Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
GRIFFIN
F ound the Omega.
Realized the Omega hated us.
Left the hotel without telling anyone.
Walked in a blizzard for a bit to try and cool down the anger that was radiating through my entire being.
Did not calm down.
Now, I’m stuck a mile away from the hotel and I have to be on the bus to make it to our game in two minutes.
Today is not my day.
Marcus Knox is a very in demand Omega. Not only is his family a well known pack with lots of connections in the construction world, but he is a hot as hell playboy who has been sought after by plenty of people.
How the hell Fergus and Jimmy managed to get him to agree to court them was over everyone's heads.
Seeing his head on Clover’s lap had almost made me rip his pretty head off his body.
I couldn’t stick around the hotel and tell the guys that I had fucked up. That we had all fucked up and pushed the Omega too far. That McKinley was going to be heart broken and hate us for ruining his chance with her. Vaughn was forever going to be a shell of himself who thought that there was something wrong with him and that he was unloveable. Apollo was going to make us all sleep on expensive sheets for the rest of our lives and I’d have to give up my soft silk ones because he was never going to fumble a chance of courting an Omega again.
And me?
I am going to…
I didn’t have a plan. Maybe I’d punch something and that would make me feel better. Physical violence was usually a good way to get my head back on straight. That or put my dick in something.
Doubt that McKinley would be very interested in giving me a blowjob right now. Pretty sure that he would bite my cock off in anger.
Was little weed a bad nickname? Lemon drop was a sweet one and I was mad that cocky shit had thought of calling her that. Now I was stuck with calling her something that was offensive.
Weeds are resilient. Just like Clover. All the times people tried to tear her down she just kept on growing into herself.
She probably thought I hated her.
Maybe the nickname started out a little mean, but now it’s taken on new meaning and feels like something different for me.
Maybe I’m just trying to cover my ass.
By some miracle, I make it to the bus before it leaves me.
Coach is arguing with Apollo, which is a bad sign. Apollo was always his golden boy. I’m sure part of his DNA is Golden Retriever. Him arguing with the coach is probably my fault.
It seems like a lot of stuff is my fault lately.
“He’s here!” Vaughn grabs my arm and tugs me on the bus before Apollo can say anything. He’s dragging me to where we usually sit, counting the rows because he’s superstitious about the seating.
McKinley is not on the bus
His seat is empty and I look at Vaughn who just shakes his head like he doesn’t want to talk about it.
Not talking about it isn’t an option.
“She hates us,” I mutter as I sit down next to the window. Vaughn sits beside me, “Hockey is something I’ve always had. You and hockey. Now we’re in a pack with guys I love and about to make our dreams come true and it feels wrong. Why does it feel like it’s all wrong?”
My hand rubs at my face and I feel Vaughn’s head lay on my shoulder. He knows my love language is touch. It could be why I sleep around so much. This need to not feel like I’m always alone.
“Apollo is pissed. I thought that it was because McKinley threw a tantrum, but I don’t think we all talked about how we feel about Clover.”
Looking out the window I see Apollo still arguing with the Coach, his cheeks growing red from anger or cold. I’m not quite sure.
My gut twists as I think about how this is my fault. I’ve been throwing mixed signals. I kissed the poor Omega and didn’t think to talk to her for the rest of the week.
She’s been all alone and none of us Alphas have stepped up to the plate for her. An Omega shouldn’t be left alone like this. It makes sense why she turned volatile in the car with Apollo. She’s probably touch starved and scared.
And I had barged in when she was finally getting touch contact with someone because I was jealous.
“Shit,” Standing up, I see Vaughn look at me in confusion, “I can’t play today. Not when the Omega is distressed. I have to fix this.”
The way his brown eyes pinch together as if he doesn’t know if he should get up. I want him to. I want him to see that he can be happy again. Clover has already stepped up to show us she cares. It’s time that we do it too.
Vaughn’s teeth sink into his lip and he shakes his head.
“I can’t. I haven’t been-”
“It’s okay. I’ll take care of her enough for the both of us.” Squeezing his shoulder I’m off the bus just as Coach is turning to get on.
He looks me up and down and grunts.
“You’re a scratch for the game?” I nod my head, “Figure this shit out with your pack, Griffin. I don’t want to hear from Apollo about how he can’t find his Beta or hear about all the shit that he throws at me.” The bus doors close behind him.
I’m fully invested in fixing this now.
Apollo already went inside the hotel so I stop at the reception desk, pasting my best smile on my face.
I know I’m good looking. The shaggy dirty blonde hair that’s styled like a 90’s heartthrob, my lips are plush and pink enough that people stare at them like they want to know what I can do with them, and I’m a college athlete about to go pro. I’m in the best shape of my life and carry it well.
Leaning forward, my elbows resting on the desk, I wink at her. It makes my stomach turn when she blushes. Huh . That’s new. Usually flirting is fun and I enjoy the give and go of it. This? This just feels dirty and wrong.
“Hey, I’m so sorry to bother you, but I have a little problem.” I have a huge problem and I think if I don’t fix it my Beta is going to commit murder and my Alpha is going to help dispose of my body, “I left my bag in my friends room last night and they already left. Could I get the key to 401?”
The way she looks makes me aware that she should be saying no. Hell, if anyone gave a key out to my room I'd be outraged, but I can’t think of what’s right or what’s wrong.
All I can think about is how I’m going to cuddle my little weed.
“I really shouldn’t do this but,” Her eyes flick down to the computer in front of her like she doesn’t want to meet my eyes, “You said they’re just a friend?”
I wouldn’t go as far as saying that Clover is my friend, but I do plan on getting there with her so... Enh .
It’s a white lie.
“Yes, my friend.” She nods her head, taking out a card holder and writing something on it. She taps a piece of plastic handing it over to me, “Aren’t you just a lifesaver.”
I don’t hear her reply and take off.
I’m jogging up the stairs, not even bothering with the elevator to get to Clover. I’m stopped when I see McKinley at the door. His head against it as he holds a tray of what looks like comfort food.
When he hears me approaching he looks up, eyes narrowing and a sneer on his face.
‘ Go Away ’ he mouths, not wanting to talk in case the Omega is listening.
Stepping over him, I tap the card against the door, watching the way the Beta falls back with an ‘oomph’. Good thing Apollo wasn’t here to scold me about his pet. I’d probably get told I’m abusing his animal.
Stepping over him, before he can grab my ankle and take me down, I start sniffing out the Omega.
I had expected her to be in bed, but she’s missing. Everything is dark, despite it only being the afternoon, and I have to squint to try and catch any sight of her.
“Don’t!” Mick is trying to stop me from opening the bathroom door.
Tough shit.
I push it open and freeze.
The bathtub is covered with a sheet that has been tied around so that it blocks out everything. A soft glow is coming from inside this…what is this? Oh no. Is this a makeshift nest? Is this her hotel nest?
I’ve never been in an Omega nest before so I only have a vague idea of what it’s supposed to look like. That information is all from the Omega studies classes I took my Freshman year. Honestly, I didn't retain as much as I should have and I’m really regretting not being a good student like Mick is.
A sound comes from under the sheets and the phone is lowered before two fingers pull the side of the sheet away from the tub and I see Clover’s pretty blue eyes peering out.
“Hi little Omega.” McKinley suddenly has a chipper tone. As if he wasn’t just giving me looks meant to kill me.
Dropping to my knees I meet her eyes with mine.
“I scared you earlier. I’m sorry.” Her eyes widen and she lets go of the sheet so I can’t see her.
For a second I wonder if she is going to ignore me. Mick is making hand signs at me to let me know that he is going to maim and kill me. It’s cute how he thinks that he could take me when his rage out is more like a feral raccoon finding trash.
Blowing him a kiss, I see the exact moment he snaps.
He’s going to choke me again.
The only thing that stops him is when the sheet is pulled up and Clover is looking at me with her sad eyes.
Did I make her eyes sad?.
“Are you really sorry or did Apollo make you say it?” I want to laugh at her words.
As if Apollo could make me do anything.
She’s being serious. I can see her sincerity and how what I say next matters. So I swallow down the several jackass remarks that I could say to her and give her some truth.
“I haven’t talked to anyone since you left the room when I mentioned courting you.” Mick makes a strangled sound because I was absolutely not supposed to tell her about the courting plan without them. “I’m here for you, baby weed. After seeing you all cuddled up with Marcus I may be a little jealous and in need of some sweet cuddles of my own.”
Goddess .
The way her eyes widen like it’s a cartoon makes my smile widen.
Does she feel reassured? Or do I look like the wolf trying to be let into Little Red Riding Hood's house?
Her hand reaches out, untying one of the sheets so she can emerge fully from her bathtub nest. My eyes skim over everything and nod in approval.
“You made this nest for yourself? What a good job you did. All those pillows must make the tub more comfortable for you. And you tied it so well. I’m proud of you, Clover. Such a good Omega.” Her scent perfumes the air so hard I almost tip over.
Mick is frozen in place, looking at me like I’ve had a full body transplant.
“I like when you’re nice to me.” The soft words hit me right in my stomach.
I’ve been an asshole.
A huge inconsiderate asshole.
Mick should have strangled me harder earlier. Next time I’ll show him where to put his hands so he can get the job done.
“He should always be nice to you.” Apollo’s voice booms around the room and Clover dips deeper into the tub.
When did this jerk show up?
He moves closer, looking over Clover as she stares up at him with those big eyes of hers. She’s so laser focused on the Alpha in front of her I can take a few extra seconds to allow myself to appreciate her beauty.
She’s tiny. Even for an Omega she’s on the smaller side. But she still has full cheeks and her body has something for me to grab onto when I hold her.
Which I will be holding her.
Her blonde hair is trying to fight its way out of her braids and for some reason all I can think about is Vaughn helping her undo them as I hold her in my lap. I can see the smile he used to have as he falls into bed with us for a puppy pile movie night. How Clover would be a wiggly mess who would have to change positions a thousand times, but it would just be an excuse for everyone to hold her.
How did I not see it before? McKinley’s right. She is perfect for us.
“Are you okay?” Apollo finally speaks, bringing me out of the fantasies of the pack life we’re going to have. She nods her head a little. “Griffin talked to you about courting?” He doesn’t look at me. I already know he’s not happy with how I handled that.
Not my greatest moment, but I don’t want to hide things from her. How can we ask her to be part of our pack but keep secrets? Seems counterproductive.
“I didn’t say yes.”
“You didn’t say no.” I counter, making her look at me. She sits up a little in the tub and I realize that she feels a bit more comfortable with me than I thought.
This is good.
“You don’t want to court us?” McKinley may cry. Apollo hears it in his voice too and turns to the Beta.
There is not a single chance he’s going to hold it together. As soon as he starts crying Apollo is going to lose his mind and this interaction is going to get worse.
I should have never come in here without locking the door behind me. I invited my pack chaos.
“I don’t want to court your pack exclusively.”
Oh .
That’s way worse.
But it’s the confidence that she needs because Clover is sitting up in the bath with a backbone that she must have grown in the span of minutes.
I like confident Clover.
My cock also likes her too.
Not that he gets a say. He likes to hide in smelly jockstraps that give me itchy balls. He’s a bad cock.
“You want to make sure you’re getting treated right. Smart Omega.” I coo and she looks at me like she’s trying to see if I’m being mean to her or not, “I think as long as you’re safe I’m okay with you meeting other people.” As long as they don’t get her kisses.
Those are all mine. Fine . Maybe my packs too, but no one else.
Apollo looks horrified by the idea of this. His opinion doesn’t count when Mick is looking like this is his one chance to get everything right.
It probably is after we fucked it all up.
“Vaughn isn’t here so I don’t want to get too specific with things. I want you to think about what that means for you. I want you to talk with my mama about this too. I think she will have good advice for you.” Apollo is so serious now.
I sort of miss the asshole who would play beer pong with me and run the table. I know he feels like he is responsible for us all now. I just wish he saw how we wanted to take care of him too.
“Now that business is taken care of, can I come in your nest and cuddle?” She looks around the space and then back at all of us.
So serious and sweet.
Her eyes land on McKinley and then back at me.
“Aren’t you supposed to be playing a hockey game?” We both exchange a look and she frowns, looking up at Apollo, “Do they have time to make it to their game?”
It’s at that moment that I fall in love with her. At that moment when I realized this whole week she’s been living with us she didn’t just see us moving around but she saw who we were.
Apollo nods as she scampers up.
“So let’s get them there!”
Her hand grabs mine and McKinley’s as she tugs us towards the door to the hotel room. Both of us following her because who wouldn’t?
“Shoes and jacket.” Apollo ruins everything as he crowds her, making her let go of our hands as she sits on the bed.
He slides on her shoes while Mick finds a hat to tug over her head. I take the jacket, holding it open as she stands, and slides into it. Apollo zips it up for her in the front like a control freak.
“Oh baby weed, we’re going to court the fuck out of you.” I whisper in her ear. Nuzzling her and trying to rub my scent into her skin. I want all the scent of Marcus off our Omega.
Her cheeks burn red and I see the moment something new pops into them.
“Not if you don’t win this game.”
Fuck .
That’s hot.
Game on.