Lion’s Crossing (Love Sync Mates Season Two)

Chapter Four

Linc

An hour. A whole hour passed, and the train hadn’t moved. There was no update on when we would be on our way again, no talk of transferring us to buses for the rest of the trip, and the attendants had disappeared completely. The passengers, including myself, became restless, unable to stay in their seats, and voices grew louder with irritation. I considered going to the washroom, but the lineup kept me in my seat. It wasn’t as if I could leave the coach to relieve myself. I had to hold it or find a bottle and a corner to discreetly take a piss. And the scent of my omega neighbor kept getting stronger, making him that much harder to ignore.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I turned toward the omega and considered starting a conversation with him. I didn’t want to come off as a complete snob, if by chance, he did know who I was. Yet, he stared out the window. I had no idea what captured his attention, as only a field of corn lay beyond the tracks. Nothing to be that engrossed in, unless he watched something between the rows that I missed.

“Attention passengers,” a staticky voice came out of the speaker. “We have diagnosed the issue with the engine, and a repair crew is on their way here. Once they get the issue fixed, we will be on our way again.”

A collective groan filled the coach. We’d already waited long enough, only to learn our trip was delayed even more. Pieces of paper were thrown at the speakers while more passengers stood to stretch. Someone leaned their chair all the way back, while the passenger behind him punched the seat that trapped his knees. I suspected if we had to stay in the coach much longer without it moving again, at least one fistfight would break out. Likely more.

I sent a quick text message to the head of production at Adan Records to let him know I was still delayed, before leaning back with a sigh. Maybe I should have driven to my parents’ house four months ago to take care of my father. With my car, I would have reached my apartment or gone straight to work by now. Though I hadn’t expected the trip home to take so long, believing the train to be better than traveling on the highway. Plus, my car sitting in my parents’ driveway would have been a dead giveaway that I’d gone home. I hadn’t wanted any fans to know my whereabouts, as that would have made taking care of my father that much harder.

The omega beside me turned away from the window, his sent wafting in front of me the instant he moved. He took out his earbuds and placed them in his bag before wiping his palms across his pants.

“So, are you from Shifter Crossing, or one of the nearby towns?” I had to say something, no longer content with trying to ignore my sweet-smelling neighbor. And that was the most common thing to say when you saw someone new in Shifter Crossing.

“I’m from Shifter Crossing.” He folded his hands in his lap yet couldn’t keep them still. “Lived there all my life.”

Strange since he didn’t look the least bit familiar. I thought I’d known everyone who grew up in Shifter Crossing. “So, you know Zambrano’s? The convenience store there?”

He nodded. “I go there quite often since I don’t have a car.”

“Well, my parents own the store.” I didn’t know what else to say, suddenly fumbling over my words, making conversation while trying not to sound arrogant. “I’ve been visiting them for the past few months.”

“Oh, cool. They’re super nice. So’s your sister.” His hands settled, yet he still hadn’t glanced in my direction. “I mean, assuming Kayla is your sister.”

“Yeah, she is. I’m Linc, by the way. Since we’re from the same hometown and stuck here for a bit longer, at least, I thought we could get to know each other. I thought I knew everyone from school, but I’m sorry, I don’t recognize you.”

“Knox. I’m Knox.” He raised his shoulders up to his ears. “I was homeschooled for many years, but I went to high school at Armstrong Secondary School.”

“So, do you remember Principal Mountain?” Maybe that would help me find common ground. I didn’t have the principal for long, but the man liked to strut around the halls and pop into classes at random moments just to check in on the teachers and students. Not in an authoritarian way but to understand the dynamic. Definitely memorable for anyone who had him.

“No.” Knox shook his head. “He left the year before I started. I had Principal Kang.”

“Ah, so you must be a couple years younger than me. I left for Saramto before Principal Kang got there and finished my courses online.” It had felt like a boarding school for future pop stars. One that I’d wanted to attend. I’d studied in between dance practice, recording, and performances. And often late at night.

“Yeah, but I’ve heard about you.” He quickly tensed, leaning back with his hands in his lap, and staring at the seat in front of him.

“You know who I am?” I was amused by the confession. The omega hadn’t given me anything to worry about the whole time he’d sat beside me. No sneaking a selfie with me, picking at my clothes for stray hair, or glancing over my shoulder to see what I had on my phone. Those were the less conspicuous fans.

“Well, I didn’t at first. Wasn’t even sure if you were from Shifter Crossing.” He raised his phone. “But then I listened to ‘Fated For Forever,’ and when the song clip came up, I realized why you looked familiar.”

“FFF, huh? That’s a B-side track. You a fan?” I meant it as a joke, not expecting Knox to freeze the way he did. His sweet scent disappeared, and I could smell his fear. I touched his arm, trying to calm him. “It’s okay if you were. Are. But it’s a different kind of fan who prefers the B-sides over the title tracks.”

He gulped, sinking into himself. “I mean, I like your music, but I didn’t even know all your names. Just the songs.”

“That means a lot, Knox.” I used his name, hoping he would turn toward me, and he did. “Really. We put a lot of work into writing and producing those songs, so it’s nice when people appreciate that and not just our polished-for-the-spotlight looks.”

He blushed. “Well, I mean…”

I felt my own cheeks warm and decided to change the topic of conversation. “So, what brings you to Saramto? Do you have family there?” I hoped so, since the metropolis was a far different place for omegas than Shifter Crossing.

“No, I’m just on vacation.” He pulled his bag to his lap and held it tight to his chest. “I needed to get away from my custodian job at the high school, and my parents who keep trying to set me up with alphas I don’t want anything to do with.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “My parents keep asking when I’m going to settle down, too, but I’m simply too busy to worry about a mate.”

He loosened his grip on his bag. “Right? Their generation seems to think our only purpose in life is to find a mate and have kids. Mine don’t even care for me to find my fated alpha, or even one who treats me properly, as long as his parents are nice.”

“You shouldn’t have to be with someone like that.” Oh, if Knox were my fated omega, I would definitely treat him properly, and he already said he liked my parents, so that was another plus. I sucked in a quick breath. Why was I even thinking about fated mates?

“Exactly. I’m glad you understand.” His vanilla and raspberry aroma wafted in front of me. While my lion purred deep within me, I glanced around to make sure no other alpha caught his scent.

“But you need to be careful in Saramto. There are a lot of alphas who will try to take advantage of you because you’re not from the metropolis.” Especially if he made it obvious by glancing around in awe and taking lots of pictures.

“I know.” He sighed. “As I told my parents, I have an itinerary. I know exactly where I’m going, the safest route to get there, and I won’t be out of my hotel room after dark.”

“They just want you to be safe.” I did, too, and I barely knew him. I contemplated giving him my number just in case something happened while he was on vacation. Then common sense kicked in. “But I’m sure you’ll have fun. There’s so much more to do and see in the city. I know I was a little overwhelmed when I first moved there.” I did have escorts everywhere I went, even when out for a late-night snack, but I held in that information. I wanted him to be cautious, not terrified.