Small towns suck.
Everyone knows everyone, and everyone is in everyone else’s business. So everyone knows who Stephen is.
Unfortunately, he’s considered a little odd thanks to the fact that he constantly talked about seeing ghosts. Of course, no one believed him.
Stephen walked down the street to the coffee shop that was across from the gazebo downtown, so he could take advantage of the free wifi for school. As he walked, he tried not to make eye contact with the various regular specters that haunted London downtown or make it obvious that he could see them. It wasn’t easy, especially since some of the ghosts had started recognizing him, knew he could see them, and nodded as if they were just friendly neighbors.
There was old Mr. MacNeil hovering by the flowerbed in the park across the street, muttering about how it’s not being taken care of by the current landscaper. A Victorian couple were casually promenading past him, complaining about the latest fashions, nodding at Stephen as they caught his eye. Walking down the library stairs was Leslie Harper, dressed to the nines in her 1950’s house dress, holding a stack of spectral books.
It had astounded Stephen to find out that there was a whole world alongside their own.
He’d first seen ghosts when he was little, at first he was scared but over the years he is used to seeing them everywhere.
Stephen still had yet to figure out why some came back as ghosts why others did not.
If Stephen thought he was othered before when he was just the odd kid that saw ghosts, it was nothing compared to when he presented.
He was always on the taller end of average in comparison to his peers, taller than some alphas even, so he figured he’d present as a beta at the very least.
Nope.
The universe obviously hated him.
So, now Stephen was known as the abnormally omega who talked to the voices in his head.
The little old omegas in town loved to remind him that this wasn’t exactly the best way to find a nice Alpha to take care of him. “Very helpful, thank you.”
He entered the coffee shop, feeling the relief of being back in the land of the living, where the usual hum of human chatter, the rumble of the espresso machine, and the clinking of cups made it easier to tune out the otherworldly murmurs. Stephen set up at a small table in the corner by the window, opening his laptop to get started on his schoolwork.
That’s when he noticed him enter—Kaecilius Mikkelsen, the newest arrival in the town. The Alpha had caused quite a stir when he first arrived. Apparently, his family was one of the founders of the village and had his former ancestral home here.
Kaecilius walked to the counter and placed his order, then leaned against it, waiting for his drink. Stephen tried hard not to stare and instead focused on his screen, but it was difficult when Kaecilius was everything Stephen could ever want in an Alpha: tall, muscular, absolutely droolworthy. Broad shoulders that filled out his dark shirt, hight cheekbones and beautiful brown eyes.
“Double tall, cinnamon roll latte, and a grande black coffee, two sugars!” the bored-looking barista called out.
Kaecilius grabbed both drinks and made his way through the tables until he sat down—across from Stephen. He slid the grande paper cup toward him.
Blinking, Stephen glanced around to see that everyone in the café was staring. Why would such a gorgeous specimen of an Alpha man be sitting with the town weirdo?
“Uh… thanks?” Stephen stammered, reaching for the cup but watching Kaecilius the whole time, wary and curious.
“Thought you might need it,” Kaecilius said, his low, steady voice holding Stephen’ attention like a magnet. “I’ve seen you working here a few times.”
“Oh.” Stephen wasn’t sure if he should feel flattered or exposed, but he couldn’t help the small smile that slipped out. “Well, coffee’s definitely needed. Finals, you know?”
Kaecilius nodded, and for a moment, they sat in silence, sipping coffee. Stephen expected awkwardness, but somehow, he felt calm.
“So, uh, what brought you to the town?” Stephen asked, the question slipping out before he could stop himself. “I mean, it’s not exactly known for its booming nightlife and exciting social scene.”
Kaecilius’s smirk softened into something almost warm. “Figured it was time to come back.” He glanced around the coffee shop, taking in the curious stares with practiced indifference. “People around here really love their gossip, don’t they?”
Stephen snorted. “It’s basically the town’s only pastime. That and telling me I’m not gonna find a mate if I keep talking to myself.” He made air quotes with his fingers, rolling his eyes.
Kaecilius raised an eyebrow. “Talking to yourself?”
“Ghosts.” Stephen shrugged. “People think I’m the resident nutcase because I can see them.” He hadn’t meant to be so open about it, but Kaecilius didn’t look like he thought Stephen was insane. In fact, he seemed… intrigued.
“Well, maybe it’s just that the rest of them can’t see what’s actually there,” Kaecilius replied, his gaze steady on Stephen.
Stephen blinked, taken aback. “Wait, you… you actually believe me?” He studied Kaecilius’s face, searching for any hint of sarcasm or amusement, but found none.
Kaecilius nodded, his voice calm and certain. “I do. I’ve seen things that aren’t… strictly human.” His eyes flickered for a brief moment, a hint of something darker underneath the calm. “I know what it’s like when people think you’re… different.”
The realization hit Stephen slowly. “Are you saying that… you know about supernatural stuff?”
Kaecilius’s mouth quivered with a knowing smile. “I know more than most.” He hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was listening, then lowered his voice. “I’m a werewolf.”
Stephen gaped at him, the shock quickly giving way to a grin that practically lit up his face. “Oh my god. This is amazing.” He almost knocked over his coffee in his excitement, which just made Kaecilius chuckle softly. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to meet someone who wouldn’t think I was crazy?”
Kaecilius’s smile softened as he held Stephen’ gaze. “Well, here I am.”
Stephen’ heart skipped a beat at the certainty in Kaecilius’s tone. For the first time, he didn’t feel like he had to hide or downplay who he was. This tall, handsome, enigmatic Alpha was not only staying—he was willing to share his secrets, too.
“So,” Kaecilius said, leaning back with a half-smile, “tell me more about your ghost friends.”
And for the first time in a long time, Stephen felt like he was talking to someone who truly understood.