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"My pleasure." Reed packed up his tools, then paused. "Kit? I know we don't know each other well yet, but if whoever's calling you decides to escalate beyond phone harassment, you call me immediately. Day or night. I mean it."

The protective edge in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, but not from fear. From recognition. This was what an alpha's protection should feel like, steady, reliable. But mostly, offered without expectation of anything in return.

"I will," I promised, and meant it.

After Reed left, I stood in my newly secured duplex and felt something shift in my chest. For the first time since leaving Chicago, I felt like I might actually be building something here. Not just running from one nightmare, but moving toward something better.

My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown local number:Hi Kit, it's Micah. Got your number from Jonah. I was wondering if you'd like to grab coffee sometime this week? I'd love to show you around town properly, maybe introduce you to some of the other local business owners. No pressure, just thought it might be nice to help you get settled. - Micah

I stared at the message, my heart doing something complicated in my chest. Coffee with Micah. A chance to see more of Hollow Haven, to spend time with the gentle alpha who'd given me muffins and told me I belonged here now.

I'd like that very much,I typed back.When works for you?

How about Wednesday afternoon? I close the bakery at 2 on weekdays. We could start with coffee and see where the tour takes us.

It's a date,I replied without thinking, then immediately felt my cheeks heat.I mean, it's a plan. Wednesday sounds perfect.

Looking forward to it, came his response, and I could practically hear the warmth in his voice through the text.

I set my phone down and looked around my duplex, taking in the new locks, the lingering scent of Reed's competent alpha presence, the bakery bag that represented Micah's gentle care. In a few hours, I'd be having dinner with Jonah and Charlie, surrounded by the kind of family warmth I'd almost forgotten existed.

For the first time in months, I wasn't just surviving. I was beginning to think I might actually be able to live again.

Chapter 6

Kit

Iarrived at Micah's bakery two minutes early, trying not to look like I'd spent an embarrassingly long time picking out my outfit. The soft lavender sweater and dark jeans felt right, but my racing pulse suggested my omega instincts had very different ideas about what this "friendly coffee" really meant.

Through the bakery's front windows, I could see him moving around inside, flour dusted across his forearms, sleeves rolled up to reveal the corded strength I'd noticed before. He was wiping down counters with the methodical care of someone who took pride in his work, and something about the domestic scene made my chest go warm.

The bell chimed as I pushed open the door, and he looked up with a smile that felt like a deep breath after a long time underwater.

"Perfect timing," he said, setting down his cleaning cloth. "I was just finishing up. How are you feeling? Recovered from Charlie's dinosaur education?"

"Completely overwhelmed by Cretaceous period facts," I said, matching his easy tone. "I had no idea there were so many varieties of terror birds."

"Charlie's very thorough in her research." Micah moved behind the counter, his movements fluid and confident. "Coffee? And before you say 'whatever's convenient,' I'm not giving you the dregs from the afternoon pot. Let me make you something proper."

I watched as he worked the espresso machine with practiced ease, steaming milk to exactly the right temperature, creating something that smelled like heaven and looked like art. The care he put into it, the attention to small details, felt like a gift I wasn't sure I deserved.

"Vanilla latte with an extra shot," he said, sliding the cup across the counter. "Unless you prefer something else?"

"This is perfect." I took a sip and nearly moaned with pleasure. "Oh wow. This is incredible."

"Good." His smile was soft, pleased. "Ready for the grand tour of our metropolis?"

"Lead the way."

Micah grabbed his own coffee and a light jacket, then held the door for me as we stepped out onto Main Street. The afternoon sunlight was warm but not harsh, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of woodsmoke and autumn leaves. Perfect weather for wandering.

"So," he said as we started walking, "where should we begin? The bookstore that doubles as an unofficial town meeting place? The general store where Mrs. Patterson knows everyone's business before they do? Or the park where Charlie likes to hunt for fossils that are definitely just interesting rocks?"

"All of the above," I said, surprised by how easy it was to fall into step beside him. "I want the full Hollow Haven experience."

We started with the bookstore, a cozy space crammed with books that smelled like old paper. The manager, a beta woman named Claire, greeted Micah like family and me with curious but friendly interest.

"So you're our mysterious new neighbor," she said with a grin. "Micah mentioned you stopped in the other day, said you had great taste in muffins."