5. Brooks
5
brOOKS
T he familiar fresh strawberry scent surrounds me, just like it did when I first walked into the room.
There’s something slightly different about it.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s almost as if he’s wearing an extra perfume.
It’s light.
Tantalizing.
Yet, something I’d recognize anywhere.
How is this my life right now?
As soon as that scent hit me, my dragon roared inside, wanting to tear down the world until he found him again.
Only the omega I’ve been crushing on for months is standing here, right in front of me.
“Are you one of the omegas here searching for a husband?” I ask, voice hopeful.
Probably too damn hopeful.
His sweet blush, which I adore, paints his cheeks, making me smirk.
I might have spent all this time trying to avoid Kestrel, but now that he’s in front of me, I can’t help but flirt.
Kestrel blinks up at me with his pretty brown eyes.
“I am. James encouraged me to come here.”
My dragon growls, not liking the idea of our omega looking for someone else.
Easy, big guy.
This is good news.
If James invited Kestrel here, that means he is single.
Either no longer married or going through a divorce.
That thought alone causes my dragon to settle.
Leah clears her throat.
Everyone looks up at her and gives the omega the respect she deserves.
“Okay, guys, dinner will be ready in about five to ten minutes. Feel free to take a seat.” She waves a hand toward the large dining table covered with fine china and decorative silverware.
Kestrel’s gaze bounces to mine, and he bites his lip.
He opens his mouth like he’s about to say something, before snapping it closed.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” He shakes his head.
Feeling bold, I use my index finger to tip his chin up so his eyes meet mine.
“Please, Kes. Tell me?” The nickname tumbles out of my mouth before I realize it.
A breath stutters out, and his pupils dilate.
“Kes,” he breathes.
“You’ve never called me that before.”
Damn, he’s beautiful.
Always has been, from the first moment I saw him all those months ago in his bookstore.
I was wandering the shelves, easily distracted by the selection of books.
I’ve always loved to read in my free time.
The instant my gaze landed on Kestrel, I was smitten.
I told him I was lost.
He immediately started pointing out the shelves of non-fiction books on finance, business strategy, and fitness.
I chuckled, imagining one of my brothers walking into this very bookstore, asking for any of those types of books.
This omega was sticking to alpha stereotypes, and I wanted to surprise him.
Shock him.
Make him remember me and never forget.
“Actually, I’m looking for some romance,” I said.
“I could use a good ol’ fated mates’ story to make me smile.”
“An alpha looking for romance,” he murmured to himself, probably not realizing my dragon hearing could pick up on his words.
“What a beautiful thought.”
Shaking myself out of my memories, I focus on the omega in front of me now.
Instead of pushing, I wait patiently for him to confide in me.
“You didn’t use your alpha voice,” he states, surprised.
“You just asked.”
My dragon rages against my ribcage.
It dawns on me then, a slideshow of memories coming forth.
All my interactions with Kestrel.
The times he looked sad or defeated.
The fact he’d been married, but was here now.
The urgency to meet a potential new spouse, and the shock that an alpha would be kind to him.
Who the fuck was he married to previously, and how the hell do I hurt the bastard?
I take a step back, giving my omega some room to breathe.
Until I know his history, or until he encourages it, I don’t want to come on too strong or seem demanding.
Instead, I give him a soft smile and make my tone light.
Kestrel doesn’t need my pity.
I’m sure he would hate it.
“Of course not. I’m not one of those weak alphas who need to strut around and throw around their authority.”
A fleeting expression of various emotions flits across his face before he stands straighter and smiles.
This omega has shown me nothing but strength since I’ve met him.
Fuck, was he hurting all those months ago when I first spotted him?
Why the hell did I stop going to his bookstore?
I could have shoved my feelings to the side, been his friend.
Been there for him.
Maybe I could have helped him sooner.
“It’s nothing really,” he finally replies.
“Just a silly thought.”
I arch a playful brow.
“Seriously, just ignore me. It was just a ridiculous, frivolous idea.”
My dragon really doesn’t like the way Kestrel is putting himself down.
I smile again, wanting to encourage him.
“I’ve yet to hear anything ridiculous come from your lips. Tell me, please.” I try again.
He laughs with a sigh.
“Fine. I was just so excited to see you here. I kind of wish we could eat dinner outside and chit-chat, and I don’t know, maybe catch up. Dinner around a large table seems too formal. It’s already a tense situation. I know the other omegas are just as nervous as I am.”
“That’s a brilliant idea.”
He smiles.
“It is?”
“Yes. Do you really think it’s only the omegas who are nervous?” My eyes stray over to the beauty mark just above his right brow, and my fingers itch to tuck his hair behind his ear so I can see more of his face.
Kestrel glances around and giggles.
He takes in James, who laughs as he talks with his daughter, my friend Dimitri, who is as stoic as ever, and Aiden, who looks like he’s telling some riveting story to everyone.
“No one else looks nervous.”
“Nonsense. See how anxious Aiden is? He’s practically trembling.”
Kestrel giggles again, knowing my words are false.
Aiden jerks his head up and narrows his eyes.
His dragon undoubtedly heard what I said.
I hold up my finger.
“I’ll be right back. Stay here, okay?”
I hold my hands together as though in prayer.
Although I can be flirty and charming, I love the playful dynamic I have with Kes.
Not only does he bring it out of me, but I feel like he needs it, too.
When Kestrel finally nods his agreement, looking light and cheerful, I make my way over to James and Leah.
“Leah, would it be okay if we place the food on the counter buffet style? Kes mentioned everyone is still so nervous. A formal dinner might be too much. Maybe we can take our plates outside to enjoy the fresh air. It might make things less nerve-wracking.”
“Kes, huh? And was this Kes’ idea?” James teases.
“It was.” I lean in close so only James and Leah can hear me.
“Kestrel is the omega I told you about. The one I started developing feelings for.”
“Is that so?” James drawls, eyes sparkling.
Leah laughs.
“Daddy, did you do this?”
My gaze shoots toward James, and realization dawns on me.
He did.
My lips twitch.
This has James written all over it.
Assuming he completed his investigation of all omegas as claimed, he set this all up.
I owe my friend a debt of gratitude for his matchmaking.
Leah shakes her head, not letting her father reply.
She turns back toward me.
“All right, Brooks. Let me tell the staff, and we can head outside.”
“Thanks, Leah.” I clap James on the back.
“I get the feeling you and your dragon won’t give up until you have that omega smiling and happy.”
My dragon preens inside of me, and I wink.
“I get the feeling you’d be right.”
I jog back over to Kes and give him a deep, dramatic bow before offering him my arm.
“Your wish is my command,” I say, just as the staff begins placing the food on the counter instead of the dining table.
Kestrel’s lips tip upward, but he doesn’t say a word.
He just lets me escort him to the counter, where we pile food onto our plates and make our way outside.
The light ocean breeze carries the scent of fresh strawberries mixed with something else.
The scent slams into me, leaving me stunned and confused.
Suddenly, I understand why Kestrel’s scent is different.
He’s pregnant.
My omega is already pregnant.
Instead of anger, I feel a strange sense of curiosity and fascination, while my dragon radiates a strong sense of protectiveness I’ve never felt before.