Page 12 of Lavender and Honey

The drive out of town was accompanied by a quiet solitude, the winding roads offering a meditative solace as trees blurred past in a shifting dance of greens and golds. Their leaves whispered secrets to the breeze, and for a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to relax into the quiet rhythm of the journey. Yet as I neared the neighboring town, a flutter of nervous anticipation quickened my pulse— whether from the allure of unfamiliar streets or the bare vulnerability of walking unguarded by my usual protective layers, I could not tell.

I eventually parked in front of a small, charming pharmacy, its bright sign flickering softly in the gentle morning light. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I stepped from the car, the cool air brushing against my neck and sending a shiver cascading down my spine. Inside, the pharmacy exuded a serene calm punctuated only by the low hum of fluorescent lights overhead. I made my way to the personal care aisle, methodically scanning the shelves for something— anything— that promised relief.

After several thoughtful minutes of browsing, my eyes settled on a scent blocker stick that boasted “all natural ingredients”and “soothing for sensitive skin.” It was as if the product whispered promises of relief and quiet healing. I reached out and claimed it, pairing it with a cream whose gentleness seemed a welcome alternative to the harsher formulas I’d been using. As I approached the counter, the cheerful smile of the cashier shone like a beacon, momentarily dispelling my inner unease.

“Good morning!” she greeted, her tone warm as she scanned my items. I returned a subdued “morning,” avoiding direct eye contact, my heart pounding in a mix of embarrassment and anxiety as though she might see right through the carefully constructed façade. Yet, her friendly demeanor remained unperturbed by my silent retreat.

With the transaction complete, I practically bolted back to my car, the solace of solitude enveloping me as I settled into the driver’s seat. I took the item out of the bag, grabbing the scent blocker stick and looking at my neck. It should be fine. I let my scent glands breathe longer than I normally did. I was careful as I applied the scent blocker and felt myself sag in my seat when slowly the Lavender scent that I knew was mine slowly dissipated.

“Thank god.”I muttered to myself. I didn’t feel comfortable without having it applied. I know I was relying on it, but it made me feel safe… and that is what matters at the moment. I glanced around where I was and took a deep breath. If I was here, I might as well get some other small items I knew I couldn’t get in the small town I lived in.

As I drove through the unfamiliar streets, the weight of my solitude pressed heavily upon me. The town bustled with life— couples strolling hand in hand, friends laughing over coffee, families enjoying the warm day. Their easy camaraderie was a stark reminder of all I had left behind, of the connections I both craved and feared.

I found myself slowing as I passed a small store, its window displaying a riot of color that called to the artist in me. Before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled into a nearby parking spot. The bell above the door chimed softly as I entered, the scent of fresh paint and new canvas wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.

"Can I help you find anything?" A friendly voice called out. I turned to see a young Beta woman smiling at me from behind the counter.

"Just browsing, thanks," I murmured, giving a small smile as I grabbed a small handbasket. My eyes scanned the shelves. They had a couple of aisles filled with handmade items by local artists, some of which had nothing to do with art, but were welcome to my eyes. Picking up items I couldn't find back home— specialty teas, exotic spices, and a few art supplies that weren't stocked in my own store. As I turned down into another aisle, a familiar scent stopped me in my tracks. Warm, spiced honey. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up, half expecting to see Elias standing there with his gentle smile. But the aisle was empty save for an elderly woman examining a couple different yarn colors. I shook my head, chiding myself for thinking he would be the town over in a small random store at the same time as me.

I shook my head, trying to clear away the lingering scent of warm honey and spice. It was just my imagination playing tricks on me, I told myself. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling of Elias' presence, as if he had somehow imprinted himself on my senses.

Turning into the next aisle, I found myself drawn to a display of specialty teas. My fingers traced the delicate packaging, admiring the intricate designs and promises of exotic flavors. I selected a few— a soothing chamomile blend, a rich Earl Grey, and an intriguing lavender and vanilla concoction. The lavender reminded me of my own scent, usually hidden beneath layers of blockers. For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine enjoyingthese teas in peaceful solitude, their aromas mingling with my natural scent.

I glanced over the teas and over to the honeys that were all on display. With a sigh, I reached for a small jar of locally made honey, adding it to my basket almost without thinking. The rich amber color reminded me of Elias's preserves, and I found myself wondering what he might create with this particular blend. Would he pair it with fresh figs, or perhaps swirl it into a batch of sourdough?

I shook my head, annoyed at myself for letting my thoughts wander in that direction. This was supposed to be a quick errand, not an exercise in daydreaming about someone that I shouldn’t be daydreaming about. I quickly moved on from the honey display, my cheeks warming slightly at the direction my thoughts had taken. As I made my way to the checkout, I couldn't help but feel a mix of accomplishment and unease. On one hand, I had ventured out of my comfort zone, exploring a new town and finding items I needed. But on the other, the lingering thoughts of Elias and the phantom scent of honey served as a reminder of how easily my carefully constructed walls could be shaken.

“Now art supplies.” I muttered to myself as I turned down another aisle and saw the small section of paints, sketch pads and more trying to see if there was something new I could bring back for my own store or even for personal use.

As I browsed the art supplies, my fingers instinctively reached out to touch the various textures— smooth canvas, coarse brushes, silky ribbons of paint squeezed onto a sample card. The familiar sensations grounded me, momentarily quieting the tumult of emotions stirred up by my earlier thoughts.

“Don’t think about it.” I muttered as I glanced around, my eyes landed on a set of handmade watercolor paints I'd never seen before. The rich pigments were housed in small ceramicpots, each one unique and clearly crafted with care. Without hesitation, I added them to my basket, already imagining the soft washes of color they would create on paper. As I continued browsing, my eyes caught on a set of watercolor pencils I hadn't seen before. Their rich, vibrant hues called to me, promising new possibilities for my work. I made sure to grab an extra set to see if they would sell in my shop. Each item I selected felt like a tiny act of rebellion against the voices that had tried to stifle my passion. My parents' words echoed faintly in the back but I quickly shook off those thoughts, not wanting them to ruin my good mood.

As I made my way to the checkout counter, my eyes caught on a small display of handmade soaps. The scents wafted towards me— lavender, rose, and vanilla mingling in the air. Without thinking, I picked up a bar of the lavender soap, its soft purple hue reminding me of the fields that dotted the countryside around Haven's Rest.

"That's one of our most popular scents," the Beta woman behind the counter commented, drawing my attention to her for a moment before going to the man standing beside her. Tall and broad shouldered, with sandy blonde hair and piercing green eyes, he exuded an unmistakable Alpha presence. My heart rate quickened, a mixture of instinctive fear and learned wariness flooding my system.

"It's supposed to be very calming." The Beta continued as she gave another smile. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The idea of surrounding myself with my own scent, even in this subtle way, felt both thrilling and terrifying. I looked at the soap one more time before adding it on impulse to my other item before setting the basket on the counter.

"Is that everything for you today?" she asked, her friendly smile never wavering. I nodded, offering a small smile in return as my eyes darted between her and the Alpha. He seemed to bestudying me with quiet intensity, his nostrils flaring slightly as if trying to catch my scent.

"Yes, thank you," I murmured, my voice softer than I intended as the Beta gave me a total. I quickly paid her in cash, my eyes darting to the Alpha again who was watching my every move.

"You're not from around here, are you?" he asked, his deep voice carrying a note of curiosity rather than accusation. I tensed, my fingers tightening around the change the Beta just handed me back.

I froze for a moment, my heart rate spiking as the Alpha's question hung in the air. My instinct was to flee, to grab my purchases and rush out the door without another word. But something in his tone— gentle curiosity rather than aggression— made me pause.

"No," I admitted quietly, my eyes flickering up to meet his briefly before darting away. "I'm from Haven's Rest."

The Alpha nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Ah, I know it well. Lovely little town." He paused, seeming to sense my discomfort. "I'm Jake, by the way. My mate Sarah and I own this shop."

I blinked in surprise, glancing between Jake and the Beta woman behind the counter. She gave me a warm smile and a little wave. "Nice to meet you," she said. "Always good to meet new people.” I gave a small smile, starting to feel uncomfortable and it seemed Jake, the Alpha seemed to notice it too.

"If you haven’t explored much of this town, there's a nice café just down the street. Good place to relax, get your bearings." I paused, surprised by the unexpected kindness as I gave him another glance.

“Thank you. It was nice meeting you.” I gave another awkward smile, before exiting the shop and making my way to my car. A sigh of relief left me when I shut the car door, blocking me from the rest of the world.

Chapter Eight

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