Gold Rush (Golden Omegaverse #1)

Chapter 10 – June

CHAPTER TEN

JUNE

All my clothes smell.

And it’s not in the new “ I’m an omega now and hypersensitive to scents ” way, it’s more in the “ I only have three outfits and they all reek of body odor ” way which is infinitely worse.

I survey all my clothes sitting on the bed; a pair of trousers and a skirt I packed to wear with my two blouse options, a travel outfit, and then an extra pair of leggings, which I’m currently wearing, a sweatshirt, and a sweater. There’s also a pile of underwear off to the side, because even though I overpacked, per usual, I’m nearing the end of my clean options.

Stepping back, I tug at my sweatshirt and go over to the door, opening it slowly, hoping I can catch Seth and ask to use the laundry — wherever it is in this massive place. But when I look into the hall, the door across from me is open, and voices carry up the stairs.

I adjust my hair and slip out of the room, glancing down at myself again. The clothes I’m in will have to do.

As I reach the bottom step, the conversation becomes loud enough I can make out the words.

“I think it’s a good idea.”

“Of course you do, it’s your idea.”

Seth and Bennett bicker lovingly, and it tugs a smile from me as I ease forward.

“I’m sure Arin will have something to say about all of this, about her .”

The third voice makes me freeze. It’s dry, but deep and rumbling — the same one that barked and put me to sleep last night. And now, standing here, I recognize an unfamiliar scent curling around me, filling the foyer and my lungs.

Petrichor .

The townhouse has a mixture of smells — Seth’s perfume is like fresh fudge, and Bennett’s alpha scent is crisp, ripe oranges. But this smell is the same one I thought was an open window last night — and makes the candle I have back home on my nightstand look like a poor imitation.

It’s soft, rich, and fragrant. The smell of fresh rain wafting off the damp ground. The sun is shining through the windows on the front door, casting little rainbows on the marble floor — and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is the big alpha’s perfume.

My heart lurches as I refocus, realizing that he’s still talking.

“It’s a pack decision, and you went behind our backs and did it anyway, Seth. You invited a stranger into our home, an omega , and you expect me to… what? Pack up and suddenly want an extra person around? Someone who is biologically predisposed to be a burden, demand attention, and expect to be catered to? Fuck that.” His snarl sends a shiver up my spine. “You better not bite her, Bennett. She’s not sticking around, and Arin will make sure of that. She’s not welcome, and I don’t want her here.”

The words hit me like a slap across the face.

My eyes sting, and I fumble back, turning on instinct to go get my bag. I’ll take my chances at the center. I’m not staying in a place that has someone so vehemently against me — even though we don’t even know each other. I deserve better than this.

But my toe catches on the stair runner, because of course it does. Pain pangs up my foot as I grab onto the railing, my knee slamming down onto the stairs as the kitchen goes dead silent.

“June.”

Seth’s voice is upset, just behind me. I blink rapidly, trying to reorient myself, refusing to look at him until I hear other footsteps.

“Come eat breakfast.” Bennett’s request isn’t a bark — but it is firm, making me hesitate as I finally glance over my shoulder to see Seth standing wide eyed, Bennett behind him. Something unspoken passes between the three of us. I wasn’t supposed to hear any of the conversation, but it doesn’t change anything for the pair.

I don’t feel the knee-jerk reaction to comply like last night, but I’m tired , and I want to relent. I want to walk over to them both and let them take care of everything, of me . I don’t want to fight, I don’t think I have it in me.

Seth edges closer. “Please?”

I waver, and in that split second, he appears.

In the light of day, the other alpha is even larger than I remember. His bulk spans across the archway to the kitchen, in a pair of plain sweats, and a dark t-shirt stretching across his chest. It exposes the tangle of tattoos I saw glimpses of last night, snaking up his arms, covering his pale skin, and winding up under his clothes. His arms cross over his chest, making the muscles flex as his jaw tightens, his blue eyes narrowing on me. His hair is blond, a stark difference to both Seth and Bennett, with stubble along his jaw.

He’s got more than a few inches on Bennett, and between that and the bulk of him, he overtakes the space. I don’t know if he’s the prime alpha of this pack, but I could believe it if he was. Some alphas are just stronger, and natural pecking order means that in packs, there’s always an alpha above all the others, the decision maker — the prime.

The alpha’s face pinches, and I shrink back, feeling myself cave in at his dark glare.

“Theo.” Seth turns sharply, his shoulders squaring. “Don’t be a jackass, apologize to —”

“No.” His voice holds no question, his eyes flickering over me. “Why should I apologize to the stranger who hooked you and got a free night with a rich pack?”

I stare at him, acid in my throat.

Bennett’s growl is low. “Theo, what the fuck ?”

“You both left and came back with a stranger who could be here for any reason —”

“What the hell is your problem?” I snap the words, and the big alpha — Theo — turns his attention from Bennett to me, his eyes cutting me to the quick.

“I know you’re not stupid, you clearly know I was trapped in the designation center until I happened to run into Seth again. Stripped of my rights , stranded in another country, told I couldn’t leave —” My voice breaks, emotions bubbling up as I struggle to fight back tears. This isn’t the time . I can’t be overly emotional, I’m supposed to be able to express myself — not prove his point.

Theo takes a step forward and I jerk away, raw fear shooting through my veins. I don’t know why he’s getting closer, but everything in me says to stay away. My perfume sours in the air, filling the space with utter terror as my first thought jumps to him hurting me. He stops short, and for a moment, I swear I see him pale, like the fear jars him as much as it does me.

“ Enough .” Bennett barks the word, striding forward and breaking the tension. Then he’s in front of me, blocking my sight line of Theo. He wraps a hand around mine, loosening my grip from the railing and pulling me down a step, his voice softer. “Did you hurt yourself when you fell?”

“No.” I hate how small my voice sounds.

“Oh, come on .”

“Leave.” Bennett’s head whips around, snarling at Theo. In the second he looks back at me, he softens again, guiding me off the stairs, his eyes flickering down to my leggings and my feet.

Theo recovers quick, quipping, “I would, but your new charity project is blocking the stairs.”

“Fuck off.” Seth shocks us all as he snarls the words. It doesn’t have the weight of an alpha behind it, but it does quiet Theo — finally. Seth isn’t cautious as he shoves Bennett’s hand off of me, wrapping his entire arm around my shoulders and turning his head, dipping it down and whispering, “There’s breakfast, let’s get you a plate. Come on, June.”

As he pulls me into the kitchen, my eyes catch on Theo, the alpha glaring at us, at me , at Seth’s arm on my shoulders — until Bennett snaps at him to move. I don’t see where they go, but I can feel both of the alphas watching until Seth and I disappear into the kitchen.

He makes me a plate, and I eat, gearing myself up to ask about the laundry room, trying to figure out if I can look up the heat service the alpha at the center recommended. I shouldn’t have dropped the card — I can’t stay here, and it was a bad idea to agree, even for one night.

“I think we should get out today.” Seth glances out a window at the bright street, “It’s nice for once.” His eyes find mine. “As long as you’re feeling up to it.”

My brain stops, then I nod slowly, covering my mouth. “My agent sent me an email this morning and asked if it would be possible for me to make it back to the bookstore and finish signing the stock. I ran out toward the end of it, I think it’s less than twenty copies.”

His expression is soft. “Sure, finish up your food, and we’ll head out.”

The black car pulls up in front of the bookstore after a short twenty minute drive. I still feel like I look awful, but Seth assured me twice before we even left the townhouse that I didn’t. As I climb out, I glance back at the beta, my hands going instinctively to my sweater.

“I’m worried I smell.”

He glances at me, then slides an arm around me, pulling me closer and inhaling my shoulder. I flush as he hums, “You do, but it’s really fucking good.”

I shove his head away half-heartedly, grumbling as I trudge toward the door, thankful I called ahead as I step into the bookstore, Seth’s laughter following me.

The owner — Penelope — looks up from behind the register and visibly jolts when her eyes connect with mine. “June!” She rushes out, wrapping her arms around me. She talks as she steers us toward the back room. “I couldn’t believe it when my booksellers told me what happened at the signing, and then you were on the TV . James is barely twenty and when I hired him he wasn’t even an alpha yet, but he said he knew immediately and had to clear everyone out.”

I flinch, giving her a sheepish look as I glance at the small stack of books, embarrassment wrapping itself around me. I should have held it together and finished the signing — all these people were waiting to meet me and I ruined it. I ruined their experience.

Seth’s hand barely brushes my back, lingering as Penelope quietens and glances between us, quickly excusing herself and slipping out of the office.

As I take a seat and pull the books closer, picking up the signing pen, my heart clenches. I let so many people down and caused so many issues, she probably lost sales, I probably lost readers —

“How mad at me would you be if I bought all your books and read them?”

Seth’s voice drags me out of my head. He flips open the cover of The Pack and I , fluttering through the first few pages and flashing me a smile, his eyes twinkling.

“I wouldn’t be mad.” I look down at the books, opening the first one and signing my name quickly. “Just mortified.” Pushing it to the side, I take the next one. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m really grateful for everything but…” I pull the pen back after signing the second book, afraid to leave an ink blot as my mind spins.

He puts the book down as my words die in my throat.

Seth’s face falls slightly, holding his hands out in front of himself in a pleading gesture. “I know I don’t think shit through. Bennett can attest to that — but what I did was see you that night in the elevator and think, ‘ Wow, this woman .’” His voice sounds wonderstruck as he stands on the other side of the table. “And I kicked myself for not talking to you more than just assuring you that the stupid piece of shit elevator would start again. And then in the coffee shop — I wanted to stop you — stop the beta you were with — just so I could actually talk to you.”

Seth shifts around the table, swallowing as he bends down next to my chair, tilting his head to look up at me. “When I saw you on the news, I knew that I was finally getting my chance. I didn’t think, I just acted.” He reaches up, touching my hand, unconsciously making me release the death grip on the pen. “And maybe that’s insane, it all sounds like it is when I say it out loud, but you can’t sit there and tell me that there isn’t a part of you that recognizes me, a biological part that…” He shakes his head, searching my face.

My lips part, my throat tight. “I’m scared.”

His entire face crumbles, his eyes softening as his hand slides to cover mine, his tawny skin soft against the back of my hand. “I’m not going to do anything you don’t explicitly tell me you want. I’ll move every damn person out of the townhouse and leave it to you if you want that. Every single decision is yours to make.”

I reach up with my free hand, rubbing my forehead as it aches, my chest tightening. “I refuse to table my entire life because society decided to put brakes on an entire designation. I’m not going to kick you out of your home — but I — I can’t go — and it’s just because —”

He shushes me, taking the pen out of my hand and standing up. Seth drops it to the table and then cups my face, looking down at me seriously.

I swallow, my throat convulsing as I struggle to reconcile the man in front of me with my desire to just run . I don’t want to deal with any of this. I don’t want to make decisions. I don’t want people telling me what I can and can’t do. I don’t want to feel this gnawing wrongness in my body every time I’m awake.

Everything is simpler when I stay home, when I’m safe and it’s quiet.

“Maybe this is easier to manage when you’re raised for the slaughter.” My voice is soft as I stare up at him, thinking of the young omegas, the ones who have families who prepare them, who tell them what to expect, who don’t spend their entire lives telling their children that designations like alpha and omega are for people meant for more in life.

“I’m nothing special.” I don’t deserve his kindness.

Seth winces. “June.”

“How would you feel if you suddenly woke up one morning as an omega?” I shoot the question at him without thinking, then pause, frowning. “Don’t answer that. I bet Bennett would just make you pancakes or something equally, stupidly, perfect.”

Seth’s lips twitch as he laughs, bending down. I freeze as he nears me, but his head swerves, lifting so that his lips press hard against my forehead, kissing me as his thumbs stroke my jaw. “So, lunch after this? You seem hangry.”

I grumble at him, but there’s no ire behind it. I can’t muster it, not when his lips are so soft against my skin and his touch eases the frantic feeling in my chest, the rabbit-heart urge to run.

He pulls back, giving me a dopey smile before he flops into the chair next to me. I glance back at the books, picking up the next one and scribbling my name as there’s a knock at the door.

One of the workers from the night of the signing eases it open, looking in at us, her eyes flickering from Seth to me. “I’m really glad you’re okay.” She swallows, her eyes widening as her coworker appears over her shoulder.

He’s overwhelmingly alpha, and bounces on the balls of his feet as he looks into the room.

“Did you tell her about the call?”

The girl frowns, glancing back at him disapprovingly before her eyes dart back to Seth and I. “Someone called us and asked if you were rescheduling, but I told the guy you hadn’t set a date yet. Penelope will coordinate it with your agent, and I’ll make sure the few people who we had to...” She hesitates. “Well, who had to leave , I’ll make sure they get their copies.” She motions to the books in front of me as I mechanically sign them.

“I don’t think the guy was someone who even had a ticket.” The alpha behind her pipes up again and Seth’s shoulders tense an almost imperceptible amount. I probably shouldn’t be watching him close enough to even notice that.

The guy rambles on. “I was at the front of the store when Mary said you were sick or something because some guy walked in and wouldn’t show me his ticket for the event, he had a letter and was being weird — I had to kick him out, and I think it was him —”

“ James .” His coworker cuts her eyes to him, hissing his name in warning.

I finish signing the last book, pulling my hand away as I try to smooth over the chaos. “I don’t mind rescheduling, I know it was inconvenient for everyone —”

“But it can wait.” Seth looks over at me. “You can talk to your agent about it.”

I glance at him, then pause. The memory of the alpha bookseller and the sound of the bell above the door makes my skin prickle as I whisper, “Yeah, I can wait.”

The girl in the doorway nods. “You should. There’s a lot of weirdos out there.” Her eyes linger on Seth before she flushes and looks back at me. “It’s probably safer if you’re settled in a pack — uh, not that all omegas need one but —”

“It’s safer though.” The alpha behind her nods rapidly. “I knew a guy who would chase down omegas, bite or no bite at uni. He only stopped when another alpha threatened to kill him for hitting on his omega.”

Seth scowls as my stomach sours. Pushing up from the table, I force a polite smile at the two workers. “I’ll have my agent contact Penelope when I know more about my schedule. She’s going to ship some bookmarks over to go in the leftover books.”

They thank me, shuffling to the side as Seth’s hand finds the small of my back, his head bent as he whispers into my ear. “I know it’s not my designation or my place, but I don’t like the idea of you being anywhere without…” He hesitates as we step out of the bookstore and I squint up at the cloudy sky.

“A bodyguard?” I look up at him, his nose nearly brushing mine as the line between his brows smooths out.

He smiles. “No.”

I glance back at him as he opens the car door, tilting my head, amused. “What, then?”

His lips twitch. “A me, honestly.”

The laugh bubbles up as I climb into the car, followed by him only a second later — Bennett was right, he says everything he thinks, but there’s something so open about it. There’s comfort in knowing Seth is utterly transparent in his affections.