Chapter 57
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Robin
The food is delicious, but I’m a little too distracted to concentrate on eating.
Having an attractive Alpha sitting across the table from me is only half of the battle.
Being around Falcon makes it hard to remember how to do basic things.
It took me a minute to remember silverware exists, and a few more to remind myself to take a bite once I finally picked it up and speared one of the veggies on my plate.
He eats with gusto, and it’s kind of fun to watch.
The sounds he makes …
They’re not unlike the sounds he made when we were in the forest alone together.
My face warms as those memories flood through me.
The soaring feeling it gives me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
I think I’m starting to understand the appeal of being with an Alpha.
Of course, it helps that he rescued me, and that he seems to be so into me.
I put my fork down, and he looks up from his meal.
He swallows and puts down his own silverware.
He takes a sip from his glass of water.
Then, he looks back at me.
“What’s wrong?”
I blink. “Um, nothing. I don’t …”
“You’ve barely touched your lunch.”
“Oh. I … I’m not that hungry, I guess.”
“You usually eat three meals a day?”
“Since I’ve been here, I do.”
He nods. “I’m not going to push you to eat this now if you don’t feel like eating, but you need to promise you’ll have something like this soon. Skipping meals isn’t good for anyone. It’s especially unhealthy when you’re recovering from malnutrition. Promise?”
“I promise,” I agree quietly.
Once he’s gone, and my nerves have calmed down, I’ll eat.
I feel my shoulders relax now that I know I don’t have to try and finish lunch in front of him.
My stomach is still full of butterflies so I might not be hungry for a while.
I take a sip of water while he does the same.
“Do you know your work schedule?” he asks, as he places his glass back down on the table.
“Um, I’m assigned to day shifts, and to work through the week but not the weekends. Laundry and kitchen orders and some general cleaning duties, I think.”
“So, you’ll have some free time at night?”
I nod, realizing he’s thinking about when we’ll see each other again.
“After six,” I add, remembering the times on the schedule Katie showed me.
“Every night?”
“Um, yeah.”
He nods slowly. “Shayne is keen to see you again. He was disappointed when Lana said she’d only admit one of us for this first visit.
I think she’ll speak to you when I leave today.
If she asks about visits, I’m hoping Shayne can come see you tomorrow night, and then Jay and Harper together the next night. ”
My skin warms when I think about Shayne. We collided on Friday night, and his smile was dazzling. Another Alpha, this one with softer energy.
“I’d like to see Shayne again,” I admit. “It feels right to meet with you all individually.”
“We all wanted to come today, but I think Lana was right to limit it to me,” Falcon confesses after a few seconds. “Unfortunately, when it comes to Harper, we can’t send him anywhere alone.”
“Because he’s an Omega,” I add, not sure how I feel about that.
I have even less experience around Omegas than I do around Alphas.
All I know is what I’ve seen in movies.
“That’s right. Jay’s used to standing back and letting Harper do his thing.
Harper’s a concert violinist, and he uses suppressants so no one in his orchestra knows he’s an Omega.
Jay takes him to his recitals. They have to maintain a little distance on those days because the suppressants could stop working if they don’t. ”
I blink at him. “Harper goes out in public? Isn’t that kind of risky?”
He nods. “It is, but it wouldn’t be fair to keep him locked away just because some assholes out there can’t be trusted around Omegas.
Jay’s always close enough to keep him safe.
Harper has to put on an act, pretending to be a Beta, around those people, so none of them really know him, but he’s good with that.
He’s there for the music. That’s what he lives and breathes for. ”
“Sounds intense.”
“He can be a little intense sometimes. Omegas are driven by their emotions.”
“So, that’s true,” I murmur, making Falcon raise his eyebrow.
“Um, what?” he asks.
“Oh. It’s just … I don’t know much about Omegas, but in the movies, they always seem so passionate. So, I guess it’s true that they’re driven by their emotions.”
“Well, I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I can confirm that’s what they’re like.”
“Have you met a lot of Omegas?” I ask, wondering what his life was like growing up.
He shakes his head. “Not really. I’ve met maybe a dozen or so over the years. Some were passing for Betas, and they did well enough to fool the Betas around them, but I could tell. Usually an Alpha knows.”
“They didn’t perfume when they saw you?”
He smiles. “No. Not all Omegas perfume for any Alpha they meet.”
“You’re not just any Alpha,” I start, flushing when he gives me a questioning look.
“I’m not?” he asks, sounding slightly amused.
“I mean, I’m sure I’m not the only woman to ever find you attractive.”
He nods slowly. “You’re not, but you’re the only one I care about.”
I can’t help the way my heart quickens when I hear those words.
“Because we’re fated,” I assume out loud.
He takes my hand, leaning in toward me.
“We’re fated because we’re perfect for each other. That’s what makes a true mate bond so special, Robin. It’s the universe’s way of pulling us together. The bond exists to make us want to spend time with each other, because when we do it becomes obvious that we’re meant for one another.”
He sounds so certain. I guess he is, given that he already experienced the true mate bond three times before we ever met.
“Is that how it worked with the rest of your pack?” I ask, curious if they all see it the same way.
He laughs. “Kind of. I got off to a rough start with Shayne, but once we actually spent time together the bond was so strong neither of us could deny it.”
“That sounds like an interesting story,” I admit.
“Well, how ‘bout I tell you my version, and you can get Shayne’s tomorrow, if you want it?”
I smile. “I’d like that.”