Chapter 8 Doc Meets Marcie #2
Ottis sniffed. “All over, vaguely. I’ll just spritz a cloud of suppressant and you can walk through it.”
“Sounds good to me.”
It was possible that Ottis had squirted too many pumps of suppressant into the air. In his defense, Doc was huge. Who knew how many sprays he needed?
Marcie sneezed. Ottis sneezed too.
Doc walked through the suppressant cloud, grinning. “You’re both adorable.”
“I’m not,” Ottis grumbled.
“Yes, you are.” Before Ottis could protest more, Doc turned to the cart. “Will you be coming with us?”
The cart squeaked its wheels and nudged him again.
They took a while to locate the baby section since neither of them visited often. Ottis borrowed from his pack’s shared pool of baby things, and Doc had no need for them after his nursery was complete.
“Car seat,” Doc said, tucking a huge box under his arm.
“Am I picking out the rest?” Ottis asked.
“Yes. Go ahead. Don’t limit your spending.”
“That’s like telling me I can take a three-foot monster cock,” Ottis blurted. And covered his face when other shoppers looked over. “Oh gods.”
“I don’t think it’s quite the same,” Doc laughed.
Buying anything he wanted—that sounded insane.
But Doc also owned a mansion and a lot of land, so for once, Ottis let himself pick out a pretty diaper bag and the softest baby clothes he could find.
He couldn’t help checking the price tags out of habit, but Doc didn’t even look at them.
All he did was fish out one of the shirts Ottis had dropped in the cart, running it between his fingers.
“I like your choices,” Doc rumbled. “They feel comfy. Pick out some larger sizes too, for when Marcie grows older.”
Was he planning to keep them for life?
They were leaving the aisle when Ottis heard a familiar voice.
“—Zenith says he’ll have the next chapter ready by the weekend,” Crush was saying.
Next to him was his omega Killian. Killian was pretty far along in his pregnancy, and their pup was playing in their shopping cart.
Ottis took a hurried step back into the aisle.
Doc noticed his movement a second too late. He stepped forward, unable to stop his momentum.
Crush turned and spotted him. “Oh, hey Doc.”
Well, fuck.
Since Ottis’ scent was suppressed, Crush had no idea he was here; he wouldn’t be on the lookout for Ottis. But Ottis also couldn’t whisper, or Crush’s sharp ears would catch his voice.
He had to force himself to walk down the aisle, away from his well-meaning brother. But because there wasn’t time, Ottis took long strides to cover more ground, straining his ears in case more of the pack was here.
“You’re buying a car seat?” Crush said, sounding surprised. “And baby things? I didn’t know you have a mate.”
Wow, talk about awkward.
Ottis held his breath, wondering how Doc would respond.
“I’ve been looking,” Doc said carefully. “I thought I should have these things on hand.”
Both truths.
“Yeah?” Crush and Killian moved closer. Ottis ducked down another aisle, putting even more distance between them.
“You’re here for baby things too?” Doc asked.
“Kils wanted some new clothes and groceries. I thought we could get them all here at the same time.”
It made so much sense—Ottis and Doc had done the exact same thing.
Ottis could’ve kicked himself for not anticipating this earlier.
Right now, they couldn’t stick around for too much longer if he was trying to avoid his pack and their friends.
Especially since his face had been shared all over Doc’s alpha friend chat.
“You look pretty cheerful,” Crush said suddenly. “More than your usual.”
Ottis froze.
“Did you get laid?” Crush asked good-naturedly.
Doc cleared his throat. Was he blushing? Ottis thought he might be. Then he scowled, because he wanted to see Doc blush, damn it!
“I might have, yes,” Doc rumbled. Definitely smiling.
“Anyone we know?” Crush asked.
No, Crush, you don’t want to know.
“You won’t want to hear the details,” Doc said as though he was reading Ottis’ mind. “But he’s a delight. I’m courting him.”
That was a truth, too. And now Ottis’ face was hot.
“That’s great. I hope you’ll get to spend more time with him.” There was a leer in Crush’s tone that Ottis was sure his brother would regret, if he ever found out the truth.
Doc cleared his throat. “I will.”
There were some rustling sounds, then Killian spoke up. “Still no word from Ottis.”
Ah, fuck. Between all the things that had been happening, Ottis had forgotten to send a message to his new friends. He listened for danger, then pulled out his phone.
OttisWoof
I’m fine, y’all. No need to worry.
Killian’s phone buzzed. “Huh. He just replied.”
“What did he say?” Crush asked, but he was probably already leaning in to look.
“He says he’s fine,” Killian said. “Kind of funny that he replied right after I said he’s been quiet.”
“Hmm,” Crush said.
Doc huffed. “I should be going. Are the rest of your pack around?”
“A few of us are in town, yeah,” Crush said. “My brothers want to be the knights in shining armor.”
Ottis sighed. So did Doc.
“From what I’ve heard, Ottis seems to have a good head on his shoulders,” Doc said. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. Keep me updated though. I’ll be on the lookout for him.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
Ottis waited until Crush and Killian had wandered a few aisles away. Then he sneaked back to Doc, squeezing himself under Doc’s heavy arm.
Doc gave him a side hug and a crinkle-eyed smile. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Ottis breathed, barely loud enough that the words could escape his throat; Crush would hear him otherwise. “That was so awkward.”
“He’s still around,” Doc said just as quietly.
“I’m surprised he didn’t ask who you were talking to. But I guess they were distracted.”
“I’ll keep a lookout for them,” Doc said. “There doesn’t seem to be more of your pack here. Pick out the things you want; I’ll head him off if he gets close.”
“Thanks,” Ottis whispered. “You’re really good at lying by omission. All straight truths but bent. It’s like you have experience with bending things.”
“Or people.”
Ottis choked.
Doc peered at him in concern. “Too much?”
“You’re so inappropriate.”
Doc grinned. “You like it when I’m inappropriate.”
“I’m innocent,” Ottis whispered. “You’re corrupting me.”
“I would never,” Doc said, pressing his hand to his heart. “You’re pure like the driven snow.”
“Ready for some plowing.”
Doc laughed, a low rumble. “Such innocence.”
He slapped Ottis’ ass lightly. Ottis grinned and hurried over to the baby clothes section, where Doc had said he could get some larger sizes for Marcie.
He kept his ears pricked for Crush and Killian, picking out clothes, blankets, and adorable stuffed toys.
Then he stuffed some baby wipes and diapers into the cart in case they had to make a quick escape.
Doc stepped up to him, placing his hand on the small of Ottis’ back. “That looks like a good selection. What about you? Do you want to get your clothes elsewhere, or buy them here?”
“Is the coast clear?” Ottis whispered.
They peeked out of the aisle, listening for Crush’s voice.
“Is what coast clear?” said someone behind them.