Chapter Four.

Three weeks.

Three whole weeks of showing up to my shifts at the café, and there had been no sign of him.

At first, I thought it was a fluke-maybe I'd just missed him, or maybe he was busy. But as the days turned into weeks, I started to wonder if I'd imagined the whole thing. Maybe he wasn't a regular. Maybe he wasn't coming back at all.

I hated how much I thought about it-about him. The way he had looked at me, the teasing edge to his voice, the effortless way he had taken over the space. It was ridiculous. I didn't even know his name.

Life went on, though. The job was steady, and I was finally getting the hang of the espresso machine without flooding the counter or burning myself. Morgan teased me about my newfound "barista swagger," but I knew she was secretly proud of me for sticking with it.

Still, every time the door tinkled and someone walked in, I couldn't stop myself from glancing up. And every time it wasn't him, I felt an annoying twinge of disappointment.

"Earth to daydreamer," Clara, a Syrupy sweet smelling Omega and one of my coworkers, said one afternoon, nudging me with her elbow. "You gonna finish that latte, or are you waiting for the milk to foam itself?"

I snapped out of it, flushing. "Right, sorry."

Clara smirked, tying her apron tighter. "You've been distracted lately. Waiting for someone?"

"No," I said too quickly, focusing on pouring the milk. "Just tired."

"Sure," she said, drawing the word out. "Well, if whoever it is finally shows up, make sure to tell me. I want to see who's got you zoning out at work."

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, like most days had since that first encounter. I finished my shift, hung up my apron, and headed out into the crisp evening air. The sky was streaked with the soft purples and oranges of sunset, and the streetlights were just starting to flicker on.

I took a deep breath, letting the cool air clear my head. It was silly to keep waiting for something-or someone-who probably wasn't coming back.

But just as I turned the corner toward home, I caught a familiar scent.

Salted caramel.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as my eyes darted around the street. People bustled past, cars honked in the distance, but I didn't see him. Still, the scent lingered, wrapping around me like a memory brought to life.

It couldn't be...

Shaking my head, I forced myself to keep walking. My mind was playing tricks on me.

But as I rounded the corner, a low, familiar growl stopped me in my tracks.

The growl sent a shiver down my spine, and I froze mid-step. My heart thudded painfully in my chest as I scanned the dimly lit street, searching for the source.

There.

He was leaning against the brick wall of a nearby alley, his massive frame partially hidden by shadows. He wasn't alone. Another man stood opposite him, shorter but lean and muscular, his posture tense.

I couldn't get a scent off him, Beta? Unpresented, maybe? Like me..

I ducked behind a parked car, barely breathing as I watched.

"What are you doing here, Callum?" the Alpha growled, his voice low and rough, but not unkind.

Callum-the other man-crossed his arms, his sharp features colbat blue eyes under dark brows illuminated by the faint glow of a nearby streetlight. "I should be asking you that," he shot back. "You've been coming to this part of town for weeks. I had to follow you to figure out why."

The Alpha ran a hand through his thick golden hair, exhaling heavily. "It's nothing. Just needed some space."

Callum barked out a laugh. "Space? Please. I've known you too long, Theo. This isn't about space-it's about her, isn't it?"

My stomach flipped, and I pressed a hand to my mouth to stifle a gasp. Her?

Theo-the Alpha-stiffened, his broad shoulders tensing. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" Callum challenged, stepping closer. "You've been distracted ever since that day at the café. I can smell it on you, Theo. You found someone, didn't you?"

Theo didn't respond right away. His silence was answer enough.

"I knew it," Callum muttered, his tone softening. "So what's the plan? You gonna stand in alleys and brood, or are you actually going to talk to her?"

"It's not that simple," Theo said, his voice quieter now. "She's... different. I can't.. I can't smell her.. she doesn't have a scent, and yet everything inside me is screaming she is Omega, and..I don't even know if she'd be interested. And besides..." He trailed off, his jaw tightening.

"And besides, what?" Callum pressed.

Theo hesitated before finally answering. "I don't want to scare her off. What if she's just a pup or a Beta and I am too intense..I don't want to ruin... whatever this is before it even starts."

My heart was racing, my mind spinning. He was talking about me. He had to be.

Callum let out a long sigh, running a hand through his dark hair. "Theo, you're an Alpha. You're not exactly subtle. If she hasn't already picked up on it, she will soon. You need to stop skulking around like some lovesick pup and just talk to her."

Theo growled low in his throat, but it lacked the usual menace. "And say what, exactly? 'Hey, I've been thinking about you nonstop since the moment we met'? Yeah, that'll go over well."

"Maybe not those exact words," Callum said dryly. "But you'll figure it out. You always do."

I crouched lower, my cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and something I didn't want to name. My mind raced as I tried to process what I'd just overheard.

Theo... thinking about me?

Callum clapped him on the shoulder. "Look, whatever happens, you've got me and the pack. But for what it's worth, I think you should go for it. And make sure you're honest with everyone involved." He finished with a pointed glare.

Theo didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the ground.

As they turned to leave the alley, I scrambled to my feet and hurried down the street, my pulse pounding in my ears.

I wasn't sure whether to feel flattered or terrified- or both.

I need to talk to Morgan.