Chapter 18
BECKHAM
After finding out about the deaths of the students, I spiraled a bit.
The guys took me back to their place after the meeting and I spent the past few nights there, but when they left to go look further into who could be dealing the drugs, I decided to come home and get a few changes of clothes.
When I suggested heading home for a few days because I didn’t want to overstay in their space, they said their place was mine and I was welcome there any time I wanted.
I’d be lying if it didn’t feel good to hear that. As much as I love my dad, I don’t want to be in his house anymore.
He’s always here, always around. I shouldn’t have to have a million locks on my door to feel safe. I shouldn’t have to sleep at a hotel or in my office in order to get any sleep.
The best sleep I’ve had since moving back has all been at the guys’ place. With their warm bodies against mine, their scent mingled with mine, it’s been perfect. I never want to leave. It feels like home, where I’m supposed to be.
While I can’t fully move in, at least not on paper because the school needs my dad’s address for their files, I do think I’ll be spending a lot more time at their place.
They even cleared out the small spare room they have and said this can be the space for my nest when I’m ready for one at their place.
They’re giving me a safe place for just me. How can I not fall hard for these men?
I’ve been stupid to think I could have ever denied them. They’re perfect for me. My sweet, stubborn, bratty, passionate, protective, obsessive alphas.
I hate myself for running from them, for pushing them away. I had my reasons, my fear and my trauma, but none of that is an issue anymore. I trust them. And when I’m finally able to open up about Ralph, I know in my heart they won’t turn me away, won’t see me as damaged goods.
The biggest reason I haven’t told them fully about my past is because I know they would kill Ralph in a heartbeat. Yes, I want to see him die, to see him suffer, but I don’t want my alphas’ safety to be at risk by killing my father’s right hand man and starting a war, causing me to pick sides.
I know it would kill me when I’d pick my alphas’ side over my father. Because I would. I’d choose them. I love my dad but I can’t choose him if he’s defending a monster.
Speaking of my dad, I tried calling him, but he hasn’t been picking up. His assistant informed me he was out of town for a few days, probably dealing with the new big life change.
It’s crazy to think my dad found his scent match. And not only that, but so late in life. He’s in his fifties, still looks good for his age, but I don’t think finding an omega who’s half his age was on his bingo card for not just this year, but his whole life.
Not sure how all of that is going to work out, or what he plans on doing. Still not sure how I feel about Ghost. The man is clearly not all there in the head. He’s going to drive my father into an early grave.
As I get out of the shower, drying my hair with a towel, I look around the room, checking to see what I should bring over to the guys’ house.
I already have some of my work suits in their closet, but for the most part I just wear their clothes.
My eyes land on my closet and the nest I’ve built there. Chewing on my lower lip, I wonder, should I?
If I’m going to be spending more time at their place than here, wouldn’t it make sense to bring my things for my nest and use it to build one at theirs?
“Fuck it.” I grab a bag and start shoving my blankets into it. When I realize I don’t have enough room, I start grabbing an armful of stuff and bring it down to my car.
After a few trips, I have just about everything I need. As I’m shoving some smaller things into one of my bags, I’m hit with an overwhelming cramp that has me groaning as I double over in pain, arm around my abdomen.
My cock grows painfully hard, pressing against the pair of black sweat pants I have on. A wave of heat hits me and slick gushes from my back hole, my cock leaking precum and my perfume fills the space around me.
“No.” I groan, shaking my head. Not here, not now. Fuck. It’s been so long since I’ve had my heat. I only went off the blockers last week. I didn’t think they would wear off this fast.
It’s like my body is playing catch up for the heat I’d missed since moving here.
Why couldn’t it wait until I was at the guys’ house? I was so close.
Taking a few deep breaths, I breathe through the pain until it passes.
When I’m able to stand and the pain is manageable, I grab my bag and decide it’s time to leave. But not before grabbing my gun on the way out. I’ve left it here lately, but with everything going on with the deaths and the families on edge, having it on me might be a good idea.
Not having time to put my holster on, I shove the gun into my bag and head downstairs.
Another wave hits me on the stairs, causing me to push and breathe through the pain.
No. This is too close together. This isn’t good. Fuck. I need to get to the guys.
Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I call the group chat as I head down the stairs, but no one answers. “Fuck.” I nearly sob.
Shaking my head, I focus on getting out of here. It will take some time but I can get to the guys if I really try.
As I’m just about to reach the front door, it opens and someone walks in.
My eyes widen in terror. You have got to be fucking kidding me!
Ralph looks at me with pure annoyance. He opens his mouth to say something but it snaps shut when his nose twitches. He can smell me. Smell that I’m in heat. Fuck!
His lips curve into a slimy smile.
“Well what do we have here?” he says, stepping forward, shutting the door behind him.
I just need to get around him and run for my car.
Clutching the bag to my chest, I do my best to stand tall, to think clearly even though my body is burning with need.
“I was just leaving,” I manage to get out. “If you’ll excuse me.”
I go to take a step around him, but he moves too, blocking me again.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?” he asks, cocking his head to the side. “You shouldn’t be going anywhere smelling like that.”
“It’s none of your business,” I grind out through gritted teeth. “Now, let me go.”
“Mhhm.” He inhales deeply, a growl vibrating in his chest. “You see, I don’t think I will. Fuck, I forgot just how good you smell when you’re ready to be a needy little whore.”
My heart rate spikes as I try not to show my fear. I’m bigger, stronger now. I can take him. But he could use his alpha bark on me. And in this condition, I don’t think I’d have the power to stop it. It’s what he’s good at. Taking advantage of me in vulnerable situations.
Not this time. He’s not laying a fucking hand on me. Not ever again. I’d kill him before I let him touch me.
“Fuck off, Ralph,” I warn, my hand creeping towards the front pocket of my bag. “I don’t have time for this.”
“I do.” He grins. “Daddy dearest is gone for a few days, dealing with his new stupid little omega.” He rolls his eyes. “But that means we have this place to ourselves. What do you say, Beckham? Let me help you. You used to cum so hard on my cock. We could have that again.”
“I’d rather fucking die then let you stick your stupid cock anywhere near me.
” I growl, nostrils flaring. “You think I liked what you did? I was in heat, I didn’t know what I was doing.
But you did. And you took advantage of the situation anyway.
Every single fucking time.” My chest is heaving now.
“I never wanted anything you did to me. You're a disgusting piece of shit rapist.”
“Watch your fucking mouth, you stupid omega.” He growls, bearing his teeth in a snarl as he steps towards me. “I’ll make you pay for your words.”
“Fuck. You,” I spit out, pulling my gun and flicking off the safety. He didn't see it in time and I manage to fire out a shot, hitting him in the foot. I should have gone for his head, but killing a man right now is not what I want to be dealing with.
Ralph screams in pain, hitting the ground hard. I take off for my car, adrenaline overpowering my heat symptoms.
I throw open the driver’s side door, toss my bag in and get inside. I start the car and put it in drive, peeling out of the driveway and out onto the street.
The drive to the guys’ house is a blur, I don’t even remember getting to their house, the adrenaline pushing me forward.
When I pull up, I don’t see any of their cars. “Fuck,” I curse, as the adrenaline starts to wear off and my heat picks back up. I try calling again, but it doesn’t ring, instead going right to voicemail.
I let out a sob in frustration as I throw open the car door. Grabbing the house key from my pocket, I unlock the door and bring all my things up to the space they gave me for a nest.
The only thing in there is a big mattress with a bed sheet. Good, I don’t want anything else. I need to make this space perfect.
I need to make it mine.
As I wait for my alphas to get back, I get lost in making my nest. It seems to distract me long enough to forget about the pain.
I make sure every blanket is perfect, every pillow is placed right. But it doesn’t smell right. It smells like me, but not them.
Needing to fix that, I scavenge the house for things of theirs. When I see all of their clothes have been cleaned and put away, I take their blankets and pillows instead. Can’t have too many.
Bringing them back to the nest, I put them down on the ground and stare at the space. A whimper slips free when I realize I need to re-work the whole space now.
I don’t snap out of it until I hear the sound of the door downstairs opening. They’re here. They’re back.
I could nearly sob with relief. Thankfully, I haven’t gone into a frenzy yet.
Shit. They’re here. They’re back. I’m about to have my heat. With my alphas. Alphas. Fucking alphas.
A wave of panic sets in and I drop to my ass, wrapping my arms around my legs. No. No I can’t do this. I can’t let them in here. No alphas.