Page 12 of Small Town Shy Omega (Applewood Falls #1)

My heart fluttered: I had to close my eyes, and whisper a prayer to the fates, because my pack? Well, they just defended my honor while out walking down the street.

My pack of Alphas led little me to Whimsical Wonders. When I opened the front door, I felt at home. You couldn’t beat this place.

After school as a girl, instead of heading to track practice like my grandfather wanted me to, sometimes I’d sneak off to Whimsical Wonders and peruse the shelves.

You really never knew what you’d find in such a quaint bookstore. Withered tomes, scrolls brimming with spells. Half the time you couldn’t make out the language of the manuscripts old Rufus collected. Their incomprehensibility added to their charm.

Whimsical Wonders was also brimming with animals: bunnies, cats, and even a chicken. I wasn’t sure how great that was for people with allergies, but I could handle the occasional sneeze. You could even feed the chicken, Clucker, treats.

The bookstore was owned by Rufus, a fabulous older Beta with a terrific beard. “Layla,” Rufus shouted out, and I smiled at him, asking him how he and his partner, Maxwell, were doing.

Josh growled in my ear, his meaty hand on my back. “Do I have to be jealous of him, dear?”

A laugh escaped me, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Rufus is a Beta,” I whispered, liking that Rufus gave me permission to share such a secret, “and he’s getting married to his partner, another Beta, who happens to be a man, at the wedding chapel next September.”

“Ahhhhh,” Josh grunted in understanding. “Gotcha.”

Blake whacked Josh’s arm. “Chill out, broski.”

“Don’t ever call me broski again,” Josh growled, playfully punching Blake.

My Alphas were strong, protective, and they kindly whisked me up the beautiful winding staircase to Whimsical Wonders’s loft-level book nook.

Oversized cozy chairs greeted us, and I plopped down with a Nora Roberts classic that Josh plucked from a shelf. “You have great taste,” Josh growled, flipping through a different Nora Roberts book, sitting in the snug chair across from me.

The chair I was in was too big, and I slipped to the floor.

“Help,” I peeped, my Nora Roberts book falling with a plop on the ground. “Chair’s too big.”

Not one Alpha, but two walked over—and promptly lifted me up by the underarms.

“Little Omega,” a deep voice growled, and I recognized it as Dreydon’s at once. “Watch where you’re sitting, sweetheart.”

Blake slid my Nora Roberts book back into my hands, then settled on a bench across from me.

“Look at this beautiful volume of poetry I discovered for you, Layla. La lune est si brillante… Exactly like your eyes. This volume is by Baudelaire. He was a French poet who lived in Paris back before there was even an Eiffel Tower.”

My brow furrowed, and I put aside the wonderful feelings I’d received from Blake reading me romantic French poetry.

“There was a time when Paris didn't have the Eiffel Tower?” I wondered stupidly.

Blake shrugged, setting the book down. “I’m just reading the back flap. Looks like it was installed… in the late nineteenth century.”

Dreydon let out a wolf whistle. “Call me crazy, but I thought the thing had been around forever.”

I shrugged too. “Me too,” I tossed out, going back to my romance novel.

Rufus always baked fresh bread and croissants at Whimsical Wonders, so two of my Alphas went downstairs when they smelled the pastries and brought me a silver tray.

I helped myself to one chocolate croissant, and a jar of clotted cream and jam.

“Allow me.” Blake lifted the small knife and smeared cream and jam on my croissant.

While I ate it, my Omega was the happiest she’d ever been.

“Thank you,” I mumbled through full cheeks, and Blake stared at me… and he laughed.

As we left the bookstore, I realized it was really my first official afternoon in Applewood Falls with my Alphas—we’d whisked through before, eating those steaks and salads at Delilah’s once, but today I was really able to chill out, and see my hometown through calmer eyes.

Our Main Street stretched at least four quaint blocks, cobblestones lining the pavement.

Shops, bakeries, a bar, one café, the bookstore, and even a few cozy restaurants all twinkled in the sunlight, like sparkles were swirling through the air.

Each shop was brightly colored, and walking down the street like stepping into a quaint dream.

Cobblestones greeted my feet when we left Whimsical Wonders, and I smiled at how aged, and historical they felt.

Walking down Main Street, we peered into the various antique shops, smelled the delicious local fare, and I ran my fingers over flowers in shop windows. The flowers, each created by planting a crystal in the soil, were comprised entirely of crystals—at least according to local legend.

Blake, Josh, and Dreydon led me to the Public Gardens.

We bought a fruit cup from my friend Irene, who sold tangerine-and-pineapple treats to support her grandfather, then headed to the old-school movie theater.

When our movie finished, the bingo parlor called our attention.

After a few games of bingo, Dreydon was hungry so we decided to grab lunch.

Delilah's Diner was open for business, and I was glad because I was hungry.

“Look what the cat dragged in.” Delilah couldn’t resist smirking at me.

I snorted at Delilah, glad my Alphas were there to protect me. “Don’t be upset that I haven’t been in a while, sweetie,” I said sassily, putting my hands on my hips. “Your best customer sometimes has to… give her a wallet a break.”

Besides, now that I had three Alphas in my life… they’d pay for my meals.

Delilah wore her customary hostess apron and her poofy hair looked grandmotherly and sweet. She had a Midwestern accent, and as soon as we entered we felt welcome. Though snarky, her humor was always in good fun and I wound up enjoying myself every time we spoke.

The smells of fresh burgers, home fries, and her famous chicken pot pie wafted through the air.

Diners cycled in, reading the menus as they chose what to eat.

People sipped their drinks, and there was even a jukebox that had one song playing on repeat.

The song was by Little Big Town, and I appreciated the country music.

The vibes were good and the food smelled great. I typically liked ordering a bacon-chicken sandwich, though sometimes I opted for a small salad.

The steak salad I’d gotten a few weeks ago was good, but we’d really just swung by for a quick lunch. Not like a day out on the town, like we were doing now.

“What are you getting?” Delilah pulled out her pad.

“Hmmmm,” I mumbled, looking at the menu.

“Not talking to you,” Delilah snorted, looking at my Alphas.

“Hey,” I snapped, my eyes shooting up. “Those Alphas are mine, D.”

“You take forever to order. I’m starting with the men.”

“Oh, rude much?” I scorched her with a death glare.

“This has nothing to do with rudeness,” Delilah teased. “It’s because I know you, Layla… And you take forever to order.

“And,” Delilah went on, “ you never make up your mind. Girl, how is that even possible?! And then you want a dozen customizations… You can’t eat bacon if it’s been cooked beside onions, your burgers are too pink… OMG let a girl cook.”

I pursed my lips, looking at my Alphas. “Are you really going to let her get away with that?”

Josh looked at Blake, and both Alphas tried not to laugh.

“Is our Omega a picky eater, Delilah?” They acted like they didn't know I was.

Delilah eyed me warily.

“Picky eater is putting it mildly,” she snorted. “Layla is my most difficult client.”

“You’re going to ruin my relationship, D,” I laughed. I pretended like I was near tears.

Delilah rolled her eyes.

“Beware of her tears,” Delilah hissed. “She’s cried over getting the wrong slice of pie before… Shy girls aren’t always what they seem, gentlemen. Sometimes they’re just as dramatic as the other girls.”

“Wowwwwwww,” I drawl out, sipping my complementary water. I chomp on ice cube. “I think… we need a new server.”

Delilah glared at me. “Less yapping, and more ordering.”

Josh ordered a bacon cheeseburger, Dreydon got the pot pie, and Blake picked the meatloaf.

“Avoid the meatloaf,” I warned.

Blake’s eyes focused on me. “I love meatloaf.”

“Delilah’s is dryer than a bone,” I huffed out.

Delilah cocked a brow at me. “My soul may be dry and withered, but my meatloaf sure isn’t.”

“We’re trying to eat here,” I made a face as I munched more ice. “No one wants to hear about your… soul.”

When Delilah left, the three Alphas burst out laughing.

“We gotta come in here more often,” Josh waggled his brows.

Blake couldn’t help but snort. “I mean, where did she get that mouth? She was snarky, and she pulled no punches.”

“She’s like that with everyone,” I huffed, blinking back fake tears. “Get to know her and she’ll attack you too.”

“Awww, Layla.” Dreydon rubbed my arm. “Hang in there, queen.”

“I-I feel very attacked right now,” I sobbed, hiding behind my purple hair. I was channeling a moment from Drag Race.

My Alphas ignored me when our food arrived.

I liked that.

I liked not always being the center of attention.

Ignored: that was my comfort zone.

All my life, I thought as I poked at my triple-bacon cheeseburger with onion rings, I’d been a wallflower. Shy, overlooked… no one paying attention to me. No one caring.

After we ate, Delilah came back and announced a surprise.

After lunch, my Alphas took me bowling. Every small town has a bowling alley, though after one game my wrist hurt. The boys played a few more after that, Dreydon taking the first-place ribbon.

They guided me home carefully, ensuring I didn't slip and fall.

And they helped keep sun off my face by holding my parasol over my head.

I just had the most incredible day, I thought as I retired to my nest later that night. Blake, Josh, and Dreydon cared for me: they bought me lunch, we enjoyed a great game of bowling, and my Omega was happy.