Nyx stood outside Amaya’s shop, his mind a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts. He had come seeking answers, ones only she could provide. Clenching his fists briefly, he drew in a deep breath and stepped forward, pushing the door open. The soft chime of the bell above the door announced his arrival.

  "Amaya, are you there?" he called, his voice steady but tinged with an undertone of tension.

  "Just a minute," came a faint reply from upstairs, her voice warm but tired.

  Moments later, Amaya descended the stairs. She looked disheveled, her hair in tangles and her shirt stained with what appeared to be vomit. Despite her messy appearance, her soft, apologetic smile held an inexplicable charm.

  "Sorry about this," she said, gesturing to her shirt. "Ignis isn’t feeling well, and I’ve been tending to him. He’s been quite fussy today. I hope you didn’t have to wait too long. Do you need something?"

  Nyx hesitated, his gaze studying her closely. "No, nothing urgent. I was just thinking that you’ve been here for a while, and we’ve never had a proper conversation. I thought maybe we could chat over a cup of coffee."

  Amaya’s smile widened, her eyes brightening despite her fatigue. "Coffee sounds lovely. And don’t worry, I make the world’s best coffee. Just give me a few minutes."

  As she moved toward the small kitchen area at the back of the shop, Nyx remained standing, feeling a subtle but growing discomfort. He wasn’t here just for casual conversation. Beneath the surface, he carried the weight of suspicion—the burning question of whether this seemingly sweet, innocent woman could be something far more sinister. Was she the devil in disguise, or merely a victim of circumstance?

  While waiting, his eyes wandered around the shop. Shelves lined with flowers, seeds, herbs he couldn’t identify, and ancient-looking books filled the cozy space. A faint, soothing aroma of lavender and sandalwood hung in the air, yet his unease persisted. He felt the pull of something deep within him, a strange sense of familiarity that unsettled and intrigued him in equal measure.

  Amaya returned moments later, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee. She placed one in front of him and sat down across the small wooden table, tucking a strand of messy hair behind her ear. "So, what’s on your mind?" she asked, her voice calm yet curious.

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  "If you don’t mind, do you have some cookies as well? Someone told me you make killer cookies, and I would love to try them," Nyx said shyly.

  Amaya laughed, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. "Well, you’re in luck, because I just made a fresh batch today. Give me a minute." She turned toward the kitchen, leaving Nyx alone with his thoughts.

  As soon as she was out of sight, Nyx hurriedly reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial of purple wolfsbane. His heart pounded as he poured the contents into Amaya’s coffee. If she was truly the Alpha—or any kind of supernatural being—she wouldn’t be able to take a single sip without revealing her true nature. He tried to remain calm, but the anticipation gnawed at him. He needed answers.

  Amaya returned moments later, carrying a plate filled with chocolate chip cookies. She placed it on the table with a flourish. "Here you go. I hope you like them," she said warmly.

  Nyx took a sip of his coffee, surprised by its rich flavor. "You weren’t lying about the coffee," he admitted with a small, genuine smile, earning a soft laugh from Amaya. Then he took a bite of a cookie. "Wow, these are delicious."

  Amaya beamed. "Thank you. It’s an old family recipe."

  Nyx’s focus shifted as he watched Amaya lift her cup to her lips. Time seemed to slow as she took a long, unhurried sip. He studied her closely, his muscles tense, waiting for any sign—a wince, a cough, anything to indicate that the wolfsbane was taking effect.

  But nothing happened. Amaya placed the cup back on the table, her expression serene, her movements natural. There wasn’t a single crack in her demeanor. Nyx’s shoulders slumped slightly, his internal tension loosening. Her reaction—or lack thereof—meant she wasn’t the Alpha or any other kind of supernatural creature.

  "So," Amaya said, breaking the silence, "what’s this really about? You seemed… different when you came in. Is everything okay?"

  Nyx hesitated, his carefully constructed plan unraveling. He hadn’t expected to get this far without confrontation. "I just…" he began, struggling to find the right words. "I wanted to get to know you better. You’ve been in town for a while, and I feel like we haven’t had the chance to talk much."

  Amaya tilted her head slightly, her eyes searching his face. "That’s kind of you, but I feel like there’s more to it than that. You don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready, though."

  Nyx stared at her, torn between relief and guilt. She seemed so genuine, so… human. He forced a smile. "Maybe I’ll tell you someday."

  Amaya’s smile was soft and understanding. "Whenever you’re ready. For now, let’s just enjoy the coffee and cookies."

  As they talked about inconsequential things, Nyx couldn’t shake the lingering doubts in his mind. He might have ruled out the possibility of her being supernatural, but the pull he felt toward her, the strange familiarity—those remained, nagging at the edges of his thoughts. The answers he sought might not lie in what she was, but in who she was—and what she meant to him.