Soma’s POV
Moving to a new city was never in my plans but staying in the small town where I was raised wasn’t either. Packing up my small jeep I wiped the tears from my cheeks and said goodbye to my family and headed out. Finally, off to find the true meaning of life, and finally open the tea store I talked about as a little girl.
My name is Soma, I am from a rundown town in Colorado heading East, hoping the grass is greener, which is the saying at least. My mother was from New York, my father jumped around Colorado, never left.
Getting on the highway made my heart skipped a few times, this was a sure thing I was making my waves away from the state and making my dream a reality. I didn’t have much, but I knew what I wanted and would make things happen. I had a good head on my shoulder and I had enough money in the bank.
I had a good friend in New York already put a payment down on a building so I had a place for the tea shop; he already set my apartment up, now the drive and the excitement of setting up. I didn’t know much about the state and how everyone would be, excited yes, scared even more.
Two days later.
Exhausted from the drive, Nick met me at the apartment, he didn’t stay long, he showed me where my apartment was, kissed me on the cheek, and let me carry my bags in and I barely made it to my bed before I crashed for about twelve hours.
Waking up the next morning, I felt refreshed and ready to tackle the next day, I took a shower and unpacked my stuff, and looked around the apartment, it was small but it was all I could afford since New York was pricey and I wasn’t sure how I would do with the tea shop. My parents weren’t rich but they would help me out if things weren’t that good here, but I had faith I would be okay here.
I noticed a package sitting on my dining table.
“Soma, here’s everything for your shop, some new teas I know you’d love -Nick.”
I smiled, Nick was a good friend of mine, he was going to London, and so I knew he would be sending me more tea when he found it. He would help me keep the store stocked with other teas. We go back to grade school, he’s always supported me and my dreams of being the tea lady, he wanted to be this world traveler, I would have gone with him had it not been my dream to be in New York.
Grabbing the box, I was excited to see what the store looked like; I needed to make arrangements for how much product I would need to order. I was scared about the cost of how much it would put me back, but I knew, in the end, it would be worth it. I wondered how many people drank tea in this part of New York. Nick said there were a lot of interesting people around here when he did a walk around and asked people about it. I was hoping he wasn’t just being nice about this whole thing.
Putting the address to the store into the GPS, I had butterflies all over again; I was like a little girl on Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to see what this place looked like. Driving only took about twenty minutes, the traffic was horrible but I couldn’t ask for less right. The constant honking and the yelling from people made me chuckle a little.
Turning down the final road, the road was quiet, which was nice but sad. I was hoping the place was busy. In front of my shop was empty, made my stomach dropping a little, but it was expected. Getting out of the car, I looked across the street, a coffee shop, a book store, and clothing. So, I had a coffee shop I had to compete with, great but I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be a bad thing. Maybe I would meet some new faces and the owners are cool people and there wouldn’t be anything bad between us, well at least I hoped it was like that.
I let out a sigh, but I couldn’t let that get me down. I had to work a little harder but that gave me a little more motivation. I had to remember what Nick said, a little more sugar just makes the bees come faster. I chuckled at that.
Unlocking the door, it was dark and chilly but I was able to find the lights quickly and was surprised to find there were many boxes unopened against the wall. Holding my breath I wasn’t sure what to expect, I wasn’t sure what Nick did while he was here unpacking my new life here in New York, but something gave me a good feeling. I smiled a little too hard.
Walking over to the boxes, I opened a few of them, and they were packed with all types of teas. “What?” I said out loud. “Nick? Seriously.”
Pulling out my phone, I dialed his number.
“Finally,” Nick said chuckling in the phone. “I thought you were going to sleep all day sleeping beauty.” He mused.
“How much did this cost you?” I said opening another box. I was amazed to see how much product he’d bought. There was enough here to stock my entire store, I wasn’t sure how I would repay him this was too much.
“That is for me to know, and for you to sell.” He spoke. “You think I’m going to let you venture into a new city not knowing how you’re going to do alone?” he giggled. “I wanted to give you a welcoming to your new life.” I could feel him rolling his eyes at me. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I should have known he would have done something like this. It was kind of like a sendoff, he would come back at some point.
“But Nick, this is thousands of dollars of product,” I said looking around. “I don’t know I can repay you with this,” I said taking a deep breath.
“A thanks for always being there gift, Soma. If it wasn’t for our friendship, I wouldn’t have survived all the shit they gave me for being me.” Nick said. “Don’t worry you are going to get more and more from me once I plant my happy feet in London. Go and get your store set up, I expect lots of news about your progress coming. Oh, and you better be dating soon. Your virginity better be done before you turn twenty-one.” He giggled. He knew I wasn’t looking for a relationship and I am sure I wouldn’t find one here. Back home I was practically a loner expect for him and it sucked for me. I hated not having a boyfriend and experience the love that a man should offer.
“No.” I laughed. “I am not going to date, I didn’t in high school, I don’t have plans to do anything like that soon,” I said rolling my eyes. “I love you, Nick, call me when you land.”
“Don’t worry I will,” I said before hanging the phone up.
I knew this was going to be a lot of work, but with Nick using money to buy all these products, it was saving me a lot of money. It was going to stress me out knowing he went out of his way to make my store come alive, I was scared I would fail him. But on the good side, he has faith in my store and me. I knew he was going to be happy to see me succeed. I wondered about the coffee shop across the street if they were busy.
Walking to the window, they were busy, as was the book store, so I had hoped I would have people that would come to my shop. Turning back to the boxes, now I just had to figure out where I wanted everything to go.
Fall was coming, so I have to keep to the season, everything about fall made me happy. I needed to find things that went with it. I would have to shop around for the decorations, and that would be the last thing on the list, it would be great.
I decided to put the fall things towards the front of the store, and the stuff I liked near the back, I knew just because I liked the stuff others might not. The store was a little cute place; I knew I could make it into something great for me and for the people that came in. I smiled at the vision I saw when it would be finished. I had a lot to do, I was going to be exhausted but at the end of the day, I knew it would look great.
Oliver’s POV Looking out the window, I notice a woman across the street; she must be the new owner of the shop. A man was there yesterday he was talking to the realtor a few weeks prior and I noticed he was bringing in a lot of product. “Oliver, what are you doing?” Micah came over to the window standing next to me. “Ah, another business to compete with.” He snapped. “She’s got a nice body though.” “Yeah, another one out of your league,” I said rolling my eyes. “Something about her though something special. Besides you have a mate.” I said walking away from the window. “And you don’t, so why don’t you go and introduce yourself, hell she might even be yours.” He egged me on. “You should have some fun while you can, she’s new in town and before she has men lined up around the block for her you better make your move otherwise someone else is going to make you look stupid.” “I don’t have a mate that ship has sailed. I don’t want one
Soma’s POV Getting home I was exhausted, I didn’t think putting a store together was going to be that exhausting. I couldn’t wait to take a long bath and snuggle with my pillow. Tomorrow was going to be even longer, even though I had a few more days until I would open my store. A guy was bringing my sign for the store; I was super excited about that. Once that was in place I was one more step away from making my dream a reality. Unlocking my apartment, my cat Mouse greeted me. “Hey Mouse.” I said picking up the overweight cat. “I’m exhausted.” I said kissing him. “Time for mommy to take a bath and then off to bed.” I said putting him down to feed him and then I would run my bath. Once I was in the bath, Mouse came and sat on the toilet and watched me. I enjoyed the hottest path a human could withstand for whatever reason. After that, I managed to climb into bed and knock out until the alarm blared. “Today is going to be great.” I smiled. My
Oliver’s POV Watching the woman with the man that installed the sign talk made me jealous for some reason. The way he flirted with her was something that made me want to go over and tell him to back off, thankfully he didn’t say around. After she left, I was able to concentrate again; Jack and Ryan will be coming later tonight to figure out where she at least lived and her routine. “I still think it’s not a good idea to stalk the human,” Micah said walking over to me. “Well good thing you’re not the Alpha,” I said without looking at him. “I have a feeling about her, something unexplainable, and until I figure it out she needs to be protected,” I said looking at him. “If I feel you are going to be the one stalking her, you are not to question it.” Micah crossed his arms, he hated when I talked down to him, but when I’m in a mood he knew not to bother with me, but somehow he was missing that I was in that mood. “You’d put me on babysitting duty
Soma’s POVGetting back to my apartment, I felt safe. Before I closed the door, I looked to see if anyone was following me. I had butterflies in my stomach I don’t know why I was so bothered by the cop and why he showed me a picture of some guy. Maybe there was a crime family in the area, I have heard about New York and the Mafia but why would they go after a shop that just opened. I had no money, no business.Walking over to the window, I looked out, “Come on Soma, now you’re crazy.” I said shaking my head before I closed the curtains.Mouse sat near his bowl; I fed him and ordered some Chinese. Something about orange chicken tonight would be awesome. It would take forty-five minutes, I didn’t mind. I took a quick shower and then poured myself some wine. Something about the glass of wine made me feel relaxed, I don’t know why I was on edge, the cop was probably just looking out for me and I should be thankful someone was around to keep tabs on my store for me.A loud knock startled m
Oliver’s POVBarely able to contain myself I was able to sit down, that intoxicating smell. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Closing my eyes I held my breath until both my wolf and I calmed down. That was like a roller coaster ride, it was a high I didn’t want to come down from, but I needed to control myself whatever that was I wasn’t ready for, but it was amazing.“Oliver?” Micah spoke. “You okay?”Opened my eyes, and found him staring at me curiously, “I’m fine. Did you smell that, an overwhelming smell of fresh pine and waterfalls?” I could still taste it on my tongue.Micah cocked an eyebrow. “You’ve lost your mind. There is no such smell here, maybe you should go downtown there is a problem I need to be fixed. Marks is causing a scene.” He said throwing papers at me. “Fresh pine and waterfalls.” He chuckled.Grabbing the papers off the desk, I looked down. One of our coffee vendors was due to make a delivery this morning and hadn’t. Rolling my eyes I seriously didn’t want to de
Soma’s POVThe day seemed to go by fast, I was busy and I was exhausted, my mind wandered back to the cop. I wasn’t sure why he was threatening me. I was new to this place and he didn’t have to be so mean. I went to the coffee shop once, maybe I should say something to the owners of the shop just so they know a police officer is going around telling people about them. I wasn’t sure if that was a good idea or not. I didn’t want enemies and I didn’t want problems either.Locking up the money, and cleaning up the little bit of mess. I stocked the shelves so I didn’t have to do it tomorrow before I opened. I yawned, I didn’t want to drive home, even if it was only a few minutes from here, I wish I had a bed in the back, tonight it would have been awesome to sleep here.Turning off the lights, and locking up the store, a cold breeze sent shivers down my spine, I knew winter was coming, but damn I wasn’t ready for it just yet.My hands trembled as I unlocked the car, I felt watched, but I d
Oliver’s POV“I haven’t touched a female, relaxed Drew!”Drew gave me control, I relaxed my hold on Micah and shook my head, and left the coffee shop, I don’t know what the hell just happened. Drew went silent, and I was too dazed and confused to understand anything. Who was he talking about, who was his? We have no mate. At least not until I get the answers about Soma, she may or may not be our mate. She isn’t human, a wolf, or a vampire, and things weren’t adding up.“We have no mate, Drew,” I said to him, but he completely ignored him. I was getting pissed. I wanted to know why he freaked out the way he did, and why he wouldn’t talk to me now. This was going to be a long way and I wasn’t going to go back to the coffee shop until he told me what the hell was going on. “Come on Drew I need to know what is going on, that smell, you freaked out.”“Mate.” He growled and said nothing more.I wasn’t sure going back to the coffee shop was a good idea, but I needed to find out where they we
Soma’s POVI wasn’t sure how long I sat there, but the sun was down and they were already closing down, the clerk behind the counter brought me another coffee and some more cookies.“We’re closing up, Boss said to bring these to you.” he half-smiled setting them down in front of me. “I hope you have a better day tomorrow.”“Thanks,” I said getting up from the table. I wasn’t sure how tomorrow was going to be, I was scared it was going to turn to shit and I would be out of a shop and this cop was going to make my life hell.I decided I wasn’t going to open the store tomorrow. Running across the street, I unlocked the store and quickly wrote a note and posted it on the door. Looking around I frowned tears formed in my eyes. This was my whole life and I was letting some halfwit detective bully me, he wasn’t going to win but I didn’t fight tonight. Locking the door, I headed home. Mouse greeted me with a long meow.“Don’t look at me like that.” I hissed at him. “I know I could have been s