9. Wyatt
CHAPTER NINE
wyatt
I’ll probably catch hell for this later, but I can’t just sit around and do nothing while everyone is fucking miserable. That’s why I’m standing out front of the Circle Cross Training Center. The massive facility is state of the art and honestly fucking stunning to look at.
I’m staring down the huge arched throughway of a building that’s constructed of warm wood tones and dark metal.
At the very end of the long tunnel, I see another building in the distance and a portion of a large training arena.
I knew the Callahans were a big name in the industry, but I didn’t realize the extent of what they’ve managed to build here.
From the way Kash mentioned it in the past, this place was little more than a beginner’s hole in the wall.
Obviously, dude has missed some things. Wonder what else he’s been wrong about?
A door to my left opens, and a woman and a little girl walk out. They’re talking about how much the girl learned today and how amazing it is to be trained by such a legend. There are giggles and clapping and overall genuine excitement.
Looks like it’s my lucky day. The woman I want to see is in.
I head for the main office, a soft chime ringing through the quiet space as I enter.
At the desk tucked back against the far wall, a young man is talking on the phone.
His scent is muted, something slightly minty—a Beta—and I patiently wait for him to finish up.
Taking in the leather chairs situated near a viewing window, the cream and wood tones, and the crystal accents that add a nice feminine touch, it’s elegant and welcoming.
Then a portrait hung by the small fireplace that’s tucked into the west wall catches my eye.
It’s Juliette, or rather her alternate persona, JJ Wilde.
She’s on horseback, but it isn’t the blinged-out denim shirt and leather chaps I’m used to seeing when she’s on the rodeo circuit.
She’s wearing a simple white tee with a pair of jeans, cowboy boots, and a tan hat on her head.
But it’s the way you can practically see her hair flying in the wind as the horse whips around the barrels that’s truly breathtaking.
There are so many incongruent pieces of the puzzle that is JJ Wilde.
The rodeo star. The spoiled, aloof beauty queen.
The sexy Omega that has my brother entranced.
And now the woman and mother who is more than any of us could have guessed.
Which one is the real Juliette Callahan, and which ones are masks she puts on to face the world?
“She’s spectacular, isn’t she?” a voice asks, drawing my attention to the Beta now standing beside me.
“She really is. How long ago was this done?”
“That’s from a couple of years ago after she made the decision to get back on the circuit.
She was training nearly every day while also managing her own classes and other business duties.
A photographer stopped by to capture some marketing stills, and he snapped this image while he was here.
Her grandmother had a local painter turn it into this portrait to remind JJ to never give up. ”
“They’re close?” I ask, feeling a niggle of guilt for using a third party to gather as much information as I can about the woman I’m trying to figure out, but what else am I supposed to do? Beck doesn’t know jack shit, and Kash isn’t exactly forthcoming with accurate intel.
“Very. JJ would literally do anything for Rose and vice versa. Hudson comes in a close second though.”
“Hudson Ford?”
“Yes, sir. Hudson’s a regular around here and chips in where he can.
He’s even helped fend off reporters and such to make sure Miss JJ’s privacy is paramount.
There’s a strict NDA in place for anyone who works or trains here.
” His eyes suddenly widen like he just divulged national secrets. “And I’ve already said too much.”
Interesting. No wonder Kash never heard about Juliette’s secret identity. His grandfather was in on it. Does his father know?
“No worries. My lips are sealed.”
He nods nervously. “Was there something I can help you with?”
“I’d like to see Miss Callahan if she’s available.”
“Miss… Wait, did you just say?—”
“Divulgin’ all of my secrets, Gentry?” a rich feminine voice asks.
When I turn, I’m struck speechless at the sight of her.
In a pair of simple blue jeans with a leather belt, dusty boots, and a burgundy tank top that shows off a pair of tits that are so fucking perfect I nearly cry, she looks nothing like the image Kash and Beck have built up over the years.
She’s also nothing like the blinged-out rodeo star I’ve been captivated with.
No. This woman right here is stunning in her simplicity.
Even with a dark smudge across her cheek and her hair a tangled braid underneath her John Deere trucker cap, I can’t fucking take my eyes off of her.
“I’m so sorry, JJ. I didn’t mean to?—”
“Calm down. I’m just giving you shit. Wyatt here already knows all of my secrets. Isn’t that right, pretty boy?”
When I can finally find my fucking vocal cords, I clear my throat and allow a grin to spread widely across my face. “Not sure I’d say all of your secrets, though I’m game to study you a little bit closer until I’ve unraveled each and every one of them.”
Her chuckle is deep and throaty, and I fight back a groan as my dick surges behind my zipper.
“You are trouble with a capital T. All the pretty ones are.” She crosses her arms over her chest, and it takes every ounce of willpower I possess to keep my eyes above her chin. “But what can I do for you, Wyatt?”
“I just wanted to check on you after last night. Make sure you’re okay. That’s all.”
Her smirk falters, but she manages to keep it in place. “Well, I’m right as rain. Just pretty busy with work, as you can see, so you can see yourself?—”
“Too busy for a quick tour?” Her head cocks to the side as she lets her gaze trail over me from head to toe, and I decide to up the charm by a few degrees. “I promise not to take up too much more of your time.”
Her eyes narrow, but I can see the grin starting to peek through. “Alright. But don’t make me regret this.”
I hold up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
Her smile widens, and she motions with her head to follow her. “C’mon, then.”
For a few seconds, we walk in a comfortable sort of quiet. Her scent holds a little more cinnamon than apple, less of the sweetness that it had last night when she was wrapped up in my arms. Part of me is determined to see if I can get that reaction again.
She pushes through a door that leads us out back.
For a split-second, I take in the vastness of the area I caught a sliver of earlier.
With a brusque efficiency, she shows me the training arena, the individual pens and staging areas.
The equipment facilities. The way she speaks with such pride and knowledge, it’s impossible not to be even more in awe of her.
Everything about this woman is fucking impressive as hell.
“This is truly incredible,” I murmur.
“Thank you. I’ve worked hard to make this place something Gran can be proud of. She’s where I get my love for the sport.”
There’s an open, peaceful expression on her face that I’m praying means she’s getting comfortable around me. It will go a hell of a long way to smoothing out the path to what I want for our future.
“There’s a lot to be proud of. I can’t wait to meet her.”
Her eyes dart to mine. “What’s this really about, Wyatt?”
“Just what I said it was. I wanted…” But that’s not exactly right.
I might not be an Alpha, but my instincts were still insistent that we check on her.
Making a quick decision—because I’m nothing if not impulsive—I scan our surroundings to see if anyone is close by.
Thank fuck, there’s not a soul in sight.
I turn, stepping closer until she’s forced to take a step back.
A few more of those and I’ve got her backed against a wall, her big brown eyes staring up at me as I place one hand next to her head.
“No. I needed to see you and make sure you were okay. I didn’t like how we left things last night…
especially with you going to see them tonight. ”
“Wyatt, I’m not sure?—”
I place one finger over her lips that are soft as a rose petal. “Just tell me one thing.”
She swallows harshly, and I remove my finger just enough to trail it down the sweaty expanse of her throat until I find the rapid thrum of her pulse. A hint of sweet brown sugar peeks through the spicy apple, and although I want to pound my fucking chest in triumph, I tamp that shit down.
Don’t celebrate too early, my dude.
“Do you have this same reaction to them?”
She blinks, then swallows as her lips part. “I?—”
“Don’t lie to me, hotshot. I’ll know if you do.” I tap against the telltale thump of her heartbeat beneath my fingers.
“You don’t understand,” she whispers hoarsely.
“Then explain it to me. Because I think you’re underestimating my determination, and you’re most definitely underestimating my brother’s.”
Panic flashes across her face, and my thumb brushes along the smooth expanse of her throat in response. As if that flipped her switch, that hint of alarm is replaced by a slow smug grin that confuses me.
“Maybe you’re all underestimatin’ me .”
“I doubt that.”
“Oh? I’ve got a wealthy pack courtin’ me, willing to bite me the second I give the green light. Me and Charlotte will be set for life. I won’t have to lift so much as a finger if I don’t want to. Pretty hard to turn that down.”
“Kash may have bought into the pampered princess bit, but that’s his hurt talkin’. I know that’s not really you.”
“You think you know me? What I’ve been through, pretty boy?” Her hand raises, elegant fingers trailing down the buttons of my shirt. “Think you can give me something those older, more mature, more experienced men can’t?”
I stop her hand just above my belt despite wanting to move it lower so she can help ease the ache she created days ago.
“I know we can. Wanna know how I can be sure of that, hotshot?”
She licks her pouty bottom lip, leaning in just a little until we're a mere breath apart. “Mmhmm. Why don’t you tell me so I can point out just how wrong you are?”
My free hand lands on her hip, and I watch with satisfaction as her pupils dilate.
“Because your scent don't lie.” Trailing my nose against her throat, I take in the tart apples with cinnamon sweetened by a heavy dose of brown sugar. “You didn’t perfume like this for them last night, but you did for me .”
“I’m an Omega.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Sometimes my body’s reactions are involuntary.”
“Then how do you explain this?” Done playing this game, I smash my mouth into hers, snaking the hand that was on her hip around her lower back to draw her body into mine.
Just as I thought. Pure fucking Heaven.
For a second, she’s stiff against me, but then my hand drifts a little lower, palming her ass, and a soft whine slips from her lips.
From cold to inferno in a blink, she’s suddenly kissing me back, her hands gripping the front of my shirt as she takes everything I’m offering with an eagerness that makes me wish we were anywhere but in the middle of the fucking open right now.
With restraint I didn’t know I had, I force myself to pull back.
We’re both breathing heavily, and her big eyes are looking up at me with so much damn longing I almost say fuck it and take her right here up against the wall.
But then her expression shifts faster than I can blink.
In a quick maneuver I never see coming, she ducks under my outstretched arm and starts to walk away.
Can’t have that, now can we?
Rushing up to her, I grab her arm and spin her around. “We’re not done here.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, squaring off against me with a look that would probably intimidate most men. Thank fuck I’m not one of those .
“I am not an Omega that will be used as a plaything and then tossed aside. I’m a grown woman with responsibilities that include more than just having a good time.
Kash hates me, and Beck made it clear that there was no future with him, so I’m not exactly sure what you’re hoping to accomplish here or what your real motives are. ”
Fuck me if her strength isn’t an even bigger turn on than her simpering spoiled princess act. Get it together, Wyatt. Don’t fuck this up even more.
“It’s simple. Just like you think we’re clueless where you’re concerned, I think I could say the same thing about you.
You don’t know our story, hotshot. There are plenty of chapters that haven’t been read yet.
” Closing the distance between us, I slide my hand along her jaw until my fingers hit the nape of her neck.
She hasn’t so much as twitched, but that won’t stop me.
Tilting her head back, I stare down into the fiery eyes of an Omega who never could’ve seen me coming.
“Until you do, I think I’d hold off on giving the green light on that bite.
Want you to think about this tonight when you’re having dinner with those more experienced men.
That experience comes at a price—namely close ties with your father and maybe even Jack.
Then think about their true motives. If they come out squeaky clean, then by all means, pack them up.
If not, well… You know where to find us. ”
I press a quick kiss on her parted lips, then straighten and head for the archway that will lead me back to the rental. Saying a silent prayer that I didn’t just send her running into the arms of those jackasses, I pull my phone out of my pocket and shoot off a text to our group chat.
Me
Pack meeting. ASAP.
Beck
What the hell lit a fire under your ass? And where the hell are you?
Kash
So help me, Wyatt… If you are where I think you are, I’ll personally kick your ass.
Me
Meet me at the estate. I’m heading back there now.
Beck
Yup. He’s definitely there. I just checked his location.
Me
Fucking snitch.
I pocket my phone, finding it hard to even drum up a smile right now. No, for once, my mind is focused on one thing and one thing only—convincing my packmates that Juliette is ours and we need to do everything in our power to prove to her that we are the ones she should be with.