Chapter 2 - Faye
TWO
Faye
What the…
Where’s the sound of twinkling wind chimes, Gram’s pot bubbling in the kitchen, or the scent of freshly ground, leafy herbs? Then I remember where I am and wake with a jolt.
Wrapped in a pink robe with one hand dipped into the bag of pretzels, crumbs everywhere, my phone lies to my side.
It’s 7pm, and the Stella Girls’ group chat is already popping.
Sabs has sent a photo of herself sitting at a bar, posing next to Kady who raises a cocktail with a tiny umbrella.
Another girl, who I assume is Delilah, grins shyly at Kady’s side.
She has a curly, dark bob, tied with a giant ribbon, giving her a country-boho vibe. The caption says:
SABS
You’ll have to join us next time, Faye! Don’t wait up!
There’s a message from Gram too. She’s not great with technology, but she’s muddled a sentence together:
GRAM
I’m so proud of you, Hedgey. Squeak soon.
I got my unusual nickname from the hedge sparrow—a shy bird found in Europe and Asia. Gram fell in love with them during her travels to England in the seventies. When I was a child, she said the quiet way I moved and searched for herbs reminded her of them.
At home, I usually go for a walk in the meadows at dusk to gather flowers to put in Gram’s overnight blends. Perhaps a walk will do me good.
I slide off my robe, still wearing my lightweight dress underneath, pop on my well-worn sandals, grab my campus map and a book, then I head out. Although Sabs promised me a full campus tour tomorrow, I like exploring alone, especially after sundown.
I pad out of the house then take a quick stroll up the street, wondering how full the omega houses are. I follow a small path cutting between houses. After a few turns, I land up in a small, secluded area of woodland.
I breathe deeply, inhaling the stillness. My muscles loosen as I take in the magnificent pine trees. If I need a break from the house, this is where I’ll come.
I slip off my sandals to get comfy under an overhanging tree, scrunching my toes in the soft grass as I open my fairy smut book. Even though Clover Hollow is small, the local library has a surprisingly diverse romance section.
I lose myself in the pages, only realizing the sun is setting when I catch myself squinting at the words.
I pack up my things, but before returning, I decide to follow the sound of running water close by to take a quick look.
It’ll be easy to loop back, and I’m eager to explore any plant life.
After passing lush flowers and shrubs, I come across a little brook and bridge.
On the other side, a gate leads out onto a street where students mill around by a parked food truck.
Cautiously approaching, I peer over the gate, watching students carrying the most amazing-looking ice creams I’ve ever seen. The cones are piled so high they practically defy gravity.
I shine my phone torch over my map. Passing through the gate would mean leaving Omega Village behind and risk getting lost, but my gurgling stomach spurs me on. I’ve already devoured pretzels and most of Delilah’s cookies, but a hot fudge sundae is too hard to resist.
Surveying my surroundings, I sniff the air. I can’t smell any strong alpha pheromones or anything off, so I deem it safe to join the line.
No one notices as I do. Everyone’s too busy talking amongst themselves.
From what I can gather, they are a mix of omegas and betas, chatting about the latest sporting events.
Apparently, the hockey team—the SVU Foxes—are a big deal.
Being around so many people is surreal. My typical Friday nights involved flower-pressing and helping Gram stir mixtures before getting snug with a book in bed.
Ahead, I scan the amazing menu board. It boasts plenty of options, all of the classic flavors peppered with unique ones like blackberry merlot, miso caramel, and hazelnut toffee crunch, alongside a variety of toppings and sauces.
I’ve already revised my order ten times by the time I reach the front of the line.
“You’re new!” A woman with blue, spiky hair, colorful tattoos and a septum piercing greets me. She smells like bubblegum and seems to have the personality to match. “I’m Vi, owner of sCream Queen, the best ice cream truck in the land. What’s your name, sweet pea? I never forget a name or an order.”
“I’m Faye.” I chew on my lip. “There’s so much to choose from. What would you recommend?”
“Don’t you worry, I’ll be able to find your fairy-tale ice cream match. It’s my special talent.” She winks. “Are you more of a fruit or chocolate gal?”
“Chocolate.” I eagerly rub my hands together. “Definitely!”
“All righty, then. I have just the thing!” She beams at me. “How does a cookie dough and pecan maple sundae with a drizzle of cinder fudge sauce sound?”
“Like heaven in a bowl.” I almost groan, then my eyes light up at a bag of salty chips behind her. “I know it may sound weird, but can I have some of those chips sprinkled on top?”
“You know, there’s only one other person who adds those to their sundaes.” She arches an eyebrow. “Now that there are two of you, I’ll make sure I always have them around.”
There are two alphas working in the truck, busying themselves in the background. In such a small space, I’m impressed at how they don’t bump into each other, but they move around effortlessly.
Vi gets to work, singing to herself as she prepares my dessert then presents it to me like a trophy. “Your first is always on the house.”
“No, I can’t.” I hunt around in my purse. “I have to give you something.”
“Trust me, Vi’s sundaes are so good that you’ll be coming back for more,” one of the alphas with a green mohawk chips in over her shoulder. Judging by how he looks at her in sheer wonderment, I’m guessing they’re bonded.
She slides a loyalty card across the counter. “See you around, Faye!”
Buzzing with excitement and sundae in hand, I spot a picnic bench farther down the street, nestled under a tree. My first taste is divine. Vi was right; she now has a customer for life.
I’m halfway through when a cool breeze catches my hair, and I hear them.
Alphas. Lots of them.
My blood runs cold, and not because of the copious amount of frozen goodness I just devoured.
“Can you smell that?” an alpha calls out. “Fresh omega! She can be our token!”
There’s a chorus of whoops.
“Wow, she smells good enough to eat,” another agrees.
They’re closing in.
A large group of burly men wearing red head in my direction.
Shit! I catch a whiff of my scent as I break out in a sweat.
I completely forgot to douse myself in scent blocker before leaving.
I hadn’t planned on venturing out of Omega Village, so it hadn’t crossed my mind. How could I be so reckless?
Their voices grow louder.
I jump up and rush back in the direction of the gate, but in the darkness, I can’t seem to find the opening amongst the dense woodland.
“Over there!” someone shouts. “Hey! You!”
I look back over my shoulder to see a group of five alphas hurtling in my direction. My natural instincts kick in, and fear escalates my already racing heart. My sundae slips from my hands, hitting the ground with a splat as I sprint as quickly as I can.
I can’t let them catch me!
Everything rushes by in a blur, until…
“Ouch!” a husky voice growls.
I bounce off him and fall flat on my ass. Somehow, I’ve just run head-first into the chest of the biggest and scariest looking alpha I’ve ever seen. I rub my forehead, seeing stars. What are his pecs made from, stone?
The guy towers over me, his massive muscles bulging through his thin T-shirt and tattoos climbing up his neck. His shaggy, shoulder-length, black hair falls over his eyes as he peers down at me, unimpressed.
“Don’t hurt me!” I cower, my pulse thrashing against my eardrums.
“Hurt you?” He frowns, appearing to be genuinely confused as he looks back toward where I came from. “Get up. Now.”
His tone is low and commanding, making me feel compelled to obey. Did he just use his bark on me?
I’ve only ever read about alpha barks. It’s a way that an alpha can use his voice to make an omega comply. It’s not something you’d ever use on a stranger as it’s considered rude, not to mention illegal. Pack leaders can also use their bark on the other alphas in their pack too.
The alpha’s hands close around my shoulders.
His grip is firm, protective, and his scent hits me harder than his chest. I’ve never smelled anything like him before.
He smells like petrichor, the delicious scent after a storm.
A mix of scorched earth and thunder, rich amber accents, and a splash of danger, like a fine whiskey next to a rolling tide. It’s intoxicating, dizzying, electric…
I quiver under his grasp, noting the bulging veins creeping up his hands as I stare up at him. His jaw clenches, then something changes. He drops his hold instantly, like I’ve burned him.
“What do you think you’re doing out here alone?” He glares down at me. “It’s not safe for an omega to be outside the village alone at night! Don’t you know anything?”
“I…” It’s pathetic, but tears prickle in my eyes. I bite my lip and will them not to fall. I refuse to cry in front of this terrifying, yet totally hot stranger, giving him another opportunity to remind me that I’m a fool. “I-I-I didn’t—”
“Didn’t think?” He rakes his hands through his wavy hair and sighs, dispersing more of his scent. “Clearly.”
“Are you…?” I gulp, fearing the alpha group will descend any second. “With them?”
“The football team?” He looks over my shoulder and scoffs. “No, but it looks like they’re pissed.” His lips stretch into a satisfied half-smile before it swiftly vanishes again. “They were looking for an omega for their treasure hunt. It’s SVU tradition. Didn’t you see their uniform?”
Now I feel even stupider.
“I thought they…” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.” I stare at the ground, wishing it would swallow me up. “I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“Next time, if you’re going to run, you should at least look where you’re going.”
“Yes, sorry… I’m sorry… I…” I gulp down the lump in my throat, doing all I can to hold it together. “Sorry.”
“Are you hurt?”
I tilt my head to the side in confusion. “Hurt?”
“You fell.” He states the obvious. “Maybe you have a concussion.”
“I’m fine, really.” I cringe at the thought of walking into the emergency room to explain that I bumped my head by running into an alpha. “Sorry again for bothering you.”
I turn to walk away when he calls, “Wait!”
He grabs my shoulder, making my entire body jolt like I’ve been hit by lightning. I spin to see the moody alpha. He opens his mouth to speak, his pupils dilated. Does he feel a connection too? Then he scowls and points in the opposite direction. “Omega Village is that way.”
Nope, no connection. My touch-starved brain must be reading into things that aren’t there. Thank God it’s dark, so he can’t see my blush.
“S-sorry.”
Rigid creases bracket his mouth, telling me this only irks him more. “Do you say anything other than ‘sorry’?”
I open my mouth to apologize again but catch myself just in time.
“I’m walking you to the gate.” He narrows his dazzling green eyes at me. Their color against the paleness of his skin has a startling effect. “Before you injure anyone else.”
Arguing seems futile, so I don’t protest. As we walk in silence, I trot along by his side, struggling to keep up with his quick pace. He’s over a foot taller than me—6′3′′, at least. Despite his intimidating appearance and moody scowl, being in his presence makes me feel … safe.
Goose bumps pop up over my arms, and I suppress a shiver. Apparently, I don’t do a good job of hiding my coldness as Mr. Moody huffs and stops abruptly. He pulls off his black hoodie then thrusts it at me. “Here.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.” I try handing it back. “You’ll need it.”
“I’m done listening to your teeth chattering.” He sighs impatiently. “Just fucking wear it, okay?”
I do as he says. His hoodie drowns me, but being wrapped in the soft fabric feels like a warm hug, and it’s still toasty from his body heat. It’s also steeped in his delicious scent, which is an added bonus.
“There,” he grunts, nodding at the gate ahead. He can’t go any farther because of Omega Village’s strict rules. “I’ll wait here until you go through to make sure you don’t do any more damage.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, beginning to take off his hoodie.
“Keep it.”
“You don’t have to—” His stormy gaze silences me, so I don’t argue. I attempt a friendly wave, but my wrist makes a limp movement instead, like a flapping fish. “Well, bye, then.”
His gaze scorches my back as I go. I’d like to ask him what his name is, but I’m sure he’s already fed up of playing babysitter and angry at me for ruining his evening.
I ran into him, stole his clothes, and he had to escort me back to Omega Village.
Being more independent was one of my goals in coming to SVU, so I’m not off to a great start.
Although maybe I’ve made some progress in my ability to be around alphas without wanting to run a mile.
When I cross the gate back into my safe, alpha-free zone, I turn back, but the tall, dark, handsome alpha is already gone.