27. Stanton
I never expected Lucas to sit me down after our fight and divulge every detail about Grace. I certainly never expected for him to give me his blessing to date her.
I’m uncertain about his intentions because he shut down any further discussion when I asked why he was doing it, unwilling to discuss it any further.
Yes, there’s a part of me that thinks he’s up to something, given the way he always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else.
It’s possible that he’s testing me. Wondering how long I can go before I mess up, because I know he thinks I will.
But the moment he handed his omega to me on a silver platter, it was Lucas who messed up because I’m already outside the café where Grace works, and from today she’s going to realize she’s mine.
I’ve held back out of courtesy for Lucas, hoping he saw what I did. But his father can rule his life, but he’s not ruling mine. Pack mate or not. From today, my omega comes first.
As I push on the door, it creaks just before the bell chimes above my head.
A woman with long, dark hair tied in a high ponytail stands at the counter, her lips curved up into a friendly smile. She tilts her head to the side, her eyes narrow before she turns to glance into the kitchen area to the other side of her.
She knows me. I hope it’s because Grace told her who I was to her and not because I play hockey or worse, my misdemeanors on nights out.
As I make my way across the crowded café to her, my nose is greeted with the intoxicating scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm sugary pastries.
At the counter, I give her my best smile and say, “Can I speak to Grace, please?”
“I want to know what your intentions are first,” she says, leaning over her counter, narrowing her eyes as she waits.
I swallow. Nobody normally refuses me. “Sorry?”
“I’m her best friend and I want to know why you’re suddenly interested in her.”
She stands up straight, her arms folding across her chest in a defensive stance. Her eyes remain narrowed as she stares at me, examining my every move with a critical gaze.
Caught off guard by her directness. “I… I have something for her.” I place a bag on the counter and clear my throat, still shocked by her boldness. “And I’m not suddenly interested in her. We’ve only just met, and now I have met her, nobody is going to stop me from being with her.”
“I will if you’re planning on hurting her. I’ve read the articles on you. I’ve seen your many conquests.”
I hesitate, unsure if she’s already put Grace off me. “There’ll be nobody else for me. I never looked to find an omega during any of those conquests.” I put the last word in air quotes. “And I know you’re looking out for your friend, but…” I lean forward and make eye contact with her. “She’s mine. My omega and I’m not giving her up for anyone, including you.”
“Good!”
“Sorry?”
“Good. I want someone who is going to fight for her. She needs to know not all alphas are bad. She’s been a little upset because…” She shakes her head and stops talking. “It’s not my place to tell her story.”
“She’s upset?” I need to see her. My alpha is clawing to get out and make her feel at ease. “Where is she?”
“Don’t worry…” Her friend rolls her eyes. “It’s already turned to anger.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Sienna, Grace’s best friend. I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Stanton Adams.”
“I know who you are,” she says. “Grace is important to me. So just so you know upfront, I won’t let anyone hurt her,” she says firmly, her gaze unwavering. “If you do, you’ll regret it.”
I want to laugh at this strange beta. Instead, I study her for a moment, impressed by her protectiveness of her best friend. “I understand, and I promise I have no intention of ever hurting her. Quite the opposite.”
She smiles, her expression softens before she turns her back to me and shouts, “Grace, you have a visitor.”
I never thought she’d have a personal bodyguard.
Grace steps out of the café, her eyes widening in surprise as she locks onto me standing there. I can see the confusion in her gaze.
I offer her a small smile as she walks towards me slowly. There’s a slight tremble in her hands.
“Hey, Grace,” I say softly, my heart pounding in my chest.
A flicker of surprise passes through Grace’s eyes before she composes herself. “Stanton, this is unexpected.”
“Really? Why?”
“I spoke to Lucas.” Her voice chokes, like it’s hard for her to tell me her words. “He doesn’t want me.” Her eyes lower to glance at the hand on her tummy before she looks at me with watery eyes.
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I hate how sad she looks. How he made her feel.
“I want to talk to you about something.” Taking a deep breath, I reach out to cup her face in my hands, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my fingertips.
Her eyes don’t move from mine as she waits.
“I know this might be sudden, but I care about you, Grace. More than you know.”
Her eyes widen in surprise as she locks onto me standing there. “You don’t have to do this anymore, Stanton. He’ll never want me or the baby.”
“I want you,” I blurt.
“Oh,” she mutters in surprise.
I offer her a small smile. I never felt so nervous in my life. I’ve never once doubted that a woman wouldn’t want me. And now I stand in front of the only woman I’ve ever wanted… ever needed… and I’m not sure that she wants or needs me in return.
“And I want the baby growing inside you. I want you both. It’s not fake.” I blow out a breath. “It never was. Not for me, anyway.”
“It’s not?”
“No.”
The bell chimes above the door again. I turn around to see who entered the café, and watch as two elderly ladies take a seat.
Grace glances behind me. “This is a really bad time.”
“Are you trying to brush me off?” I say, my tone dejected.
She shakes her head. “I need…”
“Time,” I answer. “I can’t give you that.”
“You can’t?“ Her voice hitches.
“No! I want you and I’m not stopping until you’re mine.”
She laughs, thinking I’m joking, I assume. I’m not. “You’re serious?”
“Deadly.”
“Oh.”
“And you’re pregnant and I don’t want you or the baby getting stressed, so we need to talk, and…”
“I need to get back to work,” Grace interrupts. I can see the uncertainty in her eyes, surprised by my declaration.
Without breaking eye contact, I take a step closer to her, closing the distance between us. Her breath hitches, and I can hear the faint thud of her heartbeat growing louder.
I reach out a hand, my fingers grazing her cheek softly as I whisper, “Come to the game tomorrow.”
“What will Lucas think?” she asks. I hate she still worries about his feelings when he broke her heart only yesterday.
“What does it matter?”
“I suppose it doesn’t. Okay.” She nods her head. “I can go with my sister, Harlow. She goes to the home games.”
I smile. “I got you something.”
I reach for the bag I left on the counter and hand it to her. She opens the package and laughs. “Have you ever given one of these to anyone else?”
“Never.”
Our eyes lock. I know she feels me. I know she wants me.
She takes my jersey from the wrapper and holds it in the air as she looks at my name on the back.
“I want everyone to know you’re mine,” I say, noticing the growl in my tone. The alpha I’ve tried to contain, but I doubt I can anymore. “Put it on.”
“Bossy alpha.” She smiles. She’s so fucking gorgeous.
She removes her apron while I hold the bag over my rock hard dick as I take her in.
I’ve held back for her, but as my jersey covers her small but curvy body, I feel fucking feral. I want to do so much for her. To her.
As her hands smooth the material over body, she glances at the bottom of the jersey. Her belly. Where our baby is. Where I also had my name and number placed.
From tomorrow everyone will know Grace is mine and that she’s pregnant with my baby.
She looks stunning as she looks at me with my name on her body.
“Stanton.” There’s joy in her tone as she looks at me with watery eyes.
“You’re mine and the baby is ours.” I take out another package and give it to her. She unwraps a baby sized jersey with tears in her eyes. “He or she has its first jersey.”
With my name, of course.
“Ah, that’s so cute,” Sienna says when she notices the tiny jersey. “You’re starting off well.”
I turn and smile at her before turning back to Grace.
There are tears in her eyes as she takes my hand, stroking her fingers over my palm. I know she isn’t sure what is going on, but she’s not running a mile either.
“Thank you,” she murmurs.
She doesn’t try to kiss me. Not yet, and I won’t push her. Instead, I hold out my arms to her and Grace leans into my touch, as a silent understanding passes between us.
She knows she’s mine.
My name is on her back.
My name is on her tummy.
My jersey.
My baby.
My omega.
All mine.