Chapter 102: Trip To Human City
Rosalie:
The drive to the Briston took almost two hours, yet it somehow felt much shorter than any journey of that length had the right to feel. Perhaps it was because Eiden was driving, or perhaps because somewhere along the past three months we had stopped struggling to find things to talk about. The awkward silences that once existed between us had gradually disappeared, replaced by easy conversations, playful teasing, and comfortable quiet whenever neither of us felt the need to speak.
We talked about everything from the newest recipes I had been experimenting with in the bookstore café to the strange medicinal herbs he had recently received at his clinic. At one point he even tried convincing me that a certain bitter herbal tea actually tasted good, earning himself a horrified look from me before I declared that no amount of Alpha authority could ever convince me to drink something that smelled like freshly cut grass.
He laughed so hard that he nearly missed the highway exit, and hearing that carefree laughter escaping someone who always appeared so composed somehow became the highlight of my morning.
Somewhere during the drive, I caught myself looking at him more often than at the scenery outside, and every single time he noticed. He simply smiled before returning his attention to the road, making my cheeks warm for reasons I refused to think too deeply about.
By the time we reached the human city, the roads had become much busier than those around Shadow Creek. Cars moved in endless streams, people hurried along the sidewalks carrying shopping bags, and colorful billboards covered nearly every building.
Eiden smoothly navigated through the traffic before finally stopping outside a massive warehouse district on the outskirts of the commercial area.
I had called the warehouse owner nearly twenty minutes before arriving, so the middle-aged man was already waiting near the entrance with a clipboard in his hand. After greeting me warmly, he immediately informed his workers that the bookstore owner had arrived. I turned toward Eiden just as he climbed out of the driver’s seat, clearly intending to follow me inside.
"You don’t have to come," I said with a smile.
"I know."
He didn’t move.
"I’ll be fine."
"I know."
Still nothing.
I couldn’t help laughing. "Eiden."
"Hm?"
"You said you also needed to buy something today."
"I do."
"So go."
"I’m thinking about it."
I folded my arms. "I’ll only be choosing books and stationery. It’s a warehouse, not a battlefield."
His expression remained unconvinced as he argued, "It’s still your first time here. I’m not going to leave you here all alone."
The thought warmed me, but I wanted him not to waste his time in guarding me, especially since he had medicine to buy. So I told him that I would call him if I needed anything.
He remained silent for a long moment, and then, his phone suddenly appeared between us as he spoke, "Share your live location."
I blinked. But didn’t argue at all. I took out my own phone, and within less than a minute we had exchanged our live locations. "There," I said. "Satisfied?"
"A little."
I smiled helplessly. "I’ll message you when I’m done."
"And if you finish before I do?" He immediately asked.
I shrugged. "I’ll wait."
His blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "You promise?"
"I promise."
Only then did he finally nod. "I’ll be back as quickly as I can."
I watched him disappear toward the parking lot before turning around and following the warehouse owner inside.
The interior of the building was enormous, far larger than I had imagined from outside. Endless shelves stretched in every direction, stacked floor to ceiling with books, school supplies, office equipment, decorations, educational toys, gift items, and things I didn’t even know bookstores could sell. It felt less like a warehouse and more like paradise.
The owner handed me a trolley. "Take your time."
"I intend to."
For nearly an hour, I completely immersed myself in selecting stock. The romance section was my first stop, where I picked up dozens of bestselling romance novels that female readers in Shadow Creek had been asking about for weeks.
I added fantasy series that had recently become popular among teenagers, mystery thrillers, historical fiction, cozy mystery novels, poetry collections, motivational books, self-help titles, cookbooks, travel guides, biographies, mythology collections, psychology books, parenting guides, and newly released children’s storybooks.
I also selected colorful picture books for kids, educational activity books, puzzle books, fairy tales, bedtime story collections, and several beautifully illustrated encyclopedias that would hopefully attract parents looking to encourage reading habits in their children.
Once the books were done, I headed toward the stationery section that stretched across nearly half the warehouse. I filled another trolley with all sorts of items that were in demand back at Shadow Creek.
Remembering how quickly students had emptied my shelves during the past month, I also ordered additional backpacks, lunch boxes, reusable water bottles, project files, document folders, clipboards, calculators, and art supplies. Before finishing, I even selected a small collection of board games, educational puzzles, and plush reading companions for children after realizing how often families had started visiting together during weekends.
The warehouse staff worked with incredible efficiency. While I continued adding things to the growing order list, workers packed everything into labeled cartons before loading them onto the delivery truck that Eiden had arranged earlier that morning. By the time I finally signed the paperwork, the truck was already prepared to leave.
"I’ll send everything directly to the address you provided," the warehouse owner assured me.
"Thank you."
"Delivery should reach before evening."
I smiled as I informed him. "Grandma Maggie will be there to receive it."
Within minutes the truck rolled out of the loading bay, beginning its journey back toward Shadow Creek while I remained standing outside watching it disappear around the corner.
Only then did I realize Eiden still hadn’t returned. Taking out my phone, I sent him a quick message.
Me: Finished. I’m going to look around the shops on the next street while waiting for you.
Barely a few seconds later his reply appeared.
Eiden: Don’t wander too far.
I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
Me: Yes, Alpha.
His response came almost immediately.
Eiden: Good.
Smiling quietly to myself, I slipped my phone into my bag before heading toward the shopping district.
The next hour passed surprisingly quickly. Since I rarely visited the human city, I allowed myself to browse through stores without any particular hurry. I bought a few ceramic mugs for the bookstore café, several tiny potted succulents for decorating empty shelves, and fairy lights for the reading corners upstairs, scented candles, handwritten quote boards, woven baskets for displaying new arrivals, and a stack of colorful table mats for the café section.
At a kitchen supplies store, I found several elegant glass jars that would be perfect for displaying homemade cookies beside the reception counter. I even picked up a few decorative bookmarks after deciding they would make wonderful little gifts for loyal customers.
By the time my arms were beginning to protest under the weight of several shopping bags, the warm aroma of freshly baked bread drifted through the air.
A bakery.
Without thinking much, I followed the delicious scent. The little shop was charming, with large display cases filled with pastries, cakes, fresh croissants, cookies, and colorful macarons. My stomach immediately reminded me that I hadn’t eaten lunch yet.
Smiling, I stepped toward the reception counter. "I’d like to-"
The entrance bell chimed behind me as another customer entered. And then... a familiar voice called my name.
"Rosalie?"
Every muscle in my body froze. That voice...
No.
Slowly... almost afraid of what I might see... I turned around.
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