09 Cakes and Empty Promises

~Winter~

Six weeks was a very short time to plan and execute a crime successfully, so Summer and I had to devise a plan quickly. Planning to commit a crime was one thing; laying out the plan was another. We were amateurs that were under a lot of pressure. We had to be careful not to make mistakes.

The options were between Haymonth and Mountain. They were both wealthy places, but Mountain was closer.

We spent two days looking around the place while we baked loads of cakes and bread, hoping to come up with some money.

Brandon requested we deliver cakes to him at his house for three days, and I planned to make those rounds successfully in the evenings to create an alibi.

The bus left Hayland for Mountain in the afternoons, so delivering cakes in the evening would mean we never went anywhere. No one would suspect if an investigation were launched because we wouldn’t be taking the bus; we would be going through the woods in wolf form. It was a dangerous venture, but that was our best option, going and coming unnoticed.

I wasn't too proud not to honour Brandon’s cake orders. The children needed to eat, and I needed to sell.

I worked on our 'plan' draft before baking the chocolate cake as per his request. While I carried it to his residence, I remembered how he made me bake it often at his house when we were together. It was his favourite. We would have sex right after, and he would eat some of it on me. I knocked the thought off my mind. It was no use now.

Brandon didn't pay for the cakes back then; now, I charged double. I am sure by now he knows the recipe is special.

I was searched at the gate before I was let into the Alpha's premises. I walked toward the front and found Pamela at the Gazebo. She waved at me with a smile, and I returned the smile. She had been very helpful, but there was little she could do. Thanks to her, we could feed the children, but it didn't change that Lesley, our new landlady, had given us a quit notice.

I entered the house and hoped an omega would come and collect the cake from me. Instead, I was directed to Brandon's office.

I took a couple of deep breaths before knocking. I heard his voice, opened the door and walked in.

"Good evening, Alpha," I managed. He was a paying customer. There was no point in being rude.

"Ah, thanks, Winter," he said, smiling at the box I held. He looked like a little child staring at candy. I knew he loved the cakes.

"Where do I place it?" I asked him, and he looked around his office and pointed at the coffee table where he had a couch for leisure.

I placed it there and turned to look at him.

He raised an eyebrow, wondering what I was waiting for.

"You haven't paid yet. We can't afford to give out free cakes. We need money for rent," I said, and he smiled.

"You charged me double, Winter," he said with a smile. I refused to reciprocate.

"I am sure you can afford it. Besides, it was an express delivery." I said, justifying my reasons, and he nodded and walked to the front of his table so there would be no furniture between us.

"Are you sure you are okay? You seem a bit stressed," he said as if he could not figure out why.

"I am fine, thank you," I responded, and he nodded.

"I am trying to find a suitable property on my land so you can have a place to move to. I won't let you down. I promise it will be over with Lesley next year, and we can be together. I still care about you," He said, moved close to me, and I stepped back.

"Please, Winter. There is no time you do not cross my mind. I may be silent, but I am working on something, I swear. I shouldn't have let it get this far. Just give me one year; by the next bluemoon, I am yours." He said with sincerity in his eyes. I have heard from people that he was making some moves, but so much had been said, and the damage was too much for me to want to get back with him. Lesley wasn't stupid, and I knew her hold would be absolute.

"Don't tell me you believe what you are saying," I said. He tried to pull me close, but I stepped out of his reach.

"I am not on your level, remember? Just pay up so I can leave," I said, and he sighed. His eyes pleading with me.

"You know I didn't mean those things I said that day. I wish I could take it all back, Winter," he said, and I didn't offer anything.

"I had to think of what is best for Hayland. Now, our reserve is good, and we can commission projects for development. I wouldn't have been able to do that with you. We would have been stuck. I need you to understand. I miss you. I miss everything about you," he said.

"Well, good for you. I don't miss you," I said, and he sighed.

"I know you and your friend have nowhere to go. Just let me make it better. I know you are angry now, so I will give you time. Once I get you a place, you and the children can move into the place while I try to detangle myself from Lesley. Damien misses Kira. I miss you. I have not been whole since that cursed blue moon. I don't touch her, Winter. All I think about is you, and she isn't you. We are still bonded, Mon Amour," he said, and I was completely shocked. How can he not touch his wife? No wonder she hates me. The earlier he accepts it is over, the better for him.

"I am not mistress material. I refuse to be turned into one," I said, and he shook his head indicating I heard wrong.

"I will end it with her before I try anything with you." He said and moved close to me. Then held my hand.

"I still feel it, Winter. I still feel our bond." He said, and I yanked my hand.

"Well, I don't, so leave me the fuck alone," I told him, and Kira growled in my head.

"Focus, Winter, focus. We have a mission," I reminded myself as tears of heartache wanted to spill.

I wished I could rewind time, but the damage had been done. Many things have been said to me in a short period, making me numb to love. I respect my class and want to take care of my children now. I have never stolen in my life, but Summer and I will do it tonight to ensure they have a roof over their heads.

"My money," I said, and he reached into his pocket for the bills.

"Please think about it. I will send a kappa with the key to the new place next week. I just need you to hold on for me," he pleaded, and I yanked the bills from his hand.

He was saying all the right things at the wrong time.

" I am respecting my class, Brandon. I am respecting my status," I said, and he shook his head with misty eyes. He was just as broken as I was. But I felt nothing for him because he broke us.

Battling my tears, I turned around.

I walked out of his office and bumped into Lesley. She was shooting daggers at me. I just greeted her and moved along. If she has any issue, she should take it up with her man. I wasn't more determined to leave Hayland than when I found myself leaving Brandon's house.