Chapter 25 #2
“Sure you don’t,” I scoff. “I must’ve been imagining how shitty you’ve been toward me since we met. I hallucinated you acting like your mate had brought home the last person you’d ever want in your pack.”
I know I shouldn’t provoke him, and that it’ll only make things worse. But now that I’ve pushed past my omega’s instincts and anxiety, I’m pissed.
River pinches between his brows and lets out a heavy sigh. “Camille, I don’t hate you.”
I open my mouth to rebuke his lie again, but he holds a hand up to stop me. “I understand why you’d think that. I haven’t been kind to you, and my behavior the other night was unacceptable.” His jaw sets into a resolute line. “It won’t happen again.”
It takes me a moment to reply, as I stare at him, stunned that he acknowledged how much of an ass he’s been. “Well…okay.”
Silence stretches between us, and I shift uncomfortably in my chair.
“When you asked me not to tell people, I thought you were referring to my pack courting you. Not outing you as an omega.” That same almost pained expression floods his face again. “Disclosing your designation to HR isn’t my responsibility. It’s yours. I won’t tell anyone.”
Relief floods my body. “Thank you.”
He shakes his head and his tone is rueful when he speaks. “Don’t thank me. Like I said, it’s not my place. But I hope you have a plan, because you can’t hide it forever. Especially if you allow my pack to pursue you as their omega.”
“I know I can’t,” I snap at him, not needing or wanting him to point out the obvious. “I just need time to get my omega under control and figure out the best way to share my new designation to minimize the damage it’ll do to my—”
I cut myself off as what he said registers past my affronted reaction. “Wait. What are you talking about? You’re not pursuing me. You can’t! We’d both get fired, and you… you don’t even like me!”
River sighs like I’m being ridiculous. It makes me want to reach across the desk and smack the glasses off his handsome face. “I’m not going to pursue you.”
“Then why did you say you were?” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Ambrose and Jackson want you. While it’s awkward that you’re my employee, there are no rules prohibiting you from pursuing romantic relationships with them.”
I hate that my omega feels hurt that River didn’t say he wanted me. I push that aside and narrow my eyes at the alpha across from me. “How would that even work?”
River’s businesslike, detached demeanor sets firmly back in place, and he sits back in his chair.
“Many packs have non-romantic pairings. If things progress, and you join our pack, we’ll need to disclose that to HR, but I checked, and their policy only prohibits romantic relationships between coworkers.
At that point, they may shift you to a different team or reassign me to another department to prevent any appearance of favoritism, but I’m sure we can handle that if it comes up. ”
A humorless laugh bursts from me before I can stop it. “That won’t be a problem. No one would ever accuse you of treating me better than others.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks, but River doesn’t respond to my assessment.
A long, pregnant pause stretches out between us. It’s clear that he’s waiting for me to accept this arrangement, or argue more.
This isn’t a good idea. Getting wrapped up with Ambrose and Jackson, knowing they have a pack member who actively dislikes me and is approaching the potential of me joining their pack like a business deal, would surely end in disaster.
And yet…
I’m miserable after only two days thinking that any hopes of being with them were dashed. As much as I tried not to, I’d already started thinking about what a future with them would look like.
“Did they agree to this?” I ask, breaking the silence.
River gives me a curt nod. “Of course. I wouldn’t bring this up if we hadn’t decided as a pack that this was the best course of action.”
He holds my gaze as I take a moment to search his face for any sign that he’s not serious about this.
Looking at him this close, I’m stunned to realize how beautiful he is.
Sure, I’d recognized that he’s an attractive man, because, well, I have eyes.
I just didn’t think about it much because he was my dickish boss.
But now I can see the fine details of the black tattoos that decorate the elegant column of his throat.
The flecks of gold in his dark eyes glimmering behind his glasses, and the small smattering of freckles on his high cheekbones.
My omega likes the way he looks. A lot.
I fight back a gasp as slick pools between my thighs. Thank god I have a metric fuckton of scent neutralizer and my omega underwear on.
Clearing my throat, I look away, hating how hot my cheeks have grown and my body’s reaction to him. It’s pathetic to want an alpha who has zero interest in me.
“I’m not interested in being a source of conflict for you pack or hurting the relationships you already have. I’ve been fine on my own…” I swallow hard, and when I speak again, it’s more to reassure myself than him. “I’ll be okay on my own.”
He frowns. “I promise I can handle it. You won’t be a problem. I want this. My entire pack does. Please, at least consider it.”
“I…” I open my mouth to tell him no, but the desperate edge to his tone and the pleading look in his eyes makes me pause.
“I’ll think about it.” I push my chair back and stand, needing to get out of here and find somewhere to breathe.
“Thank you,” he murmurs as I open the door.
I look back over my shoulder at him. “Please don’t fire me if this ends up being a total dumpster fire.”
A strange sound erupts from him, and it takes me a second to realize it’s a laugh. For the first time since I’ve met him, a genuine smile twists his lips. “I won’t. You’re my best employee.”
My mouth falls open in disbelief, but someone calling my name pulls my attention from him. When I turn back, the door has shut behind me, stealing away my ability to check if I heard him correctly.
“Camille! What happened? Are you okay?” Lauren rushes up to me, her eyes roving over my face and wet shirt.
I’d forgotten how much of a mess I am. “Oh! No, I’m fine.” I wave a hand at my face and let out a weak laugh. “Allergies.”
She gives me a disbelieving frown. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
No, I’m not. My boss just asked me to date his pack, and he knows I’m not a beta. Oh, and he thinks I’m his best employee. Also, did you know how gorgeous he is?
I plaster on my best fake smile. “Yes. Everything is fine.”