Part 5

“Renee messaged. She wants me to cover her morning shift.” I said, already rushing to the door. Carter and Oliver were huddled together, now moved to the old shelf against the wall. 

A few minutes after Alpha Sebastian hastily made an exit, he texted Oliver about postponing the meeting. There was no particular time as to when only that he shall be contacting him soon. It only made dread settle in my stomach at the uncertainty of not knowing.

“Again?” Carter said with a hint of disapproval. The beta always made it seem like she was taking advantage of my kindness. 

“Something came up?” My palm felt sweaty against the doorknob as I twisted it loose. “Be back soon.”

“Be careful,” I heard the beta call out, voice rising in urgency when I didn’t give him a response. 

I shut the door, the nerves engulfing me as soon as they are out of sight, feet shuffling towards the front door. 

There was a flurry of motion before a tiny body came barreling towards me, making me stagger. A startled laugh escaped out of my lips when I spotted a mop of curls burying into my tummy. He blinked at me, his curls matted to the side, face red and hot due to the glaring heat. 

“Hi, mummy.”

“Hello baby. Are you having fun?”

He hummed. “I won the race!”

Hanny, Carter’s niece made a face, stalking closer. She was close to Arlo's age, a few months younger with pink ribbons in her hair. 

“Good job, baby.” I ran a hand through his almost damp curls, tucking them behind his ears. He smelled of sweat and baby lotion I had put on earlier. 

“Lily, he promised to make me win.” Hanny complained. 

“Did you now?”

Arlo pouted. “I run slow.”

Pressing my lips together, I concealed a smile, eyes flickering between the two. They were always arguing about something, but somehow stuck together too. 

“Hannybear, don’t worry; I’ll scold him later for you.” 

She nodded but then twisted her lips. “Not much.”

My lips twitched. “Okay. Not too much.”

Arlo made a face, burying his face further into me, his arms coming to grip my arms. He was growing for his age, already reaching up to my waist. Hanny patted his arm and ran back to the group who was waiting in one corner. 

“Okay, puppy, I have to work now. Maria will get you for lunch. Please go with her. Yes?”

He made a pitiful sound and nodded. 

Arlo woke up in a clingy mood. I realised it as I pulled him away and he refused to separate easily. 

“Arlo, I asked you a question. It’s rude not to respond.”

“Okay, I’ll go.”

“Good…” I took a deep breath, clutching his tiny palms. “And no talking to people you don’t know. Do not go anywhere on your own. Be with Hanny. Carter will be down soon.”

“Kay…” He murmured, while straining to look at his friends who were now kicking a ball. 

“Off you go now.” I placed a wet kiss on his cheek before letting him rush towards them. 

A sigh escaped my lips as I walked further into the inn, that annoying itch spreading all over my neck. The thought of Alpha Sebastian still lurking, catching a glimpse of Arlo, made something twist inside. It was awful to wish, but I hoped he'd go back and never come again. 

***

“A second!” I yelled as I heard the bell buzzer ring, the sound grating against my ears. Most of the guests who stayed were polite enough to wait and not use it. Not all of them, though. 

I hastily shoved my bag into the locker before I hollered. “Welcome to the Lounge Inn.”

My body froze when I saw the person I desperately wished I wouldn't see, mouth agape. There was a guy next to him, his eyes going comically wide as he gawked at me. 

“Holy shit!” The beta gasped. “It’s Anne!”

That name again. I grit my teeth while trying not to let it show on my face. Why were they here? Did he follow me? Moons! Does that mean he saw me interact with Arlo earlier? 

“Lily.” Sebastian cleared his throat, breaking me out of my spiral. 

No matter the nerves wreaking havoc in my shoulders and neck, I stiffened at the use of my name. The way he made it sound with his thick accent and drawl was different, peculiar in a way I ignored the strange sensation in my stomach. 

“Yes. It’s Lily. How may I help you?”

“Wow, she's really real.”

I awkwardly shifted under the beta's gaze. 

“Wyatt!” Sebastian hissed while nudging him before he looked back at me. He had a hint of redness on his face, probably from staying in the sun. I ignored the way his curls were matted too. 

“Sorry about him.” The Alpha started. “We want two rooms. King size, please. And oh, if you have a view, that would be great.”

I looked at him, waiting for the punch line, but his face was stoic as ever. 

“This is an inn. There are no king-size rooms. All the rooms have either queen beds or twin beds. We have no view unless you count the back of the parking lot as one?”

It was his turn to give me the same look. The Alpha opened and closed his mouth, like he wanted to say something but decided against it. 

“Perfect! We will take two rooms.”

I blinked at him. They could probably do well with one; the twin beds were decently sized anyway. Then again, with his expensive, well-fitted suit and the giant watch on his wrist, he wasn't short on money. Also, he was the CEO of a pharmaceutical company. 

“You got it!”

I had so many questions running through my head. Did he always have his beta along? Why was he staying at this inn? Why did he not go back?

“Uh…how long are you two planning to stay?”

They both exchanged a look, probably communicating with their eyes or pack link. Whatever. 

“Not too sure. There’s some unfinished business here, so…”

“I need a date,” I said firmly, pointing to the record book. 

Sebastian’s mouth pressed into a thin line, his eyes glaring at the page. His scent assaulted my senses, sharp and bitter as he leaned further. 

“Write whatever date you feel like.” 

Despite everything inside me wanting to argue, I let it go. One battle at a time. Handing over their key cards, I walked them to their rooms. On the way, I could feel their eyes boring into my back, but I did not turn around. 

An hour later, I realised I hadn't told them about the water timings or the luncheon hour at packhouse. I was so wrapped up in trying to get away from his distracting scent that it slipped my mind. 

I knocked on Alpha Sebastian's door.

He pulled it open, and I couldn't help but let my eyes wander towards the dripping man in front of me.

Sebastian stood with just a towel wrapped around his waist. His curls were drenched, the water slowly dripping down his chest. They followed the detailed curves of his hard abdominal muscles till they reached the deep, chiselled V that disappeared underneath the towel that was lazily wrapped low around his waist. 

I gulped, my cheeks heated up, a dryness in my throat that wasn’t there before. 

“Take a photo; it'll last longer.”

***