Chapter 7 Dangerous Delivery

Lily's POV

Mrs. Bennett cleared her throat. "About tomorrow's delivery—I'd like you to handle it personally."

My pruning shears froze mid-cut. "Me? But I thought Darius usually—"

"Normally, yes. But Darius doesn't know these plants like you do," she explained. "Last month, Blake asked technical questions about their care that Darius couldn't answer. Given your exceptional understanding of these plants, I think you should present them to Alpha Blake yourself."

She gestured to the blood bat flowers. "He appreciates people who truly understand what he's paying for."

I carefully set down my tools, buying time to compose myself. My heart was hammering against my ribs.

"Of course," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I'd be happy to."

Mrs. Bennett smiled approvingly. "Excellent. The procedure is straightforward. Darius will drive you to Dark Moon Tavern. You'll bring in our finest specimen for Blake's inspection. He's particular about quality—these flowers are the cornerstone of his signature Shadow Brew."

Shadow Brew. The drink that had turned my father from a loving parent into a hollow shell. The drink that had destroyed my family. And now I would be delivering its key ingredient.

"Is there anything specific I should know about meeting with him?" I asked, proud of how normal I sounded despite the chaos in my mind.

"Be direct and honest. Blake has no patience for small talk or flattery." She paused, studying my face. "You seem concerned. Are you uncomfortable about going to an Alpha's establishment?"

"No! Not at all," I answered too quickly. "I just want to make sure I represent Green Thumb properly on my first delivery."

Mrs. Bennett didn't look entirely convinced, but she nodded. "You'll do fine. The van leaves at ten tomorrow morning."

After she walked away, I turned back to the blood bat flowers, examining them with new intensity. Their deep crimson petals curved like bat wings, beautiful in their deadly elegance. How had Blake discovered these could be fermented into alcohol? What kind of person experiments with poisonous flowers to create recreational drinks?

When I finally finished my shift, my thoughts were still spinning. I checked the delivery plants three times, ensuring they were perfect, before reluctantly heading home.

The evening at Martha's apartment did nothing to calm my nerves. As we sat around the small dining table, I could barely focus on the meal before me.

"You've barely touched your food," Martha noted as I pushed vegetables around my plate at dinner.

"Sorry, just thinking about work," I muttered.

Silver watched me with suspicious eyes. "You smell anxious."

"I'm fine," I insisted, forcing down a bite of food I couldn't taste. "Big delivery tomorrow, that's all."

After dinner, I tried reading, then sketching, but couldn't focus on either. The hours dragged by, and sleep refused to come. By midnight, I was still wide awake, staring at the ceiling as Silver snored softly in his bed across the room.

My first delivery receiver is an Alpha, and I'm just a lowly Omega... What if he looks down on me or isn't satisfied with my flowers...

My wolf was already restless beneath my skin, sensing my anxiety. She had always been more reactive than most wolves—another reason I avoided situations that might provoke her.

These flowers will make more Shadow Brew... the same poison that destroyed Dad. And I'm helping.

But what choice did I have? This job was keeping a roof over our heads. Mrs. Bennett trusted me. I couldn't fail at this too.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame anxiety, and I fell into a fitful sleep filled with dreams of crimson flowers and wolves with glowing eyes.

Morning arrived too quickly. I stood before the mirror, scrutinizing my appearance with critical eyes. I'd chosen my most professional outfit—dark slacks and a crisp button-up shirt that Mrs. Bennett had complimented once. My honey-blonde hair was pulled back into a neat bun, not a strand out of place.

I applied scent-neutralizing lotion more liberally than usual, rubbing it into my wrists, neck, and behind my ears—anywhere my Omega scent might be detected.

"You look different," Silver remarked from the doorway, startling me.

I nearly dropped the lotion bottle. "Just trying to look professional."

He crossed his arms, unconvinced. "Something's wrong. You've been weird since yesterday."

"Nothing's wrong," I lied, avoiding his perceptive gaze. "Just a big delivery today."

"To where?"

I hesitated. "Dark Moon Tavern."

Silver's eyes widened. "Blake's place? The Alpha?"

"It's just business," I said, more to myself than to him.

Martha appeared behind Silver, a concerned expression on her face. "That's in the north district, isn't it?"

I nodded, regretting having mentioned it.

Martha approached and squeezed my shoulders gently. "Remember, Lily—you're stronger than you think. You've been carrying this family for years. One Alpha businessman isn't going to break you."

Her confidence in me brought unexpected tears to my eyes. I blinked them away and nodded.

"I'll be home for dinner," I promised, gathering my bag.

"Text me when you're done," Silver insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The morning sun was bright but offered little warmth as I hurried to the flower shop. Darius was already loading the van when I arrived. The blood bat flowers were carefully packaged in special containers that maintained their ideal environment.

"Ready for your big debut?" he asked cheerfully.

"As I'll ever be," I replied, helping him secure the last container.

Mrs. Bennett handed me a small box containing the showcase specimen—the most perfect blood bat flower we had. "Remember, confident but not arrogant. He'll respect your knowledge."

Soon we were driving through town, leaving the familiar streets of our neighborhood behind. I watched through the window as modest buildings gave way to increasingly upscale establishments. The north district was another world—wide streets, elegant architecture, luxury cars.

"First time visiting Dark Moon?" Darius asked, navigating through traffic.

"Is it that obvious?"

He chuckled. "Everyone's nervous their first time. Blake's reputation precedes him. But honestly, he's not as terrifying as people make him out to be."

"You've met him before?"

"A few times. He's intimidating, sure, but professional. Knows what he wants and doesn't waste time." Darius glanced at me. "Just don't bullshit him and you'll be fine."

I nodded, but Silver Shadow was growing increasingly agitated beneath my skin. My wolf sensed the proximity to Alpha territory, her instincts screaming danger. I took deep breaths, forcing her to remain calm.

"Almost there," Darius announced as we turned onto a tree-lined avenue.

And then I saw it—Dark Moon Tavern. Despite the daylight, the building commanded attention like a nocturnal predator. Built from dark stone and polished wood, it managed to be both elegant and imposing. Large windows of stained glass cast colorful patterns on the sidewalk, each pane depicting phases of the moon interwoven with what looked like the very flowers we were delivering.

The sign above the entrance featured a crimson new moon surrounded by blood bat flower motifs, all in gleaming metal that caught the sunlight with an almost supernatural glow.

Darius drove around to the back, where a loading dock waited. He backed the van in expertly and killed the engine.

"Usually I handle the unloading while you wait here," he explained, "but Mrs. Bennett wants you to take the showcase specimen directly to Blake for approval. Once he gives the okay, I'll bring in the rest."

My mouth went dry. "I go in alone?"

"Just through that door, tell them who you are, and they'll guide you. Blake's office is upstairs." Darius must have noticed my expression because he added, "It's routine, really. In and out in ten minutes."

Ten minutes in Alpha territory. I could handle that, right?

I took the small box containing our perfect specimen and stepped out of the van. The loading dock smelled of expensive liquor and something else—a subtle, musky scent that made Silver Shadow bristle. Alpha pheromones, embedded in the very foundation of the place.

The service entrance was heavy and ornate, carved with the same moon and flower motif as the sign. I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and pulled it open.

Inside, the corridor was dimly lit but undeniably luxurious. The walls were lined with dark wood paneling, and plush carpet muffled my footsteps. The air carried hints of aged whiskey, leather, and something sweet yet dangerous—Shadow Brew.

My wolf writhed uncomfortably as I followed the hallway to what appeared to be a reception area. A well-dressed man looked up from behind a polished desk, his eyebrows raising slightly as he assessed me.

"Can I help you?" His tone was polite but reserved.

I felt the weight of unseen eyes—security cameras, perhaps, or other staff watching from doorways. My fingers tightened around the box in my hands, drawing comfort from its solidity.

"I'm Lily from Green Thumb Florist," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "I've brought this month's blood bat flowers."