Page 99 of Stalked By the Alphas
I let myself get lost in the memories and sensations, my fingers working faster as I chase my release. The hot water cascades over me as I lean against the shower wall, legs trembling.
Images flash through my mind of Zach’s intense gaze as he thrust into me yesterday, the feeling of being filled and claimed during my heat, and the alphas’ protective fury as they eliminated the threat to me. It’s all tangled up together. The pleasure, the pain, the fear, the arousal.
With a choked cry, I come hard, my body shuddering. For a few blissful moments, my mind goes blank. But as I come down from the high, the guilt and confusion come crashing back.
What am I doing? How can I be getting off to thoughts of them after everything that’s happened?
Shaking my head, I quickly finish washing and stepout of the shower. I need to focus. I have a life to live, and they are not part of it.
I hurry through getting ready, trying to push thoughts of the alphas out of my mind. As I’m about to leave for the bookshop, I pause at the door. For a moment, fear grips me. What if someone is waiting outside? What if David and Ayden weren’t working alone?
I shake my head, forcing those thoughts away. I can’t live my life in fear. I won’t let them win.
Be like Leah. Be like Leah. Leah wasn’t afraid to leave here. Or if she was, she didn’t let it show. Fake it. Fake it.
Taking a deep breath, I open the door and step outside. The morning air is crisp and fresh even though it’s hot out already, helping to clear my head. I start walking towards the bookshop, my steps becoming more confident with each block.
When I arrive, Delia is already there, arranging a display in the window. She looks up as I approach, her kind face creasing with concern.
“Morning, love. Hope you don’t mind that I opened up.”
“No, of course not. You are a godsend.”
She beams. “The kettle’s on if you want a cuppa?”
“Kettle?”
“In the back. It’s cheaper than nipping to Aggie’s tea room every time I want a brew.”
I giggle. “Well, I can’t argue with that. Aggie?”
“Agatha Pemberton.” She points next door.
“Ohh, that’s such a nice name.” I had no idea.
“Apparently, her mum named her after Agatha Christie.”
“I love that!” I say, clapping my hands.
Delia chuckles. “I thought you might appreciate that, being a book lover and all. Now go on and get yourself that tea.”
I nod gratefully and head to the back office. While I’m waiting for the kettle to boil, I hear the bell over the shop door jingle. Delia’s cheerful voice greets a customer, and I feel a sense of normalcy wash over me. This is good. This is what I need.
Mug of tea in hand, I return to the main shop area. An elderly gentleman is browsing the history section while Delia chats with him about recent releases. I smile, feeling a sense of pride in this little haven I’ve created.
I lose myself in the work, grateful for the distraction. But as time ticks away, a familiar tension starts to creep back in.
What if one of the alphas shows up? What if Zach comes back? I’m not ready to face any of them yet, especially not here in my sanctuary.
The shop door opens and my heart leaps into my throat, but it’s just Mrs Tanner from down the street, looking for a birthday gift for her grandson.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. This is ridiculous. I can’t keep jumping at every customer who walks through the door. I need to get a grip.
As I help Mrs Tanner find the perfect book, I force myself to focus on the present moment. The smell of oldbooks, the quiet murmur of customers browsing, Delia’s cheerful voice as she rings up a sale. This is my world, and I won’t let fear take it from me.
The day passes quickly,and by closing time, I’m exhausted but feeling more like myself than I have in months. As Delia and I are tidying up, she pauses, giving me a thoughtful look.
“You seem better today, love,” she says gently. “More settled.”
