Hunted

Chapter 12: First Day

Today was my first day at my Uncle Luke’s shop. It is a coffee shop that doubles as a book store that also sells other things. I’m not really sure what to call it. When I arrived…almost late due to me hitting snooze, Uncle Luke told me that today I was going to be working on inventory and learning where all the items go in the store. Tomorrow I’d work on stocking the coffee bar and then the next day I’d work on learning how to make the coffee.

He had a really neat computer system that you could place your order and it popped up on a screen. I thought that was just the coolest thing. So here I am with a giant clipboard wandering around the store checking to see how many copies of each book we have and what items need to be restocked. Uncle Luke gave me a handy checklist that tells me if there is less than a certain amount that’s when it needed to be reordered. It sounds super simple but after the 15th different type of item you really don’t know what to do.

The morning blew by, I actually really liked the atmosphere here. It was small and cozy with just the right amount of customers at a time. Though I’m told I missed the before work rush while I was in the back doing my mandatory training videos. Which by the way were just my uncle awkwardly talking to the camera..I loved it.

It was just after my lunch break when the bell rang signifying there was a new customer. I didn’t both need er to look up because I was just checking the shelves the customers really didn’t need me but I did anyway. I believe it’s because you never know who comes walking through the door..who you’d need to get away from.

I was expecting some random shifter I’d never seen before just like every other time…but this time I recognized the shifter. It was the guy from the party. The guy who stared at me like I was the plauge or that he wanted to kill me. Note to self turn invisible so he can’t see you. I started to hide behind the shelf I was next to. Instead of hiding I knocked into the table that was behind me and started a chain reaction of books falling and things going everywhere.

“Oh no…..” I groaned and started to pick up all the books and things I’d knocked over.

“Let me help you with that.” A voice said. Please not him…please not him. I looked up and much to my dismay it was murder man.

“It’s okay really. I was not paying attention to where I was moving.” I mumbled and kept picking up the books.

“Well it really would be impolite to let the Alpha’s daughter pick up all these books by herself.”

That made me groan. Of course he would know who I was. Maybe that’s why he hated me.

“Really it’s not necessary.” I tried to convince him but by the time the words were out of my mouth…all the books were put on the table.

“Thank you…” I sighed and stood up. “I’m not…you shouldn’t think of me as the Alpha’s daughter. Or…well you shouldn’t do things for me just because your Alpha happens to be my father.” I tried to correct.

“Ah, well…I see. I’ll do my best to remember that. I’m Colton by the way. You..may have met my sister Savannah at the bonfire…” He ran a hand through his dark brown hair. I believe most girls would call him extremely attractive. He had that symmetrical face I’ve read about.

“Ahh you’re the potential Beta or Alpha. Nice to meet you.” I smiled a little bit and took a tiny step back away from him. A frown flashed across his face but it went away as quickly as it came.

“So you’ve heard of me?” Colton smiled.

“In passing…sorry if that’s not more exciting. Though your sister really doesn’t like me.” I remembered what she said to me that night at the party but I had been trying very hard to forget it.

“I’m sorry she was rude. Sav doesn’t know how to control herself sometimes. Shifter trait.” Colton shrugged.

“I wouldn’t know about that.” I said quietly. “Thank you for helping me pick up the books. I need to get back to work now. Maybe I’ll see you around.” I gave him a small wave and headed towards the other side of the shop.

“It’s a pretty small…well not small but it’s not that big of a pack…” His voice carried behind me but I didn’t turn around.

I  just continued to count books and write down which ones we needed to order. I was so engrossed in what I was doing I nearly screamed when someone’s hand gripped my shoulder.

“Please leave me al…” I stopped when I saw it was my Uncle Luke but that hadn’t stopped my jump. I pulled away from him and closed my eyes tight. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“No Emmry I’m sorry. I shouldn’t..I know better than to sneak up on you like that. I just… your shift is over…you can go home now.” His voice was filled with concern and anguish. I knew he was upset for frightening me but it really didn’t take much.

“It’s okay. I just…I don’t like…I’m not good with..ya know…” I made a lot of hand gestures and then sighed. “I can go home?” Today had been really easy and quick. I had not imagined working would be so…well simple. I’m guessing it’s because the only task I had today was to wander around the store and count books. I’m pretty sure a more complicated job would be..well more draining.

“Yeah you can go home. By the way you’ve got a friend waiting for you to walk you home.” Uncle Luke gave me a smile and then went back towards the office.

A friend wanting to walk me home…who could he be talking about? He cannot be talking about that guy…what was his name…Colton…he wasn’t my friend. I didn’t even know the guy. I started to make my way to the front of the store when I saw Hope standing by the door with two iced coffees in her hands.

“I got one for you too to celebrate!” She cheered. Of course it was Hope meeting me…what was I even thinking.

“Aww thanks Hope.” I went over to her and graciously took it. “How did you know what kind I liked?”

Hope shrugged. “Call it cousin’s intuition.”

I raised my eyebrows and laughed. “I got one this morning. You asked my Uncle.” Hope gave out a gasp and covered her heart.

“I would never do…okay yeah but I mean why couldn’t you let me have that one?” She laughed opening the door for me.

“Because it would have been silly.” I said and walked through the door. It was still before 3 so a lot of the shifters were still busy working and doing other things which meant thankfully there weren’t too many people on the street. Which also meant I could walk home and not feel like I was going to have a panic attack.

“Did you have a good day?” Hope asked.

“Yeah actually I did. I really didn’t do much to be honest. Just checked inventory.” I shrugged and took some sips from my drink.

“I did knock over a whole table and then that girl Savannah…her brother Colton helped me pick up the books. It was weird. You know I saw him that night at the party…he was glaring at me…something fierce and today he was super nice to me. Do you think he just wants to be nice to me because of my dad to get on his good side?” I asked Hope glancing over to gauge her response.

“Wait Colton came into the shop today…and he talked to you? Back up..back up you saw him the night of the party glaring at you? Why have you been holding out so many things on me cousin??” Hope glared.

“Well first of all…the shop part happened today…and second of all I’m not even sure it was glaring I was really scared and nervous that night.” I told her giving her a look. I really couldn’t be sure…there was a lot of nerves the night of that bonfire.

“Okay I forgive you. Well the coffee shop is one of his favorite spots. So you might wind up seeing him a lot. He’s an avid reader.” Hope rolled her eyes.

“Wait are you serious?” I stopped and gave her a blank look.

“….Emmry… you gotta lighten up. I was kidding. I don’t really know. Colton is older than me…I don’t exactly hang out with me…because most of his friends are assholes.” Hope sighed and groaned. “Come on I want to go watch silly movies.” Hope whined and I started to walk again.

I felt like there was something she wasn’t telling me about that guy. Though why did I really care? It’s not like…well okay I probably will see him again since he’s going to potentially be the next Beta..or Alpha…this whole pack thing is a lot more complicated than I originally had thought.