Chapter 17 Faye #2
“I…” His gaze hones in on the bottom of his coffee cup. “Sorry, I guess I just assumed that this was a date. If I made you uncomfortable when I said you were perfect—”
“What?” Shocked, I recoil. Am I missing something? “You didn’t make me uncomfortable. I thought this was a date.”
“But you didn’t let me buy your drink.”
I frown. “I don’t understand.”
“Alphas are supposed to spoil their omega. It’s what we do.” His shoulders almost touch his earlobes. “Usually, if an omega isn’t interested in an alpha, they’ll pay for themselves.”
Shit. I was only being polite, but I’ve really upset him. Unable to stop myself, I reach across the table for his hand, desperate to take away the pain smeared over his face. Especially knowing that I’m the one responsible for putting it there.
“That’s not why I offered to pay for myself,” I say emphatically. “I’ve never really been around alphas before. I didn’t want you to think I was a gold digger who is taking advantage of your kindness. You already sent me the most amazing gift.”
“Really?” He meets my gaze, but the doubt in his tone makes me think he doesn’t believe me. “You don’t have to spare my feelings.”
“I’m not trying to spare your feelings.” I squeeze his hand. “I want to be here. With you. On a date.”
“I’d understand if you changed your mind.” He hangs his head again. “Omegas aren’t normally interested in me.”
I don’t know what’s made him so self-conscious, but I want to change that. He’s a hot nerd with a big heart. Who wouldn’t be interested in him?
“Well, they’re crazy,” I tell him. “And if you’re questioning whether I’m interested, then you need to remember what happened when we were together in the library.”
At the memory, the wrinkles creasing Ren's forehead disappear. But as he sips his coffee, I sense he’s still a little unsure by how his knee bobs up and down.
I eye the delicious-looking pastries on the counter. “You know, I am feeling a little hungry.”
“I can get you something to eat.” He takes the bait instantly. “What would you like?”
“You choose.” I smile at him. “Surprise me.”
His chest puffs out with pride as he stands to order, striding away with a confident determination. When he returns, he’s carrying a plate filled with apricot-stuffed croissants, pains au chocolat, and sugar-dusted blueberry turnovers.
“Thank you … alpha.”
Ren’s eyes light up with a different kind of hunger. A hunger that undresses me with one look and makes me want to explore this quiet bookworm’s secret wild side. To distract myself, I sink my teeth into a croissant, sending buttery flakes flying everywhere.
Ren loosens the top button of his shirt and pulls on it, like he’s having a hot flush. “How have you been since I last saw you?”
“Better,” I say after swallowing. “I’m sorry about what happened, though.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.” Ren’s kind eyes and genuine tone tell me he means what he says.
“Although I hated you being in so much pain, I’m glad I was the one who was with you when it happened.
It helped bring us all together. You know, we’d given up on looking for an omega until you stumbled into our lives. ”
My stomach lurches. “So you’ve looked for an omega before?” The thought of anyone else being part of the Silverwood pack makes me feel physically sick.
“Not in the way you’re thinking.” Ren rushes to reply. “We never joined a matching service or went to speed scenting.”
“Speed scenting?” I wipe my hands on a napkin. “What’s that?”
“It’s basically getting a group of omegas and alphas together to sniff each other’s dirty laundry.
It’s as terrible as it sounds.” Ren shudders.
“On a biological level, every alpha wants an omega to take care of. Cole’s dad tried to set us up with a senator’s omega daughter.
Her name was Belle. We only met a few times, and we could hardly stand to be in the same room as her.
She smelled like pine-fresh toilet cleaner.
” His nose wrinkles. “But bonding with her would have helped Cole’s dad’s business, so we would have gone ahead with it. ”
“Really?” I’m stunned. “You’d have bonded with someone because it helped a business?”
I’ve read online about how unbonded alphas grow more unruly and competitive over time because of their unmet needs, which is why many are so eager to find an omega.
So eager that many packs choose to bond out of convenience instead of love, but I’m still stunned that the Silverwood Pack would consider it.
“It’s more common than you think.” Ren takes a thoughtful sip of his coffee. “None of us truly believed in scent matches, and we’d have been doing Cole’s dad a favor, but there was a problem.”
“What happened?”
Ren leans forward, elbows resting on the table. “Well, you’ll find out eventually. I guess it’s best if you hear it from me.” He takes a deep breath. “I was the problem.”
“Because you refused to bond with her?”
Based on what I learned back home, when an omega bonds to every alpha in a pack, it also solidifies the connection between the alphas.
“Not quite.” Ren laughs scornfully. “Belle refused to bond with the Silverwood Pack if I was part of it. She said she couldn’t be part of a pack with such a…” He winces. “Weak alpha.”
I’m not angry by nature, but I’m glad Belle isn’t around right now because I don’t know what I’d do. She’s completely decimated Ren’s confidence. Asking a pack to throw him out is like asking a family to abandon a child.
“Obviously, Cole refused.” Ren’s eyes are full of a lingering sadness. “Cole’s dad wasn’t happy. The whole situation was a mess. I offered to leave the pack to make it easier for everyone, but Cole wouldn’t let me.”
“Anyone who doesn’t want you in their pack is the one who’s missing out.” I unclench my fists. “Any omega would be lucky to have you.”
“You’re probably the only omega to say that.
” The corners of Ren’s lips twitch upward.
“When we met in the greenhouse, I felt an instant connection. But I didn’t want to get my hopes up after what happened with Belle or make a fool of myself by saying that I thought we were a scent match.
Plus, why would an omega as kind and beautiful as you be interested in someone like me? ”
His honesty and vulnerability only makes me like him more, strengthening my determination to make sure he never feels like second best again.
“I can’t lie and say this whole scent match thing isn’t difficult to process, but there are two things I want you to know.
” I take his hand. “First, you will never be a disappointment to me. You’ve been nothing but smart, kind, and funny since the moment we met.
Second, I’ve never thought about joining a pack before, but now, I couldn’t imagine ever being part of one without you in it. ”
His scent intensifies, consuming me like a warm hug. I shuffle closer to snuggle against him. I nuzzle into his neck, instinctively scent marking him. Mine, my inner omega cries. My alpha.
“Sorry!” I pull back, shocked at myself. “That was rude. I shouldn’t have—”
“Faye.” His breathy voice makes me tingle in places that definitely shouldn’t be tingling in a coffee shop. “You know, marking me like that will make me never want to shower again.”
“Good.” I smile victoriously. “Then all the other omegas will know that you’re mine.” The words come out before I can stop them. What’s wrong with me today? “Sorry. That sounded a little … possessive.”
“You can lay your scent on me whenever you want. I’ll wear it proudly.” Ren strokes my head. “I can’t believe we found you.” His phone beeps from somewhere in his satchel. “I’ll ignore it.” However, a flood of messages keeps coming.
“You should get that,” I say. “I don’t mind.”
He huffs but checks it.
“It’s Cole and Laz. They want to know how you’re doing.” He grins. “Do you mind if I send them a photo for proof of life? They’re going a little crazy.”
“Uh, sure. But only if you’re in it too.”
His eyes widen in shock before he opens the camera app on his cell. He takes a smiling photo of us both raising our mugs then hits send. Immediately, there’s an influx of texts to his Silverwood Pack group chat.
“I’ll silence it until later.” He tucks the phone into his pocket. “I’m going to enjoy teasing them about how good you smell.”
We spend the rest of our afternoon sampling the tea menu, eating so many pastries my stomach thinks it’ll burst, and talking about books.
Ren’s well-read and loves murder mysteries, especially those set in quaint England country villages like Miss Marple.
We also chat about my life in Clover Hollow; I tell him all about Blooming Brew and our regular customers.
I share about various things Gram and I have made, including some horror stories, like a mixture that stained my fingers blue for a week.
Before I know it, hours have passed.
“I have a seminar to teach.” Ren groans, checking his watch. He’s super smart and is working on his masters while teaching in bachelor seminars part-time. “Although, I could call in sick?”
“Ren Brooks!” I gasp in mock horror. “You can’t deprive eager minds of your genius! And if we stay here any longer, there won’t be any pastries left.” It’s a wonder we’re not shaking from a total sugar overload.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you to the OV gates?” Ren asks after reluctantly agreeing to go. We’re standing outside Tea House, shaded by a tall oak tree. “I don’t mind being late.”
“I’m more than capable of walking myself,” I say, nudging him playfully. “I need to walk the pastries off anyway.”
“I really enjoyed this afternoon.” He smiles shyly. “I hope we can see each other again soon.”
The sun makes his eyes sparkle, highlighting the glittering specks of blue around his pupil. My perfume blooms. Thank God I doubled up on scent liners.
“Can I…” His gaze lingers on my lips, his unfinished question hanging in the air.
Instead of answering, I rise on my tiptoes, leaning in. When our lips brush, he steals my breath. I’m lost to his calming aura, like I’m being carried away in a gentle breeze. He cups my face, cradling my cheeks before his hands move to my hair. Suddenly, I’m overcome by a new primal energy.
Our gentle kiss turns aggressive and needy. I want to taste him. I need to be closer.
Someone coughs loudly. “Sorry to break this up—”
Remembering where we are, I pull away from Ren, panting. Red splotches pepper Ren’s neck as he adjusts his glasses, clearly as lost in the moment as I was.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was hot to watch,” Laz—the kissing interrupter—chuckles. “But I’m sure you don’t want Faye going into heat again right here on the sidewalk.”
Ren pinches the bridge of his nose. “What’re you doing here?”
“I recognized the decor in your photo.” Laz waves his phone and grins at me. “Sorry, honeybee. Don’t worry, I’m not here to crash your date. I just have something for Sabs and thought you could drop it off for me?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Ren rolls his eyes. “Likely story.”
“What?” Laz asks innocently, digging a whistle out of his pocket. “Sabs needs this for volleyball practice.”
Something tells me that Sabs’s whistle could definitely wait, but I don’t mind. In fact, it’s good to see him again. Especially now that I’m dosed up on extra strength suppressants and don’t feel like yelling in his face or crying for a change.
“I’ll give it to her,” I promise, stashing the whistle in my purse. A clock chimes in the distance. “You’re going to be late, Ren!”
“It was worth it.” Ren winks at me.
I can’t believe that he went from being worried about me not being interested in him to openly flirting.
“So you’re free now?” Laz looks at me hopefully. “I can walk you back?”
“Good idea,” Ren answers for me. “I’ll be able to concentrate better in my seminar if I know you’re safe.” He bends to gently kiss my forehead, making me weak at the knees. “See you again soon.”
I watch him dash away, almost skipping as he happily swings his satchel. My heart swells. How does he not see how freaking cute he is?
Laz grins mischievously. “I guess that leaves the two of us.”
Spending time with my housemate’s hot brother, what can go wrong?