9. Lila
Lila
“Oh, pistachio, my favorite,” I say, as I see the small pint.
“It’s even my favorite brand,” I add, glancing up and looking from one alpha to the next.
Wes, like last time, glances at River. Harrison looks slightly clueless, but River?
He holds my stare, lifting his brow. Daring me to say it. Daring me to accuse him.
We made it back to the kitchen, where they had the ice cream waiting on the counter.
“I’m thirsty, River,” I say instead, holding his stare. The corner of his lip lifts, and he nods slowly.
“Are you? Well, I have Doctor Thunder ,” he offers, tilting his head. “Or would you prefer Twist Up?” His smile is a challenge, and I scoff.
“I like both. Surprise me.”
“Well, Doctor Thunder has caffeine, and some people like a little pick-me-up in the afternoons, but prefer caffeine-free with dinner,” River says, as he opens the fridge and pulls out a can of Doctor T.
“Interesting. I happen to be one of those people.” I nod, taking the can from the alpha as he returns to his seat beside me. “What are your favorite drinks?” I ask the guys, but hold River’s stare.
“I like everything.” Wes shrugs.
“I prefer coffee, but settle for whatever's available in the afternoons,” Harrison adds, ignoring his bowl of rocky road in favor of watching me.
“And you, River?” I lift my brow, not sure where this is going, but I know for damn sure I’m not backing down now.
“Water, Sprite, and black coffee. Used to survive off energy drinks, but they fuck with my heart rate,” he says as he takes a large spoonful of vanilla between his lips.
“I do remember seeing you with a can every morning back in school,” I nod, taking a bite of my dessert. “Since we’re on the subject of favorites, what's everyone’s favorite color?”
“Blue,” Harrison and Wes say at the same time that River says black.
“I like–”
“Lavender,” River cuts me off, tilting his head as his scent slams into me with so much need, I gasp. Does this man get off on this cat-and-mouse game? I take a deep breath, leaning back in my seat as I consider him.
Does he like that I caught him? Was he trying to hide his behavior, though? Not very well, if so.
“Why?” If he knows the answer, then I’ll need to learn what I can about these alphas before I let myself get in too deep.
“Reminds you of your grams who helped raise you.”
“You little stalker… What else do you know about me, huh? When did you start following me? Sunday? After I met Harrison?” I slam my palms down on the tabletop and lean forward. “Is this your kink? Stalking omegas and luring them here?” I glare at the alpha, but he doesn’t back down.
“No, if you really want to know, my kinks vary.” River tilts his head, his grin growing. “Right now, I’m really enjoying your fire. You’re sexy as fuck when you’re angry, shouting at an alpha twice your size, not an ounce of fear in your eyes.”
“I thought I was going crazy,” I accuse, ignoring his kink talk as I point my finger at him, but he only leans into me, mimicking my position. “You have been watching me for days, and lured me here, why?” He’s right, though, I’m not scared. Not of River. Not of any of them.
I’m not scared they’ll harm me physically. But emotionally? They all pose a threat to my heart and mind.
“You know why,” River challenges, tilting his head as he holds my gaze. “Say it, Lila.”
“You…need an omega.”
“Close.”
“You want to fuck me.”
“Yes, very badly, especially while you’re angry. But not quite, closer though,” River teases.
“You want me…”
“To be…” he prompts, reaching up to tilt my chin up so he can bring our lips closer together.
“Yours,” I say, still dodging the words I know he really wanted me to say.
“You’ll have to say it eventually, Lila. But for now, we should head into another escape room.” River says, taking a step away from me. “All four of us.”
“Is it another room like the one Harrison was tied up in?” I ask, not sure what I want the answer to be.
“Do you want it to be?” Wes asks, and I take a moment to consider the question.
“I’ve never been to an escape room before, and was kind of excited to get to participate…” I admit, staring down at my hands in an attempt to hide my embarrassment.
“Hopefully, you’ll enjoy the next room then.
Come on, I’ll tell you about it on the way.
It’s upstairs,” Wes offers. I probably look like a loser as I jump off my chair and follow close behind him.
“So it’s three connected rooms. One room's clues lead to the next one opening. We have to solve all the puzzles to get to the end, and we’re on a timer.
But don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of time to finish. ”
“That's what she said,” a voice says above us, startling me until I remember Trix is watching us. Listening in as well. “Yes, I’m still here. You get three clues for each room if you need them, just say, ‘Hey, Trix, clue please!’” she says in a sing-song voice.
“I was getting there,” Wes grumbles, looking up at a camera I hadn’t noticed before as we walk past it.
“She’ll be there to help if we need it, but given the nature of the business, the other rules all still apply as well.
The safe word, the red panic button, as well as the black curtain,” River adds from behind me.
I glance over my shoulder at him and Harrison, who’s been very quiet.
I frown, slowing down to walk beside him.
“Are you okay?” I ask him, touching his arm gently.
“There’s something you need to know. I don’t want you to find out later and then think I was trying to trick you.” Harrison stops, grabbing my wrist and tugging me to a stop with him. His pack mates also pause, turning to watch us. Wes looks amused, but River looks worried.
“Now doesn’t seem like the right time–”
“No one asked you, River,” Harrison barks, glaring at the other alpha, whose dominance answers the challenge in the blink of an eye. He reels it back in just as quickly, though, and I realize he’s the pack lead.
“Finally going to tell her about Fiona?” Wes smirks, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans against the wall. Harrison frowns, looking confused. My hackles rise at the name, and I nearly fucking growl possessively. Who the shit is Fiona? Their omega?
“Oh, she’s jealous…” River teases, smiling like there’s something funny here. My instincts are screaming at me to claim them. Mark them with my scent. Bite them.
“Go on, Harrison. Tell Lila about the flamingo float you violated.” Wes turns his attention to me, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, and not at all hiding his words as he says, “If he keeps it up, he’ll have to marry her.”
“Oh, fuck off, Wes! Can you two go circle jerk down the hall, so I can speak with Lila privately?” Harrison waves his hand at the other two alphas, taking both my hands in his.
“Hey, it’s okay. They were just being little shits.
There’s no one else,” Harrison soothes, and I slowly return to my normal self.
“Okay,” I nod, taking a deep breath.
“Sorry about them,” he says, shaking his head, pulling me in for a hug.
I bury my face against his chest and take deep lungfuls of his scent.
“Technically, I did assault the flamingo, a fact that those two will never let me forget. I… I haven’t been with an omega in a while. So my ruts are getting…rough.”
“Oh…” I frown, not sure if I understand.
“Do you mean you haven’t knotted an omega recently?
” I ask, locking in the growl that tries to escape with my words.
Alphas need omega pheromones to get through their ruts.
They don’t have to fuck, they just need the scent.
A lot of clinics have chemical pheromones they use to calm alphas if they’re struggling with a rut.
It can even be prescribed by doctors if need be. I hear that there are alphas it doesn’t work for, but that's uncommon.
“No, Lila. I haven’t had sex with an omega in three years. Not since our ex cheated on us. And I’ve never knotted an omega before.” Harrison looks shy as he says the words, but that’s not something to be embarrassed about.
Being knotted by an alpha that barely tolerated you is what's embarrassing.
“I’ve been knotted before,” I say, looking up into his eyes so I can see his reaction. “You’re not missing out if his reaction is any indication.” I shrug. “If you don’t judge me for taking a knot, I won’t judge you for never giving one.”
“I would never judge you for that, Lila.” He shakes his head, pushing my hair out of my face before cupping my cheek in his palm.
“You are not an object. You are a woman. You aren’t less deserving of love, happiness, or respect because you’ve had sex with other men.
” He frowns, searching for something in my eyes as I blink back tears.
“You know that, right? That you’re no less important to me? ”
I don’t know what to say, or how to respond, because his words contradict everything I’ve been told in the past, mostly from Larry. When I don’t respond, he growls, causing me to tremble in his arms.
“Listen close, Lila. Any alpha that tries to make you feel unworthy of love and respect is a piece of shit, period. But if that alpha is using your past against you, he’s a fucking scumbag.
You could have thousands of past partners, and I wouldn’t give a shit.
None of us would. I’m not telling you about my history to make you feel guilty.
I’m telling you so you understand what I want, what my pack wants. ”
“Okay,” I whisper, still trying to contain my tears.