Chapter 4
4
GARRETT
I 've become that Alpha. The kind who watches an Omega from across the street, on my third cup of coffee in two hours this morning while pretending I'm not completely fixated on her every move. But here's the thing—when your soul recognizes its mate, rationality goes straight to hell.
Mom always said I'd know. One day, Garrett, you'll scent an Omega, and everything will shift. It'll terrify you, but you grab that chance with both hands and don't let go.
I didn't expect it to ever happen, let alone so quickly over Christmas lights and craft beer. Yet, that's exactly what happened.
I'm inside Cocoa & Cheer Cafe, which offers the perfect vantage point of Ruby's Winterscape Bar. Snow falls softly outside, coating Main Street in fresh white, but it doesn't stop too many people doing last-minute shopping. Garlands and twinkling lights deck every storefront, and White Christmas plays for probably the hundredth time today. Usually, I love this season—the lights, the music, the way the whole town transforms into something magical.
But right now, all I can focus on is Ruby.
Three days since the festival. Three days since that kiss that damn near brought me to my knees. Three days of her scent—honey and cardamom—flooding my dreams.
I've been out of town for the last two days for a meeting with a new supplier, so today, I intend to see my sweet Ruby. But first, I want to ensure she's safe, as I've heard from a couple of friends I had watching her place that her cousin has been hanging around.
My coffee's gone cold, vanilla syrup pooling at the bottom. I should be at my brewery. Should be working on that new winter stout. Instead, I'm here.
Something's way off about Marcus. The way he looked at Ruby at the festival, like she's property to be claimed rather than the fierce, independent woman who nearly knocked me on my ass with one smile. I've been doing my homework on Whispering Grove's golden boy. The things people whisper when they think no one's listening… The fucker is rich, has connections, all inherited from his stepfather's side. Never worked a day in his life.
That's when a black Mercedes coming down the snowy street grabs my attention, and I spot Marcus in the driver's seat. My hand tightens on my cup.
"Time to play," I murmur, pulling out my phone. One quick text to Dominic.
Your boy's making his move.
The response is instant.
Watch the show.
Marcus parks illegally practically in front of the cafe door—of course, he does—and straightens his designer coat. He takes one step toward Ruby's bar.
That's when the tow truck appears from around the corner, grunting toward the Mercedes, and parks in front of it.
My new cup of coffee arrives, and I smirk at the blonde who stares at me too long.
Quickly, I turn my attention back to the show.
Two massive guys jump out of the truck. Before Marcus reaches the sidewalk, they're already hooking up his precious car. I grin as his face turns the color of Christmas lights.
"What do you think you're doing?" His voice carries even through the cafe door slightly ajar. "Do you know who I am?"
The bigger guy—must be close to seven feet—looks supremely bored. "Someone parked in a snow removal zone."
"This is my town!" Marcus pulls out his phone. "I'll have your jobs for this!"
"Your town?" The second guy steps into Marcus' space. "Funny. Paperwork says it belongs to the city council." He taps the sign Marcus definitely saw and ignored. "Can't remove snow with cars in the way. Public safety issue."
A crowd's gathering now. Phone cameras appear. Marcus's perfectly tailored suit doesn't appear so perfect as he gestures wildly, face getting redder by the second. The huge guy doesn't move an inch, just stands there like a mountain in a high-vis safety vest.
"My stepfather will hear about this!"
"Sure." The first guy keeps working, chains clinking. "He can pick up your car at the impound. After paying the fines. And the boot removal fee."
"Boot?" Marcus looks down. Somehow, while he was ranting, they'd slapped a boot on his back tire. "You can't… I'll sue…"
"City ordinance 47-B." The mountain shrugs. "Double parking during snow removal gets a boot once we deliver it to the impound to ensure you really learned your lesson when you receive two fines."
I hide my smirk behind my cup as Marcus's composure cracks. He's on his phone again, pacing, that perfectly bred Alpha control slipping with every step. The crowd's loving it, hanging on their every word. Several people are definitely livestreaming.
The Mercedes rises onto the truck bed as a cab appears, right on cue. Marcus storms toward it, trying to maintain dignity while foaming at the mouth.
"This isn't over!" he shouts at the tow truck.
"Sure is," Mountain-man drawls. "Unless you want a citation for threatening city workers."
The cab door slams. The tow truck pulls away. The crowd slowly disperses, but their phones are still out, still sharing the town's latest entertainment.
"Enjoying the show?" Dominic says from behind me abruptly.
He slides into the chair across from me. Fifteen years of friendship and I still haven't figured out how he moves so silently, I don't hear him approach.
"Your guys do good work."
He grins, all sharp edges and he looks dangerous wrapped in his black expensive suit. "Former special forces tend to. Amazing how many find work in private security."
"Incredible how they always show up right when needed," I say sarcastically.
"I do love a good coincidence." He signals the waitress, who sprints over. Her Beta fruity scent floods as she takes in both of us. "Bourbon caramel latte, extra shot."
"Anything else?" She's batting her lashes so hard, I worry she'll strain something.
"Just the coffee." Dominic's smile is pure sin.
She actually stumbles leaving.
I chuckle. "You're giving her false hope."
"You're one to talk, stalker." He nods toward Ruby's bar. "Three days you've been here. Getting a little obsessive, aren't we?"
"Says the man who has Marcus' entire history, including his kindergarten report cards."
"He bit three kids and blamed a dog. Very telling." Dominic's expression turns serious. "He's dangerous, Gar. Not just spoiled-rich-boy dangerous. There's something wrong there."
I think of Ruby's face when Marcus threatened her at the festival. The fear she tried to hide. "Tell me."
"Three Omegas filed complaints against him in the last year for sexual assault and battery. All withdrawn suddenly. All moved away shortly after."
My growl makes nearby customers jump. Dominic continues like he doesn't notice.
"His father's got half the town council in his pocket. Local cops won't touch him. But..." His grin returns. "Federal agencies don't give a fuck about small-town politics."
"What did you find?"
"Let's just say the IRS is very interested in certain financial discrepancies at Daddy's company. Might take them a few weeks to fully investigate. Right around Christmas, probably."
The waitress returns with his coffee, all smiles.
"Thanks, darling." He winks.
"You're still a shithead," I tell him.
"Please. Like you weren't just marking your territory all over the festival." He sips his coffee. "Speaking of marking territory, Hannah and Lily weren't exactly forthcoming about her little matchmaking scheme, were they? Or why they wanted us on such short notice to try dating Ruby, but they made it clear this isn't a one-night stand. Ruby is looking for a long-term commitment, and that's why we agreed."
In truth, we researched her background before agreeing to anything, our trust issues demanding we dig deep. But the moment we laid eyes on her that busy night when we stopped in for drinks, we knew instantly she might be the Omega we'd been searching for. We've known Hannah and Lily, who we buy all our baked goods from, for years, so I trusted their judgment when they approached me for help with Ruby. They were well aware that Dominic, Knox, and I were bachelors without an Omega. One thing led to another, and here we are... stalking the girl.
"I think fear is stopping her from following her heart. Anyway, my first attempt could have gone better," I admit.
"Could have gone worse." Dominic's eyes fill with interest. "Did anything happen that I should be aware of?"
I can't help the longing rumble in my chest. "I kissed her. Fuck, she had me so switched on even before the kiss."
"And?" He leans forward, suddenly intense.
"And nothing's ever felt more right." I run a hand through my hair, remembering the way she tasted, how her scent had me rock hard in seconds. "It was like... everything clicked, but also like something was missing."
"Missing?" His eyebrow raises.
"Can't explain it. Just know I want more. Need more. And she's holding back." I meet his eyes. "You'll understand when you meet her."
"If she forgives us and her friends for the setup." He grins, but there's hunger in his expression. "Knox gets his shot next to meet her since he insisted."
My hands clench at the thought of my friend near her, but strangely, it doesn't feel like jealousy. More like... anticipation. We've decided against traditional dating, wanting to meet her in more organic situations, for her to see us as we are in our jobs, like I met her at the festival. Dates are always fucking awkward for everyone.
Dominic's gaze gleams. "Think her friends know what she's really set up here?"
"Does it matter? We've all been searching for our Omega, and I think she might be the one for us. I swear I feel my scent matches with hers, but I need more time to be close to her, to be sure."
Dominic whistles, then chuckles loudly, gaining some glances our way. "Guess we'll find out." He checks his phone. "Speaking of Knox, he's asking if Marcus is handled." He types his response, already knowing the answer.
I watch Ruby through the window outside her bar, accepting something from the mailman. She's laughing at something he said, and my chest aches.
"Think she can handle us all?"
Dominic's gaze follows mine. "From what you've told me... I'm more than ready to find out." His voice drops lower. "When my turn comes, she'll have to be ready."
"She's perfect."
"You've got it bad, my friend."
"Yeah." I don't bother denying it. "But something tells me I'm not the only one who will."
He doesn't deny it, just watches her with that calculating look I know too well. The one that says he's already planning his approach, already imagining his own chance.
"Well," he says finally. "This should be an interesting Christmas."