The Alphas Sanctuary

Welcome home

    Apryl couldn't remember the last time she had slept so well. Granted the mattress was horrible and not comfortable, but she was warm, and she felt safe. She took comfort in feeling safe finally. She couldn't remember the last time she had truly felt safe it had been so long. 

    The sun has not fully risen yet, taking a cup of coffee she went into the front porch. The air was still crisp and cool but the view was well worth it. The river was so calm it looked like glass with the colors of the sunrise painted across. She watched as a fish jumped causing the colors on the water to ripple and warp. The birds were singing their good mornings to each other.

     "Welcome home" Alex had said to Apryl last night and it had warmed her heart. He was the only person she had met other than the man who had sold her the cabin. It was nice to feel welcome. Though in truth she wasn’t sure about him. The way he was all over the place, sometimes rude sometimes offering help. Then last night he showed up just to check on her and start the fireplace up. He seemed annoyed at times by her presence, though in his defense he did find her unconscious in the middle of the woods on land that he owned. He didn't have to come and check on her last night, and start the fire, so he couldn't be that annoyed by her. Right?

    Today she was going to unpack. She knew the moment she saw this place she was right where she was meant to be. She couldn't explain it and honestly she didn't want to. She just wanted to bask in the feeling for a while. All she really needed to do was to put the clothes away. She really needed to find a job so she could get furniture and stock the kitchen. She loved to cook and bake and even though the kitchen was small she was going to use it to its full potential. Finishing her coffee she headed back in to finish her task of unpacking.

    It took her less than an hour to put everything she owned away. She was thinking of going into town when she heard noises coming from outside. Doors slamming and people talking. Her heart jumped to her throat. No one knew she was there. She had no neighbors. 

    Should she hide? No she had enough of hiding. Maybe someone was lost. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and her hands shook. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to hide her fear when she opened the door.

    There, standing in the door way to her home was a six foot something God.  Okay maybe not a god but the second most beautiful person she had ever seen. He was tall, over six foot with sandy blonde messy hair. He gave her his best crooked smile.

"Hey there! I'm Gage, Gage Mathews. I'm a friend of Alex's." His voice was even beautiful.

"Oh hello. How can I help you?" Why is he here? Hearing the commotion behind him she looked over his shoulder around him as best she could as he took up most of the door way; to see two large trucks and a handful of other guys and a female.

"Well Alex said you just moved in here and the place needed some work. He also said you needed furniture, so here I am. At the pretty ladies service" Gage responded flashing a flirty smile to her. 

    Had Apryl not been so confused in the moment, she may have even blushed at his flirty nature.

"I'm sorry" she said looking confused "I'm not really following you"

"We are here to help you settle in. And get this place livable." 

Apryl couldn't help but return his goofy grin, it was contagious.  Yet just as quickly, his words sank in, and her smile disappeared. She stood a little taller, and squared her shoulders.  Being polite when you find a person injured, that was normal. Staying with them throughout the night in the hospital, and helping her with the fire last evening was one thing, but this, this was to much. 

"Oh no. I couldn't accept this" she watched as the others were already unloading the truck and starting to carry things towards her cabin." She couldn't afford to pay them for their time or the things they thought they were going to bring into her home. She had money yes but without a job she needed to spend it wisely.

"It's no trouble honestly."

"No really please stop." She was beginning to panic and Gage could sense it. His smile faltered and he held up his hand to motion the others to stop what they were doing. "Please take it back." Apryl whispered.

"I'm sorry Apryl, I'm under strict orders here." He shuffled his feet and rubbed the back of his neck looking uncomfortable. "Alex is kinda like my boss so-"

"Well you can kindly tell him thank you but no thank you." Apryl was going to take care of herself this time and not depend on anyone. "It's a very kind gesture but no thank you please tell him that." She couldn't afford to be in debt with anyone, and she didn't want to be.

Alpha

Yes Gage

We have a problem. She won't let us in'

I'm on my way

"Well Alex will be here shortly, so you can tell him yourself." He smiled widely at her. Gage knew that Alex didn't take no for an answer.

     Gage didn't know why Alex had decided to furnish this woman's home. He didn't bother to question it though. Alex was a natural provider and protector. One look at Apryl, well, Gage would have done anything to make her life easier too. She was breathtaking. 

"I'll just wait out here with the others. He shouldn't be too long" with that he turned and went back down the stairs.

    Apryl went to the kitchen and took down a tray, glasses, and the pitcher of tea she had made yesterday, and brewed another pot of coffee. It was the least she could do. 

You can do this. Just be nice and be yourself. 

    Apryl hadn't had friends in the past few years. She thought maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing to make friends here since she thought she was going to stay awhile.  Everyone needed friends didn't they? She put on her best smile and carried the tray down to the group that was standing at the back of the truck.

"Tea or coffee anyone?"

"Yeah I'll take some!" Gage's enthusiasm made it seem like she offered him rubies and diamonds instead of home made tea and coffee.

She smiled at him without even meaning to. He was rather charming. Setting the tray down in the back of the truck. With the door open, she was able to see what all was in there. Tables, chairs, beds, sofa, there was quite a lot in there. And based on how beautiful the wood was it was all well out of her price range, so she definitely couldn't accept it. 

Behind them a car came to a screeching halt, Alex was here. 

"What's the issue?" He barked out.

     Alex's tone a voice was definitely one of an unhappy man, who didn't really want to be there. Apryl found herself standing a little bit taller, and squared her shoulders as she turned to face him.

    When Apryl put her mind to something, she did it. She found this place all on her own. It was hers. Damn anyone who tried to change, or take that away from her. This was her place, her home.

 "Apryl a word, privately." He definitely was mad "please" well at least he said please