CHAPTER ELEVEN
HARPER
For the first time in years, Dustin and I sit in close proximity and are civil to each other.
Dustin shoves his book and notebook into his backpack. He leans into my ear. “I have to go hunt down a killer. Tonight, I’m cooking dinner for you. Don’t leave this building alone. Thatcher will escort you to your next class.”
Dustin presses his lips to my cheek. I melt into the kiss and inhale his pine and vanilla scent before he leaves. I realize just how much I miss my ex-boyfriend.
I send Chavelle a text.
Me: Meet me in the rest room in the Econ building in fifteen minutes.
Chavelle: See you soon.
****
I slide the burgundy lipstick across my lips.
“Hey Harper,” Chavelle says bouncing into the restroom.
I grin through the mirror. “How are you?”
“I’m all right.” She hops on the long white counter facing away from the mirror. “Heard you’re cozying up with the alleged murderers.”
Good thing I checked to make sure no one’s in here.
“They were aware of the murders, I whisper. They insisted I stay with them to keep me safe since the murderer is killing omegas. I said to one of them they could be the killers. And no, I didn’t give my source.”
“Good,” She sighs.
“Do you think they’re innocent?” Chavelle peeks at me.
“I’ve known them all my life. I don’t think they had anything to do with it. Do you have any leads you and I can follow up on?”
“Yes, meet me outside the medical building at eleven tonight.”
“She won’t be there.”
Our eyes turn to the deep voice. He holds the door ajar his head barely poking inside. A navy beanie rest on top of his blond hair. Blond strands cover his forehead.
“I don’t have to stay with you guys. I can go home then return and meet up with her later.”
Thatcher stalks into the restroom. “Which part of omegas are being murdered don’t you understand?”
He’s wearing a navy pea coat over a green blazer. The navy t-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers is his idea of dressing casual.
“I can handle myself. Just like I told Sawyer.” I point at my backpack. “I’m packing.”
“Me too,” Chavelle says pointing at her purse.
“Stubborn,” he mutters.
“I’m coming with you two,” he says.
I stare into his blue eyes and smile. “Thank you. Now get out of the ladies room.”
He turns on his heels. “Time to go, Harper,” he barks.
The door slowly closes behind him.
“Trying to hide my scent from them is getting harder,” I admit as I fluff my coils.
“You’re taking scent suppressants?” she asks, jumping off the counter.
“Yeah, I’m taking them just until it’s time to go to the heat clinic.”
She chuckles. “You live with the finest pack. You better let them help you through your heat.”
“Absolutely not. They’re my fated mates. They’ll want to bond. And in a moment of weakness, I’ll let them.”
“Damn girl, best of luck to you.”
“Thanks Chavelle. I need it,” I chuckle.
“What about you? Are you dating anyone?”
“Yes. His name is Russell. He’s a beta like me. He plays on Greywood basketball team. We look like two hot bites of mocha candy.”
She sticks her tongue out and presses her finger to the air making a sizzle noise. I burst into laughter.
I knock her shoulder. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you.” She grins from ear to ear.”
We stroll out of the restroom.
“After all this is over, I hope you and I can hang out,” I tell her.
“Yes, me too.” She pulls me into a hug.
I squeeze her before letting her go. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Thatcher takes my hand. The zing between us is electric.
“You don’t have to touch me to keep me safe,” I say.
He shakes his head. “I know that Harper.”
I try to tug my hand free as we approach the door.
Thatcher halts and turns to me. “I was a total dick to you in the dining hall. Not because I hate you. Because I love you and I hated losing you.”
My heart lurches in my chest.
I bring my free hand up to caress his clean-shaven face. “This doesn’t mean I forgive you for being a dick.”
He smirks. “I’ll prove to you just how much I love you.”
Thatcher leans down and takes my lips. I slip my tongue into his mouth.
He releases my hand and wraps me in his arms. Our tongues dance.
I can feel him relax against me. This big strong alpha was hurting.
He’s still hurting. He will have to work to gain my trust again.
Sandalwood, cedar, and clean laundry make slick pool in my panties.
How will I survive in the house with these guys?
I pull back and he stares into my eyes.
“I’ve made Sarah pay for what she’s done on more than one occasion. I’m the reason you haven’t bumped into her on campus. I found out last night our fathers are behind tearing our pack apart. No, one will take you from us again.”
Their fathers smiled in my face for years. And all along they didn’t want me with their sons.
“Thatcher, our time together has passed.”
A beautiful grin lifts his cheeks. “You’re my mate, little omega. No way will we ever be apart again.”
***
When I step into my temporary bedroom, I notice more colorful fluffy blankets folded neatly on the bed. A sign hangs on the wall over the bed. It reads: This nest belongs to our omega.
I can’t believe them.
A hand curls around my waist. “We want our omega to be comfortable in her new nest.”
“Archer, I’m only here until we catch the killer.”
His teeth graze the seam of my neck.
“Don’t even think about biting me. We are not bonding.”
He purrs in my ear as his hand slips lower. “Your alphas fucked up. But we’ll show you how much we miss you.”
I’m barely hanging on surrounded by his scent and the way his purr makes me want to crawl into his skin.
“Stop purring, Archer,” I whine.
“Little omega, you better believe our fathers will pay for ripping us apart before we could form a pack.”
“Just like I told Thatcher, our time has passed.”
His hand slides between my jean covered thighs. I can’t hold the slick back. I need a cold shower.
“I’m looking for a new mate,” I rasp.
“We’re a pack, Harper. Now come for your pack leader.”
Through hooded lashes, I stare up at him. My fingers reach for his red curls and tug.
“Archer, I can’t think straight.”
“Perfume for me little omega, I need your scent.” He purrs louder and I cum hard.
“Archer,” I cry out as my scent lightly fills the air.
“That’s a good omega coming for her pack leader. Fuck, you smell good enough to eat,” he growls.
“Just wait until I lick up every drop of your slick that flows from your pussy. You’ll come multiple times.”
I blink a couple of times. “What, what?”
He takes my lips. It’s soft, yet possessive. His kiss tells me I belong to him.
“Get ready for dinner,” he orders.
Then he’s gone.
***
I saunter into the dining room, my dark curls half pinned up, the rest tumbling over my shoulders. The purple strappy dress clings perfectly to my curves, hitting just above mid-thigh.
Nude stilettos add a touch of height. My face is fully made up. A rare indulgence reserved for special occasions.
At the far end, Dustin steps out of the kitchen wearing a sharp navy suit.
He looks gorgeous. In his hands, a platter piled with grilled chicken, its fragrant herbs wafting up my nose.
He pauses mid-stride. “Harper, you look absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“It smells delicious.” I smile warmly.
He grins as he sets the dish down. “Thank you.”
Dustin pulls out a chair and gestures for me to come closer.
I approach him, drawn in by his intense, irresistible scent.
His nervousness makes me smile inwardly.
This is the Dustin I know and adore. Always possessive yet deeply loving.
I settle into the chair as he gently shifts me nearer to the table.
His large hands glide over my arms while his nose nuzzles softly against my ear.
“Jasmine,” he murmurs.
He trails his tongue across my skin, and warmth pools between my legs. It’s impossible not to be drawn to him. We had been together for what felt like forever.
“Dustin,” I whisper.
“Not using any scent suppressants?” he asks, stepping back.
“I’m still on them. Just can’t overdo it. I don’t want to get sick.”
“Can’t have that,” he replies, settling at the head of the table.
“Dig in.”
My eyes move over the roasted potatoes, sweet peas, grilled chicken, and buttered rolls. Dustin’s family had chefs, butlers, and maids. He never had to lift a finger. But he wanted to learn how to cook. And always loved cooking for me.
I pop a roasted potato into my mouth. “I love these.”
He smiles. “I know.”
Dustin looks so much older. I wish he could’ve held onto his youth. But how could he when he spent so much time being angry with me.
“We can’t go back to the way things were, Dustin.”
He nods before he slips a sliver of chicken into his mouth.
I blurt out, “You were looking for a mate.”
He chuckles as he picks up the glass of whiskey, bringing it to his lips.
I don’t find it funny. As much as I hated Dustin for demanding I leave town deep down, I still love him.
“How could I ever look for another omega. There’s only one omega who makes me smile when I’m down. Looks at me like I’m her hero. Curls into me letting me know I make her feel safe.”
Tears well in my eyes and I blink them away.
“We both know you moved on, Dustin.”
He shakes his head. “I still eat your favorite breakfast almost every day.”
My heart skips a beat.
His jaw twitches. “I asked my mom if I could handle deliveries to her Florida customers every other week. She never once mentioned there was already a delivery service for that. She just looked into my sad eyes and told me to go. I watched you whenever I could, cheered for you at every track meet I could attend. So many times, I wanted to say I didn’t care about the cheating accusations, that we should move past it. ”
He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment. “But my anger wouldn’t let me. I caught an alpha giving you hell on the track field. I beat his ass. No one disrespects you. Not even me. I apologize for how cruel I was.”
A brief smile flickers across his face. “Your grandmother ripped me a new asshole. Said I should have fought harder for you. When I brought her favorite meal earlier this week, I promised her I would.”
“You visited my grandmother?”
“Every chance I get.”
Dustin had always been close to my family. My grandmother really liked the pack. Now it makes sense why she asked, “Will you let them help you through your heat?” I remember shutting her down cold.
He reaches out, his fingers grazing my skin. “My stubbornness has torn our pack apart.” His sad green eyes lock with mine. “I love you, Harper.”
“I don’t know how I feel about you anymore,” I lie.
I’m so turned on right now; I want to jump on his dick. Slowly, I pull my hand away and prepare my plate.
“Once we catch the killer you can train again for track. I’ll be there for you like I always have.”
“I’d like that.”
The biggest smile lifts his cheeks.
While we eat dinner Dustin and I chat about our lives. Afterwards, we clean off the table and load the dishwasher.
“Thanks for dinner, Dustin,” I say as I push the dishwasher door shut.
“Since tomorrow is Saturday, I’ll make blueberry pancakes.”
I lick my lips. “I can’t wait.”
Moving closer to him, I grab his hand and place it over my heart. “You still make me nervous.”
A boyish grin lights up his face. He places my hand over his. His heart slams against my palm at a quickening rhythm.
“You’re the only woman who will ever have this effect on me.”
I ease up on my tippy toes and brush my lips across his. “Dustin, this feeling between us means nothing.”
“Little omega, it means everything.”
He lifts me into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist as my fingers comb through his inky hair.
I push back a little. “Shit, Dustin, I’m perfuming.”
“Your body knows it belongs to the Barclay pack.”
Slick now flows from me, soaking my panties as he stalks through the house and up the stairs. Once in my nest, he tosses me on the bed.
“Your bed smells like my pack brothers. It’s time it smells like me too.”
I smile as he eases my wet panties down my legs. He brings them to his nose and inhales. “Lavender, jasmine, and apples,” he growls.
I sit up and push my lips hard against his as I help him out of his tie, dress shirt, and jacket.
He pauses and holds my gaze. “Tonight, I’ll eat your pussy. It’s always been my favorite dessert.” Dustin winks.
“Fuck, I miss the way you used to make me come.”
Dustin yanks the tiny dress over my head. I sit there totally naked. I don’t feel exposed. This man knows my body. I love the noticeable bulge in his slacks for me.
My fingers trace over his muscled chest. “Eat my pussy, Dustin.”
“Gladly.” He pushes my legs apart. Dustin doesn’t waste time licking up every drop of slick as it pours out of me. Dustin and I are alone again in the enormous house. Good, if the rest of the pack were here their scents would drive me wild and I’d beg for all their knots.
“Why am I coming already?” I ask.
“You know why. This pussy belongs to me, Harper.”
I tug his hair and lift my hips as my body trembles in his embrace.
“You’re mine, Harper. I’ll never let anyone come between us again.”
As much as I love being with him right now, I don’t forget how he made me feel.
He playfully bites my clit.
“Alpha, I want more.” I knew this would happen. I’d give in to the lust.
Dustin licks my folds and pulls another orgasm from me.
Slowly, he kisses up my stomach and tenderly sucks my taut nipples.
“I want to knot you and bite you,” he says as he works two fingers inside my needy pussy.
“I’ll show you how much you belong to me and our pack.”
His lips take mine and I savor the taste of me on his tongue.
Dustin drops at my side and pulls me against his body.
I caress his chest and his purrs lets me know I’m safe.
I wish the situation with Sarah had never happened.
We would be mated by now. As my eyelids drift closed, they pop open.
I realize, I have to get ready to meet Chavelle.