Chapter 11
Claire
I’m so warm and comfortable that I don’t want to get up as my phone blares in the distance.
“Ugh, shut up,” I groan, nestling my face even further into the best smelling pillow ever created. It’s a little firm, but perfect.
My alarm keeps going off as I blink open my eyes. My morning view is of Forrest’s chest, his arm is under my neck, and my legs are wrapped around one of his thick thighs.
I should feel mortified, right? That I basically clung to him like a koala all night? But as he smiles down at me, with his sleep rumpled hair and dark brown eyes, there’s no embarrassment to be seen.
“Morning,” he says, his voice deeper than usual.
I lick my lips, wondering how crazy my hair looks right now, as a hand splays wide on my stomach. In the haze of waking up drooling over Forrest, I didn’t realize that Wells is nestled against my back. He happily rubs the bridge of his nose against my head.
“Mmm, turn that noise off,” he says sleepily, not fully awake.
Forrest reaches over, grabbing my phone and handing it to me. I turn off the alarm, but don’t untangle myself from either of them.
“Wells isn’t much of a morning person. Would you like me to take you to your room and we can order in breakfast before your meet and greet?”
I think that might be the longest sentence he’s said to me.
“I’d love that,” I say, not wanting to slip out of here and do some sort of walk of shame back to my room.
There was nothing shameful about last night, not even a little. I told them I needed Forrest’s scent to feel better, and they provided it, no strings attached. Forrest squeezes my thigh, and I perfume on the spot, which has him smiling even wider at me.
“You have a very nice smile,” I tell him, which has this big Alpha’s cheeks turning an adorable shade of pink.
“Thank you.”
He squeezes my thigh again, and that’s when I realize he’s doing it so that I’ll untangle myself from him so he can get up.
“Oh.” I clear my throat, moving my leg and lifting my head so he can get up.
He heads to the bathroom as I lie there for a bit longer, Wells’ grip around my waist tightening.
Forrest comes back, with freshly brushed teeth as he grabs a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, putting them on effortlessly.
“Ready?” he asks, and I nod.
Wells mumbles something and doesn’t easily let me go, but eventually I get his hand pried away from my waist. I have to slightly yank Forrest’s jacket from under his body, but I eventually do.
It’s mine now. If Forrest minds, he doesn’t say anything as I slip on my sandals and we make our way back to the suite.
Luckily, it seems early enough that not too many people are milling about. I wonder if a lot of Alphas and Betas were out partying and using their drink packages, just like the Alpha I ran into last night clearly was.
Forrest doesn’t hold my hand or touch me as we get to the elevator, and I can’t quite decipher how I feel about that. I just spent all night snuggled up next to him, it wouldn’t hurt to hold my hand or show some physical affection.
I’m really going to need to figure this whole needy Omega thing out.
When we get to my floor, we both scan in with security and head to my suite. Forrest sits on the couch and pulls out his phone.
“Looks like we need to order through your app for it to be delivered here,” he says, and I hand him my phone. I haven’t used that function yet. As much as I’ve scoured everything online so I wouldn’t be surprised, the app is unfortunately not easy for me to use. “Anything in particular you want?”
My stomach actually feels pretty good. “Some pancakes or french toast?” I ask.
“And some fruit, and yogurt, maybe?” he asks and I roll my eyes with a smile as I head into the main bedroom to get changed.
It’s just a meet and greet with other Omegas, so there’s no pressure. It doesn’t hurt that Forrest has seen me in these pajamas either. I go with a simple summer dress with royal blue flowers on it. I redo my hair so that it’s in a more tamed bun on my head and brush my teeth.
At this point makeup doesn’t seem necessary and I round the corner.
Forrest’s eyebrows are furrowed, and my phone sits on the coffee table.
“Everything alright?” I ask.
“Breakfast should be up soon. You got a message,” he says and I pick up my phone.
My heart sinks onto the floor as I read it.
Elliot
Seriously, Claire? A heat cruise. Have you lost your fucking mind?
It must take me longer than he expects to read, and he clears his throat, jostling me out of the haze of the message.
“He’s a family friend,” I say, hoping that he can’t hear the undertones in the distasteful way that I say friend.
“Your friends and family aren’t happy that you’re here?”
“My brother Axel dropped me off. My sister-in-law is extremely supportive, and so is my mom. The Alphas in my life, not so much.”
“That makes sense,” he says matter-of-factly, and I put a hand on my hip.
“Why?” I try my best to tamp down my irritation.
“If I had an Omega daughter, I’m not sure how I would feel about her doing something like this on her own,” he says, and it irritates me.
I’ve always been so insecure about doing things on my own. My family coddled me not only because of my designation but because of my learning disability. Neither mean that I’m hopeless or that I can’t take care of myself.
Obviously Forrest doesn’t know all that. Either way, his words hurt my feelings. Instead of saying that, I simply walk away and go sit out on the balcony.
There’s nothing but ocean and clear skies ahead of me, and I take some grounding breaths to help ease my temper.
The Alpha follows me, the balcony door sliding as his large form takes the seat next to me.
He scratches his beard before looking at me. “I’ve upset you.”
“I’m fine,” I reply.
“I’m at least smart enough to know when someone says they’re fine it rarely means they’re actually fine. What did I say?”
“You’re obviously very smart,” I say to him, looking back out at the water.
My family gave me every single advantage with my dyslexia, and yet I still struggle so much. Forrest has his shit together, and maybe he’ll think I’m incapable, too.
“So are you, smart, brave, and beautiful,” he says.
I take a deep breath and look at him. “The comment that if you had a daughter, you wouldn’t want her to do this either.
I’m not incompetent. Just because I’m an Omega, just because—” I stop myself there, not wanting to go any deeper into my insecurities, and swallow.
“Everyone thinks that without a pack, we’re defenseless and can’t live normal lives like anyone else. ”
He blinks at me a few times. The silence is long, but I won’t push him to respond immediately.
“I don’t think you’re defenseless, but I also don’t think you should have to put up with other people’s behavior.
I’ve seen firsthand the way Alphas have looked at you and spoken to you on this ship, like it’s their right to demand your time and attention.
You’re more than capable of taking care of yourself, but you’re undoubtedly extremely precious to your family.
When someone is invaluable to you, the thought of them being in danger or getting hurt is abhorrent.
It has nothing to do with you or your capabilities, no matter your designation, but wanting to protect the most important thing in your life from anyone who would ever dare to harm them. ”
I stare at him, taking in all his words. They hit me right in my heart, and there’s a sense of guilt there. I haven’t called any of my dads because I thought they didn’t want me to come on this trip because I couldn’t handle it, because I wasn’t mature enough, or smart enough.
It has nothing to do with how they view me or my capabilities.
They didn’t want me coming on this ship because I’m invaluable to them.
I’ve been projecting my own perceived inadequacies on to them, which isn't fair.
My family has given me everything. Not once have they made me feel less than brilliant and perfect.
How can I be this deeply insecure about myself? My eyes water and it hits me all at once that I came onto this ship because I needed to prove to myself that I’m capable.
“Come here,” Forrest says, and I comply immediately, crawling into his lap, soaking up every ounce of comfort he’s willing to give. “I am, however, undoubtedly grateful that you were defiant, or I wouldn’t have met you.”
I pull back, my fingertips trailing down the side of his face, gliding down his beard, before I lean in and press his lips to mine.
His large hands grip my waist as he kisses me back and I nearly feel consumed by him. His scent is addictive, his size makes me feel small and cherished, but most of all, I feel like Forrest could be the Alpha who likes all the pieces of me, even the ones I view as damaged.
I can’t help but press myself against him, feeling his erection against my center. My perfume is going crazy, and I know I’m going to need to change my panties again before I go to this meet and greet. I’m in a complete frenzy over being seen by this Alpha and his all-consuming scent.
Forrest’s hand glides up my back, his fingers tangling in my bun as he moves my head so that he can kiss down my jaw and throat. I feel lost in the best way possible. I’m completely out of my head. The only thoughts I have are of his scent and touch.
It feels so damn good not to think and just let myself feel.
I want more.
We’re both panting, and I’m ready to rip this dress over the top of my head as I look over Forrest’s shoulder and see Reyna bringing in my breakfast.
She doesn’t even bat an eye at the position I’m in, but I clear my throat and scramble off Forrest’s lap.
“Did I do something wrong?” he asks and my face falls.
“No. Not at all, breakfast is here,” I tell him, and he gives me a soft smile.
Being alone with this Alpha is going to be dangerous, or maybe exhilarating. I walk back inside the suite and Forrest stays on the balcony. I’m pretty sure he’s willing his dick to go down and I can’t help but to smirk at myself.
“Miss S?renson. Lovely to see you, breakfast is here. Do you need anything else?” she asks, professional as always.
“No, thank you, Reyna.”
“Of course, if you need anything else today please let me know.”
“I will,” I say and she leaves the room.
As soon as she leaves, Forrest comes in. He walks past me, his hand on my waist as he brings his nose to my throat. Could this Alpha need my scent as much as I need his?
“Eat your breakfast,” he says.
We eat together, not diving into our conversation from earlier, and I make a promise to call my dads later.
“See you tonight,” Forrest says, kissing the top of my head before I walk into the event space.
I grab his shirt and snag a kiss. Is it because I’m marking my claim in front of all these Omegas? Maybe, but I’m definitely not the jealous type.
“See ya.”
He gives me a boyish grin and walks away, leaving me here with a plethora of sweet Omega scents. I grab a glass of orange juice to have something in my hands as I mingle.
“You’ve already met someone?” a quiet voice says, and I turn around. The Omega in question is a small woman with long, wild red hair and large green eyes.
“Yeah, I guess I did,” I say, not wanting to bring up the whole throwing up over the side of the ship, or spending the night in their cabin. “I’m Claire.”
We don’t shake hands, but she gives me a small smile. “Andie,” she says softly. “All of this is very overwhelming. I went to the buffet once and immediately had an Alpha brazenly scent my hair, and we’re getting more people on board tomorrow. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.”
“Here, add me to your messaging app. If you need someone to hang out with and tell Alphas to fuck off, I’d be happy to,” I tell her, handing her my phone.
“Really? That would be amazing. Thank you.”
Andie and I chat some more. She’s from Delaware, no family except her Beta brother, who wasn’t big on the idea of her coming here either.
But her town was super small, with very few good Alphas to choose from, so she took the risk of coming here.
A few more Omegas join us, and it’s nice to be around people who are going through the same thing as me.
I’m enjoying myself, feeling confident that coming on this ship was the right thing. Then I hear the most agitating, high-pitched laugh that I’d know anywhere.
Megan Moyer, my arch fucking nemesis.