The sun peeked through the curtains, casting soft light over my kitchen, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. I glanced out the window toward the path leading to the road, half-expecting to see a blue flannel shirt approaching at any moment.
My heart raced at the thought, and I swallowed hard, scolding myself for how easily I’d let him infiltrate my thoughts. I didn’t want to feel this way about someone, especially not someone who kept throwing my carefully crafted solitude into disarray.
I poured another cup of coffee, the dark liquid steaming as I added a splash of cream. I had spent the morning trying to get my mind off the two new Alphas and Trinity. I also had a feelingthere was going to be rumors spreading around town now. I sighed again trying to figure out what would happen next.
As if on que my phone rang bringing me out of my thoughts. Blinking I titled my head seeing the name flash on my phone screen. Lynn. She was the town gossip, but she was kind. I had never had an issue with her and she had helped me out on multiple occasions. We weren’t close but we helped out one another when we could.
I hesitated a moment before answering, taking a sip of my coffee as I braced myself for whatever Lynn had to say. “Hello?” I answered, trying to keep my tone casual despite the flutter in my stomach.
“Daphne! Just wanted to check in on you,” she said, her voice bright and warm, as it always was. “I heard there was some excitement at the market yesterday. Word has it there is a possible courting!”
I twitched at those words but only let out a small groan instead, “No courting. I don’t know who is starting that.” I needed to set the record straight. "Whoever is saying that is mistaken," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. I didn’t want to get dragged into gossip—not now, not with everything else on my plate. “It was just a misunderstanding. Trinity has some…strong feelings about Oliver, that’s all.”
Lynn let out a laugh, her voice warm and affectionate. “Strong feelings, huh? Well, from what I heard, it sounded like she wasn’t the only one making a scene. I heard you stood your ground! Good for you, girl!”
I felt a heat rise in my cheeks at her enthusiasm. “I just didn’t want to get caught up in it. You know how these things can spiral.”
“Oh, I do,” Lynn agreed. “But you know how the town works. Everyone loves a good story, and that was quite the spectacle. Imean, I’m sure everyone’s buzzing about it! Not to mention the new Alphas moving in!”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Of course the whole town was talking about it. That's what happened in small places like Haven's Rest—one dramatic scene and suddenly everyone had an opinion about your life.
"Lynn, it really wasn't?—"
"Oh, don't be modest!" she interrupted, her voice practically bubbling over with excitement. "I heard you told Trinity off right there in front of everyone. And then both GarrettandOliver came to your defense? Girl, that's not nothing."
My stomach twisted. "They were just being decent people. That's all."
"Decent people who happen to be part of the same pack," Lynn pointed out. "And word is, Oliver told Trinity straight up that their pack is already courting someone. That someone being you, apparently."
I nearly choked on my coffee. "What? No. That's—that's not what happened. He was just trying to get her to leave him alone. I was just... nearby."
"Uh-huh." Lynn's tone was knowing, amused. "And I suppose it's just a coincidence that Garrett's been asking around town about you for the past week? Or that he made a point of visiting your stall at the market?"
My face burned. Had Garrett really been asking about me? The thought made something flutter uncomfortably in my chest—something I wasn't ready to name.
"I don't know what to tell you, Lynn," I said finally, my voice firmer than I felt. "There's nothing going on. I barely know these people."
"Yet," Lynn said, and I could practically hear her grin through the phone. "You barely know themyet. But honey, theway the whole town's talking, I'd say that's about to change real fast."
I groaned again, louder this time. "Please tell me people aren't actually spreading rumors about this."
"Oh, they absolutely are," she said cheerfully. "But don't worry—most of it's harmless speculation. You know how it is. New pack moves to town, handsome Alphas start showing interest in a pretty Omega who keeps to herself... people are going to talk."
"I don't want people to talk," I muttered, staring into my coffee like it might hold answers. "I just want to tend my garden and sell my herbs in peace."
Lynn's voice softened slightly. "I know you do, sweetheart. But sometimes life has other plans. And between you and me? Those boys seem like good ones. Old man Jack raised his son right, and from what I've heard, the whole pack is solid. Could be worse."
"Could be better," I countered. "Like if none of this had happened at all."
She laughed. "Well, we can't always control what life throws at us. But we can control how we respond. Just... keep an open mind, okay? You never know what might surprise you."
I wanted to argue, to insist that I had no intention of keeping an open mind about anything involving Alphas and pack dynamics. But Lynn meant well, and I was too tired to fight about it.
"I'll think about it," I said, which was the closest thing to agreement I could manage.
"That's all I ask," Lynn replied warmly. "And Daphne? If you need anything—someone to talk to, or just a friendly ear—you know where to find me."
"Thanks, Lynn," I said, and I meant it. Despite her love of gossip, she'd always been kind to me.
