Chapter 1

One

ALANA

Five Years Later

" O oh, this one's cute," an omega said to her friend as she perused the shelf of trinkets in my shop.

It had been a long, busy Friday, and these were the last of my customers for the evening. I was quietly eavesdropping as I organized a row of candles by color on the other side of my shop. I sold omega nesting supplies and named my shop Omega Oasis to the excitement of my grandma, who helped me run it.

I walked to the back, where Grandma was re-folding the quilts that had been rummaged through all day. She wore a blue bandana around her forehead, her white hair tied into a neat bun. She had on a blue dress with short sleeves that showed her wrinkly frail arms.

"Almost done there, Grandma?" I asked, watching her carefully fold the last quilt and place it with shaking hands on the shelf.

Grandpa had died two years ago, and after his passing, she threw herself into my shop, helping out whenever she could. At Grandpa's funeral, I'd never seen my mother cry as much as she did that day with my fathers comforting her. My mother was closer to Grandpa than her own mom, and I understood why. Grandma was pretty strict as opposed to my Grandpa, who made everyone smile and have a good time. My heart ached thinking about him.

"Yes, I think so," she said, looking at her handiwork. "I just need to sweep up the backroom here. You go on ahead and ring up those girls at the front, dear."

"Alright, sounds good," I said.

I heard the little bell at the front counter and headed over there to ring up the customers.

"You have so many cute trinkets," sighed one of them, staring at the shelf with the glass wolf-shaped figurines. "I wish I could buy them all."

"Ah, it's our most popular pieces," I laughed, ringing up a small teacup with a picture of a fang on the front, a keychain, and three perfumes. "Did you find everything okay today?"

"We did," said the second omega.

"Good to hear," I said, handing them their bag after wrapping everything up in paper.

"Thank you!" said the omega, taking the bag and heading out with her friend. The door let out a small chime when they walked out of the shop. As I wiped down the pink countertop with wipes, I heard the door chime again.

Oh, did they forget something?

"Hello," said a male voice, and I looked up. Shit, it was Lio . And he held a pile of quilts in his hand that his mother usually sent over. He came a day early, and I usually avoided him at all costs, letting him deal with my grandmother for Saturday deliveries when I was out in the mornings.

His black hair was gelled and curled to one side, his handsome face crinkled with his soft smile, and his green eyes sparkled as he looked at me. He had only gotten better looking with age.

"Hey," I said in a crisp voice, watching as he set the pile of neatly folded quilts on the counter. "Thank you for the delivery."

"Glad I finally get to see you," said Lio, his teeth stark white. He wore faded jeans with the biggest belt buckle and a tight white shirt two sizes too small for him.

"Yeah, I'm usually super busy," I said, leaning back against the counter.

Alright, he gave me the quilts. He could go now.

But of course, he didn't get the message. He continuously wanted to hang out or be in my presence, but I'd text him a bullshit excuse for not making it. After the fateful night on the beach, I didn't tell a soul about what happened.

Not even him.

After that night, I ran all the way home and cried all night in my bed. All my feelings for him had dwindled. It was no longer something magical for me. From then on, I limited interactions with him and distanced myself from all males who weren't my family.

"Me too," said Lio, who seemed intent on having small talk with me.

I swallowed when he crossed his arms and leaned over on the counter, watching me.

"Well, how's work?" I asked.

"Very knotty," he chuckled. He worked as a professional knotter in one of the omega heat clinics on the island, a drastic change from the nerdy kid he was back in school.

When I had first heard about it, I was shocked but also realized it was much easier for me not to like him in that way- when he was busy easing omegas during their heats and knotting them. A part of me also broke down, wishing that wasn't his job, but I had shot him down every chance. Professional knotters made a ton of money at their jobs, signing contracts that they wouldn't take a mate or otherwise lose their job. They weren't allowed to have babies either, and there were various birth control options in place now at the heat clinics.

A young, virile alpha like him was in hot demand. Who was I to stop him?

"Oof, sorry I asked," I said sarcastically.

"What can I do to get you to smile?" he asked, looking at me curiously. Ever since the fateful night at the camp, it wasn't easy for me to smile and be as light-hearted as I used to be.

I bit my lip, wanting him gone now.

"Sorry, it's just been a busy day," I said, breathing hard. Just then, my grandma popped her head around the corner and gracefully hugged Lio, her lilac perfume wafting past me.

"How's Mama Keera doing?" she asked.

"She's doing good," said Lio, louder than ever. "The new quilts are here for you." He was close to my family since we had grown up together, so they adored him.

"I wish she would accept payment for it," muttered my grandma, shaking her head as she softly touched the quilts. "I will call her later."

"Of course," said Lio. "Have a good day. Both of you ladies. See you at the picnic tomorrow."

He nodded at me, concern in his eyes. Then he gave Grandma one more hug and left the shop. I breathed out a sigh of relief. Every time I saw him, a wave of anxiety would rush through me—uncertainty and fear even though he had done nothing to me. I wanted to avoid everything from my past.

Including him.