Chapter Eight
Remington
“A re you sure you’re okay with doing this?” Finnegan asks for the hundredth time.
It’s not really the hundredth time, but it feels like it is. Ever since Bree knocked on my door at four, and I agreed to go forward with meeting my next set of suitors, everyone has been asking if I’m sure—or if I’m really okay.
It’s really getting on my damn nerves, which is probably why Finn ends up getting the brunt of my annoyance.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I snap. “If I wasn’t sure, I would’ve told Bree no earlier. If one more person asks me, you’re going to get an omega tantrum unlike any other you’ve ever seen!”
Finn blinks at me for a moment before his lips turn up at one corner, clearly trying not to laugh.
I’m practically feral at this point from the anxiety, worry, and annoyance running through me. If he laughs, I’m going to commit murder.
“Go ahead. Do it. Laugh,” I snarl, baring my teeth.
“No laughing here.” Finnegan holds his hands up in surrender as he slowly backs away. “I’m glad you feel up to this. I’ll just be over here with Tessa.”
He never turns his back on me and considering how I’m feeling right now, that’s probably a smart decision on his part.
Reginald clears his throat, and my glare turns to him. He just smiles and shakes his head. “All I was going to say is your suitors might prefer to see a smiling face versus a snarling one.”
“They can fuck off.” I cross my arms over my chest, knowing I’m full-on pouting right now—which is in no way attractive on a grown man. Or at least not on this grown man.
Would it probably have been better to delay meeting the day three suitors? Yes, absolutely.
But I was losing my mind in my nest. Being alone in my nest isn’t what I needed. I need to be surrounded by people—even if they’re people I don’t know yet—so I won’t overthink everything in the damn world.
I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, stretching my neck from side to side to release some of the tension. If only Quinn was here for another shoulder and neck massage.
I try to bite back a whimper at the thought, but it tumbles out of my mouth unbidden.
“Do you need something, Remy?” Reginald’s voice is soft as he moves closer to me, and I shrug. “Can you at least tell me why you whimpered?”
Lifting my head, I meet his gaze. “I was just thinking how nice it would be if Quinn was here to give me a neck and shoulder massage, like he did earlier. Sadly, that’s not possible.”
“To have Quinn do it? No, but if you’re comfortable with it, I give a damn good massage.” He grins when I frown at him, feeling like there’s some kind of catch to it.
Why is he offering to give me a massage? This doesn’t seem like an appropriate time.
“Why?” I finally ask, arms still crossed over my chest.
“Because you look like you’re really tense, and if a massage is what you need, that’s something I can help with.”
I consider him. “Won’t your omega be upset about you touching an unbonded omega?”
“Once upon a time? Yes. Not anymore, though. Tyler is used to me coming home smelling like other omegas since I started hosting Heated . He’s as possessive as they come, but he trusts me.“ He snorts. “If he didn’t trust the omegas on set, then his alpha wouldn’t be working here, would he?”
That makes sense, but part of me is still worried about upsetting Tyler. I only met him one time, but he seemed cool. I don’t want to upset him.
On the other hand, I’m so tense I can feel a headache brewing.
Finally, I sigh, shoulders slumping. “Yeah, okay. If you’re sure it won’t upset him.”
Which is how I find myself sitting in a chair beside the circular driveway with Reginald’s fingers digging into my aching muscles. There’s absolutely nothing sexual about it—except maybe the noises falling from my lips as muscle after muscle relaxes. When he’s done, I feel like a puddle of goo.
“I think you missed your calling,” I tell him as he helps me stand. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a massage that good.”
Reginald grins. “You’re lucky I like you. I usually reserve them for pack members only, so don’t go around telling everyone, alright?”
“Yeah, alright. And thank you. I really did need that. I probably would’ve bitten the heads off my suitors if they said one thing I didn’t like,” I admit.
He nods. “I kind of figured. If you think you’re good to go, we can let the driver know to head this way.”
I nod, taking my spot before turning to look over my shoulder at Finn and Tessa. “I’m sorry I was so foul with you.”
Finnegan snorts. “Remy, we both have omegas of our own. There are some times there is no reasoning with them, and that’s when we just have to take a step back until they work it out.”
“I’m still sorry. I rarely have to deal with having mood swings. Being on this damn show seems to pull out omega instincts I didn’t realize I had.”
Now it’s Tessa’s turn to snort. “If it makes you feel better, Bree had the same issue during season one. Not in the same way, but the emerging instincts? Yeah, that was something she had to work through.”
“It does make me feel better. Thank you.” My head jerks forward when I hear the sound of tires turning.
Just breathe, Remy. It’s just another suitor. You’ve got this.
I’ve already met eight suitors. What’s four more?
My eyes follow the limo as it drives around the circular driveway, stopping in the same place as usual.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
The door opens slowly, revealing a man as he steps out. Dressed in a tux as the other men have been, he’s just as attractive as the suitors I’ve met thus far. The difference is, he looks completely uncomfortable in it.
His light brown hair is on the longer side, wavy and a bit scruffy as it flows down to his chin. He has a short boxed beard that looks like he tried to wrangle under control but didn’t quite get there. He’s probably around six feet and has a more slender build but with wide shoulders.
What is it that they call that again?
That’s right. A swimmer’s build.
A smile lights up his face as he strolls over to me, seeming not to be in a hurry. As he approaches, just a hint of caramel crème br?lée hits me, making me ravenous. For food. Not for the alpha standing before me, although maybe a little for him as well.
“Hi, Remington. I’m Rhys Rosewood, alpha.” He offers me his hand, and I take it easily as I stare into his pale blue eyes. They’re beautiful and hard to look away from. His handshake is firm, his hands calloused and clearly used to hard work. “It’s so very nice to meet you.”
His smile is infectious, and I can’t help returning it. “It’s nice to meet you as well, Rhys. Would you mind telling me a little about yourself?”
“Of course, omega. Anything you wish for.”
If there’s any doubt he’s flirting with me, it’s washed away when he winks.
Well, that’s hot.
“I’m thirty-five, and I’m a carpenter. I have my own business back home. We do a lot of home builds, and in my spare time, I enjoy other woodworking like carvings, making furniture—things like that. I like to keep my hands busy.”
I clear my throat. “It sounds like you enjoy working with wood.”
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” he responds immediately, his tone seductive.
It takes me a minute to realize what I’ve insinuated, eyes going wide as my face flushes.
That’s not at all what I was talking about, but here we are. Me, dripping slick into my boxer briefs for the first suitor of the night with a throbbing cock. If someone had told me just twenty minutes ago that this was going to happen, I would’ve scoffed.
Being an omega is so confusing at times. Just mere moments ago, I was losing my temper while I worried about poor Lorenzo.
Now, I’m all hot and horny.
“Right. Yeah…That’s not what I meant, but that’s good to know.” I chuckle. “And family?”
He shrugs. “It’s just me. My parents had me when they were older, a surprise baby when Mom was over forty and Dad was in his fifties. Dad passed away when I was twenty-two, and Mom followed less than a year later. They were both only children, and my grandparents passed before I was born.”
All I want to do is pull him into my arms and hold him.
Here we go again with these damn mood swings.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine being so alone in the world.”
Rhys just shrugs, his smile a little softer, though still not sad. “It’s not all bad. I had twenty-two of the best years with parents who adored me. Who taught me how to take care of myself once they were gone. They knew they wouldn’t get to live as long with me, so they made sure I could do it on my own.”
“That’s the sweetest damn thing I’ve ever heard.” I sigh, frowning when Reginald catches my attention. “I don’t know how, but it seems our time is already up. I look forward to getting to know you better tonight and tomorrow.”
“And I, you,” Rhys says as he leans over to kiss my cheek.
I lift my hand, brushing it over my burning skin, where I can still feel the press of his lips as I watch him head toward Tessa and Finn. When he turns around and sees me watching, he shoots me another wink.
Forcing myself to turn away, I find Reginald grinning at me. I shoot him the finger as I hear the sounds of the next limo approaching.
It doesn’t take long to circle the driveway and come to a stop before me.
I suck my bottom lip into my mouth, wondering who’ll step out this time.
Another alpha? A beta? Male? Female? A pack?
There are too many options, but luckily, the door swings open, and I hold my breath.
The woman who steps out is on the shorter side, but taller than Brooke. She’s curvy in all the right places, and the dress she wears clings to those curves. Her black hair is curled, pulled back on one side as it falls just past her shoulders. Her light golden brown skin is flawless, and her red painted lips draw the eye.
She’s gorgeous, but when she smiles, I truly forget how to breathe.
“Hello, gorgeous,” she says, her voice raspy as she stops in front of me. There’s a hint of an accent, but it’s hard to pinpoint from so few words. “My name’s Camila Serrano.”
I stare into her dark brown eyes that are nearly black as hints of citrus and vanilla hit me. She’s a beta, and yet, she’s drawn my attention as like a moth to like—something usually reserved for alphas.
Apparently, I’ve forgotten how to speak as I continue to stare at her.
Camila’s smile gets bigger as she leans into me, placing her hand on my chest. “Are you okay, guapo ?”
I know just enough Spanish to know she just called me handsome, and I flush.
“You’re breathtaking.” Shaking my head, I let out a snort of laughter. “It seems you’ve taken away my ability to think and speak.”
“It seems like you’ve recovered nicely.” She goes to take a step back, but when she goes to pull her hand away, I lay mine on top of it.
Camila raises an eyebrow. “Are you keeping my hand hostage?”
I shrug. “Maybe. At least for a little while. Will you tell me about yourself? And call me Remy, please. Or guapo is fine if you prefer.”
“Of course, Remy.” Camila grins up at me. “I’m twenty-five and a beta. I run my family’s restaurant, Serrano’s. It’s been in our family for generations. If the stories are to be believed, our restaurant has been open since before the Event.”
“Wow. Really?”
She nods. “That’s the story that’s been passed down through the family. It’s hard to prove since so much was lost around then, but even if there have been some exaggerations, it’s been around at least since just after the Event.”
“That’s so cool that you have a piece of family history like that. Did you always want to run the restaurant? Do you have siblings?”
She taps her fingers against my chest. “So many questions, guapo . If I answer them all now, then what will we have to talk about later?”
“We still have time, so we have to talk about something,” I argue, beaming down at her.
“Okay, fine. I guess I’ll have to find something else to be mysterious about. I’m the oldest of three—I know, it’s a lot of kids considering the birth rates, but my parental pack is massive. My family is nothing but betas. I don’t think there’s been a single alpha or omega in our family tree for as far back as we track. It also seems that my family loves big packs. I have seven dads and four moms.”
My eyes widen at that revelation. While betas often join packs, I don’t know that I’ve heard of an all-beta pack quite that big before.
“I never thought it was out of the ordinary,” Camila continues. “My grandparents’ packs are just as big—or at least close to it. And when I say packs, I mean all eleven of them. My younger brother is sixteen and my younger sister is only seven. As the oldest, it was assumed I would be the one to take over the restaurant. Luckily, it’s what I wanted. I know if it wasn’t what I wanted, then they would’ve been supportive in whatever I decided to do, but they were glad when I told them I wanted to be the one to run it.
“It’s a blast. You’ll have to go once we’re back in Los Angeles. The only people who work there are family. Some work outside of the restaurant full time while others work part time elsewhere. Not me though. It’s my baby, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else. My earliest memories are from being at the restaurant while one of my moms or dads was working, sitting with my grandparents. It’s something not many people get to experience.”
I nod. “No kidding. My family has nothing we pass down from generation to generation, and here your family is with a whole restaurant. It sounds like your family is close. That’s always good. You can do anything when you have a family like that.”
“Yeah, we’re definitely close,” she confirms.
My attention hooks on Reginald, and I wrinkle my nose when I see him telling me to wrap it up. “Well, Camila. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, but Reginald looks like he’s going to have a heart attack if I don’t let you go so I can meet the next suitor.”
Camila’s laughter fills the air as I lean down to kiss her cheek. She turns her head at the last second, so I catch her lips instead. I groan, wanting to deepen the kiss but knowing our time is up.
“Damn,” I say, pulling back and finally releasing her hand. “I guess I should’ve just aimed for your lips.”
“Yes, you should have,” she agrees, trailing her fingers over my chest before allowing her hand to fall to her side. “I’ll see you soon.”
Just like I watched Rhys, I can’t seem to look away as Camila moves to join the alpha. Her hips glide from side to side, and my eyes lock onto her plump ass.
Damn.
When Reginald clears his throat, I jerk my head around to find him full-out laughing at me. I bare my teeth at him as I run my hands down the tux I’m still being forced to wear. While I appreciate Evangeline’s designs, I really still don’t want to be wearing it.
I snicker as I imagine myself meeting twenty suitors in a pair of sweats and a graphic tee. I’m pretty sure Bree and Tessa would both have a conniption.
I’m still grinning when the next limo pulls into the driveway before coming to a stop in front of me. The door swings open to reveal a man who’s maybe three or four inches taller than me. His jawline is covered in stubble as if he hasn’t shaved in a day or two, and it’s fucking hot as hell. His golden brown hair is pulled off his gorgeous face.
He steps aside and a second man exits—who looks just like the first man.
Twins?
Hell yes!
The only difference between the two men seems to be their hair. The lengths are the same, and maybe even the cut, but I can’t tell when one of them has it pulled back. The second man wears his loose. He runs his hand through it, brushing it away from his face, and I scent my perfume in the air.
As if my dick trying to punch its way out of my pants and the massive amounts of slick spilling from me weren’t signs of how attractive I find the two of them, my body wants to make sure that everyone in the vicinity is just as aware.
The first man smirks, slapping his brother on the shoulder as he nods in my direction. They saunter over, bodies moving almost as one. Whiskey and bourbon fill my nose as they reach me, too intertwined with each other beneath the scent blockers that I can’t separate them from one another. I think one of them is an alpha and the other a beta, but I’m not even sure of that.
The smirk hasn’t left the first man’s face, while the second man’s face remains impassive.
“Hello, omega,” the second man says, a Russian accent making his words roll over my body as if they were his hands. “My name is Alexei Ivanov, and my twin, Nikolai. I am beta, and he is alpha. We came from Russia when we were twenty.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Alexei. Nikolai. How long have you been in America?”
Alexei glances at his twin, rolling his eyes when the other man remains silent. “We are thirty-four, so fourteen years, yes?”
I love his accent, and I want to hear more of it, but I also want to hear Nikolai’s.
“Nikolai, what do you do for work?”
“Cybersecurity,” Nikolai says but offers nothing else.
Alexei sighs. “You will forgive my brother. He is not one for talking. He prefers much more being the broody, silent one—leaves me to be the one to speak for us.”
I laugh. “I guess I should be grateful he spoke at all, then.”
“Yes. I am sure he will speak more as time goes by, but for now, I tell you about us. How would you like to know?”
“What brought you to America? Why cybersecurity? What do you like to do in your free time?” I pause. “Honestly, I’d love to hear anything you want to tell me. I could listen to your accent all day.”
Alexei throws his head back as he laughs. “Not often people enjoy our accent. I am pleased. We were recruited by American company when they caught us hacking into places we should not. We are lucky they bring us here and have us work.”
“Hacking? Do I even want to know what you were hacking into?”
He shakes his head slowly. “I cannot tell you, even if you guessed. There is much we cannot speak of. The owner of the company has no children. He trains us to take over when he retires. We are lucky ones. That is why cybersecurity. How is that saying? It fell into our laps, yes? We love it.”
“It’s always best when you love what you do. So when you’re not doing cybersecurity things—I’m sorry, I don’t even know really what that means—what else do you do?” It’s not that I haven’t heard the term cybersecurity before, I just don’t know what all it encompasses. It’s never been something I’ve ever had to deal with.
“I will teach you about cybersecurity one day,” he promises with a grin. “We still do hacking, but now we get paid. Free time is spent reading for me and painting for Nikolai. He is much talented. His pieces make you feel.”
Nikolai grunts. “It is that I feel that is painted.”
Alexei waves him off. “Yes, yes, brother. I know. I know. You paint your feelings. That does not mean others do not feel when they look. He is embarrassed when I speak of his painting. Not of the paintings themselves, but when I brag. He does not approve.”
“That is not it—“
“ Nyet, brother. You wish not speak, so I speak. You do not get to choose words I use.“ Alexei grins. “This is punishment for making me the talker. I say what I want, and he has no choice.”
Laughing, I glance at Nikolai. Annoyance is written on his face as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“This is not agreement I made,” he argues. “You put words in my mouth.”
Alexei nods, his grin growing wider. “This is correct. I put words in your mouth because you will not speak them. It is the way it has always been.”
Nikolai seems less than impressed as he throws his hands in the air. “ Nyet . I will speak for myself then. You are bastard.”
“Are the two of you always like this?” I ask, unable to wipe away my grin. Emilia and I would fight like this from time to time growing up, but not often. Now that we’re older, we almost never fight. I wonder if this is because they’re twins or if it’s just how they are with one another?
“ Da ,“ Nikolai says, turning his attention from his brother to me. “We love each other, but we are always together. We annoy one another. It is just the way.”
“I have a sister, who I don’t get to see all that often. She’s too busy running her company and being a super omega single mom. Maybe that’s why we don’t fight like the two of you.”
Nikolai gives a sharp shake of his head. “ Nyet , this is not fight. This is love.”
I nod slowly. What seems like a fight to me—even if it’s a play fight—isn’t how they see it. Interesting.
“Because we are Russian,” Alexei begins, “we are often seen as aggressive or combative because of how we speak. We are not. I promise.”
Hearing both of them speak together, I recognize the differences in their voices. While they sound very similar to one another, Nikolai’s voice is slightly deeper and gruffer. It’s not a big difference, but it’s enough.
Reginald is signaling for me to wrap it up, and once more, I find myself not wanting to. At least this time, there will be no more suitors to meet. Now, I can have all four of them together.
Oh, this will be very interesting.
“Why don’t we join the other two suitors?” I offer, gesturing toward Camila and Rhys. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving.”
“I could eat,” Nikolai confirms with a nod.
Making quick introductions to Camila and Rhys, the five of us follow Tessa up the walkway.
I’m so busy watching my new suitors, I miss Finn sidling up beside me. “You seem to like these four.”
I somehow manage not to jump as I narrow my eyes at him. “I like all the suitors I’ve met.”
“Mmm hmm,” he hums, barely biting back a laugh. “It’s the accents, isn’t it? Omegas love accents.”
“If it was just the accents, Finn, wouldn’t I also be hitting on you?” I ask, eyes falling back to watch my suitors. I’m not going to tell him this, but his Scottish brogue is also hot as hell—even if I’m not interested in him at all.
Finn laughs so hard as he holds his stomach that he has to stop. I continue walking without him, but he quickly catches up. “I am a bonded alpha. Of course, you wouldn’t be hitting on me. Admit it, you like the accents.”
“Of course I like the accents. Doesn’t everyone like accents?” I flick my hand at him, dismissing him. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”
Finn sobers when he places his hand on my arm. “I am here for you, lad. Aye, I’m here for the suitors as well, but you are my main concern. I was worried about you, and I angered you earlier. I am sorry about that. I care about the omegas on the show. I care about how you’re doing, but I should not have pushed you so hard. You did well with today’s suitors—all without needing me. I’m proud of you.”
I duck my head as my face flushes. I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as he’s trying to make it sound, but I hear the pride in his words. He does care about me, and for that, I’m thankful.
“And I’m sorry for biting your head off,” I finally respond with a shrug. “But if we’re done with all the touchy-feely shit, I’m really hungry. Not to mention, I have four suitors I want to get to know better.”
“Aye, you little shit. Get out of here.” Finn slaps a hand on my shoulder as we begin to walk once more, him veering off toward the cabins behind the mansion while I rush to catch up with the others.
When I said yes to meeting today’s suitors, I’d worried it would be a disaster, but now, I’m damn glad I said yes.
Waiting another day to meet these four isn’t something I would’ve wanted.