Chapter Fourteen
“You alright, baby?”
I smile as I turn my face up to Ronan. “I’m fine. Just a little lost in my thoughts.”
“Thinking about a little omega who you got a chance to taste, by chance?” He smirks as I blush.
“Maybe. What’s it to you?”
He leans in, brushing a kiss against my forehead. “It was hot. Can’t blame you for thinking about it. I certainly have been, and I’m not even the one that got to taste her release on my tongue.”
“She was delicious, Ro. So sweet.” I sigh, glancing at the clock. “Unfortunately, we don’t have time to reminisce on the topic. We have an interview we need to get to.”
Ronan groans, diving in to kiss me before pulling me to my feet. “I guess we should meet the other suitors. There are what? Twelve of them here before us?”
“Yes, darling. That’s how math works—three days of four suitors—“ I break off when his fingers dig into my side, hitting all of my ticklish spots at once. That’s the definite downfall of being with someone for that long. They know everything that makes you tick—usually a good thing, but in this case, a very bad thing. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
He grins, pulling me more firmly against him as he leans in for another kiss. “That’s right, beta. You need to remember who the boss is.”
I gasp in mock horror. “You certainly can’t mean yourself, alpha? I’m definitely the one in charge.”
“Whatever. You’re a menace.”
Grinning, I pull away from him and head for the door, pausing only long enough to slap my hand across his tight ass. I giggle and dance out of his grasp as he turns in an attempt to catch me. Luckily, I was prepared for that and escape the room before he catches me. Immediately going left, I manage to make it to the game room before he catches up with me. Turning to glance at him over my shoulder, I stick out my tongue.
“Keep testing me, naughty beta, and I’ll turn that ass so red you won’t be able to sit again until after the rose ceremony,” he murmurs in my ear, and I have to fight a full-body shiver. I know it’s meant to be a threat, but it feels more like a promise to me.
“You made it,” Gavin calls with a smile, waving us to the couch he and Conrad are sitting on. Ronan wraps his arm around my waist before leading me over to them. He plops onto the couch and pulls me back onto his lap sideways, my feet ending up in Conrad’s lap. He rolls his eyes at Ronan, but when I attempt to lift my feet, he grabs them and sets them back onto his lap.
“Thank you, Conrad,” I say, leaning over to kiss his cheek. Before I get a chance to pull back, he turns his head, and our lips are just inches apart. A smirk forms on his lips when my eyes fall to them. Knowing that my face is turning red, I pull back and wave at Gavin. “Hey. Did you get a chance to meet everyone?”
There’s a soft giggle beside me, and I turn my head to find a pretty blonde standing in front of Ronan. “Not yet, I was just coming over to introduce myself. I’m glad you made it before then. I’m Lillian.”
“Hello, Lillian.” I grin, offering my hand and biting back a laugh when she blushes before sliding her hand into mine. “I’m Natalie Wells. The alpha who manhandled me is mine, Ronan. The hot, silent alpha beside me is Conrad, and the beta on his other side is Gavin. They’re not mine.”
“Awww, well, that’s unfortunate for you,” she says softly, her flush darkened even as she smiles at all of us. “I’m here on my own, though I’ve made friends with a few of the other suitors thus far.”
Lillian drops onto the arm of the chair, pointing out each of the suitors and giving us the down low on each of them. As if knowing that she’s speaking about them, a few come over to say hello—one of them being the yummy tattooed omega. Koda, Lillian said his name was. I recognize Alejandro from last season, and the alpha with him is Jagger. I settle back against Ronan, leaning a bit on Lillian as we chat with the others.
“Oh, good. You’re all here and on time. I love it when that happens.” Bree claps her hands to draw our attention to her. “Why doesn’t everyone find a seat?”
There’s a bit of shuffling around the room. Lillian and Koda end up dropping to the floor, their backs pressed against the couch we sit on and the one that Alejandro and Jagger claim. In the center is another couch with the two beta women. On the couch across from us is Pack Reyes, while on the last couch sits Viktor and Dustin. Lillian explained that the two of them are the only ones rooming together who aren’t a pack, and that Viktor is the one who caused Evangeline to be hurt and delay the show by a week.
She seems extremely uncomfortable around him, and that makes me very curious. I might have to seek him out to see what’s what. Without Ronan because my alpha would just scare him off. Lillian wouldn’t say more about the alpha but it’s clear that the other three men weren’t a fan of his either. I’m definitely one of those people who can’t let their curiosity lie. Having questions about someone or something just makes me want to know more.
“Lillian. Koda. There are more than enough seats on the couches for you to sit on them.” There’s a bit of exasperation in Bree’s voice, and I have to bite back a smile.
Koda shrugs. “I’m feeling the floor today.”
“Me too.” A faint smile paints Lillian’s lips as she smiles at the omega. Something tells me she’s the one who wanted to sit on the floor, and he joined her so she wouldn’t be alone.
Bree throws her hands in the air and shakes her head. “I swear, each season brings more and more stubborn people than the last.”
I bite my lip to fight back my laughter, but when Lillian turns her head to meet my eyes, we both lose it. I laugh so hard that I end up sliding further down Ronan and more into Conrad’s lap.
“Natalie.” Ronan’s voice is filled with amusement. “I believe Bree is trying to get the interview underway.”
“Right. Right.” I try to sit up, but Conrad’s hold on my legs just tightens. I turn to him with my eyebrows lifted, but he refuses to meet my eyes. “Well, I guess I’ll be doing the interview from down here. Sorry, Bree.”
“It’s fine. I just want to get this done with so I can make it downstairs before Evangeline’s last set of suitors arrive. I don’t know how Tessa did this on her own in the first season. I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off.” She shakes her head again. “But that’s neither here nor there. Let’s start with our day four suitors, shall we?”
I perk up at that, though I’m practically lying across the two alphas at this point, so I probably look like an idiot. “Whatcha wanna know?”
“Obviously, we want to know how it went when you met Evangaline, and how your date was, but I was also informed that the guards were sent away from the car before you headed back to the compound. Maybe you want to let us know what happened with that?”
I don’t bother trying to fight the smirk on my face as my eyes meet Gavin’s. “We obviously didn’t want Evageline to be a needy mess when she met her last suitors, now did we? So, we made sure she was taken care of. That’s all that matters.”
A giggle escapes Lillian as Koda’s laughter fills the air. “That one’s going to be trouble, aren’t you?” Koda asks as he twists to look at me.
I shrug, feigning innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Laughter fills the room as I turn back to Bree, amusement written all over her face. From there, the four of us talk a bit about the dates and our first impressions of Evangeline. The other suitors chime in here and there to add that they felt the same way when they met her or to share a differing opinion. It’s something I wasn’t sure I’d be comfortable with—talking about a woman who we’re all trying to win over to be ours. But there’s a comradery in the room among the suitors.
Sure, there’s also some tension between different groups, but that’s not unexpected. I’m just glad to see that everyone is at least putting forth an effort to get along with one another—with one notable exception. Viktor doesn’t participate in the interview, just sitting back on the couch with his arms crossed over his chest. Another piece of the puzzle that I’m obviously missing.
When Bree calls the interview to an end, Ronan and Conrad finally release me from their hold. I drop to the floor to sit with Lillian and Koda. “Okay, I need the 411. What’s the deal with Viktor?”
I glance over my shoulder to watch the man in question climb to his feet and head down the stairs. “Does he just not play well with others?”
Koda and Lillian share a look before Koda sighs, turning his attention on me. “Lillian told you that he’s the one that knocked Evangeline out of her kayak before hitting her with his?”
At my nod, he continues, “We think there’s a small chance that it was on purpose.”
“But why?” I frown, trying to figure out why a suitor would try to injure that season’s omega. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“That’s what we don’t know.” Koda shrugs. “But he gives off some shitty vibes too.”
Lillian nods her agreement. “I’ve asked the others not to leave me alone with him. There’s something—I don’t want to say sinister because that seems like too strong of a word, but something’s off with him. I don’t like the way he looks at me or Koda. Even at Paisley.”
“Which one is Paisley again?”
“That would be me.” A gorgeous blonde omega lowers herself to sit beside me, offering me her hand. “Paisley Reyes, and you’re Natalie.”
I shake her hand, nodding slowly. “That would be me.”
“I take it the four of you are talking about Viktor?” At our nods, she lets out a ragged breath. “He freaks me the fuck out, I’m not going to lie. Malachi says he’s sussing him out, but he hasn’t mentioned anything to me yet. Are we doing dinner in the theater again tonight?”
Lillian nods. “That’s the plan. You and the other day four suitors are welcome to join us, Natalie. They’ve got a massive theater on the second floor, and they’ll deliver our dinner there. We’ve been doing it every night after the suitor interviews. It’s a nice way to relax since we can’t venture to the first floor or basement until Evangeline heads out on the date with her day five suitors tomorrow.”
“I can get behind that. I’m not sure about the others, but I’ll let them know.” I push myself to my feet, pausing before seeking out my alpha. “But I think before the movie, I’m going to talk to Viktor.”
“I don’t think—“
“You can’t—“
“Natalie—“
I hold up my hand as all three of them attempt to speak at once. “First, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Second, I believe the three of you that something is off with him. I just need to see it with my own eyes, and since it’s clear he isn’t welcome in the group, seeking him out is the only way I’ll be able to find out for myself. This is just who I am. You’ll get used to it, I’m sure.”
None of them look convinced, but they don’t try to stop me when I shoot them a smile and head to where Ronan, Conrad, and Gavin are talking with Pack Reyes.
“Ahhh, here she is. My little troublemaker, Natalie. This is Pack Reyes—Ana, Malachi, and Nash.” Ronan grins as he pulls me against his side.
“That’s me—always the troublemaker. I was just talking with the others. They said they’re going to have dinner delivered to the theater on the second floor and watch a movie. Paisley said her pack is already in, which I’m guessing is the three of you. I’m definitely joining. What about you three?”
“If you’re there, I’m there.” Ronan kisses the top of my head, and my smile only grows. Gods, I love him so much.
Conrad nods as he grunts, and I have to fight back my laughter. I always find it hilarious when men decide to communicate with grunts and not words. My eyes zero in on Gavin.
“Of course, I’ll be there. What else am I going to do? Hide out in my room all night? That sounds boring as hell.”
“Excellent, then I’ll see everyone down there soon.”
Ronan’s smile slips, his eyes narrowing as he tightens his hold on me as I attempt to slip away. “And where are you off to, troublemaker?”
“I’m going to check out the second floor. It’s not like we had much of a chance last night.”
He makes a face, telling me he doesn’t believe me for a second, but he lets me go. “Stay out of trouble.”
“I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises.” I skip away, heading down the stairs before anyone else can stop me. I have no idea what room Viktor is in, or if he’ll even be in his room, but it’s the best plan I have.
I step off the stairs, sticking my head around the corner to glance into the living room, but it’s empty. Heading down the hallway, I bypass the pack suite, knowing he won’t be in one of them since he’s a single alpha. I stop at the door on the right and knock, waiting a minute before knocking again. When no one answers, I move on, assuming it isn’t his room. There is only one other door off this hallway, the rest of the right side nothing more than a wall—that’s probably the theater. On the third floor, there is one additional room on this side.
Turning to the door at the end of the hallway, I knock. Since all of the rooms are soundproofed, I don’t hear anything from inside. I lift my hand to knock on the door again when it flies open.
“What?” Viktor all but snarls as his eyes land on my face. He blinks when he realizes it’s me, the anger falling away until he’s staring at me blankly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was you. Natalie, right? What can I do for you?”
I don’t like the way he was able to pull back his anger so easily, hiding it behind a wall. It makes me not trust him, but that could also be because of what the others have said about him.
“The others said we’re having dinner in the theater, but you left on your own. I wanted to see if you were going to join us.”
Viktor scoffs, his eyes sliding over my body. “The others don’t want me there, trust me.”
“And why’s that?”
He scoffs again. “Because they’re all a bunch of judgemental pricks. They get an idea in their head and won’t let it go. They think that I purposefully hurt Evangeline—because that makes absolute sense, doesn’t it? They can’t seem to shake the idea. The only one who stands up for me is Dustin, and there’s no point in me attempting to change their minds, ya know?”
Nodding slowly, I continue to watch him. I’d almost say he’s genuine, but he can’t seem to stand still. Working as an emergency nurse, you have to learn to read people and look for their tells. Often when people lie, they won’t look in your eyes, but Viktor doesn’t seem to be having a problem. In fact, he’s looking at me in earnest, trying to tell me I can trust him. But he keeps shuffling from side to side as if he’s nervous, which is nothing like the confident alpha everyone says he usually exudes. He’s trying too hard, and that’s what has me not believing his words—but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Yeah, it doesn’t make sense that you’d attempt to hurt the woman who you’re trying to win over so you can be a part of her pack, does it?”
Knowing there’s no way he’ll join us, I’ll have to think of some other way to get him alone to see if I can get more out of him. Whether he hurt Evangeline on purpose or not, it’s clear that he’s not telling the truth about something. He has secrets he doesn’t want me to know. Too bad for him that I’m making it my mission to find them all out.
“Exactly!” He smiles, charm oozing from him as he steps back and gestures to his room. “Maybe you’d like to have dinner with me instead of the others?”
“Ahhh, sorry. I told Ronan I’d meet him in the theater. He’ll worry if I’m not there.” I don’t let my smile fall away, even when something flashes in his eyes for just a moment—that rage again. “But I promise to work on them—try to get them to understand there’s no way you could’ve hurt her on purpose. Maybe another time we can eat together.”
Viktor nods. “Thanks, Natalie. It’s greatly appreciated.”
“Have a good night.” Offering him a wave, I head back down the hallway. He doesn’t immediately go back into his room, and I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away. I don’t relax until I’ve turned the corner, knowing he can no longer see me. I sag against the wall, shaking my head. I think the others are onto something. There’s definitely something off about Viktor, and I intend to find out what.