Chapter 9 Claire
Claire
Forrest was going to beat the shit out of that man for disrespecting me. And it was so fucking hot.
I couldn’t control my perfume, not when he was ready to defend my honor over a shitty look and some spilled ginger ale.
He also listened to me when I told him to let it go. He didn’t need to put on some macho display of Alpha dominance. Though, I suppose he did that when he nearly broke that man's fingers to get him to release my chair.
He’s not a man of many words, but the words he says hold importance. He’s also astonishingly honest, a trait I haven’t found in most Alphas.
Wells, on the other hand, is so easy to talk to, it feels like I’ve known him for years instead of a single day. He’s charming, easygoing, and his laid back energy is calming.
I’ve been on a lot of dates, ones with packs, ones with just Alphas, and every single one they asked me something about the family business.
It’s nice to be around men who just want to get to know me.
I love my family and I know I’m extremely privileged, but I want a pack who doesn’t care about any of it.
“So, what made you choose the cruise? I’m sure there are packs falling over themselves to have a chance with you in Manhattan,” Wells asks, and I lick my lips.
“None of those packs appeal to me. I want something genuine. I was getting set up at the Heat Haven facility in Manhattan as a failsafe for my first heat. I was having a rough time.” I clear my throat.
“When I received an email for the cruise, it felt like a sign maybe, and an adventure. What about you guys?” I ask, hoping they don’t dwell on my explanation.
Or ask me what the hard time I was going through was.
I could have said the whole truth, that my family is famous and my trust fund is like a beacon for pricks, that my poor little Omega heart was broken from unrequited love, but the watered-down version works, too.
“Our town in New Hampshire is small, and a lot of the Omegas who come into town are only there for a long weekend at the resort. This felt like a good place to actually have the time to meet someone,” Wells says.
I glance over at Forrest, whose eyes are intent on me. His full attention has me squirming in my seat; his scent is so potent and I just want to rub myself all over him.
“And what is it you’re looking for?” I ask curiously, looking at Forrest, wanting him to answer first.
Wells has already told me he yearns for pack life, that he loves it, and knows he wants an Omega to care for.
Forrest taps his fingers on the table in the rhythm of threes.
“I want someone to care for, to spoil. There are also the physiological needs I didn’t recognize I had until recently,” Forrest says.
“How recently?”
“Last night,” he says simply.
My perfume is going crazy, and my effect on him is clear as his pupils widen and he shifts in his seat. God, an Alpha hasn’t made me feel this way since Elliot.
I haven’t thought of him since last night and it almost makes me feel guilty. That’s irritating. I came on this ship to get over my one-sided infatuation, to find an Alpha who pursues me, who wants me.
He’s sitting right here in front of me, and he’s the only other Alpha who’s given me butterflies like this.
I’m not sure if it’s me trying to sabotage the night or if it’s the logical side coming out of me, but the words slip out, anyway.
“What about more pack mates?” I ask, glancing between the two of them.
It’s best to get this question out now, because no matter how interested I am, no matter how strong this pheromone-driven pull I’m having toward Forrest is, if they aren’t open to another Alpha joining the pack, this isn’t worth pursuing.
One Alpha and one Beta wouldn’t be enough for my heats. My mom gets by with two Alphas and a Beta and she’s told me in far too much detail how it’s the right amount, but even then, it can be exhausting.
“Another Alpha?” Forrest questions and I nod. His brows furrow and he’s deep in contemplation as Wells chimes in.
“I think a pack of five or smaller is ideal,” he says with a smile, but when he looks back at Forrest, I can tell he’s worried too.
“I haven’t considered this, but I would do anything to make an Omega happy. If that meant another Alpha in the pack, I would learn to be accommodating,” the large Alpha says.
His words relax me a little, it might not be what he envisioned, but he’s open and that’s all I could ask for.
After dinner is over, I don’t want the night to end, and apparently neither does Wells.
“There’s a silent disco at the nightclub tonight,” Wells says, shoving his hands into his pockets. “If you’d be interested.”
“Let’s do it,” I agree.
The ship is picking up speed again, but I thankfully don’t feel nauseated. I can’t determine if it’s from being around Forrest and his scent, or if maybe last night was a fluke.
Wells and I walk next to each other as Forrest trails behind. I can feel eyes on us everywhere we go and I do my best to ignore them.
I’ve had my fair share of unwanted Alpha attention before, but the level on the ship is unprecedented. It probably has a lot to do with Omegas not hanging out in common areas. They’re acting like they've never had a social interaction in their lives, and it has me on edge.
Maybe shoving a bunch of Alphas yearning for Omegas, and Omegas desperate for a pack into one enclosed space, wasn’t the most brilliant idea.
Having Forrest and Wells with me makes me feel safe, though.
The silent disco doesn't have many people in it, shocker.
Wells and I are handed headphones. The largest ones don’t fit Forrest’s head. He doesn’t seem to mind, as he takes a seat in a large, rounded red booth.
The nightclub is dimly lit, with a few strobe lights throughout, and, fortunately, very devoid of scents. I’m sure I look silly with these chunky headphones on, but everyone else is wearing them too.
Wells grabs my hand, leading me out onto the black tile dance floor. It’s an upbeat pop song as he grabs my hand, swinging me in a circle that makes me laugh.
He doesn’t give a single fuck about anyone around us as he bobs his head and grabs my hand, dancing to the song only we can hear. It’s silly, fun, and not something I would do back home.
I never thought I would be into a guy with longer hair, but on Wells it fits. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen his face so many times over the years, but it frames his strong jaw in the most delicious way. His smile is contagious, as is his spontaneity.
Most of the other people on the dance floor are lazily swaying to the beat, but Wells is dancing like he’s in the comfort of his home.
This man is like a gust of fresh air. How many times have I been to some function, thinking I had to look or act a certain way? Why did I ever even put that expectation on myself?
Wells spins me, my back pressed to his front as we move in rhythm with the music. We’re facing Forrest, who has the largest smile on his face as he watches us. I don’t want to leave him out, but he seems perfectly content just watching. Wells’ body is all muscle as I rub against him.
I haven’t had much experience with dating Betas. Actually, none.
It’s not that I’m anti-Beta, or not attracted to them, it’s just always Alpha packs who ask me out. But Wells has true confidence, not some pheromone-driven facade.
When I turn around, Wells puts his hands on my hips, and I sigh.
God, it’s nice to be touched. My parents were very good at showing me affection in the form of hugs so that I was never touch starved. It’s not like I was a saint, either. I had my dalliances with Alphas back home, but they meant nothing to me.
Something about him and Forrest’s touch lights something up inside me, something that’s been dormant.
A slower song comes on, and I lean in closer, resting my head against his chest, my fingers playing with the hair on the nape of his neck. He smells like Forrest, with a mix of whatever cologne he wears.
His hand rubs against my back and I just let myself drift off in the sweetness of it all. He might not be an Alpha, but I feel safe in his arms. The music picks back up to something more upbeat, but we don’t stop slow dancing.
Eventually, we part, both of us sliding down our headphones. The shocking reality of how quiet it is in the room with people dancing has a giggle making its way up my throat.
Wells rubs my arms, sending goosebumps over my flesh.
“Thank you for dancing with me,” he says.
“You’re welcome,” I say back. “What time is it?”
“Eleven.”
“I have a 9:00 a.m. Omega meet up. Whoever made it that early must hate Omegas, but I don’t want to stay up too late,” I tell him.
“Of course. Let’s get you to bed. I’d love to do this again tomorrow night, if you’re not busy,” he says.
“I’d love that,” I tell him, pulling my phone out of my purse and opening the app. “I haven’t added anyone yet.”
I swallow thickly as I hand him the phone, wanting him to handle it.
The app doesn’t allow me to adjust the font to my usual settings and I’ve had a difficult time reading some of the content on there.
Not that it’s unusable, it just takes me longer, it’s a big reason why I researched so much of the ship before I got on, so I wouldn’t be blindsided.
Wells fingers glide against mine as he takes the phone and searches for his and Forrest’s details. He sends a message to both of their accounts, so that the two-way communication is open. Alphas can’t start a conversation with Omegas, it has to be prompted by them.
When we walk back over to Forrest, he looks pleased.
“Claire has an early morning,” Wells says.
The Alpha nods in a matter-of-fact way. “Do you need a snack or a drink before bed?” Forrest says.
I don’t know why I blush. It just seems like every time he talks, it’s in a protective, caring way, and I’m eating it up.
“That would actually be very nice,” I say as we return our headphones and make our way to the open buffet.
Forrest grabs a plate for me, and as I point at different foods, he silently fills the plate. He also grabs me another ginger ale as we make our way to the elevators.
“This is me. I had an amazing time tonight,” I tell them.
I give Wells a hug first, and hold on tight to his strong back. His body is firm and confident and I kinda wish I was dragging him back to my room to snuggle with all night. But that would be ridiculous, right?
“See you tomorrow,” he says, kissing my cheek, which sends a rabid batch of butterflies fluttering around my stomach.
Forrest holds the plate of food and drink, so I just wrap my arms around him. It takes a long moment, but I guess he hands Wells the food before his arms wrap around me. God, he’s so deliciously Alpha sized.
I take a deep inhale of his scent, knowing I’ll miss it as soon as I get back to the room. Luckily, my sheets are still dripping in his scent from last night.
“Let us know when you get back to your room safely,” he says.
He doesn’t kiss my cheek or make another move as I take a step back, taking the plate and drink with me as I awkwardly use my wristband to gain access to the elevator.
I give them a quick smile when I step in and the doors shut. The smile on my face has my jaw aching as the elevator goes down to the twelfth floor.
Maybe it’s because I’ve only had one other crush in my life, but the excitement of what could happen between them makes me feel optimistic.
Coming on this ship was the right thing. Everything is going to work out for me. This isn’t how I saw things going, but maybe this could be even better.
Security scans my wristband, and I head to my room. As soon as I enter, I put the plate of food and drink down on the table as I use speech to text on the app to tell them I made it back to my room.
I’m high off the night as it hits me. The room only carries my scent.
I look at my freshly made bed and head toward it, grabbing a pillow and sniffing.
It’s completely devoid of any trace of Forrest’s scent, like my stomach knows he’s what I need to feel good.
It rolls, and tears stream down my face.