasn't going out with him. I have the perfect excuse, though it's not time to let him know.

We rode the elevator in silence with two other humans. One of them got off at the floor before ours. When Avery didn’t follow suit, I suspected that he was here to see Jeremy. Another halfblood, but my boss who was his uncle. It was Jeremy that tried to set me up on a date with Avery at first. 

'He's just like you, Sara' Those were his exact words. By that he meant, the man was a wolf, too.

I glanced up at him to find him watching me. Soon, the door dinged and all three of us exited the elevator.

"I promise I'm not stalking you, Sara," Avery spoke finally. "I'm just here for a meeting with your boss."

"I didn't think you were here for me," I replied.

"Good, but I hope you don't change your mind again tonight."

I didn't respond.

“How’s your father taking this by the way?” he asked quickly.

“Not bad. He thinks it's about to get too noisy around here. He wants us to move,” I replied.

“Oh... I don't agree with him. Do you?”

“Things are about to get exciting, that's for sure,”  I replied.

He was going to say something when my boss' voice boomed from his doorway.

"You two, get in here, quickly!"

I stare in confusion at my wristwatch as Avery supplies,

“I see you don't know yet. We're in the same committee for the project."

"Oh..." I murmured, rushing beside him to Jeremy's office. "I didn't know."

"Also it's not a mall. It's a nature park." He held the door open for me. Two other colleagues were already in there when we entered.

Ten minutes later, we had been briefed about the project. Avery was right. They're about to build a massive park that would spread into Fairview and the neighbouring town. It was to be a local treasure, driving tourism and improving the place. He and another officer were volunteering as rangers. That's why he's here in the office.

My boss finished his briefing and added, "Oh, Mia and Sara, get ready. We're meeting the sponsor for brunch at 10:30."

Great. Another unexpected meeting. And it's with a stranger. Jeremy caught the displeasure on my face and mocked,

“What’s the matter, Sara. You hate free food?”

“Oh, no, sir. I’ll go get ready,” I replied.

Two hours later, we’re at the town’s most expensive restaurant near the local museum. My boss led the way with me and Mia behind. We approached a large round table with two men already waiting.

They were sitting with their backs to us. Their powerful shoulders were oddly familiar. Yet it made me feel aware of how small and inexperienced I am.

Only when we came near the table did I sense that the two men were werewolves. My knees went weak at the distinct scent that followed this discovery.

My heart jumped to my throat and I stopped, frozen as my boss called out in greeting while extending his hand, 

“Mr. Reign! You're early! Nice to finally meet you."