Attracted to the Alpha

CHAPTER 1

ARYA'S POV

The smell of fresh coffee filled the air of the coffee shop, as I finished making a pot of coffee. I so much loved the smell, although I rarely drank coffee. It was too strong of a stimulant for me and I didn't need it. I was just 18 years old, young and fresh out of high school. I had my waitress uniform on with my name tag, as I stood at the counter waiting for my first customer of the day.

My name is Arya Miles and there isn't much to say about me, other than the fact I had won the most beautiful girl in the city 3 years in a row. Without the contest though, I was really the most beautiful girl as everywhere I went, people always stared. I had compliments flying from all directions that most times I didn't like to go out alone unless I was with my female friend; Juliet.

I am beautiful as you must know by now but I didn't let that get to me. I was a really friendly and down to earth person and if you would be so kind as to smile at me and say something nice, I was bound to engage in a hearty conversation with you. The smell of fresh coffee still filled the coffee shop, pleasing my sense of smell when someone more pleasing walked in.

The doorbell of the coffee shop rang, drawing my attention to him. It seemed as though time froze for the first time allowing me to gaze at his handsome form. I had never seen him before in the coffee shop or around here. I knew all my customers very well down to their names but he was new. I watched him as he walked to one of the tables and had his seat. That was my cue to go and take his order. I had to be fast because Mary or Thelma could beat me to it.

As expected I won, as I walked briskly toward his table. I had noticed him but he hadn't noticed me since he walked into the coffee shop. He hadn't looked towards my direction at the counter or now that I was approaching him. I had to be on my best behavior if I was to leave a lasting first time impression.

I slowed down my pace as I got close to him and with a beautiful smile on my face spoke my first words to him.

"Hello, welcome to Margaret's coffee shop! My name is Arya Miles and I will be taking your orders this beautiful morning!" I was giving him all my attention but he was yet to look up at me.

"Hi, Arya Miles. I would like a cup of cappuccino and a croissant". He said, as he read from the menu without trying to look up at me.

"Thank you, I have taken down your orders. I don't mean to pry but you are a first time customer here". I was determined to draw his attention as he finally looked up at me.

His eyes were dark and sexy like I imagined but there was something else about them, they seemed gloomy.

"Yes, you are right". He was brief in his reply as he looked at me. I had my best smile on but it didn't make him put down his guard and smile back at me. I was confused.

"Would that be all?" He asked, as I stood in front of him, smiling at him. I could tell from his countenance, he was not impressed by my beauty. He was handsome too and had the arrogance to match it.

"Yes...no, no!" I stuttered, trying to get a grip of myself. Never had I gone out of my way to be nice and ended up being treated and spoken to like this.

"No, you were supposed to tell me your name. I always ask for the names of first time customers". I had regained my composure but my self esteem was hanging by a thread. If he refused to tell me his name, then my ego would be deflated and I would wish Mary or Thelma had taken his order.

"Arthur...Arthur Mason". He paused for a few seconds before replying to me. With his name said, I suddenly found the strength within me, as I hurried away from his presence.

I was back in the kitchen, taking in deep breaths as I reflected on what had happened.

"Arthur Mason". I whispered underneath my breath. I had only spoken to him for about a minute but talking to him felt so excruciatingly painful. I had never felt this way talking to anyone ever in my life before. The worst part of it all was that my conversation with him was not yet over, I still had to take his order to him.

"Pull yourself together Arya". I urged myself, as I poured his coffee into a cup and got his croissant. It didn't take more than a few seconds to put his order together but I was not ready to go back outside to face him.

I wondered why this stranger I had just met had such a profound impact on me? I had seen handsome males before, in fact I had a male acquaintance equally as good looking as he was. I wondered why I felt he was different, why his reaction towards me mattered a lot?

I was taking too long in the kitchen and soon I knew Mary or Thelma would come looking for me. I had to take his order to him, ready or not.

I took one last deep breath as I stepped out into the restaurant. Arthur now had his attention fixed on his phone as I walked slowly towards him. He seemed innocent and charming sitting down there calmly like he could do no harm but I knew that was not true.

"Here is your order of fresh cappuccino and croissant". I said with a renewed urge to be friendly towards him again and win his attention but he was too engrossed with his phone to even look up at me. He signaled with his right hand that I drop his breakfast on the table.

"Enjoy". I whispered in defeat as I walked away briskly to hide behind the counter.

Mary and Thelma watched my little drama with Arthur play out but didn't say a word. I wasn't bothered about them, as they were rarely into gossip. I was rather bothered about the stranger who had walked into my life and turned it upside down. He was seated there calmly drinking his cappuccino and eating his croissant without having a clue about the feeling he had awakened inside of me.

I watched him attentively as if my eyes were glued to him. I couldn't take them off him even if I wanted to. I knew there was something about him I hadn't yet figured out, something I was missing that was making him dismissive of me.

He took his time until he was done with his breakfast, as he stood up to leave. I hoped he would look at me even once as I stood by the counter but he didn't. The smell of fresh coffee still filled the coffee shop but it was no longer pleasing to my sense of smell. He dropped the money of his breakfast on the table and walked out as quietly as he had walked in, only the sound of the ringing door bell was a reminder that Arthur Mason had walked in and out of the coffee shop with much more than a cup of cappuccino and croissant.