005
1059 Words
Sienna Pov
People surround Onyx, pulling his attention in all different directions.
I stand back a bit, watching. Him and I have both been invested in getting this hospital established here. Initially the proposal was rejected when his father ruled because this is a small village, but the healthcare here before wasn't sufficient.
"Sir, we would love to show you this new piece of technology that has saved many lives already," one of the doctors' claim, pointing back at the single-story building.
Onyx smiles, nodding. "Of course. I'll be there in a moment." He turns to look at me, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You do that, and I'll go grab what I need from the store." I gesture down the street. I made an order not so long ago and I've been waiting for an opportunity to pick it up.
"Wait a bit and I'll come with you." He says. "Or I'll send someone to do it."
"I can do it. I'll meet you back here in like ten minutes." I smile, tapping his arm assuredly.
He frowns a little, looking off down the street, then back at me.
"Alright," he mutters begrudgingly.
I press through the crowd that has gathered, heading off down the street. Despite living close by, we don't often come here. It's why so many people have come around to view the spectacle that is their Alpha.
The store is a small one, nestled amongst many others that are vacant due to the town's visitor. I open the glass door, immediately being hit by a wave of incense and clove.
An older woman sits behind the counter, glancing up from her book, her pale eyes narrowing slightly upon me.
"Hello, I had someone come and place order for me the other day for some material for a bracelet. Is it ready?" I ask, resting my hands on the countertop.
She leans down, pulling up a large book.
"What's your name dear?"
"Sienna."
Her yellowed fingernail traces down the page until she see's my order.
"Are yes, it's out back. Give me a moment."
She slips through the cascade of strung up beads that act as a door and out back, leaving me teetering from the tips of my toes to my heels as I said."Hey there."
I yelp, whirling around.
A man sidles up next to me, leaning his arm on the counter. He appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He must have been perusing the shelves piled with a freakish amount of stuff.
"Oh, hey." I swallow uncomfortably.
"I think I know you." He points at me, looking at me like he's trying to figure me out.
I shift, rubbing the back of my neck. "Impossible. I'm not from here."
"You're that pretty little thing the Alpha totes around." He leans a little closer, his smile laden with crooked teeth.
Something about him is making me uneasy.
"I work for the Alpha's mother, Lucia," I concede, tapping my foot impatiently. I'll admit anything to have him stop speaking to me.
How long does it take to find a few pieces of string?
"Not for him?"
"No."
He rubs the bristly skin of his jaw, never once lifting his languid stare from me. Since I rarely visit the village, I'm not used to uncomfortable interactions like this one.
"So you're just f*****g him then?" He asks abruptly.
I whip my attention to him, narrowing my eyes. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry, I'm just curious." He shrugs, his grin playful, like he didn't just say something completely uncalled for. "A lot of people are wondering."
I know people wonder, and I equally don't care. Onyx and I's relationship doesn't exist to be dissected by the masses."That's none of your business, first of all," I mutter. "Second, Onyx is my friend."
I can feel myself getting angrier at his line of questioning, but I have to remember I can't snap. I'm Lucia's assistant, and that requires a certain level of decorum when seen in public.
The shopkeeper emerges from the back, holding up the blue and black material that will be weaved into Onyx's birthday present.
"Here we go dear, I found them." She lays them on the counter.
"Excellent." I rush to pull out the cash I need plus a little extra, sliding it across the counter.
"Do you want them wrapped?" She asks sweetly.
"No thank you."
I don't have to glance to my left to know the man is still standing right there, staring at me. It takes all my willpower not to snatch up the material as the shopkeeper grabs some tissue paper out from under the counter and starts to wrap it up anyways.
"Did you know this is the Alpha's mistress?" The man asks the shopkeeper, gesturing to me.
Her brows rise as she looks over me. "Oh wow, so you finally received the title then?"
"No, I am not his mistress," I growl.
I wish I could slap sense into some people. They think it's impossible for a powerful Alpha to have a female friend that isn't sleeping with him. Obviously they think lowly of me, but they must think Onyx incapable of having a normal friendship.
"That's a shame dear. Mistresses get many benefits," the shopkeeper says, slowly folding the tissue paper.
I clear my throat. I've never even considered being Onyx's mistress. I doubt he will ever have one. He's far too romantic and committed to his loved ones for that."Oh yes they do." The creepy guy winks and I grimace.
"Please take my money," I insist, pushing it closer to her.
She sighs wistfully, placing the money in the register before continuing with her painfully slow wrap of the tissue paper.
"You're much more beautiful in person. I see why he is so enamoured by you." She means it as a compliment, but I'm so irritated I just want it to stop.
By now Onyx will be asking around for me, wondering where I disappeared to.
"Please hurry. I have somewhere to be." I glance back at the door, then at the way she places tape to secure the wrapping.
The man inches closer. "With him?"
"I would love for him to visit my store," the shopkeeper gushes. "I would have the whole town in here tomorrow if they knew he brought even just one of my items."
- Writer
