CHAPTER SEVEN
Dear Knotty Omega,
Ever since we found out I’m carrying twins, my alphas have been unbearably…overbearing. Suddenly, I’m not allowed to walk anywhere in the house without one of them carrying me, one of them is always trying to feed me, and they ask me how I’m feeling every thirty minutes. I love them so much, but I need space. How can I get them to take a step back from the mother-henning without hurting their feelings?
Signed,
Feeling Smothered
I sigh as I read the newest in my inbox to be answered. Some of it…I hate to admit it, sounds kind of nice. Having someone there to care for you, make sure you’re eating enough…
My stomach rumbles in a reminder that I didn’t eat breakfast today. There has to be a balance though. Between how I’m living my life, and ‘Feeling Smothered’ is having hers run.
Dear Feeling Smothered,
Life is all about balance. It’s important for your alphas to feel like their omega is cared for, but that does erase your autonomy. I would call a pack meeting, and let them know that you love and appreciate all they do. However, you need some room to breathe. Let them know what you’re willing to compromise on. Maybe they only carry you up the stairs instead of everywhere. Maybe you pick one meal where they can go all out for you. But give them a list of things that would be helpful. Whether that’s a foot massage every night, or for them to bring you your daily allotted dose of caffeine in the morning, If you let them know the ways you would rather they channel their nurturing instincts, it will allow you to feel like you have some control, and give them an outlet for their anxious alpha energy.
Signed,
The Knotty Omega
“Miss Cady, are you ready?” The alpha bodyguard I’ve been assigned asks from the driver's seat of the car we’re in. The OMS sent him to pick me up from work for my first meeting and he’s been nothing but professional. He had introduced himself as Brennan with a curt nod as he showed me his OMS badge, plus he's courteous enough to wear scent-blockers. His dark suit and sunglasses seem a little over the top, but I suppose it’ll make unruly alphas think twice before messing with me.
“Yes, thank you.” I smile tightly at him before we both open our car doors and step out into the parking lot of the coffee shop I had chosen at random, The Snug Mug. The first pack we’re meeting is the one that has the lemon and pine scent, I believe.
The bell above the door of the coffee shop chimes as we step inside, Brennan close behind me.
It’s a cute shop, with comfy couches, fairy lights, and bookshelves lining the walls. It’s not very busy, seeing as it’s ten on a wednesday morning, and the pack I’m meeting with sticks out like a sore thumb, all buttoned up business suits and stiff posture.
They immediately stand when they spot me, and I approach tentatively, feeling a little less nervous with Brennan at my back than I would have if I was alone.
There are four alphas, all of similar build and stature. It’s like someone hit copy and paste, tweaking a few things here and there.
“Are you Omega 3143?” The one furthest to the left asks. He has perfectly coiffed sandy blonde hair, gray eyes, and a kind smile. He’s by no means unattractive, but I don’t feel any sort of spark.
They might be perfect.
“Only my family calls me that,” I joke, and get a few blank looks in response until they realize I’m not serious and awkwardly chuckle. “I’m Cady, it’s nice to meet you.”
The first alpha smiles and shakes his head. “I’m Louis, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The rest of them introduce themselves, as Tom, Carl, and Henry. They all have varying shades of sandy blonde hair, though Carl has green eyes versus Tom and Henry’s brown. They all look to be in their late thirties.
“Here, have a seat,” Louis says, pulling out a plush chair around the oak table they’ve set themselves up at. They’re scents wash over me, a completely unoffending mix of lemon, pine, orange, and rosemary. Louis’ nostrils flare as I take a step forward, and I suddenly remember I smell bonded.
They all settle in their seats and exchange a look. “I apologize if this is too forward…” Louis starts, “you smell amazing…but also bonded. Is there another alpha in the mix we should know about?”
My face flushes as I shake my head. Why didn’t I think about this? “No, um. I take an experimental drug called TruBond. It masks my scent so I only smell bonded.”
“Why would you need to take that?” Carl asks. I try not to bristle at the question, it’s only natural that they would ask why an omega would need to smell like they were already bonded.
“I…I can’t do scent blockers. They…irritate my skin.” I explain, my cheeks heating further. “TruBond is the next best thing because unbonded alphas are less likely to go after an omega if they think she is bonded.”
“Are you adverse to alphas?” Henry inquires, raising a brow. Instead of telling him that if I was, I certainly wouldn’t be meeting with pack, I shake my head.
“Not at all. But I am an unbonded omega living on my own, so I’ve done what I’d had to do.”
Tom, who has been quiet until now, nods his head. “Smart move. A creative, if somewhat unconventional solution to an issue none of us thought about.” He shoots a look to the rest of the table, and with that, they all smile and relax a little.
It’s at this point the waitress comes over and takes our orders, and after requesting an iced caramel latte, I look on unsurprised as each of the alphas order a black coffee.
“So, Cady.” Louis tents his fingers in front of him. “Tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you work?”
I nod, “Yes, I’m a writer for ABO Magazine, the omega edition. I have a bachelor's degree in English and a master's in journalism. What about you guys?”
Carl answers. “We all work in finance at the same hedge fund.”
I eye all their equally…underwhelming suits. That checks out.
“That sounds interesting.” I lie, and then our drinks arrive. I immediately sip some of my latte, briefly closing my eyes as a little moan escaping from me.
I’m definitely coming back here for coffee at some point.
My eyes flutter open and I see four sets of heated eyes staring at me, their cups halfway to their mouths.
“I...” Clearing my throat, I set my cup down. “What do you guys do for fun?”
And that’s how I get bored for the next two minutes about the many nuances of fishing, playing golf on the weekends, as well as a monthly poker game they attend.
My brain is buzzing from boredom when Louis finally chuckles. “I’m sorry, we’ve gone on for a bit. Tell us more about you.”
These men are perfectly fine. They’ve been nothing but respectful to me, but if the last conversation is any indication of what courting life looks like, I think I need to shake things up a little.
Might as well tell the truth.
“I spend most of my free time reading or sometimes I like to play video games.” I tell them, taking a sip of the latte and mindfully not letting slip any noise of satisfaction.
They pointedly ignore the gaming part, Tom asking, “What do you like to read? I just picked up this fascinating autobiography—”
“Mostly fantasy romance.” I smile wide. “Or monster smut.”
I swear I hear Brennan snort behind me, and Carl chokes on his drink, “Monster…?”
“Oh, it’s a huge market.” I nod enthusiastically. “My favorite is ‘Taken by the Kraken King.’”
“Oh.” Henry’s eyes are bugging out of his head. “That’s—”
“Fascinating.” Louis interrupts, giving him a pointed glare.
Interesting.
“Though you can’t go wrong with the classic ‘Knotted by the Werewolf Prince.’”
“Cady, do you…want children?” Louis asks, quickly changing the subject.
“Maybe in…five to ten years?” I shrug. “I’m only twenty-eight, and I’m really focused on my career right now.”
“You plan on…continuing to work? After you find a pack?” Carl asks, his eyes wide.
“Of course.” My brow furrows. “I’ve put in years of hard work to get my degrees, as well as a few internships to get to where I am now. I’m not planning on just giving that up.”
After that, the conversation just kind of…fizzles out. Brennan and I are walking to the car when he chuckles. “I think the one on the right was going to have a heart attack.”
I snort.
“Yeah, they aren’t looking for someone like me.”
“Do you have a list of those books you were talking about?” He asks suddenly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I think my omega would enjoy those.”
“The monster smut?” I raise a brow at him teasingly.
Red creeps up his neck as we continue towards the car. “Yeah. She’s a lot like you, actually. She’s been obsessed with that new fantasy game that just came out—”
“Oh! The Redemption of the Broken Sword?”
“That’s the one.” He nods, opening my car door for me. I told him when he picked me up he didn’t have to do that, but I suppose I can’t complain.
I slide into the back seat. “I think I have a few recommendations.”
***
Back at the office, I slide into my chair and toss my bag under my desk right when Archie passes. “Hey CJ.” He grins. “How was the meeting?”
I shrug, wiggling my mouse to wake up my computer. “Pretty boring. Didn’t get much for the article I’m working on.”
His grin widens, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think he’d look…smug. But there’s no way he knows what I’m up to. I still smell bonded.
He carries on to wherever he was going, whistling a little tune.