Chapter 4: Chapter 4- Frustration and Cheesecake

Althea’s POV. My aunt and I walked out of the packhouse and I slammed myself into the car. Aunt Dee started the car and said you wanna talk about it? I said “Just drive” We had driven about 15 minutes when I said “He’s my mate, Aunt Dee! My Mate! And he sat there acting like I was nothing! Like it meant nothing! Dad said he would be difficult. He didn’t say impossible! How I am supposed to deal with his broody ass and act like it’s okay.” In a deep voice, I said “That will be all..you are dismissed. Arrogant asshole! Fucking knobjob acting like his shit don’t stink! How dare he! Huh!! How dare he act like I’m not good enough! Okay. Then.. okay! Good for the goose good for the gander shit right there! See how he feels being ignored. See how he likes not existing in my world! Asshole!” She says are you done? Do you feel better? Because I have an idea. I said “yep! All done!” She said good because you need cheesecake and stopped in front of a cute little diner. We walked in and heard Diedre? Diedre Callum? Dee looked up and said Sally?? And then it was play catch up on 15 years of life..and who’s doing who and what’s going on. I barely listened after the introduction because I was focused on cheesecake! Don’t get between a girl and her cheesecake. Somebody gonna lose a finger! We finally leave the diner with Dee making plans for Sally to come to dinner tomorrow and headed to get my hair done because apparently, cheesecake isn’t enough to fix my bad mood! Know what would fix my bad mood? A bus! A bus dropped right on the head of one Mr. Alpha Roman Barronne.. my sexy as fuck mate who wishes I didn’t exist! Aagghhh! Dee looked over at me and laughed..she said went deep into your own head again, didn’t ya!? I said yep. I’m sitting here in the salon chair while the beautician snipped and thinned and gelled my frizzy ass hair and when she was done…I was in awe! My hair was straightened and hung to my waist..smooth, sleek, and shiny and I looked……beautiful! I was so happy I hugged her! She giggled and handed me hair products to maintain frizz and tame my unruly curls and now I really am happy. Dee wrapped her arm around me and said…let’s head over to school. We were walking in at the last bell of the day and I was hearing comments flying from every direction. “Ooh fresh meat” “I call dibs” and all time favorites “she better keep her hands off my man” “Goddess ewww look at that red hair” Oh yeah…school is the same all over! We got to the office and I was registered.. we walked around so I could see where all my classes are..this being in advanced courses sucks balls but it will help if I go to college! I found my locker and put my books inside. And we headed out to go to the shoppe. I love this place! I did a slow spin in the middle of the store. Looking at the shelves with books as old as time. Jars and jugs filled with herbs and oils. I can feel the old magic seeping into my soul. I will be spending all my afternoons here with Aunt Dee! I can learn so much! Aunt Dee starts cleaning up inside and I walked outside to pull the boards off the windows outside. I was finishing up when three girls walked up the sidewalk towards me. The one who seemed to be the leader said “Yo..new girl..what are you doing?” I rolled my eyes. Yay! Mean girl alert and I’m on her radar. I said..as patiently as possible..because to anyone with more than 4 brain cells can see what I’m doing… “I am removing the boards from these windows.” Fake Barbie says “why?” Again…4 brain cells.. I said “so my aunt can look outside and people can see in” she sneers “your aunt? Where’s your mom?” I said not here and walked back inside. They all followed. She looks at my Aunt Dee and curls her lip..says you’re a witch? My aunt never loses her shit…she smiles and says Yes I am. We just moved back to town so I can reopen my mother’s shoppe. Fake Barbie huffs and snorts! She snorts!! Then says we don’t like your kind here. I said..our kind? She said “yeah..witches! They can’t be trusted and are evil!” I said “good to know. Now leave. We aren’t open to the public and in essence, you are trespassing. She turned and stormed out. Aunt Dee said bully! I said “yep! I attract mean girls like stink on shit” and we laughed! I asked if she is keeping the name the same but she said she’d rather have her own name to build on… so we brainstormed for about an hour and she decided on “Diedre’s Apothecary “ I set about scraping the old name off the front windows to paint the new name while Dee cleaned everything to a fine sheen. Then she sat and ordered everything she needed for potions and tonics. I ordered us pizza and she called to get the power on and they came right out. Which surprised me! Guess they aren’t real busy around here. After pizza, I finished the sign and Aunt Dee clapped her hands and did a little dance for joy at how it turned out. She said I had magic hands and we both laughed..because..well….witches..so Yeah! We were carrying boxes out of the storeroom to go through to see what she can use, when there was a ding at the door. I looked up to see the guy who let us into the Alpha’s office and asked him if he was lost. He smiled a little and said “no..I was in town and saw the cool new sign, so I thought I’d introduce myself.” He stuck his hand out saying Caleb..I shook it and said Althea. I tilted my head and asked Beta? He shrugged and said “yeah” I said don’t be embarrassed. It’s a great position! Unless you are in the awkward position of pretending you don’t know who your Alpha’s mate is and trying to act like it doesn’t bother you that he is being a huge douchecanoe! He laughed loud and long..then he said “Let’s start again. Hi! I’m Caleb. Are you new in town?” And my aunt laughed. She said hello Caleb. It’s nice to meet a friendly face! He smiled and said “yeah.. I’m sorry about Roman. He has issues.” I laughed and said well..allow me to submit my unsubscription and he laughed again. He said I like you, Althea.. I think we’re gonna be fast friends. I said hmm if you’re allowed. And he laughed again. Said nice meeting you and left. My aunt said..nice boy..and the friends you surround yourself with define who you really are. I said yeah..we’ll see.