9. Lucas
She doesn’t reply to my message by the time the plane takes off, but I still check my phone constantly during the flight.
One hour into the flight, and I desperately want to send her another message, but with two and half hours left of the flight, I’m scared to know her heat is in full force and I can’t get to her.
I think I’m okay for now because I know Xander is waiting for her to open her OmegaFans page.
I keep glancing his way, waiting for a sign as I spin my cell in my hand and try to work out what else I can say to persuade her this is the right choice. But like she’s thinking about me too, my cell pings with a message from her.
Scarlett: I’m in so much pain.
I glance around the plane and walk to the back, just in case I need to help her somehow. The trouble is she can’t see me if I masturbate. I only have access to text messages unless she opens up her BetaFans account.
I don’t want her to do that. She has too many subscribers on that account, and I certainly don’t want her opening up her OmegaFans account.
Me: I think that’s how you know your heat is about to kick in. The pain eases on the first knotting.
Scarlett: I’m not being knotted.
I chuckle to myself. I’ve seen the alpha-omega porn and she might not realize it, but she is going to beg for a knot.
Not mine, though.
Me: You are. You’ll need it to get you through your heat. And your alpha will need it to help you through it.
Scarlett: That’s why everyone keeps telling me I need a pack. Because one alpha isn’t good enough.
I grip my cell as I stare at her message. She’s going to fuck a pack.
I shouldn’t be bothered, but I am.
My cell pings again.
Scarlett: Is one alpha enough? Would you be enough?
My brow furrows as I stare at her message. Am I enough?
How the fuck would I know?
I’ve never fucked an omega, only a beta. I’ve never knotted anyone.
Me: I have a roommate who can help.
I lock eyes with Stanton. It’s like the man is telepathic, like he knows I’m talking to her.
Me: But I promise I’ll be enough.
I hope.
What the hell are you doing, Lucas? Sex with her is one thing. Promising an omega you’ll get her through her heat is another.
Scarlett: I don’t know why I’m considering this. Or why I’m sending you this message when it would be easier to do this with a stranger? I know you are a stranger... but then you’re not.
My heart beats against my rib cage, knowing she is so close to agreeing.
Scarlett: Do you live in New York? You sound like you’re a New Yorker, although I understand it doesn’t mean that you live there.
I assume she is having another rethink. I don’t know what to tell her, but I must be silent for too long because she is already sending another message. The dots roll over my cell.
Then stop.
Then start again.
Scarlett: Sorry, forget it.
Me: Where are you?
I don’t ask about the deal she has on OmegaFans.
Scarlett: I’m in a hotel opposite the heat hotel on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan. My heat has kicked in and I’m staying here until I can’t any longer.
Me: I can do it.
I stare out of the plane window and see nothing but white clouds floating by. I realize I can’t get to her for a couple of hours, at least.
What if she chooses someone else?
My cell chimes again.
Scarlett: If you want to take me through this, you have to finish once you start. My friend’s heat took three days, and that was with a pack.
Oh fuck!
I should tell Stanton. He feels as close as a pack mate would to me, but we never committed to a pack because he likes to fuck around... and I don’t.
But can I get an omega through her heat? I promised her I will, but in reality I’ve never done it before and I haven’t had sex for quite a while.
Will that help me, though?
Or hinder me.
Luckily, I’m super fit and have the stamina of a horse.
You also have a hockey match on Friday night.
Me: I want to help you.
Scarlett: ...
Scarlett: ...
I stare ahead while I wait for her to reply.
I type out a quick message.
Me: Don’t worry, I don’t want an omega. I know you don’t want an alpha. This is purely about your heat.
I don’t know why I want her so much. I normally only want to watch her. I might be a little obsessed with her, but this heat will help me get over whatever is going on in my head. And if it doesn’t, I’ll set up a new account and watch her on OmegaFans.
I get everything I want that way.
Because I quite like being a voyeur.
Her voyeur.
I also like there are no strings attached, because I certainly don’t want a needy omega. Not when I know I can’t give her the attention she’ll crave.
So why do I want her heat so badly?
Scarlett: Thank you. I was wondering how to say the same thing.
I exhale deeply.
We want the same outcome. To walk away from each other once the deed is over.
I can do that.
I hope she really can, and it’s not a lie she is giving me in order for me to agree.
You’re the one contacting her about this. You’re the one telling her you can do this for her.
Scarlett: And can you be here soon?
Oh dammit. Do I tell her I’m over two hours away, possibly three with traffic once the plane lands?
Me: Yes, let me know the name of the hotel.
After she tells me the details and her room number, I go back to my seat.
She sends another text fifteen minutes later, telling me her heat is coming on faster than she wanted. She’s already gotten herself off too many times for her to remember.
“What the fuck?” Xander grunts. I glance in his direction as he glares at his cell.
“Problem?” I ask.
“She canceled. The omega who’s going into heat. She’s decided she can’t sell it.”
“It’s up to her.” I try to look casual and not to smile.
“I think I frightened her off.” I watch his jaw tick as he taps his cell against his forehead. “I told her to tell me where she was. I wanted to take her through her heat. And she blocked me.”
I arch an eyebrow as he smirks.
“I’ll set up a new account. All I have to do is keep letting her know I’m only a cab ride away.”
“You thought because she was an omega that she’d bow down to your demand? It’s a good job that you don’t know her in real life.”
Xander growls as he shoots a glare my way. “I know she must live or be staying near a heat hotel and her location shows her in New York.” He pauses for a moment, obviously thinking it through. He looks at me and smiles as he raises his cell. “Hey Siri, how many heat hotels are located in New York City?”
“New York City has three heat hotels. A further ten are within twenty miles of the vicinity.”
Three!
Xander grins. “She won’t be that hard to find.”
“Only if she is a scent match.” I shrug my shoulders, pretending I’m not bothered. “And what are the chances of that?”
“She’ll be perfuming for all the alphas to smell. But luckily most will think it’s the heat hotel emitting the scents.”
“Good luck with that.” I take my cell and tap out a message.
Me: I’m on my way. Ask me for my username when I get to you.
Me: Do not open the door to anyone until they tell you the username, even if you recognize me.
Scarlett: Thank you. Be quick.