Chapter 30
Standing outside of Bea’s apartment, I raise my hand to knock on the wood and hesitate. When I’d received the call from her other mates about the threats made against her, I had lost my temper. Shattering the glass table in my living room in my rage.
After I calmed myself down, I spent the rest of my day barking orders and bribing companies to finish the last tasks for the penthouse to be move-in ready. Work still needs to be done, but it isn’t anything that can’t be handled at a later date.
I need my Omega to be safe. Hidden away somewhere that these assholes cannot lay their eyes on her, let alone think about touching what’s mine.
With a fortifying breath, I rap my knuckles on the door. Several seconds pass before it swings open, a disheveled Orion greeting me in nothing but a pair of neon blue boxers. His dark brows rise when he sees me, but he is quick to usher me inside.
“Coffee?” He gestures toward me with an empty cup while I stand awkwardly inside the door.
I’d forgotten how small this building was.
Cramped with three Alphas and an Omega who hoards soft and shiny things.
Shaking my head, I step closer to the island, inhaling subtly to catch hints of Bea’s pineapple coconut scent.
With her glands still regrowing, the mouthwatering smell is nearly nonexistent, drowned out by her mates.
The blend of ozone, limes, and after-rain will perfectly complement her citrusy perfume when it returns. Like a stormy summer on the beach.
Setting the bag in my hand on the counter, I focus my attention back on Orion. “I made reservations for all of us to have dinner together tonight. This is for Sabine. If you could pass it to her when she wakes. I will text everyone the details and pick the four of you up half an hour prior.”
“And Lex?”
I nod, lips tightening when he mentions Bea’s other wayward Alpha.
Getting him to agree to join us will be no easy feat, but I am nothing if not persuasive.
She needs this. To be properly courted by the five of us.
Two bonds mark her body already, yet between us, we’ve only taken her on a handful of dates.
We need to do better. Be better. For her.
“Alright. We doing anything else, or?” He turns to grab something from the fridge, and I spy the fresh bond mark on his neck.
I’m happy for him, despite the heavy pulse of jealous disbelief that spikes through me.
After everything he went through with Serenity, knowing he has Bea to rely on eases some of my concern for him.
“Let’s see how dinner goes, then we can decide how to spend the rest of our evening.” He’s quick to agree, frowning when I turn to leave, but he doesn’t comment. His trust in me is unwarranted, at least where our Omega is concerned. Still, I am grateful for it.
The rest of the day passes in a blur of indecision and restlessness. I need to feel Bea in my arms. To see with my own eyes that she is unharmed by the events of yesterday morning.
Nerves also flutter in my stomach as I consider the potential outcomes for tonight.
Despite how rushed it may seem, I plan to ask her to move into the penthouse.
She needs the protection I can offer her, and I selfishly want her closer.
Having her sharing my space once more will soothe the riled Alpha inside of me.
A sleek black limo waits outside my building, Lex already tucked inside. The younger Alpha seems uncomfortable in his stone-gray dress shirt and matching pants. He grunts an acknowledgment when I slide into the back, but doesn’t speak.
I don’t mind the quiet. Choosing to speak when your words have the most impact is a skill many people lack. They fill silence with superfluous chatter, too afraid to sit with their thoughts and feelings.
When the car stops outside of Bea’s apartment, I step out to greet her, carefully adjusting my blue-gray suit jacket. My Omega is stunning as she moves down the walkway, wide hips swaying with each step.
She stops a few feet away, meets my eyes, and gives me a slow twirl, showing off the dress I bought her.
Pastel peach fabric sits off her shoulders, wrapping her arms in delicate lace.
The torso clings to her breasts, highlighting the tasteful dip of her cleavage without revealing too much.
The skirt flares over her wide hips, stopping just below her knees.
Nude heels adorn her feet, highlighting the long, golden length of her calves.
Fates, she’s stunning. A shining star peeking through on a cloudy night.
“You look incredible,” I rasp, offering her my hand. Cautiously, she takes it, thanking me as she slides into the limo. The faintest hint of her citrus scent wafts to my nose, making my mouth water and my cock harden.
I turn, adjusting myself discreetly before I climb in behind her. The rest of her mates follow, and I take a moment to study them.
Creed is a massive man, taller than any of the rest of us.
Wider, too. He’s dressed in a tan suit and white dress shirt, several of the top buttons undone.
The color complements his cool brown skin tone and recently trimmed hair.
He looks at Bea, eyes heated, and his lips twisted into a smirk. As captivated by her as the rest of us.
The faint silver of Bea’s mark on his lip distracts me for a moment, sending a pang of jealousy through me. I could have had that same connection if I hadn’t spent so long pushing my Omega away. What a fool I have been.
Turning my attention to Ridley, I nearly roll my eyes when I see the bright grin on his face.
This Alpha unnerves me with his constant state of happiness.
He’s far too easygoing, lacking the structure and wariness I’m used to.
Black high-tops offset the white dress shirt and black slacks he’s wearing.
I suppose it’s better than the gym clothes I am used to seeing him in.
“Where is Orion?” Bea asks, eyeing me from the seat across from mine.
“He’s meeting us at the restaurant. He had an errand to run this afternoon.”
I don’t mention that today is Serenity’s birthday. My Omega doesn’t need to feel bad for enjoying a night out on a day her potential Alpha may be hurting.
I’d spoken with Orion in depth this morning to ensure he would be okay with us going out, but my friend guaranteed me he would be fine.
The pain from losing his first mate will always linger, holding a permanent spot in his aching heart, but he is ready to live again.
Building a life with the sweet, sassy Omega who owns our hearts.
The driver lets us out at the entrance to the restaurant I chose.
A cozy fine-dining spot in the city. White stone towers above us, but the bottom portion of the building is covered in a deep greenish-black stone.
Greenery and white flowers of some type crawl between the windows and wrap around their tops, giving the outdoor patio a romantic feel despite the traffic passing by.
I guide Bea with my hand on the small of her back, speaking to the hostess without relinquishing the small touch. We’re seated outside at a large white marble table. Golden chairs are covered in soft white cushions, and small candles flicker in glass tubes along the middle.
Orion is already seated and waiting for us. He stands when he sees us approach, biting his lip as his eyes roam over Bea’s delectable figure. A reaction I can relate to. The swell of my mate’s ass in this dress nearly has me biting my fist.
“Holy shit, is that a corset?” Ridley asks, clapping Orion on the shoulder.
“Yes, it is,” Bea purrs, leaving me behind to greet her last mate. Her hands press against his chest, fingers teasing the edges of the black and white shapewear. “Such a pretty present you make for me, Alpha.”
We all bite back a groan at her sultry words, shifting on our feet as he kisses her.
The meeting of their lips is entirely too passionate for an outdoor patio in the middle of New York City, but I bite my tongue.
If she is happy, my possessiveness, my need to hoard her away from all the eyes I can feel on them, can sit on the back burner.
“I might need one of those,” Ridley comments as he helps Bea into her seat, blatantly adjusting himself before claiming the spot beside her. Our Omega laughs, a musical sound. With her head tossed back, she’s a vision in the city lights.
A server arrives, bringing the bottle of wine I selected for our group to share. He takes everyone’s drink orders and leaves us to peruse the menu.
Tapping my menu against hers, I catch her attention amidst the chatter of the rest of our future pack. Bea peeks up at me, listening to my silent question when I jerk my head toward her menu. I want to order for her. To have what little trust she can gift me by allowing me to choose her food.
When she nods, eyeing me curiously as she sets her menu aside, a satisfied rumble vibrates in my chest. Those alluring blue eyes roll playfully when she hears the sound, but the faint hint of pink on her chest betrays her true thoughts.
My Omega loves being taken care of as much as she loves fighting us every step of the way.
Sipping my wine, I let their conversations distract me from my nervousness. I try to imagine what this would have been like if we had truly been strangers. Five Alphas thrown together with one Omega as the only tie between us. I’m grateful we have the connections we do.
From Ridley and Lex’s partnership at the DAU, Orion’s former employment with me, and Creed’s tenure in the military with Lex, it is easier for us to build bonds together. To become the pack our mate needs.
There will be hiccups. Learning curves. That’s inevitable, but we should be able to weather it together. Anything to keep Bea happy and safe.