Page 12 of Alpha’s Twins (Alpha Kings Island #3)

I know I agreed to this, but now that I’m actually walking out of the house and toward the main row of small stores that make up Main Street, I feel sick to my stomach.

Last night, I spent nearly an hour on the phone with Hannah talking about the store and ways to make it work, desperately trying to remind myself that I am a businesswoman.

I have built a successful business that supplies across the mainland. I can do this.

The owner of the local bakery wants to talk about flower displays for the upcoming pack fair next month.

Sarah and Cate arranged the meeting; all I have to do is turn up.

While I appreciated all of Hannah’s motivational words about building something here, I just feel so out of place.

I wish more than anything I were back in my store.

Talking to Hannah made me feel more homesick than ever for it.

What I don’t miss, though, is Nolan and his betas.

I always knew they didn’t treat me well, and I worked so hard to build something in an attempt to make them accept me.

To make them want me. And in the end, despite everything, they were happy to hand me off without a backward glance.

I walk past the small park in the center of the square, its benches dotted with people chatting and sipping from paper cups.

I know they all belong here, in this pack, in this life.

Most of them nod or smile at me as I pass, and I nod back, unsure if they know me, if they’ve heard about the new woman, the new luna, who doesn’t quite fit.

I hate that I’m worried about what they think of me. I hate that I care this much.

I must admit, the town is like a postcard, the kind you’d send to make someone jealous of your vacation.

I didn’t expect the island would be this pretty after everything I’d heard.

Small stores with striped awnings line the street.

A barber shop with a proper old-fashioned pole, a diner with a gleaming jukebox visible through the window, a boutique with the mannequins beautifully dressed, and a tempting bookshop line the street.

It’s charming, it’s perfect, it’s everything I’m not.

I should be grateful to be here after everything, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m an outsider, a guest who’s going to overstay her welcome or just not fit in.

The bakery is on the corner, its sign hanging above the door, swinging slightly in the breeze.

I see Cate’s vibrant hair first, bobbing as she talks animatedly to Sarah, who stands with her arms folded, a small smile on her face.

They look so settled, so right here, it makes me want to turn around and run in the opposite direction.

I should be grateful. Sarah, Cate, and some of the other women have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, but the doubts linger—has Aiden put them up to it?

Are they just doing it to be polite? Do they pity me or know I can’t shift?

Nolan always said it was obvious I couldn’t shift because of my size and weight, the inference being that if I could shift and run like them, I wouldn’t be so curvy. Maybe he’s right.

I feel rooted to the spot as I war with myself over whether to go in or turn and run. There are a few people out on the street, but no one who would notice if I just turned around and went back to the house to hide among the flowers in the yard.

I take a deep breath, inhaling a sense of calm from the sweet smell of baking bread and sugar that spills out from the bakery. I let it fill my lungs until I’m almost dizzy. Just go in. Just get it over with. I take a step forward and then another, feeling like I’m trying to walk through syrup.

Cate spots me first, waving with both arms like she’s trying to land a plane. “Serena. Over here!”

I wave back, my stomach churning. My steps feel clumsy and loud, and I’m sure everyone is watching me, watching the luna who doesn’t belong. I see a few people glance my way, their expressions curious but not unfriendly. I try to focus on that and try to remember I’m not with Nolan’s pack anymore.

Sarah grins as I reach them, her smile wide and genuine. “You made it. We were just saying that you might have gotten lost or something.”

“No, not lost,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t sound as shaky as I feel. “Just, uh, taking in the sights.”

“Isn’t the town adorable?” Cate says as she pulls out a chair. “I haven’t visited the mainland much. What’s your town like?”

Sitting down, I laugh. “Bigger and less personal,” I reply honestly before pausing. “My store was by the water, though, and that was lovely.”

“You must really miss it. The store?” Sarah says kindly as she pushes a coffee toward me.

I nod, not wanting to say more, afraid that I’ll choke up if I do. What if they think I’m weak? Shifters are never weak. I take a sip of the coffee, its warmth spreading through me like courage in a cup.

“I’m excited you’re going to be working on the pack fair. It’s always so much fun,” Cate says, eyes sparkling. “And having your flowers there will make it even better.”

“That’s if we can find them under all the sugar and carbs,” Sarah teases. “Tammy puts the bakery’s stamp on everything. It’s basically a sugar-fest.”

“That’s exactly what the pack needs after the last couple of years, though,” Cate says. “Tammy’s really looking forward to meeting you today. I spoke to her when I got the coffee, and she’s going to pop over when she’s finished putting some orders together.”

“I’m sure it’ll be great,” I say, trying to sound enthusiastic, trying to keep the doubts from bleeding into my voice. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The lie seems to work as the women look genuinely excited about the meeting and are eager to hear me explain about previous displays I’ve done for events and companies.

As I begin showing them pictures of some of my favorites, I start to enjoy talking about my business, and my body thrums with fresh ideas.

As we chat and I start to build a mood board on my tablet, Sarah waves to someone through the glass, and I notice her mate, Edward, crossing the street toward the bakery.

“Excuse me one moment,” Sarah grins, “I promised to get him some cakes for the garage.”

She heads over to the counter as Cate and I continue looking at some pictures on the internet, and I’m starting to feel genuinely more excited about the meeting as we talk.

With Sarah still at the counter, Cate excuses herself to use the bathroom, and I’m left to try to arrange my notes to show Tammy.

I take a small bite of cake Sarah bought for us to share, the sugar melting on my tongue. The bakery is warm and smells like cinnamon and butter. I close my eyes for a second, letting myself enjoy it.

“Did you see the new luna come in?” a voice cuts through the hum of the bakery.

The voice is so quiet I have to strain to listen, but I can just about hear above the low chatter in the cafe.

I open my eyes and glance toward the window, where a group of older shifters sit, sipping coffee and eating pastries.

I recognize one of them. He’s the man who nodded to me when I walked past the park.

“Yeah, heard she can’t shift,” another replies, eyebrows raised. “How’s that gonna work when we have pack runs?”

“Is that even true?” the first one leans back, arms crossed. “Bit weird to have a shifter who can’t shift. We sure she’s really one of us?”

I feel like I’m shrinking, like I’m disappearing into the chair. I want to stop listening, but I can’t.

“She doesn’t look much like a shifter,” comes a third voice, rough and low. “I prefer my women to be slimmer. Taller. It just doesn’t look right.”

I put the cake down. I can’t swallow past the lump in my throat. I feel sick, and the warmth I’d felt just moments ago turns to lead in my stomach.

“Well, Tristen’s mate is a witch, so she can’t shift either,” one says, and the others murmur in agreement.

“True. True. But she’s a witch,” another says, “she’s not supposed to shift.”

“And she’s powerful,” the first one points out. “A luna should be powerful.”

They all nod in agreement, and I feel hollow inside. I look down at my notes for the event and try to fight back tears. It’s been so long since anything anyone said to me has brought me to tears; I won’t let it happen now.

I feel a shadow fall across me, and Cate sits back down, eyes wide. “Wow,” she whispers. “Are you okay? They are completely out of line, Serena.”

Her voice isn’t loud, but probably loud enough for others to hear, and I cringe. I swallow hard, my mouth dry. I force a smile, my voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah. Fine. I’m used to it.”

“Serena, you don’t have to be used to it,” she says, voice firm and protective. “You belong here. They’re just ignorant.”

Sarah is making her way back, a box of pastries in her hands. She catches sight of us, and her face clouds with concern. “Did I miss something?” She sets the box down, looking between us.

“Just some pack elders who should know better,” Cate says before I can stop her. “Talking about Serena and how she can’t shift.”

“Oh god,” Sarah says, her eyes wide with sympathy as she and Cate exchange a brief look. “I’m so sorry.”

I shake my head, trying to brush it off, but my voice betrays me, a small tremor in it. “They’re right. I can’t shift. It’s not a secret, not really.”

Sarah puts her hand on my shoulder. “It doesn’t matter whether you can shift or not. Our pack welcomes everyone, and we have lots of different people with different gifts living here.”

The sincerity in her voice is almost too much, and I have to look away, blinking hard. I’m not going to cry. I won’t. I’m stronger than this.

“They’re just old-fashioned,” Cate says. “Stuck in their ways. Things are changing, and they can’t handle it.”

“Promise you won’t let it get to you,” Sarah says, her expression earnest. “We’re so happy you’re here.”

I nod, but my chest feels tight, and I can barely breathe.

I can’t stand the kindness in their faces, the pity.

I’m about to say something, anything, to steer the conversation away from me when the door to the bakery swings open.

I see Aiden and Jace walk in, and Aiden’s eyes find mine immediately.

His face shifts from surprise to concern as he obviously takes in our body language.

“Serena,” he says, striding over to us, his presence a force of nature. Jace follows behind, more cautious, his expression unsure.

I want to disappear. I don’t want him to see me like this, raw and exposed. I stand up too quickly, the chair scraping against the floor. “I-I think I’m going to go. We can reschedule with Tammy?”

“No, you shouldn’t. Please stay,” Cate says, her voice firm.

Aiden’s hand brushes mine in an unexpectedly public gesture that nearly sends me reeling. “What happened?”

“It’s nothing,” I say, pulling away. “I’m fine. I just need some air.”

He looks at me, his eyes searching. I notice his gaze turn to Sarah and Cate as they look toward the group of older shifters by the window.

A muscle ticks in his jaw as the older men look increasingly uncomfortable. “Is there a problem here?” he asks, his voice quiet but steely.

One of the older men, the one who nodded at me, shifts in his seat. “No problem, Aiden.”

“Sure about that?” Aiden presses, his tone making it clear he won’t let it drop.

“We were just talking,” one of them says. “Didn’t mean any harm.”

“Well, you did,” Cate snaps, eyes blazing. “You should apologize.”

They exchange glances but don’t say anything. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t stand here with everyone looking at me. I turn sharply toward the door, head down, my vision blurring.

“Serena,” Aiden calls, but I’m already outside, the cool air hitting my face like a slap. I walk fast, then faster, past the square, past the people who watch me, the overweight short luna who will never belong anywhere.

I feel the tears threatening, hot and unwelcome, and I angrily wipe my eyes. I’m not going to cry. I’m not. But the weakness and shame crash over me like a wave, and I fear I will drown in it.