The Witch Of Alpha

How It All Began

"Babe, you have to get up for work", I drowsily kicked my husband awake. He grumbled and continued sleeping.

Well, I tried so that's not on me!

I sighed and resigned myself to getting up and getting breakfast started for my little girl, Catalina - Lina for short.

We lived in a nice home, thanks to my and my husband's businesses. I had a clothing company and he made rustic furniture that he sold online, so we had it pretty good!

Our whole house had a white and gray rustic theme to it - as is the trend right now. The kitchen had beautiful, white quartz countertops with a big island in the middle that we set 3 cushioned stools at to eat all our meals. We had all upgraded stainless steel appliances and a huge walk in pantry filled to the brim with food we may never eat.

We had the cutest decor all scattered around to give our home a cozy feel even though it was empty most of the time since we liked getting out of the house as much as possible.

I got out the pans, making loud enough noises to wake up Sam - my husband - and started in on cooking the bacon. Lina came hobbling out of her room like she was still half asleep and rubbing her eye.

I laughed looking at her curly hair which was sticking up everywhere. "Good morning my love, how did you sleep baby girl?" I dropped down to my knees to envelop her in a warm hug and pecked a kiss on her little cheek.

"Mommy, you're loud in the morning" she said with annoyance in her little 3 year old voice. I chuckled, knowing it was on purpose.

"I'm sorry baby, I was trying to make sure daddy wakes up for work!" to which she grinned widely and proceeded to run into my room. I heard her screeching and jumping on her dad. An evil grin slid across my face, knowing he would most definitely be awake now.

He came out to the kitchen carrying our squealing daughter like a football and said, "Was this your doing?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about" I couldn't hide the suspicious grin when I said it and started laughing.

He roared and spun Lina around, earning a round of hysterical giggles from our little girl. I watched them, feeling warmth in my heart seeing them so happy and carefree.

But our relationship wasn't always happy and carefree, we had a really rocky start and middle. It was only just getting better. He had an anger problem, a lying problem and a cheating problem. I was really young when we had our daughter so I had a lot of growing up to do. I was immature and would get mad over the silliest things. Together, we were a big toxic mess.

As we saw how it was affecting Lina, we knew we had to try to be better for her sake. I stopped letting every little thing upset me. He stopped raging and throwing and breaking things over just about anything. Though he still occasionally lied and cheated in small ways.

I learned to deal with it for our daughter and tried to be happy for her. I was pretty much numb to the pain of him cheating so when I caught him again, it never really hurt me anymore. It was more of an annoyance than anything. And that way I could also avoid a fight with him that could scare our daughter.

At least we could both agree that she was the most important thing here.

But I still couldn't help but wish that I had a love like in the movies. Like I never had to deal with the cheating and occasional rages where I would be afraid of him hurting me in front of our daughter.

Seeing them laughing and playing, I know this is why I never leave. I couldn't bear to tear apart our little family, no matter how hurt I felt or how afraid I was when he was mad. My baby's happiness mattered more.

"Whatcha cookin'?" Sam asked, snapping me out of my reverie.

"Just some bacon and eggs, like usual" I shrugged.

"Oh nice." He said politely, putting Lina down on the ground.

I looked at him and could see what always attracted me to him, he had dark brown, shoulder-length hair that he hand-brushed to the side which gave him a playboy look. He had gorgeous hazel eyes and was over 6 feet tall with filled out muscles. He was a very attractive man and he knew it, hence the cheating.

In comparison, I always felt like I didn't measure up. I had dark, straight hair that almost hit my belly button, tan skin and dull, dark brown eyes. Not to mention the damage the baby did on my belly, stretch marks and loose skin made me feel so insecure.

He was a shining Greek God and I was just this dark speck of a human that should count herself lucky that such a good looking man came home to me every night and was raising a family with me. Maybe that was another reason I always stayed, I thought I couldn't get any better.

We talked casually about our plans for the day over breakfast and then went our separate ways to get ready for the day. I got Lina's teeth brushed, hair done and dressed for day care. Then I set her up with her favorite show while I got myself ready - mainly just putting my hair in a mom bun and throwing on some light makeup to hide the dark circles under my eyes and my nonexistent eyelashes. I pulled on a t-shirt and some yoga pants, I know I was such a cliché mom.

Sam kissed me goodbye and went to hug Lina as he headed out to his workshop about 15 minutes away. I got all of Lina's snacks and toys packed up to go to Day Care and then got her all strapped into her car seat and off we went!

As soon as I dropped her off, she gave me a kiss and ran straight to her best friend, Leia. I was already forgotten. I smiled at her happiness and said goodbye to the daycare worker with a wave. From there I stopped to get myself a coffee and headed to my little warehouse/office.

"Goodmorning everyone!" I sang as I walked in to all my employees. They all smiled and called out their own hello's. I tried to be a good boss, keep everyone happy and make them enjoy their jobs so it was a good environment for everyone!

We made clothing of all sorts here, for the whole family and any occasion! I started out using just my tax return refund to get some inventory to start selling online. From there, I was making enough to lease a warehouse and hire employees! Now we started contracting with other businesses and programs to bring their own designs to life. It was the best job ever, I was so happy to be doing something I loved so much!

The day went by as expected, I met with the normal clients that came in with new designs and showed them different swatches and prototypes of what I could come up with. They all seemed pretty excited to see everything coming about so that made for a good day!

Now it was 3:00 and time for my last meeting with a new client: Everett Holt. Hmmm...cool name! It looks like he's wanting 'Underarmor shirts lined with real gold". Well that's a first!

I pondered how exactly these underarmor shirts would look and how I would get a hold of some real gold in thread form when he walked in.

I mean, I assumed it was him. It's not every day that I get a big, gorgeous hunk of a man walking through our doors. The second he walked in, I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. He was absolutely mouthwatering!

He had dark brown hair pushed back like he just ran his hands through it and jade green eyes framed by dark lashes. He was over 6 feet tall, tan and built like an NFL player! I couldn't help but stare at this gorgeous creature that just walked in to my warehouse, I swear I was drooling like a schoolgirl at a Justin Bieber concert.

He walked up to one of my employees named Jenna and kindly asked her, "Excuse me, where can I find Mrs. Ainsley's office?" in a deep voice that sounded like silk.

She gave him a flirty smile and said "her office is right over there" she pointed towards my little window where I was currently gawking from. I quickly looked away and pretended I was going through paperwork. I snuck a peek and saw him smile at Jenna and I couldn't imagine anything more amazing than that smile of his.

He turned back and started walking to my office while I started clicking around aimlessly on my computer, pretending I was not just staring with my mouth wide open at the approaching stranger. He knocked on my open door and I spun slightly in my chair until we were facing each other. The second we locked our eyes, neither of us said anything. Just stared.

I could feel this inexplicable pull towards him. I've never felt this way about anyone, let alone a stranger. I mean it wasn't like my husband wasn't gorgeous too, or that I didn't love him. I just felt like gravity shifted and I had to touch this man. I had to be in his arms now or I wouldn't be able to think about anything else. What is wrong with me?? I've been around attractive men MANY times before and I've always been able to just admire without wanting to try the menu. I've always been able to be professional. Why am I still staring with my mouth open? 'Good Lord Rowan, close your damn mouth already!' I yelled at myself internally.

"Mate." He said.

I raised my eyebrow in confusion, that one word breaking me out of my internal argument. "Uhhh, are you British? Because if so, that's pretty cool!" Why did I say that? I never even heard an accent. Ugh why am I so dumb with this guy?? I'm normally smooth like butter!

"Um, no I'm not British...sorry I didn't mean to say that. Uh, I'm Everett." He reached his hand forward with a smile and I absolutely melted. I reached out to shake his hand and the second our hands touched, it was like electricity flowed through our hands. His hand was so warm and felt like it was made to hold mine, I instantly got butterflies in my stomach.

We just kept a hold of each others' hands for what felt like an awkwardly long time while we stared at each other. What the heck is wrong with me?!

I remembered that he had just told me his name and I said nothing in response. So stupid! "Oh, my name is Rowan! It's nice to hold you-I mean meet you!" Christ on a cracker! I'm so doomed. I blushed so hard, I don't think it was possible for me to ever be a tomato with my tan skin but here it is!

He laughed and it was like music to my ears, "It's nice to hold you too," and then I slowly pulled my hand back and nervously picked through his paperwork to start his work up.

"Umm," I said shakily, "so I see here you want some underarmor shirts with real gold lining?" I asked, desperately trying to start acting like the professional I usually am.

He sat down in the chair in front of my white desk and leaned forward, grasping his hands together on my desk. It was so hard to focus when he was this close to me. I could feel my breathing getting shaky, it was so weird.

"Well yes. I mostly only need the gold on the inside of the neck. So it will need to be like a turtle neck. And the rest of the material to be stretchy and moisture wicking. For...athletics."

I nodded my head slowly, attempting to pay attention to what he was actually saying. After a second, his words finally registered and I started doodling like I normally do.

"So we could do a short-sleeved lycra and polyester blend for moisture wicking. Now for the gold, are you wanting just gold thread or like legit gold?" Finally I was starting to be normal again!

"Legit gold. I know it'll be costly but it's necessary for...reasons..." He trailed off, suddenly nervous looking.

I gave him a curious look but said "Uh huh...well I'll have to look around and see where I can track down some 24k gold thread and then I can shoot you a quote on the cost. How many shirts are you needing and do you have a deadline?" I asked as I wrote down his requirements next to my doodle.

"I need 400 and as soon as you can possibly have them." My jaw dropped. I have never gotten an order this big before, I hope my employees can handle it!

"Well, I'll be honest here - we've never had an order that large so I can't give you an ETA but I can promise you it will get done ASAP! I'll spend the rest of today finding the best price for 24k gold thread and I can get back to you with a definitive quote in the morning. What's the best way to get a hold of you?"

"How about I just come back first thing tomorrow and we can go over it together?" He smiled when he said it and...oh no, now I gotta change my panties. Ugh how!? How does he do this to me with just a smile??

"Uh that's totally up to you, but I can also call you if that's easier for you" I said shakily.

"No no, it's quite alright. I'll just stop by here say around 10?"

"O-Okay," I was suddenly very anxious for the morning.

We both stood up, "I'll see you out," I said nervously. I walked him over to our front entrance and held the door open for him. He held out his hand to me, for another handshake.

I put my hand in his with a warm smile and he brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it gently. Ugh, insta-sploosh! I just stared, open-mouthed in surprise as he released my hand and walked out the door towards a big black SUV.

I kept standing there while he pulled out of the parking lot and then once I closed the door, the guilt set in. But why was I feeling guilty? It's not like I was flirting with the guy. I was just admiring his beauty, not eating off the menu by any means.

But still, the guilt hit me like a train wreck. I was thinking about another man. A complete stranger. Yeah Sam cheated on me a lot but I did not. I was not that woman, I did not sink to his level. I was faithful and good to him and would never chance breaking up our family. But Everett...I couldn't stop thinking about him. I even felt like I missed him and his touch.

Ugh what is wrong with me?