Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Harlow
I made the mistake of heading to the kitchen for a cup of coffee in my pajamas this morning before getting ready for work, which was just a t-shirt and boy shorts. I was too tired to bother with pants and assumed everyone else would still be asleep. It was six in the freaking morning!
It’s a mistake I won’t make again, but I’ve spent the entire damn day thinking about the interaction. Even now, on my way home, when I should be too exhausted to think…
“Now that’s a good morning greeting,” Caelum growls behind me, and I yelp, nearly dropping the mug I’d been reaching for.
“Fuck, you scared me,” I hiss, clutching my chest as I spin around to glare at him. My heart is racing, and I’m slightly annoyed until his scent washes over me.
Oh shit, that's good. I can smell Quinton all over him. They definitely fucked last night. That explains the X-rated dreams…
Note to self. Buy more scent blockers asap since mine were no longer in my fucking bags when I unpacked.
I’ll spray myself and them. Often.
“You should only wear those around here from now on.” The smirk on his face makes me want to bite him.
“You sure you want your mate seeing my ass?” I snap, propping my hands on my hips, and lifting my brow. “He might realize he likes it more than yours.”
“Definitely. And he might, but I’ll let you in on a secret, Fireball.” Caelum walks over to me, stopping just inches from touching me. I’m frozen in place, staring up at him with a racing heart. “I’ve never been scared of sharing, and Quinton is hard to say no to. I give my Omega what he wants. So if he wants,” Cae drops his head, his lips brushing my ear as he whispers, “to see your ass in these tiny shorts, I would never dream of denying him.”
I’d stood there frozen in place for so long, that I had to skip coffee and rush through getting ready for work.
I’ve been here one day and already regret giving in to this living situation so easily.
Quin works from home. Website programming, apparently. Lachlan is an artist and works in a warehouse nearby.
Caelum works as a sous chef at his friend's restaurant that's not too far from the apartment.
I had to work late tonight, covering a coworker's closing shift after my opening shift this morning. Trying to save up money has me willing to take whatever shifts I can. The specialty cosmetic clinic I work for often takes last minute clients. Tonight we had two Omegas wanting Botox and an older Beta getting a laser treatment, so our clean-up took longer than normal. By the time we were reset for the morning shift I was dead on my feet and ready to admit defeat.
I only just left fifteen minutes ago. Twelve-hour shifts are not for me. I’m tired and hungry as hell. I didn’t have the energy to stop for food on my twenty-minute walk home, so I’ll need to make myself something to eat. Instant noodles, preferably. Something easy, requiring minimal effort.
I push the door open, expecting everyone to be in bed already. Of course the fuck not. Quinton is still up even though it's nearly eleven and jumps to his feet when I step inside.
“Harlow!” He seems excited to see me, and I stifle a yawn as I greet him. Rolling my shoulders, I drop my keys in the designated dish on the counter, mustering a little wave for the Omega. “You look exhausted, are you hungry? I can make you something to eat? Here, I’ll take your bag to your room, sit, I’ll be right back.”
He’s tugging my bag off my shoulder and hustling away faster than I can find the will to protest, so I just plop into a chair at the kitchen island. It’s just Omega nature to want to care for others. Even if they’re not your pack. It’s not super common, but I guess it makes sense.
He’s an Omega, and I’m in need of care. No Alphas are around to step in, so I suppose he feels like he needs to do it?
What if Lachlan was here, and he tried to care for me? Would that upset Quin enough to get me kicked out?
It takes me a moment to notice how abnormally tidy the apartment is. How fresh and clean it smells. How thick the scent of peaches is.
The white marble counters gleam in the low lighting of the kitchen, and a small vase of flowers sits in the middle of the island. Even the stainless steel appliances have been polished free of fingerprints. It looks like the glass in the upper blue cabinets has been cleaned, as well.
I wonder if Quin was having a bad day and just needed to expend extra energy? Or was the presence of my scent in his space setting him off?
I tried to tell them that living with them was a bad idea…
I haven’t really settled into this space. It doesn’t feel like my apartment at all, just a temporary stop, and I’m looking for somewhere else to live, so I don’t know how comfortable I should get. I might have to settle for Omega housing if I can’t get my own place.
I drop my head to the upturned palms of my hands and rest against the counter, my eyes falling shut. I’m so tired…
I don’t even notice Quinton has returned until he’s sliding a glass of juice in front of me. I sit up, sending him a grateful smile, and take a sip, only to realize it’s wine, so I take a bigger sip.
“So, food? What can I make you?” Quinton asks, then lists four different dishes, but he might as well have been speaking in a language I don’t understand. I just stare at him. “Should I just decide for you?” he chuckles, and I shrug. I don’t have the capacity to make another decision today. Working for Dr. Mahoney’s clinic is exhausting.
So I don’t have room for questions and answers. Not even one as simple as what I want to eat.
I spend so much of my day telling college educated, board certified doctors how to work a simple fucking computer system. It’s like they filled their brains to the max capacity of knowledge, and now there isn’t even room for something as simple as how to fill out a medical chart.
I let out a growl of frustration, thinking about the three extra hours I spent sitting next to the doctor, helping him fill out each block of information for each damn patient. I need a raise.
Quin frowns at me, and I wrinkle my nose.
“Work stuff. Where are Thing-One and Thing-Two?” I murmur before sipping more of the wine. It’s a deep red and dry. Not my favorite, but I didn’t have to serve myself or buy the damn bottle, so I don’t really care.
Quinton laughs, brown eyes sparkling, and the sound makes me almost smile. The longer I sit here, the more of his emotions reach me. He’s so fucking happy, but under that is this deep sense of need. His scent is half sour, half desperate. Jesus, if a stranger walked in here right now, they’d think I was his Alpha and fucking neglecting him.
“Cae is working a double, and Lachlan doesn’t check in. He just comes and goes.” Quin swallows thickly, and I frown. His Alpha doesn’t check in with him? That must send his instincts into a tizzy. That would actually infuriate me. He wouldn’t leave this apartment without drowning in my scent. He’d get marked so much, he’d smell like a chocolate bar.
Maybe… Lachlan is only his Alpha for heats, and more like a friend the rest of the time? They’ve been bonded for less than a year. It’s not usually how packs work, but it’s not unheard of.
“Are you and Lachlan intimate?” I ask, tilting my head. Quin’s cheeks flame bright red, and he refuses to look at me as he stirs something in a pot on the stove.
“We… I mean… Well, we kissed once, but we were all drunk… He’s only been with women before. I don’t think I’m what he likes… I mean, I don’t know…” Quin shakes his head.
“He liked you enough to kiss you, even if he was drunk.” I take another few sips, considering his words. If Quin was an Alpha, it would make more sense. They’d be looking for an Omega to share, even if Cae and Quin were also intimate. Dreaming of a scent match, even as rare as they are. It wouldn’t be unusual for Lachlan and Quin not to fuck. “So Caelum is the chef, but you cook most of the meals?” I change the subject since Quin’s scent turned even more sour.
“I wanted to be a chef before–” he snaps his mouth shut abruptly, and I frown.
“Is everything okay, Quinton?” I ask, and he nods his head and keeps cooking.
I don’t push him, mostly because it’s midnight, and I’m dead on my feet. I’m burning with curiosity, though. He wanted to be a chef before what? Why does he work from home? Why has he only kissed Lachlan once? Why don’t both his Alphas fuck him? Why did Lachlan and his ex break up? Ugh. I may never know.
Quin puts some pasta on a plate, then silently slides it across the counter and hands me a fork.
“This smells incredible,” I whisper before taking a massive bite. I moan, my eyes fluttering shut as the flavor invades my taste buds. “Oh muh gurd…” I mumble around a mouthful.
“Do you like it?” His voice is deeper, a hint of a growl just under the surface. I nod, blinking my eyes open, only to find him watching me intently. Thoughts of him watching me as I stuff my mouth with other things fill my filthy mind, and I blink.
“So good,” I say after I swallow. This moment feels charged with some unspoken emotions as I hold his gaze.
“I wanted to be a chef before we formed the pack. Since then, I haven’t had a great handle on my instincts or my hormones.” Quin shakes his head. “I–I was raised with a pack of Alphas, and they thought I would be an Alpha, too. When I perfumed, they fucking lost it. Cae saved me, really…” Quinton’s confession makes my heart ache. I knew his home life was fucked when we were kids, but he never talked about it. I didn’t think it was my business to ask, either. “So I’ve just been struggling. It makes working with the public harder.”
“Fuck…” I frown. “Have you tried talking to supportive services? Or getting suppressants?” I ask, not sure if there’s anything I can really say that might help him. My instincts do crazy shit, but they’re not so out of control that I can’t work.
“No, I’m allergic to oral suppressants. And I guess I just thought I could handle it on my own, so I haven’t looked into the support services.” Quin nibbles his lip, and I stuff a few more bites in my mouth as we chat.
Fuck, this meal is yummy. I hope he makes me more food.
“Hmm. Well, if there’s anything I can help with, just let me know.” I smile softly at him. I have the smallest sliver of energy back after the few bites I’ve had.
“Have you ever been drawn to another Omega?” His voice deepens, and I snap my head up, mid-chew, and stare at him with wide eyes. Does he know? Am I that fucking obvious?
“I-I um, I mean, I’ve found an Omega attractive before.” I confess, taking a large gulp of the wine.
“Me too…” he murmurs. There’s that charged spark again. I stare at him, unsure where to take the rest of this conversation.
The moment is ruined when Caelum walks in the door. Well, more like storms in.
I keep eating because no matter how insufferable the Alpha is, I’m not letting him ruin this meal.
His emotions hit me hard as he scoops his Omega up, and I avert my eyes, trying not to burn with jealousy. Jesus, he’s radiating desire. Quinton, of course, also feels his Alpha’s emotional state and reacts immediately.
Caelum drags him away, shooting me one of his sexy smirks and a wink as he goes.
It makes my chest tighten, knowing what they're about to go do. There's really no way to deny it, especially when their scents hit me.
I don't rush through the rest of my meal, even though Caelum starts making obscene sex noises on the other side of their bedroom door down the fucking hallway.
Quin sounds like he's attempting to be quiet, at least.
I whine, completely against my will. Fantastic. Being an Omega is lovely sometimes. Like when you’re so fucking horny you think you’ll implode, and the man you’ve been crushing on since high school is getting dicked down by his Alpha in your new apartment.
Thankfully, Lachlan walks in, providing the perfect distraction. He works odd hours, and this is the first time I’m seeing him today.
“Damn. Smells great in here.” Lachlan takes a deep breath as he tosses his keys down, and I take another bite of pasta. Does he mean the food or the lingering Alpha and Omega scents from his pack mates? They share a bond, so unless the other two locked their connection down, he’d be feeling everything they are. I glance down at the front of his jeans. Damn. His hoodie is too long. Can’t see anything. Boo.
“Quin cooked. Thank fuck. I was about to make ramen noodles,” I grumble. I’m most comfortable around Lachlan one on one. Quin is the easiest to talk to, but the desire to fuck him is overwhelming and distracting.
Caelum makes me want to punch his smug Alpha face every time he opens his mouth. But Lachlan is safer.
Sure, I still want to rip his clothes off, but not in the same feral way I do with Quin. I guess just knowing he already has an Omega, and certainly won’t want me, makes him feel like less of a threat to my heart?
Don’t ask me why the same can’t be said for Quin. Maybe because the Omega male was the only thing that made many moments trapped with family more bearable… Or maybe it’s the desperate way he looks at me, tricking my mind into thinking he wants things he doesn’t.
I finish off my wine and pretend I can’t hear Caelum grunting. Lachlan serves himself a plate of food, pausing mid-scoop to glance over his shoulder, eyebrows raised.
“Ah. Caelum is being Caelum, I see.”
“Unfortunately. There’s wine as well.” I try to take another bite, but the scents, sounds, and pheromones wafting out of the guys’ room and into the rest of the apartment have my instincts going nuts. Can’t even take a deep breath to try and steady myself because all I can smell is them.
The scent of my slick joins the fucking party, and I squeeze my eyes shut. Stop thinking about Quin. Stop imagining him sucking Caelum’s cock. Stop wishing you were sucking his…
“So, virgin, huh?” Lachlan asks, and I nearly spit out my noodles as he takes a seat beside me. “Not a lot of Omegas who make it to twenty without taking at least one knot.”
“Are you always this crass with an Omega you only see at holidays? When you’re forced to suffer my presence? We’re basically strangers at this point.”
“We’re not strangers at all, Harlow.” Fuck me, when did he start saying my name like that? All throaty. Like he’s groaning it as he fucks me… Fucking hell, those two horny fuckers down the hall are really screwing my head up. “We’re roommates now. And I would hardly say I was forced to be in your presence, let alone suffering.”
“If you say so,” I sigh.
He pours more wine into my glass before serving some for himself, then turns the small TV on. He sets it to a music channel and turns the volume up enough to almost drown out the sex noises.
“Remind me to murder my mother,” I snarl, when one of them, Quin, I’m guessing, moans loudly. I shift in my seat, hating the slick that answers the call that no one is fucking making.
No one’s trying to fuck you, damn it . I scold my vagina and take a couple large gulps of wine.
“They can go for a while. You might want to invest in some headphones. I’ll let you borrow mine tonight.” Lachlan pulls a small set of earbuds out of his pocket and hands them to me.
“Thank you!” I’m staring hard at Lachlan as he chuckles, taking a bite of his pasta. He does what I did and moans.
The horny, lonely Omega inside me responds, and I lean forward at the sound. Before I can act on the instincts, I sip my wine to distract myself, shaking away the images that sound invoked.
“They should buy sound proofing…” I grumble after another loud moan, followed by a distinct Omega whine. Quin’s slick is heavy in the air out here, so I know it must be flooding their shared bedroom.
“They didn’t need any before you moved in,” Lachlan says simply. So, Lachlan isn’t bothered by the sounds of their fucking? But he doesn’t join them?
“Quin said you and he aren’t intimate. The sound of them fucking doesn’t mess with your instincts? You aren’t tempted to go in there?” Maybe the wine is finally hitting me because why did I just ask that?
“We aren’t. Quin hasn’t shown any interest.” He shrugs, and I stare at him with a look on my face that I hope says, ‘Are you really that dense?’ “What?” he asks, when he catches me.
“He’s your Omega–”
“We haven't talked about it. Never needed to before, and well, he hasn’t said anything except that he wouldn’t be upset if I was interested in another person.” Lachlan grunts, shoving a fork full of pasta in his mouth like it personally offended him.
“Riiiight. Well, that goes against every Omega instinct I’ve ever had. I would rather rip your throat out than let you fuck other Omegas,” I scoff, shaking my head. I sip my wine, and when I lower my glass, he’s looking at me. “I mean, if I was Quin, that is,” I add, because shit . That sounded suspicious.
“I guess it depends on who that other Omega is.” He gives me a long look before shrugging. “Cae and Quin were already an item when we bonded. We agreed we’d be open. If I like someone enough to take things that far, they’d know first.” He sounds slightly angry, and I hold my hands up.
“Shit, sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t, I was just making it clear where I stand in this pack. Where Quin stands, and what he wants.”
“I understand,” nodding.
“Listen, I know you and Cae have a shitty history, but he’s…”
“If you say he’s a great guy, I will put Nair in your shampoo,” I vow, pointing at him with my wine glass as I glare at him. Lachlan has known Cae since long before he went from mild nuisance to full-blown fucking pain in my ass.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Lachlan chuckles, shaking his head. “I was going to say he’s not the same dumb kid he was in high school, and that I’ll do my best to keep him from behaving like a thoughtless shit.”
“That's barely better,” I grumble, making him chuckle. “He was worse before. Back in high school. I can deal with his bullshit now. No one gives a shit what he says about me anymore. I might have been a nerd, but at least I wasn’t an asshole.”
“You were pretty nerdy, huh? I always thought it was hot. Even after Cae nearly dislocated my knee at football practice for saying so. In fact, he wouldn’t let anyone near you without severe consequences, if I remember correctly,” Lachlan smirks, glancing sideways at me, and I scoff.
“Of course not. How could he convince everyone I was obsessed with him, if I had any friends at all?” I shake my head before finishing off my second glass of wine. I can feel his gaze as I set down the glass. I’m feeling much better at this point, and despite how ridiculously horny I am right now, I’m able to ignore it. Ish. Okay, I’m not ignoring it at all. All I can think about is climbing into Lachlan’s lap and riding him like a cowgirl.
Lachlan’s needs are even harder to ignore. He’s an Alpha, and I’m made to serve the needs of an Alpha, after all. His scent is heavy in the air, fooling no one. He’s just as desperate as I am. How the fuck does Quin ignore that? I’m not even his, and I want to serve him…
Their combined scents are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I can’t even tell if it's the wine or their scents that are making my head a foggy mess.
I grab my phone, pulling up the website of the local heat clinic. I might be needing a room soon.
Once Lachlan finishes eating, he helps me put the leftovers away and wash the dishes. I’m refilling my wine glass one last time, finishing off the bottle, when Lachlan places another freshly cleaned plate on the drying rack.
“Have a goodnight, Harlow.” Lachlan leaves me there, the scents mingling in the apartment, sending my head spiraling.
I need to get a grip before I wake up in the middle of the night humping my pillow.
Or worse, one of the men I now live with.