Chapter 2
Ihadn’t even met Tyler and I already hated him.
From the sounds of it, Madison was already working with regular clients, but getting no financial benefit from it.
It also sounded like Tyler intended to keep it that way.
A lot of omegas didn’t work outside the home and their pack supported them financially, but that only worked when that’s what the omegas wanted—and if their alphas adored the shit out of them.
Tyler was keeping Madison on a short leash. He might allow her to do the work, but earning financial independence from it? That was out of the question.
I was all for omegas doing whatever the hell they wanted in life, and it fucking pissed me off when other alphas put stupid restrictions down.
I’d been willing to commit homicide for my sister and apparently, I was contemplating the same for a stranger. A sweet, feisty, gorgeous one with dark eyes I could drown in—but a stranger nonetheless.
“How was your walk?” Ava asked as Lucy and I slipped into the house.
“Enlightening.”
“Oh?”
“What’s the deal with your neighbor?”
“Which one?” Ava asked.
“Madison.”
“We don’t really know her that well, but she’s friends with Charlotte and no one likes her boyfriend.”
I barked out a laugh. “Add one more to the ranks for that.”
“Did you meet him?”
“Just her. She was finishing up a run and stopped to walk with Lucy and me. The dude sounds like a dick.”
“That’s definitely what I’ve heard,” Ava said with a nod. “I’d say you should try sweeping her off her feet, but probably better to wait until she gets around to leaving him.”
“Is that how things work now? I mention a person and you think I’m going to try and hook up with them?”
Ava shrugged, collecting her daughter from me. She didn’t have as much room to hold her as Lucy would have preferred, since Ava was pregnant with her second baby and a couple months away from popping. “I enjoy seeing people happy. You would be a definite improvement on what she’s got.”
“I can’t argue with that, at least from a personality angle. I don’t have the money that asshole obviously has, though. If she’s used to that lifestyle, she’s not gonna be happy with less.” Alpha to alpha, I could square up with him, but bank account to bank account? No chance.
Lucy hugged Ava tightly around the neck and my sister made kissy sounds until Lucy giggled. “Pack up, then.”
“With who? You and your pack are the only people I know in this flipping city.”
“You’re supposed to be out there making friends, Nathan. What’s the point of living here if we’re the only people you talk to? Haven’t you made any friends at work?”
“I’m not packing up with a coworker for the fun of it.”
Madison might have me fixated, but I wasn’t stupid.
If she was stuck with an asshole, I couldn’t do anything about it.
Fucking hell. Why was I even having this conversation with myself right now?
I’d talked to her for five minutes. This wasn’t some scent-matched bullshit.
I hoped, anyway. That would make things infinitely more complicated, and she didn’t have her scent out, so that question would have to go unanswered.
I could talk to a pretty omega without envisioning sprinting off into the sunset with her.
“Your cheeks are bright pink right now.”
I flipped my sister the bird and covered Lucy’s ears. “Fuck off.”
“You first.” She grinned and waved me further inside. “Maybe I’ll host a block party.”
“Are you seriously thinking about planning a party just so you can shove us into the same room?”
“Not just you,” Ava defended with a smile. “Charlotte told me that one of the reasons she realized kindness and compassion from alphas was possible was because she saw how my pack treated me. Maybe the same magic would work for Madison.”
“You’ve gotten crafty in your old age.”
“I’m younger than you.”
“You’re getting an early start then.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “Maybe you’re falling behind. You’re three years older, you should be craftier by now.”
“Nah. You got that gene. I got the one with no filter and a much stronger drive to punch shitty people.”
She laughed. “Could’ve used more of that one when I became an adult.”
“I’d say you should practice, but you’ve got a good squad now.”
“I really do.” Ava beamed. “Will you stay for a bit?”
“I’ve got to pick up groceries so I don’t starve, and do some cleaning. My apartment is getting too cluttered.”
“Okay, but make sure you visit again soon.” Ava hugged me tightly and I kissed the top of her head, then did the same to Lucy.
“Will do. You both be good ’til I get back.”
After leaving, I mindlessly wandered the grocery store, Madison’s big brown eyes popping into my head.
It was fucking dumb. I had a very clear rule for myself: don’t get involved with anyone attached to an idiot.
I’d done enough of that in college. Packs only worked when everyone respected each other.
If I hated someone from the start, I didn’t even bother, no matter how tempting someone else in the pack might be.
Madison had made her choice. If she wanted to be with Tyler, I couldn’t even begin to entertain the idea of her.
If she left him, though… Well, that would be a different story.
I wasn’t usually such a sucker for a pretty face.
Okay, maybe that was a lie. Mostly I never let myself be.
I had a stubborn streak a mile wide, and once it engaged, that was generally the end of it.
It had saved me a lot of heartbreak over the years.
What was it about her that had me moon-eyed, when I was usually good at sweeping ill-advised crushes under the rug?
Maybe it was a result of getting older. Seeing my sister happily bonded with a pack and growing family was probably making me dissatisfied with my own life now, that I’d slapped down some roots.
I was lost in my own little world, thinking about the omega just out of reach and walked my cart right into someone. “Shit, sorry. Space cadet today.”
He turned, face vaguely familiar beneath a short high-top fade. “No worries.” He furrowed his dark brows, examining me. “You look weirdly familiar.”
We picked our way through a list of where we might have known each other from and settled on us attending the same gym. “That’s it. You’re the calisthenics guy everyone stops to watch.”
He laughed, full lips spreading into a wide smile. “Guilty as charged. I’m Jude.”
I offered my hand to shake and he slipped his into it. “Nathan.”
“Good to officially meet you. So, what’s got your head in the clouds today?”
“An omega I can’t have,” I replied with a sharp laugh.
“I’ve got one of those, too. We can be miserable together.”
“Misery does love company. Want to meet for a beer later? Do you drink beer or is that an empty calories thing?”
Jude chuckled. “I don’t drink it often, but I can make an exception. I like to be strong, not obsessive. Empty calories are good once in a while.”
“Thank god for that.”
We exchanged numbers and picked out an Irish pub that was relatively equidistant between our homes.
After parting ways, I took my groceries home and set about cleaning the most important bits of the apartment.
I didn’t have the energy for a top to bottom scrub, but it was better than nothing.
You never knew who might show up, and if wild fantasies about Madison appearing at my door were what I needed to keep a sparkling clean home, then I might as well roll with it.
Once I had showered off the grime, I headed over to the pub, hungry and ready to bitch. The fact that I kept thinking about Madison only made me more annoyed. I couldn’t have her, so why torture myself?
Jude was inside the pub when I arrived and he gave me a bright smile. The host seated us quickly, and after we ordered drinks, we stared at one another.
“So,” said Jude, “tell me about the omega that’s got you all twisted up.”
I sighed, leaning comfortably in my booth. “I literally met her today. And before you say anything, yes, I know I’m being fucking ridiculous.”
Jude only shrugged. “Sometimes that’s all it takes.”
“She lives a few houses down from my sister and is apparently dating an absolute tool. Fucking shame. She’s got all these dreams and he doesn’t let her pursue a single one of them.”
“Maybe he’ll trip in front of a bus.”
Jude’s response caught me off guard and I laughed so loudly a bunch of the patrons turned toward us, making me shrink down in my seat.
“What’s her name?”
“Madison.”
Jude stared at me, slackjawed. “Are you fucking serious right now?”
“Um, yes? Why?”
“Does your Madison have doe eyes, long brown hair, and wants to have her own design company?”
“She sure fucking does.”
“I hate her boyfriend.” Jude groaned. “He’s come into the store I work at a few times and every single time, I’ve had the urge to smother him with a pillow.”
“That seems to be the general consensus about him. I’m also on the hating Tyler train.”
“You’ve met him?”
“No, but the way that she talked about him makes me think the world would be better off without him.”
The server set down our drinks and bustled off when we said we weren’t ready to order food yet.
“Cheers,” said Jude, raising his glass.
“Sláinte. I’m sorry we have the same taste in women who have unfortunate taste in men. How long have you been into her?”
“God, years.” He propped his cheek on his hand. “I’ve worked at Best of Nests for ages and Madison started coming in about eight, maybe nine years ago.”
I whistled low. “Damn. That’s a long time to carry a torch.”
“It’s pathetic, I know.”
“Nah. Some omegas are an instant hook. Nothing you can do about it. Do you think she might be a scent match and fate is being a bitch, keeping you on the hook until it’s confirmed?”
Jude sighed. “I mean, it would make sense, but that would make things even more complicated if she won’t leave Tyler. Do you think that’s the case for you, or just an initial crush phase right now?”
“Fuck if I know. Guess we’ll find out eventually.”
“I wish you luck.” Jude laughed. “I’ve tried dating, but every time I saw her at work, my fucking crush would rekindle. She’s not even doing it on purpose. If she were, maybe I could get mad about it, but she’s sweet and funny with everyone.”
“No offense, but I really hope I’m not looking into my future.”
“It’s rough. I’ve never been so weak for a smile in my life.”
I sipped my stout. Poor guy. The sad thing was that I genuinely could see myself being the same. One encounter and she was stuck in my head all day. How the hell would I cope if I saw her all the time?
“What the hell is so great about Tyler?”
Jude chewed his lip, looking uncertain. “Not really my story to tell, but I guess scant details are probably okay. He saved her. Her home life was an absolute shit show and he got her out. I’m not sure how much of their relationship is based on her gratitude for that, compared to them actually loving each other. ”
“He likes her enough to keep her on a leash.”
“Unfortunately, yeah.”
“You’ve never tried to shoot your shot?”
“I thought about it, but someone else at my job asked her out and she told him her boyfriend is completely against packing up. I kept quiet after that.”
We lapsed into silence when the server came back around to take our food orders.
“There’s not that many omegas that thrive with only one alpha,” I said slowly when we were alone again.
“And I wouldn’t call what she’s doing thriving.”
One alpha who barely gave a shit wasn’t enough to support an omega.
They needed the security of a pack, of always having someone around to lift them up when they struggled to see how amazing they were.
Alphas were supposed to cherish and care for their omegas, to make sure the world saw how beautiful their light could be.
Jude sighed and continued, “I mean, she comes across happy enough to people who don’t know her, but she’s been talking about starting her own business properly forever. Breaks my fucking heart every time she wilts and reminds herself he doesn’t want her to.”
“What’s his deal? Does he hate her being financially independent?”
“Probably.”
“What does he look like, so I know where to aim my car if I’m driving through that neighborhood?”
Jude burst out laughing. “I like you.”
“Well, that’s a relief. People either love me or hate me. Not a lot of middle ground.”
We pushed off the Madison topic and got to know each other a bit. Family, careers, and hobbies were infinitely safer than dwelling on a situation neither of us could fix.
“You’ve got six omega sisters? Holy shit. I thought I had my hands full with one. You and your brother must be drowning.”
“It’s pure chaos. I’ve saved them a lot of money working where I do. The family discounts are legit. Pretty sure all of my sisters would be bankrupt without it.”
“You’re a good brother, Jude. I can respect that. You never wanted to do anything else?”
“I’m content where I am. I prefer customer facing stuff.
The store makes omegas happy and they’re so damn cute when they come up to the counter with their bounty.
The store kept offering me a management position, and I finally caved a few years ago.
They’ve boosted me up to district manager since then. ”
“Hell yeah. Congrats on that. I do not have the stomach for retail. Tried once in high school and got fired after two days for mouthing off to a customer. In my defense, they were being an asshole.”
“They do love to do that,” Jude conceded.
We spent a good couple of hours together. Ava had encouraged me to make friends, and this seemed like a good start.
As we got ready to leave, Jude extended his hand again. “See you at the gym?”
“I’ll be there at the ass crack of dawn.”
Jude laughed and waved as he departed.
Madison had hooked us both. Maybe it was time to show her what she was missing.
I had a firm policy, but Ava could be right.
If Madison had been with Tyler for so long, and he had gotten her out of a worse situation, she probably wouldn’t know better existed, unless she saw it and experienced it herself.
I might not be willing to pursue her, but she obviously needed a support network.
What was a little more misery in my life if it helped her step out of the box Tyler had shoved her in?
She deserved to shine at her full potential.