Part 10
1502 Words
Amelia was tired. She wanted to get out of her room and go back to the cafe. Being in a close space with Carter for a long time was not a good idea. The past few days she tried to be as cheery as possible even though it was paining her to act civil in front of him. He was her mate but she still hated him for everything.
The reason she was stuck in the packhouse with strangers was partly his fault. As much as she wanted to go and yell at his face for driving her away from her family she couldn't. If he was unaware of their bond and the memories they shared it was better that way. Amelia was hiding from people and involving him would be a disaster.
Taking a deep breath she rubbed her face trying not to think about the same thing over and over again. Her eyes fell on the bottle by the dressing table. The scent neutralizer liquid was almost at the end. Before it ends she has to go and get it from the woods nearby. Ever since she started staying with the pack it became essential to cover her scent. Back in her town she mastered in biology and was able to make her own neutraliser.
Her health was getting better, her wolf completely healed itself. There was no reason for her to stay back home and pamper herself when she could be working.
The first time she stepped into the Romano packhouse she had no idea what her future would be like. Having lost complete hope the only thing that made her not to crumble was distracting herself. The job at the cafe was the perfect distraction.
Checking in the mirror one last time she exited at the room and softly closed the door. The Luna wanted her to rest for a while so that she could get better. That's why she was sneaking away to the cafe.
"Going somewhere?" The voice made her freeze.
She took a deep breath and turned around only to notice Carter leaning against the wall. A sly twitch in his lips. She hated that he was attractive. Why was he not on the training ground? The last time she saw him he was training with the young Alphas.
"What is it to you?" She raised her chin in the air.
There was no acute way to describe the feelings she was experiencing. When he took care of her it felt incredible but it was her Omega acting, soaking up the affection her Alpha was offering. Now that Amelia was fine she did not know how to behave with him. For some weird reason, it felt like he was always observing her.
His face fell at the question. He may have thought they became friends based on past interactions. As much as she wanted to be his friend it was not possible. There were too many feelings and memories in between them she can't erase. Also getting closer to him would eventually result in him finding out everything.
He strode towards her, his face set tight. She gulped thinking that she may have offended him somehow. Does it matter? She asked herself. It was better that way. Maybe being rude to him would eventually drive him away.
"Are you-" He cut himself off as his hand came up to her face and touched her forehead. Carter released his pheromones which made the omega whimper. His scent was her favourite and always made her feel at ease.
As if realising that she was standing in the hallway, Amelia jerked at his touch and stepped back. Goosebumps prickled at her skin at his touch and scent. Why was her omega so deprived?
"What do you think you are doing?"
Carter pressed his lips together, "I was just checking your temperature. Are you sure you can work?"
Why did he care? As much as she wanted to hate him he was making it difficult for her. She was just a random Omega for him. Maybe there was some part which remembered her and was acting on instinct. Amelia shook her head. That was not possible.
She snorted, "I think I can work. Thanks for your concern"
His eyebrow raised at that, "Did I do something?"
"No. Why would you ask that?"
Carter shook his head, "Never mind. Do you want me to drop you off?"
Amelia squeaked, "No"
"I mean I can walk on my own. Thank you for offering though"
His face fell again. It made her heart clench that she was purposefully hurting him. That was the only way he could stay away from her. She had many problems to deal with and getting involved was the last thing in her mind.
"Will I see you tonight?" Carter asked hopefully
"I am doing a night shift today" She mumbled and turned around, walking away from him.
***
The moment Amelia stepped inside the cafe she was bombarded with hugs and loud questions. It felt nice knowing that they missed her as much as she did. They knew about the condition she was in as they were pack members.
Aster grinned, "Did you miss me too?"
Amelia made a face, looking at the ceiling before giving him a shrug, "Eh"
Aster gasped, "And here I was missing you twenty-four seven...I don't deserve this!"
"As if!" Gia scoffed, turning towards the customer and handing over the order.
Jenny laughed and nudged at Amelia, "He flirted twice than he usually does just because you were not there"
"Aster! I cannot believe you. How can you do that to me?!" Amelia mockingly shook her head while slipping on the gloves. As much as she wanted to head back in the kitchen and help the chef it was tiring. Standing near the fryer was making her feel nauseous.
"Hey! That is so not true. I could never betray you, my love" Aster exclaimed, slapping his hand over the left side of his chest. The customer in front of him giggled. He was a bit of joker like that.
"Sure" Amelia rolled her eyes, hiding her smile.
She leaned forward to open the dome placed on top of the display tray when she noticed him. Zaid.
"Boss?" She whispered, standing back and hanging over the bagel to the customer.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure" Amelia hummed and stepped out. She knew that he must be upset. He specifically told her to take a few days off and rest for a while. But it was difficult to stay in the packhouse and pretend everything was alright with her.
Zaid closed the storage door and turned to her, "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to take a few days off"
Her cheeks flushed. She could not even imagine being called out like that in front of her other coworkers. But how did he find out that she was at work? Did Carter snitch? The thought made her stomach to turn.
"I was bored"
Zaid made a face, "So you decided to come back to work instead?"
"I am sorry but I cannot sit still and enjoy as if everything is alright"
"You have to" Zaid sighed.
He met her eyes and took a deep breath, "Amelia I know that life has not been fair to you but you don't have to overcompensate every time. It's not a crime if you take a day or two off and enjoy yourself. I know that you like working here but it's essential for you to think about something else as well"
She ducked her head down, staring at her feet. It was not overcompensating. The work was her biggest distraction from reality. Amelia craved working because it automatically made her forget all the trauma she had been through. Zaid was polite enough to not ask about her past but she did tell him a few bits of it. Not the important ones though.
"Amelia" He called out after few seconds of silence. She hummed, raising her head.
"Did you hear what I said?"
She exhaled, "I did"
"Good. Now go back to the packhouse and rest for a while"
Her lips parted at that. She did not want to head back there and see the look of satisfaction on Carter's face. It was infuriating her that he would snitch on her just to get his point across.
"I am already here so maybe I can-"
Zaid cleared his throat, "No"
"But-"
"Amelia try to understand. I am doing this for you. Just go and rest for a few days."
Her shoulders slumped in defeat but she nodded her head. He was her boss after all. Whatever she says would not matter in the end.
"Okay"
"Good. I'll see you soon"
Amelia twisted her lips and walked out of the storage unit, fuming the entire walk. She threw the apron and her gloves in the locker room. Picking the bag she walked out of the cafe, teeth gritted together.
She was going to kill Carter.
***
- Writer
