Begin Again

{ Olivia }

I didn’t really think my life would bloom like a rose as soon as I left Fallonmore, but it did.

As the brand new Taffy omega, I spent my senior year at Fallonmore with far more attention than I had ever received in my entire life, but before that I was just the Taffy's beautiful girls' little sister. Nothing interesting. Most of the friends I had just wanted to use me to get close to my sisters.

Anyway, since I got out of there and into the human world, my life has changed for the better. No one knows me as anyone's little sister, I'm just Oli.

Not to mention that the men who have been interested in me have been interested in me because I'm a fücking interesting person and not just because of the way I smell to them.

"Hi, Oli," someone suddenly greets me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turn toward the voice and wipe my hands on my apron when I see it's Felix. I reach over the bar to give him a hug, "How's your day going?"

"Amazing now that I see you," I answer with a flirtatious tone and look up at him. Felix would be a perfect alpha in my clan, if only he wasn't a human. He's handsome, tall, capable and protective of me. And most importantly, all his attention since he met me has only been on me. It's literally all I ask for in a man these days, "How about you?"

"You stole my line. My day was gray until I saw you," he replies and my stomach clenches with excitement. I love when he says that kind of stuff, "Do you have plans for tonight?"

"Uhm, no," I answer, hoping that no one arrives at the coffee shop right now. At least not until Felix finishes asking me out, "Why?"

"I wanted to invite you out to dinner in Puerto Domingo tonight," he continues and my eyes sparkle with enthusiasm. I can't help but nod immediately. It's the first time in four years I've had feelings for someone other than Daniel. I have to milk this for all it’s worth, "Great, can Diana stay and watch Laurie? Because if not, I can get a babysitter."

"Diana will stay with Laurie, don't worry. Every Friday she has a virtual date at home with her boyfriend, she doesn't go out anywhere," I explain and Felix smiles again, his little brown eyes sparkling with happiness, “So I'll see you tonight."

"I can't wait. I'll pick you up at eight," he says and leaves the coffee shop without ordering anything, straight to his office in the building across the street.

I spend the rest of the day in a haze of excitement, serving everyone with such gusto that my tips double and everyone wants to have a conversation with me. I don’t mind for the first time.

When I get home, my son jumps from the couch and runs to me.

"Mommy, Mommy," he calls excitedly and raises his arms for me to carry him, which I do. He's getting heavier and heavier every day, a little more than a normal child but I don’t let myself worry about that yet, "Hello, Mommy."

"Hi, Laurie Baby," I answer and brush his long black hair back. He's only three and a half years old and he already looks just like his father. Not me, the other father, "Were you a good boy today?"

"I was!"

"He was, as usual," says Diana from the couch, not taking her eyes off the TV. Diana is my roommate and best friend in Delton, "Laurie is the best roommate to ever exist, much better than you."

"Yes, he really is," I kiss him on the head before I take in his sweet familiar scent and put him back on the floor, "I've always told you he's a little angel... and since he is, could you take care of him tonight? Pleaseee?”

Diana laughs at my plea, but nods.

"Of course I can watch him tonight. I'm not going anywhere," she agrees and Laurie plops down on the couch next to her again, to continue watching the movie on the TV, "Where are you going, Miss Popular?"

"Felix asked me out. To Puerto Domingo," I add, so she knows the importance of the situation. My friend drops her mouth open and does the unthinkable, she pauses the movie to bless me with her full attention, "I think today will be the day. The day to make our relationship something serious."

"I think so too," she nods excitedly, "You’ve been dating for three months, I think it's time."

"I hope so," I sigh as I think about it, "Felix is perfect for me, an ideal man who adores me and adores my son. I couldn't ask for more.”

Or maybe I could ask for more... a special connection, natural compatibility, an alpha that was made just for me by Mother Nature herself.

But I had him for a while and that only left me with a son and a broken heart, so I think it's time to stop pining for him.

When Felix picks me up at eight and sees me, his eyes dilate and when he hugs me, I can feel his erection against my hip. He really likes me and that's the best part of it all, the way his desire makes me feel.

Maybe I'm not dying to sleep with him, but I know I can do it. It's been over four years since I last had sëx and I think it's time to get back in the game. It was time to get back in the game the second Daniel betrayed me, but my stupid body has refused to cooperate every time I've tried.

And I have tried many times.

Puerto Domingo is the most expensive and fancy restaurant in town and when we get to our table, I realize that what I thought is true. Today is the day. The table is decorated with rose petals, a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne.

When I turn to Felix to thank him, he grabs one of my hands and takes a step to be completely glued to me.

"Olivia Taffy. Since the first time I met you I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," he begins, stroking my hand. My heart is pounding. "You're the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful woman I've seen in my entire life and these three months of getting to know each other have been wonderful, but I'd like to take it one step further. I want you to be my girlfriend."

"Oh, Felix," I whisper, trying not to shiver. There are a few people turning towards us with excitement and curiosity, "You're amazing."

"Thank you," he replies and squeezes me a little tighter to him, "So... Do you accept?"

"Of course I do," I answer, smiling and reaching out to hug him. Felix lets out a breath of relief and wraps his arms around my waist. A few people clap and one of the waiters congratulates us as he arrives to open our bottle of champagne and serve us.

The rest of the date is just as extraordinary as the beginning and I can't take my eyes off Felix.

He's absolutely perfect... except he's not. And I'm incredibly happy... except not really.

I'm almost twenty-two now, but my heart has belonged to Daniel since I was sixteen.

Even when I was the angriest at him, when I felt the most hate at the thought of what he did to me... I still loved him.

I planned my whole life around him and now I'm starting from scratch with someone who can never be him.