Page 6 of Blooming for His Omega

He was interested in some of the sheep’s milk cheese I’d been buying from a local shepherd, and I was more than happy to help him out with this. The guy was pretty reclusive, but I’d gotten to know him over the years, and he made incredible cheese and yogurt as well. After I shared this information with Tanner, I almost hung up when he asked, “What did you need from us?”

“I need to sell sandwiches…but I don’t want to be in competition with you guys.” Because why would they bake me bread if I did that?

“I’d never think you would. Unless you’re suddenly in the nut butter business.”

“All animal proteins here. I know you sell bread to various other vendors, but I was wondering if we could come up with a roll that’s a little different and just for me?”

“I love that idea!” Tanner’s voice grew muffled for a moment then he returned. “Godric says maybe you would want a couple of kinds like a whole grain and a white…but we go with a distinctive shape that nobody else would have?”

“Two kinds…I don’t know how many sandwiches I’ll be selling at first, since nobody thinks of me for that.”

“Hang on. Godric wants to talk to you.”

“Hey, Zion.”

“Hey.”

“The reason I suggested those types of bread is because they are our most popular, and we make a ton of dough a day.”

I was starting to understand. “So…you would just have to shape and bake as many as I need?”

“Exactly. Not a lot of extra work for our bakers, and we wouldn’t have to charge you a custom fee.”

I argued that point, but lost. They were great neighbors and friends, and I’d make sure to get them and their little one some treats to make up for their inconvenience. I hung up just in time to close up for the day. It had been a good one, I thought, vowing not to resent the salami question anymore because you never knew what ideas might spring even from a five-dollar sale. In fact, if that particular customer came again, he’d get a free sandwich from me for the idea.

With everything clean and tidy and the floors swept and mopped, I grabbed my keys, ready to climb the stairs and collapse, but the sight of my next-door neighbor locking his door inspired both me and my bear. Maybe he’d be willing to go for a run? We’d never done that together, and I wasn’t sure if he even knew many spots to do it. His uncle hadn’t been much of a runner in his declining years, and Cicek had kept close to the old man when he came to stay, he’d mentioned.

I would ask him to go for a run tonight. A friendly shifted run. Nothing more.

Chapter Seven

Cicek

Friends.

Friends go on runs and find each other after a hard day. They shift together. Treat each other to yummy desserts and watch out when the other hasn’t eaten or looks a bit down.

Friends.

Even I didn’t believe it.

When the sweet alpha looked over with those big blue eyes, there was no way I could’ve said no to his offer. My hedgehog wiggled and squirmed at the chance to run with Zion as his bear.

Friends. That was all I could give him.

“Where?” I asked. I could run anywhere, but a bear was much larger. While there weren’t many humans in Oliver Creek, the once-small town had more tourists and visitors of late, and a lot of them were human. We didn’t want to become infamous for animal sightings.

“The woods are a bit out of town. We could walk, or I could drive us there. Whatever you prefer.”

I thought it over. Being trapped in his truck with his scent overpowering me wasn’t the best way to keep my word to myself. Then again, I was exhausted and, though my hedgehog wanted to run, a long walk in addition seemed daunting. “Would you mind driving?”

He chuckled, and the sound shot right through me, making direct contact with my cock. I was in trouble with this one. “I wouldn’t have offered if I minded, Cicek. Meet me back here in about five minutes?”

“Sounds good.”

We both changed into shorts and T-shirts easy to put on and off before and after the run. Along the way, we let the windows down, letting the cool night air refresh us on the drive. I watched the scenery as we passed through town slowly.

“Enjoying the ride?” Zion asked.

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