Talk About… Rivalry (Rockwood Valley Omegaverse #2)

1. Sidney

Sidney

“ M y knot will ruin you for any other alpha. I’ve been told it’s a beast,” Vincent said as he leaned in, pitching his voice low and raising an eyebrow.

That was something that could've been very sexy from the right alpha, but the way he looked at me, like I should be fawning over him, meant he was not the right alpha.

I wished that it was the worst thing I’d heard so far tonight. Did these lines actually work on anyone?

The pack in front of me couldn’t be worse dates if they tried. I’d spent the appetizer, entree, and now waiting on dessert hearing them inform me of all their many perceived accomplishments.

Darren was an accomplished tech guru who wowed the masses with his ability to fix systems. Chris was apparently such a good personal trainer that people came from all over the state to train with him. Now, their alpha, Vincent, was boring me with all his work accolades and flaunting their money.

What could an omega do other than swoon, right?

Gag. I’d rather be mucking out the stables than listening to another minute of this but every time I tried to end the date early, they’d talk over me.

God, I hated pretentious alphas.

When his weird ‘sexy’ talk didn’t work for me, he switched tactics back to his job, like that would win me over more. Everything they said reeked of narcissism and self-importance.

“I started out in a standard, low-pay position. Each year I put in the hard work and dedication until I climbed the ladder right up to CEO,” the alpha said, his chest puffing out as he spoke loud enough for the surrounding table to hear.

“Oh,” I said, a noncommittal sound coming from me but that was about all I could manage.

He gave me a smarmy smile that made my stomach turn. “It’s okay if you don’t have as prestigious a job, really we just need an omega who can cook us dinner, keep us…” he trailed off and let his eyes wander over me slowly enough to make me uncomfortable, “and come with us to events.”

“A trophy omega,” Darren clarified, just in case my tiny omega brain couldn’t keep up with their intellect.

“No thanks,” I said, rolling my eyes now. Fuck it, I wasn’t about to let this continue any longer. “My greatest accomplishment in life sure as hell won’t be ‘standing there and looking pretty.’”

Darren raised an eyebrow. “Don’t all omegas want that?”

“Sure, some. The rest of us have brains and use them,” I shot back. All three looked at me like I’d grown an extra head. Apparently, their tiny brains couldn’t comprehend why I wouldn’t want that life.

“Alphas are meant to provide for an omega, are we not?”

“We’re not scent matches. What happens when you find yours? I get a parting pat on the head and have to start over, no house, no assets, no income.”

They blinked at me for a moment.

“If you want an allowance, we can surely put that into the contract,” Chris said gently, trying to soften me up with a warm smile I didn’t buy for a second.

“A contract?” I said.

I couldn’t help but wonder just how many of these dates they’d been on, then subsequently rejected. This was an outdated pack with values not many shared anymore.

“Yes, we have it here if you’d like to see it. We prefer to keep things upfront.”

Whereas I could appreciate being blunt so there was no confusion, I couldn’t get over a relationship contract. We weren’t part of a dating agency… this was simply a date from PackVlog’s dating app.

Vincent reached down and grabbed a folder he had propped against his chair and handed it over. Curiosity got the best of me and I took it, opening the folder to find far too many pages.

They were quiet as I read, flipping through page after page and barely suppressing my laughter and frustration.

They couldn’t be serious? There were curfews, dress codes, dietary preferences that would be followed or face punishments.

When I got to the pages outlining punishments I nearly got up and left the table. Are they fucking serious?

Failure to adhere to the rules could result in punishment as follows:

Spanking

Withholding of affection

Withholding of omega budget

Sleeping without the pack

Correction of behavior by the pack alpha

“Is this a joke?” They stopped whispering and looked at me.

“I assure you, this is not a laughing matter. We like things our way and any omega of ours would agree that this is fair and equitable for both parties.”

“I’m shocked that any lawyer drafted this for you to be honest,” I said, completely blunt now. There was no chance in hell I’d entertain this.

I may not have heats, or the ability to scent others, or even my own scent, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to be a doormat for a pack like this.

“You know what, I think this date is over. This contract is honestly disgusting and I would not be shocked if you spend the rest of your lives alone. Hell, even your scent match won’t want you unless she’s looking for a pack of sugar daddies,” I said as I gathered my things.

The waiter arrived then, ready to refill our glasses but there was not enough wine in the world for this night. I’d driven an hour into the city for this shitshow and I was ready to run.

Just as I turned around, an omega stumbled into me.

“Sorry,” she started, glaring at the old woman behind her who’d knocked her over. I started to reassure her when the pack stood and she stiffened, eyes widening and nostrils flaring.

“Mates,” she breathed out, her eyes immediately narrowing on me. “Why are you on a date with my pack?”

“Wait… you are together? What the hell?” I demanded, turning my glare onto the men.

“No, we’ve never met her before,” Darren started but gave her a smile. “I’m Darren.”

“Megan,” she said, her look softening as she took them in. “It’s a pleasure to meet such a handsome pack.”

“Don’t worry, you can have them,” I said, more than eager to hand them over. I grabbed my bag and tried to leave. “I really should be going.”

“You should,” Megan huffed.

“Here,” I said, handing over the ridiculous contract to her. “This is what your mates think of omegas.” Megan glared at me but snatched the paper, not bothering to read it.

Maybe she was the right omega for them.

“She means nothing to us, it was just a date,” Vincent said quickly. “A placeholder for our scent match. She wasn’t much to look at anyway, and quite boring. But you, my dear omega, are gorgeous.” He let out a low whistle that had her blushing and fluffing her blonde curls.

She cast another look at me. “Stay away from them. Don’t embarrass yourself now. Just walk away.”

The venom in her tone had me letting out a laugh. She looked at me and stomped her foot like a child, an awful screech coming from her mouth before she stalked off, glancing back to make sure they followed. When they did, she smirked at me before continuing her stomp through the dining room.

“Did they just leave you with the bill?” the waiter asked, jaw dropping as he watched them walk right out the front door.

“Apparently,” I frowned, realizing they had. Not only was it the full bill, but they’d ordered fancy wine and expensive meals. “Fuck.”

“Look, I hate shitty alphas. I’ll separate the bill and give you yours. They made the reservation so we have information and can put them on our ban list and report them to the cops,” he said. “I live for sticking it to awful people with more money than sense.”

“I have their full names and links to their profiles,” I said with a grin. “Actually, put their dessert on my bill as well and pack it to go.”

“Solid choice,” he said, hurrying off. I took my seat and took another sip of water, letting the cool liquid calm me down.

This was going in the books as one of the worst dates in the history of the world. Right up there with the asshole who announced to the entire bar that I was a broken omega.

Maverick would have never done this to me. My eyes burned at the thought and I swallowed hard.

The waiter came back before the pity party could go into full swing.

“Here you go,” he said, sitting a large paper bag on the table. He had the check in hand and I put my card in it. He was off again and I was left sitting there, more than one person staring since this was fresh gossip.

An omega left with the bill, a pack running after a scent match, this was honestly the dating nightmare we all worried would happen before finding a pack.

I gave the waiter a generous tip and hurried out the moment he came back, glad I had chocolate and sweets to drown my sorrows when I got home.

Though, the last place I wanted to go was home, but I wasn’t ready to face anyone just yet.

Except maybe Avery, who had been texting me all night.

The drive back to Rockwood Valley was long and dark, but I blasted music until my mind was numb. When I parked in front of the small cabin that I called home, I hurried inside just in case and locked the door behind me.

A small meow greeted me and I scooped up my former barn cat, Sully, and gave him kisses. “Don’t worry, it’s still just us.”

He gave a small meow in response, nose twitching as he tried to see what I brought. Though, it was nothing for him.

He’d likely snuck out the cat door and ate with the other cats like usual, he just never turned down treats.

“Sorry, Sull, this is mine,” I said as I put him down and dropped my bags on the table. After putting on comfy clothes I opened up my chocolate lava cake and grabbed my phone, going through the messages from Avery.

Avery: How is the date?

Avery: Should I take silence as a good thing?

Avery: Your outfit was on point, I know they’re going to fold the moment they see you

A few more tacked on then there was maybe thirty minutes of silence before she sent a new flurry.

Avery: Okay, I’m getting a bad feeling but you haven’t sent an SOS

Avery: I could call you and save you?

Avery: I knew I should have dressed in disguise and sat near you just in case.

I took pity on her, not wanting to leave her hanging all night, but I certainly wasn’t going into detail right now. I’d had enough of that awful encounter for the evening. I just wanted to enjoy my dessert.

Sidney: It was awful. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow because this is a conversation where I need to see your reactions face to face.

Avery: Tomorrow night, Whitaker Brews

Sidney: I’ll be there

As I devoured the chocolatey goodness, I couldn’t stop letting my mind circle back to Taylor and Maverick like it always did.

Men I wanted more than anything but couldn’t have. Fuck, why did life have to be so complicated?