Chapter Sixteen
Vonn
Julius
Where the hell are you? We said pack strategy meeting tonight. We need to come up with all the plans.
Ignoring the message, I slide my phone back into my pocket before retrieving the enormous tray of coffee I bought. It’s completely overboard, and a bit on the heavy side—but what’s a man to do? The door to my SUV pops open, and I quickly climb out.
Julius is right; we were supposed to have a pack meeting tonight to discuss how to make Asher’s mom ours. But I can’t get her out of my mind.
All the plotting and planning in the world won’t soothe the beast inside me who’s fighting to break free.
The entire time we were away, I was a surly asshole.
Hell, I came close to getting into a fight in the stands—and we freaking won.
My unhinged nature means only one thing: I need to see her again.
So that’s why I’m at the Junior Scorpions ice rink. Like a creepy stalker, I texted Coach Ray to find out when the boys had a regular practice. And now I’m just keeping my fingers and toes crossed that my red-haired beauty is going to be in the stands.
And also that she likes coffee… Is there anyone who doesn’t like coffee?
The crisp scent of freshly cleaned ice hits my nose as I enter the building, holding my tray of six different drinks. I wasn’t sure what she’d like, so I bought everything.
Yes, it gives off a needy and desperate vibe, but when it comes to her, that’s exactly what I am.
My eyes desperately search the stands, glossing over the other parents until I find a small, hunched form covered by a threadbare old blanket. The tiniest tendril of flame-red hair peeks out from under a cap, and I home in on it immediately.
There’s my girl.
With a huge grin, I walk straight toward her, flaring my nostrils for even a hint of her subtle raspberry scent. I scuffle my feet as I get closer behind her, not wanting to scare my precious omega.
Even with all the noise, she still startles, glancing up at me with wide emerald eyes. For an awkward moment, we stare at each other, neither able to find the right words, and insecurity creeps in.
Is she happy to see me? Horrified? Ready to call the cops?
She gathers her wits much faster than I do.
“Are you expecting more people?” she teases, gesturing toward my large tray.
Deciding that’s as much of an invitation as I’m going to get, I grab the aisle seat next to her.
There are a few seats between us, so I’m close, but not on top of her.
I can’t wait to be on top of her. My cock twitches at the thought, and I stifle a moan, sliding the tray onto the armrest between us.
It balances precariously, so I keep it steady with my hand.
“Nope, they’re all for you, Mama.” The pet name slips off my tongue, and I wonder if it’s weird. Judging by the flare of heat in her eyes, it’s not.
“I should probably ask you what you’re doing here, or if you have ulterior motives, but you’ve come bearing my weakness.” Her tongue pokes out, and she makes grabby hands.
Her distinct lack of anger makes hope blossom in my chest. Maybe all isn’t lost yet.
With a happy chuckle, I slide her the tray, and my Alpha perks up at the little squeal she lets out.
My Alpha isn’t the only thing interested, but I ignore my twitching cock and do my best to keep my scent under control.
“Which one do you want?” Her dainty hand hovers over a caramel latte complete with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle. I can tell she wants it, but wants to make sure I don’t first. It’s sweet but entirely unnecessary because the only thing that’ll give me pleasure is her happiness.
“I had a black coffee on the way over, and that is more than enough caffeine for me.” My little omega gives me the side-eye and sniffs the air, trying to detect any deceit in my scent, but after a moment, she decides to trust me.
With a happy hum and she snatches the drink from the tray and passes it back to me.
Letting out a moan that shoots straight to my cock, she takes a gulp of the frothy sweet treat.
“This is really amazing. I haven’t had such a decadent coffee since I was in high school.
” Filing that information away, I decide sweet treats are going to become a regular thing for her.
“I don’t know how you knew. It used to be one of my favorites.
” A thousand questions clamor in my mind, but I want nothing to break this happy moment.
My omega needs more positive associations with me; it’s my only shot.
I settle in, happy to bask in her presence.
But her distraction doesn’t last long. She takes a deep gulp of her drink before pinning me with a considering stare.
“It’s not mentor night. What are you doing here? ”
I was in the area. I just happened by. I had too much coffee, so I thought you might want some. A bevy of excuses slips through my mind, but I refuse to begin our relationship with lies.
“I wanted to see you. Being away all week has been torturous. I know you said that we need to keep this professional, but my feelings for you aren’t professional in the slightest.” Her eyebrows furrow as she processes my words.
All of her muscles tense, and my heart thunders, worried that she’s about to rabbit off.
“And you knew I’d be here because of my son…”
“Yeah, it was the only place I could find you.” She stays stiff, but doesn’t jump up or rush off.
“I don’t know where you live or pretty much anything about you, including your name.
You made it clear that you’re not interested in a relationship right now.
That you don’t wanna jump into anything, but I can’t let you go.
” It’s not everything I have to say, not even close.
My omega finishes taking a last sip of her latte, and I lift the tray, offering her another. Her emerald eyes peek up at me shyly as she plucks another.
“You really don’t know my name?” She nibbles on her lower lip, pink and plump, and I’m dying for a taste. Her head cocks to one side, and I’m not sure why she doesn’t believe me.
“I really don’t.” Please tell me.
“My name is Nixie. Well, actually, it’s Phoenix, but I go by Nixie.
” She willingly gives me a little piece of herself, and suddenly the gap between us doesn’t seem so vast. I know I have an uphill battle convincing her to give Julius a chance.
But maybe if I tell her a bit about us, it won’t be as hard.
“Nice to officially meet you, my beautiful mate.” Her eyes close for a second, but she doesn’t deny my claim, and I reach out my hand, leaving it open palm up. She stares at it like it’s a piranha, ready to bite, but after a moment of hesitation, she slides her dainty fingers into mine.
“Julius didn’t tell you when he ferreted it out?”
What the fuck?
“Julius?” My mouth is so dry, I nearly choke.
Her face pales, and she nearly upends the tray, reaching for her bag. The coffee sloshes, and I tighten my grip.
“Yeah. He’s been texting me non-stop. Isn’t this his number?
” Nixie searches around until she locates her phone, then pulls it out and hands it to me.
A strangled growl leaps from my throat when I look down and see what my packmate has done.
He’s been messaging her behind my back this whole time.
Rage burns deep in my chest. I’m here to plead for another chance, and he’s been messaging her like an asshole.
“I’ll kill him for you,” I snarl, ready to do just that. I swear if he’s ruined this…
Nixie’s gemstone-green eyes widen. “Death isn’t necessary. Feel free to give him a solid punch in his smug face, though.”
“Done,” I promise, and she lets out a tinkling laugh.
“I take it you had no idea?” I shake my head, and her shoulders lift, sliding her red hair over them, and I can’t fight the urge to run my fingers through the strands.
They’re as smooth as silk, mesmerizing as they twine around my digits, leaving little zaps of electricity that charge the moment between us.
“I don’t know how to do this,” Nixie whispers, vulnerability written on every line of her face. “My life doesn’t have room for anyone else. And there’s no place in Asher’s life for upheaval.”
“Despite Julius’s pushy attitude, we can start small. You set the pace. A single minute, a single outing, a single date.” Her raspberry scent blooms around me, and I know I’m on the right path. “We don’t have to plan out forever in a day.”
“Vonn.” Her hand reaches for mine, pulling my fingers from her hair and holding them in her soft grasp. “I’m not sure if forever is even an option. There are so many things you don’t know about me. So many barriers to our being together…”
“You know who’s great at knocking down barriers?” I tease, and she allows a watery smile. Her scent dampens, but knowing she cares at all is huge.
“That man is an absolute bulldozer. I honestly don’t understand how you chose Julius to be your packmate.
You’re polar opposites.” She humphs, and I move the drink tray into the aisle, needing to be closer to her.
I scoot in a few seats until our shoulders bump.
When she doesn’t object, I lift my arm and tuck her into my side.
My eyes stray to the kids dashing back and forth on the ice, taking me back to what feels like a lifetime ago.
“Julius is my brother. Not by blood, but by circumstance.” She nestles in, rubbing her cheek against my shirt, and warmth envelops me.
Though she may not want this, she feels the connection as clear and strong as I do.
“We grew up together, neighbors in a run-down apartment complex. His dad was an Alpha, and he never knew his mom. Whenever Julius’s father drank, he would beat Julius.
I could hear it through the thin walls. One night, after a bad one, I opened my window and tried to whisper to him.
Make sure he was okay. We realized our windows were so close we could talk.
I got two cups and a string, built a telephone, and we chatted late into the night. Our first night of many.”
A tear rolls down my sweet omega’s cheek, and she quickly wipes it away.
“He’s not a bad Alpha, just a hard one. But there’s no one more caring or loyal once you let him in,” I promise, dipping my nose for a hit of her scent.
“Please give us a chance to prove ourselves to you. Just one date. A coffee, lunch, dinner, or a walk in the park. Whatever you’re willing to try. ”
Nixie stiffens at the request, but she doesn’t pull away. Please say yes.
“I might be able to do lunch…” She looks out onto the ice where Asher is. “He has school all week. I’m still looking for a new job, so there’s some flexibility in my schedule. But it’ll have to be somewhere cheap.” I can’t keep the smile off my face. Excitement pours through every inch of my body.
She’s saying yes!
“I can do that, Mama. Just give me a date and time; I’ll do the rest.” Nixie stiffens, looking up at me. Uncertainty wars with desire on her face.
“Will he be coming?” Her scent sours. She’s not prepared to offer Julius a second chance or to forgive him. Twice she’s met him, and he’s been an absolute ass both times.
It feels wrong leaving him out, but something in my gut tells me I need to let her take the lead. The only way to get her to love us is slowly.
“I would like to include him, but whatever you say goes. It can be just me, you, and several pounds of delicious food.” She’s so lean and delicate, I wonder if she’s eating enough.
But when I look at her big strapping boy, I know he is getting the proper nutrition.
It makes worry build inside me. Does she go without so he can eat?
“I… Can I think about it? And in the meantime, I need you to get him to stop claiming Asher is his son. He’s mine, and mine alone. That’s final.” Though I don’t agree with her, I can tell the idea is triggering.
One day, Asher will be my son as well, just as important and loved as any who come from us biologically. He’s a part of her, and as my scent-match, I love every single piece of the Nixie puzzle.
“You’ve got it, Mama. He won’t say it again without your permission.” Not a lie.
Curled up together, we look out at the ice and watch as Asher dominates the rest of practice. He wobbles in his too-loose skates, but he still manages to streak ahead of the rest of the team. The kid has potential, extreme potential. And all I want is to help him turn his dreams into reality.
“Asher really is amazing. Is there anything you both need? I know Julius was the reason you lost your job. Will you let us help with rent or groceries?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know they’re a mistake, but my inner Alpha wants to provide for them.
“No, I don’t want your money. I can take care of myself and my kid.” Just like that, all her barriers snap back to the surface. Her perfume sours, and her walls come up.
“I know you can. You’re an amazing mother. Just remember, we’re here if you need anything.” She stands abruptly, and the space where she was nestled is already colder.
A whistle blows on the ice, and Nixie tenses. Our time is up. “I have to go. Ash needs dinner, and then we have a night filled with homework.” She grabs her bag, and I stand to my full height, towering over her tiny frame.
“Please don’t leave upset.” Reaching out, I rub the pad of my thumb over her cheek. “You don’t need us. I just hope one day you’ll want us.”
She gives a hard gulp, her eyes darting to where the boys are filing into the locker room. “I already want you.”
With that, she rushes off, taking my whole heart with her.