Chapter 101: Change In Plan
Rosalie:
The soft chime of my phone pulled my attention away from the inventory notebook spread open in front of me. I had spent the better part of the morning comparing last month’s sales with what needed to be restocked before my trip to the human city later today.
Business at the bookstore had grown far beyond what I had expected in barely three months, and while the work had increased with it, I couldn’t find it in myself to complain. Every new customer, every borrowed book, every smiling face walking out with a paper bag in hand reminded me that I was slowly building something that truly belonged to me.
Smiling to myself, I reached for my phone, expecting another supplier or perhaps Grandma Maggie. Instead, my lips curved a little more when I saw Eiden’s name lighting up the screen.
Eiden: What are you doing?
Such a simple question somehow managed to brighten my mood. I quickly typed back.
Me: Working. I have to go to Briston later to pick up next month’s stock for the bookstore.
The reply came almost instantly.
Eiden: How are you getting there?
I smiled faintly as I leaned back in my chair.
Me: Grandma Maggie arranged for Uncle George to drive me there. He has a pickup truck, so we’ll bring back all the boxes together.
The little "Delivered" sign appeared beneath my message. Then... nothing. I waited for another notification. Five seconds. Ten. Half a minute. A whole minute.
Still nothing.
I frowned slightly at the screen before shaking my head with a small smike. He was probably busy. Eiden rarely ignored messages, but he was still one of the busiest person in the territory as Zaiden’s most trusted person and as a healer. He gad enough responsibilities to keep him occupied for days.
Putting my phone aside, I returned to work just as the small bell above the bookstore entrance chimed again.
"Good morning," I greeted automatically with a smile.
The woman who walked in smiled back warmly. "Morning, Rosalie."
Mrs. Hannah. She had become one of my favorite regular customers over the past several weeks. She worked in an accounting firm a few streets away, but her office didn’t begin until noon. Somehow, she had discovered my bookstore one morning and since then had developed a routine of arriving around nine, ordering a drink, claiming the same little table by the window, opening her laptop, and working peacefully until nearly eleven before leaving for work.
She hardly ever looked at the books, but I had long stopped worrying about that. Nearly forty percent of my customers now visited primarily because of the café corner I had built into the bookstore. Some stayed for the drinks. Some ended up browsing the shelves afterward. Others simply enjoyed the atmosphere.
"Your usual?" I asked.
She smiled sheepishly. "And make it a little bit stronger than usual."
I couldn’t help laughing. "Extra work today?"
"I have reports due."
"I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that."
She laughed with me before heading toward her favorite table near the window while I stepped behind the counter and started preparing her coffee.
The rich aroma of freshly ground beans immediately filled the little café corner. I carefully steamed the milk, poured the espresso, finished it with delicate latte art, and dusted just a hint of cocoa powder over the foam before placing the mug onto a wooden tray alongside a small sugar-free brownie.
By now I could probably prepare Mrs. Hannah’s order with my eyes closed.
I carried the tray over to her table. "Your extra-strong coffee," I teased gently.
She accepted it dramatically. "My lifesaver."
"I’ll deny encouraging this level of work addiction."
She laughed again before immediately returning to the spreadsheet on her laptop.
I smiled to myself and headed back toward the reception desk. Before I could even sit down, my phone began vibrating across the wooden counter.
Grandma Maggie.
Curious, I answered immediately.
"Grandma?"
"My dear," her warm voice greeted me. "Small change of plans."
I straightened instinctively. "Did something happen?"
"Oh, nothing bad."
Relief washed through me.
"Uncle George won’t be taking you to the city anymore."
I blinked. "...He won’t?"
"No." She sounded almost amused. "I just received a phone call from the young Alpha."
I froze for a moment before asking, "From whom?"
"I’m talking about Eiden." I could almost picture the old lady smiling on the other end. "He insisted on driving you himself."
For several seconds I completely forgot how to speak. "He... what?"
Grandma chuckled softly. "I thought you might already be aware of his plans. He said he was already planning to head toward the city today and that taking you with him would save everyone time."
My heart began beating a little faster.
"I told him Uncle George was already free today, but your friend wouldn’t hear a word of it."
Friend.
The word still felt strangely comforting. Grandma Maggie had always believed that Zaiden and Eiden were simply two very kind friends who had helped me after I left Blackthorn Pack. She knew nothing about mate bonds or the feelings slowly growing inside my heart.
"I hope that’s alright with you?" she asked gently.
"Y-Yes." I quickly nodded despite her not being able to see me. "Of course."
"Good. Then I’ll let Uncle George know not to come later."
"Thank you, Grandma."
"You young people certainly know important people."
I laughed awkwardly. "It’s not like that."
"Hm." The old lady clearly didn’t sound convinced. "You enjoy your trip."
"I will."
After wishing each other goodbye, I ended the call and stared silently at my phone for a few moments.
Eiden, he hadn’t replied because... he’d called Grandma Maggie instead. A tiny smile I couldn’t suppress tugged at my lips. Almost as if my thoughts had summoned him, another notification appeared. It was a new message from him.
Eiden: I’ll pick you up in less than forty minutes.
I read the message once. Then again. And for some inexplicable reason, the rest of my morning suddenly didn’t seem nearly as long as it had only moments ago.
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