Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Declan
I watch her on the security cameras. Tatum. She’s beautiful.
She’s an Omega, that's clear, but her scent was muted. She must use dampeners, like I do. I do it out of necessity. Can’t have my employees reacting to my scent…trying to appease me.
I have unusually high access to Omegas. Unmated Omegas. I’ve met or been exposed to thousands of scents over the years.
But that vanilla and blueberry scent snuck up on me. Trickled into my system slowly, and the longer I was in her orbit, the longer I wanted to remain there. To strip her bare before me so I can dig out every secret her body is trying to keep. Images of laying her across my desk at Haze, and teasing her with that unholy pink vibrator latched themselves to my mind.
My pack doesn’t want an Omega. My twin has a few too many screws loose. Likes to put himself in danger, and my younger brother is on a celibacy kick that I don’t fully understand. Something to do with his first love, I’m sure.
As the pack lead, I could ask them to meet her. Force them to give her consideration. Or I could keep her to myself. Have some fun, get her out of my system. Possibly ride my rut out with her, if she’s willing.
I shake my head as she sifts through the clearance section. My phone beeps with a text, pulling my eyes away from Tatum just for a second.
Trev: Be there in fifteen.
I smirk. If she tries to leave before he arrives, I’ll stop her. My attention returns to the screen. I switch camera views so I can zoom in on her face. She nibbles her lip, her frown deepening with every glimpse of the price tags.
I don’t like that. I couldn’t get a clear read on her because of her muted scent. She seemed confident and sassy, but as I watch her…I frown. Hmm.
Her shoulders drop, and she curls in on herself the longer she looks through the racks of clothes. Finally, she settles on a dress. Then she heads for the shoes.
She kicks off her sneakers, tucking the socks into them next, and then tries on several heels before settling on a single pair.
Trev: Delivered.
Declan: Thank you.
I stuff my phone in my pocket as Tatum heads for the check-out.
I have to wonder what makes her feel so different to my Alpha instincts. She's not. Not really.
She’s beautiful. Alluring. Magnetic.
I can’t deny I’m drawn in. The longer I watch her, the stronger that realization becomes.
She ignited instincts I’ve spent a long time ignoring.
I need to find a way to get closer. I could follow her. That would be something my twin would do.
I’m not that guy.
I don’t follow unsuspecting Omegas.
“Yes?” I answer my phone, the ringtone telling me who’s calling without needing to look.
“That fucker knows our code and somehow escaped a locked fucking cage, right before hacking the cameras! I’m heading to the pawn shop for old school cameras!” my twin snarls, and through the bond, I can feel our younger brother's amusement.
“I’ll be in later. Have something to do first.” I hang up because the slippery Omega that's been tormenting us isn’t a priority of mine at the moment. Kodiak is obsessed. He’ll handle it, of that, there are no doubts.
Ignoring my instincts is something I’ve never put much effort into when it comes to Omegas, but this nagging, aggressive need to know her won’t release me.
So I give in.
Fuck.
What is it about Tatum that’s so easily gotten under my skin?
That's when I notice the bracelet my mother gave me is gone.
That sneaky little–
I’m almost thankful. At least now I have a reason to give into my instincts.
To follow her.
To catch her.