Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Sierra

I was so glad the weekend was finally here. This school year was going to be so long, being so close to freedom, yet so far. I looked down at my phone buzzing and it was Stella, the owner of the bakery.

I rolled my eyes at her text: “hey dear do you think you could come in for a few hours Stephanie called out sick and I could use the extra hand”.

I quickly typed back that I could come by, but only for a couple of hours. Alpha Leo and his son were due sometime this evening so I’m sure mom and dad wanted me home for when they arrived.

I had been picking up more shifts than usual trying to save every single penny I could. To be honest I didn’t mind making the extra cash. I hoped that if I saved enough for my trip my parents would actually let me go. Since I would be 18 in a few weeks I don’t see how they could stop me, but they’re still my parents so it’s not so easy to just disrespect their wishes. There was also the council’s permission I needed, but honestly would they really try and stop me if I just left?

Mom has always been kind of a hermit. I know there has to be a story there because she never talks about her sister who left the coven for the great big world, but she would never tell us what happened to Aunt Jane. She always tells me that she sees a lot of Aunt Jane in me and it scares her. She doesn’t want to lose me too.

The afternoon went by rather quickly. Surprisingly the bakery was very busy. Stella had to come out several times from the back to help take care of customers. Just as I was boxing up a cake for a customer I hear Stella from across the bakery.

“Alpha Leo, it is so good to see you again. What can I do for you?”

“You know I couldn’t stay away from your delicious macaroons! Besides I’m staying with your town’s doctor and his family I thought I would pick up desert for dinner tonight as a thank you for taking me and Alex in for the weekend. What would you recommend?”

“Sierra!” Sally called over to me. “Well Alpha, this is Sierra, Doctor John’s daughter, I’m sure that she’d be more than willing to help you out. I’ll start boxing up some macaroons for you”

I looked up from behind the counter and I swore I had never seen a man his size before. He was at least 6”4 and a wall made of pure muscle with dark hair, dark eyes and a scruffy beard. If it wasn’t for the warm smile on his face I would’ve found him completely terrifying. I started looking around. I thought he was supposed to be coming with his son.

“Ah Alex is waiting in the car he didn’t want to come in with me, but I’m sure you’ll meet him tonight at dinner. I assume you’ll be joining us?” He asked with his smile almost reaching his eyes.

“Yep I get off in about an hour my mom let me know about dinner. I believe she is making her famous lasagna for you, so in sticking with the Italian theme maybe we can go for some cheesecake for desert?”

“Whatever you recommend, I love cheesecake, but then again I could eat anything in this bakery. Stella is extremely talented” he laughed.

“Well she does have the magic touch if you know what I mean”, I said slyly. I’ve never seen a smile come off someone’s face so quickly. Alpha Leo looked extremely uncomfortable and on guard. I saw his eyes flash a different color for just a moment.

“I’m just kidding! She makes everything the old fashioned way! No magic involved don’t worry”. He let out a big sigh of relief.

“I didn’t realize you frequent here so much” I said to him to break the awkward silence as I started to box up the cheesecake.

“I don’t as often as I would like, but whenever I’m in town for meetings with the council I always make sure to stop by”

I smiled and nodded. I didn’t realize he even came into town at all, but the more I thought about it the more it made sense. As I was finishing up Stella came over with the macaroons.

“Now don’t you go eating all of these at once you hear! And they’re on the house! I insist!” She said

Alpha Leo dropped a $50 bill on the counter. “Well then consider this a tip for all your hard work” and gave her a drop dead gorgeous smile and a little wink.

He grabbed both boxes and walked towards the door. “See you soon Sierra”, he said before walking through.

“Well isn’t he just charming”, Stella swooned

“Yea, I guess” I said as I gave her a sideways glance.

“You’ve got company why don’t you head out a little early I can take care of everything here”

“You sure? I don’t want to leave you hanging”

“I’m sure go ahead and head on home”.

I gathered up my things from the back, and I walked out the front door, headed for home. I saw a shiny new black Escalade truck parked out front. As I was making my way down the street the truck pulled up next to me. I noticed Alpha Leo behind the driver’s seat, and next to him in the passenger seat must’ve been his son, Alex.

“Thought you weren’t leaving for another hour?” He shouted from the driver window.

“Stella let me leave early since it was starting to quiet down” I said shyly

“We’ll how about a ride home then kiddo?