Chapter 20
“Le Petit Palais? Do you have Le Petit Palais money?” I glare at my best friend.
“No, but you do,” Phoenix snorts as we walk through the ornate glass doors.
He must have made reservations, because though the restaurant is of decent size, it fills up quickly.
Not that I come here that often, or ever really.
I’m more of an order in and have a drink on the couch kind of guy.
People are exhausting, and I use most of my social battery up dealing with students and faculty all day.
We’re led to a table by the large windows that reveal a gorgeous view of the sea. I wonder if Phoenix requested the placement, he truly belongs in the water. He loves it so much.
“Bonsoir messieurs. Can I get you started with something to drink?” The terrible accent from beta waitress nearly makes me cringe. I order a bourbon neat, and Phoenix orders some weird beer they have on tap, then the woman scurries away.
“Do they really have to do that? As if this place isn’t pretentious enough without the staff faking accents,” I gripe at my friend.
He shrugs. “Doesn’t bother me. Plus, it’s the only place in town to get good escargot.”
“Ah, yes. Do it for the snails.” I chuckle. The waitress returns with our drinks then takes our entree orders. It really is nice to get out of the house, especially to spend this rare time with Phoenix who isn’t usually in one place for this long.
We’re sitting silently, sipping our drinks, enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful view, when a voice I recognize rises over the general hum of restaurant chatter.
“It’s not really up to you who I end up with or what I do for a career.”
Madison. She sounds upset.
Scanning the room, I see her two tables away along with a shock of blue hair. I turn to Phoenix and narrow my eyes at him, but the asshole just smirks back. I should have known he had an ulterior motive for coming here.
Attempting discretion, I watch the table out of the corner of my eye.
Madison’s mate has his hair pulled back into one of those man-bun styles, and somehow he pulls it off.
A man and woman across from them speak in low tones I can’t make out.
Madison, on the other hand, isn’t quiet in the slightest, and she’s as tense as a first year student before finals.
“And you wonder why I never call or visit? This is why!” she yells.
I clutch my glass of bourbon so tight my knuckles turn white, wishing I could go to her. But it isn’t my place.
The man speaks up, his voice stern. “That’s enough, young lady.
We’ve indulged your daydreams for too long, and now you bring home some roustabout as a mate.
It’s time you accepted reality and quit this frivolous search for a mystical city.
Maybe if you apologize enough, Branson and his pack will be gracious and overlook this little… transgression.”
Well, now I’m pissed. Who does he think he is talking to her that way? Madison stands, flustered, and stomps off toward the back of the restaurant, Caspian right on her heels.
Before I know what I’m doing, I’m out of my seat and following them, sending a menacing glare at the couple who, based on that interaction, must be her parents. Not that they notice. In fact, they aren’t even looking at Madison as she retreats from them.
She ducks into the women’s restroom, and Caspian doesn’t hesitate before following her. By the time I push through the doors, the feisty omega is pacing in front of the sinks, a sheen of sweat covering her exposed skin.
Her navy dress is understated, but leaves nothing to the imagination, her breasts jiggling with each angry step. Caspian is staring at her, unsure what to do, and I don’t blame the guy.
I flick the lock on the door, deciding no one needs to come in and interrupt whatever she’s processing right now. The click draws Madison’s attention, and that's when it hits me.
Sweet, ripe pineapple mixed with coconut assaults my senses. The smell of summertime in my youth, galavanting around with Phoenix and indulging in tropical drinks on the beach. A hint of rum ties it all together, her pina colada scent overpowering in the small room.
Mate. Madison Grant is my fucking scent-matched mate.
A growl rings in my ears, and a hand grips my bicep.
I’ve unwittingly stepped closer to the distraught omega, and Caspian is warning me off.
The alpha power radiating from him is like nothing I’ve felt before.
Strong, but also different. The skin where he’s touching me feels like a live wire, and his scent hits me next.
Lime and tequila. That vacation in the south with Phoenix four years ago. Licking salt from the rim of our glasses, then from each other's lips. Heated touches, clandestine feelings. Margaritas with a hint of sweet nectar to balance it out.
Pina Colada and Margarita. They really do make a hell of a pair. One I’d love to get drunk on.
The only thing that pulls me from the intoxication of their scents is Madison’s surprised little, “Oh.”
She tilts her head, her anger receding slightly as confusion takes over. “Dr. Anderson? What are you doing here?”
“I was having dinner.” The words grit out through clenched teeth that ache to taste her scent fresh from the source.
“No, I mean here,” she waves a hand in the air, “in the women’s bathroom.”
“Oh, well…” I look around, the inappropriateness of the situation finally sinking in. “I needed to make sure you were alright.”
Caspian is watching me like I’m a shark encroaching on his territory. But he must decide I’m not an immediate threat because he releases my arm. I feel suddenly ungrounded without the touch.
“So, you heard that, huh?” Madison nods toward the door, her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
I step a little closer, aware of Caspian matching my movement.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Madison. No one should talk to you like that.”
“Yeah, well, they’re my parents. They think I’m just a silly, incompetent omega, chasing fantasies when I should be packed up with my second baby on the way by now, preferably to men of their choosing with prestige and influence to match their own.”
I have an overwhelming urge to go back to that table and punch her dad. I’m sure Phoenix would have my back. “That’s no excuse.”
There’s no heart in her laugh, and it lands flat on the pale tile floor. “You’re not much better.” She puts her hands on her hips as she steps forward. “Denying my thesis because you think it’s a ridiculous myth, too.”
“I don’t think it’s a myth.”
“Then why tell me I can’t do my dissertation on it?” That fire is back in her voice, only it’s directed at me now instead of her parents.
I hate that she’s lumped me in with them, with people like that.
“You should go,” Caspian says, clearly in-tune to his mate’s distress.
But Madison isn’t done with me yet. “Do you really think I haven’t done my research?
That I picked Ocearus on a flight of fancy because I liked the myth as a child?
Did you think I proposed digging in Seaman’s Cove because I’m lazy and wanted a site close to home?
A silly little omega who can’t be too far away from the comforts of her nest. No, Dean Anderson.
I’ve studied every single known text on Ocearus I could get my hands on.
I’ve read the original source material. In the original languages! It was here!”
She’s right up in my face now, breathing hard from her tirade, and she’s never looked more stunning.
“I’m approving your thesis request, Miss Grant.” The step I take forward forces her back.
“What?”
“You can do your dissertation on Ocearus. I’m approving your request. It’s why I told your roommate to have you come see me during my office hours. I’ll even give you some funding for a small excavation.”
“Wait, am I hearing you right?” Her gaze swings to Caspian, who’s just beside me, like a watchdog standing guard. “You’re going to give me the grant I requested?”
“Not the amount you requested, but enough.” My nostrils flare as the excitement in her scent sweetens the notes. “And I have stipulations.”
“Is this just because you feel bad for me after what happened with my parents?” Her eyes widen. “Or is it because you want,” she swallows thickly, “something else from me.”
“Oh, I want something else from you, Madison.” I lean closer, my left hand going to the wall next to her head, caging her in without touching her.
“But I won’t bribe you for it.” Unable to resist, I twirl a lock of her hair between my fingers.
Just as soft as I imagined. “I won’t take what you don’t offer.
” We’re so close, I can see the gold lacing her light green eyes.
“And I won’t touch you until you’re not a student under my supervision. ”
Pushing off the wall, I back up. Caspian lets out a slow breath as our gazes clash. I nod once, and he surprises me by dragging his upper teeth across his bottom lip in a movement that can only be described as suggestive. He’s going to invade my dreams tonight as much as Madison will.
My omega doesn’t say anything, but I can feel her stare, heavy on my back. I unlock the door, pausing before opening it. “Schedule an appointment during my office hours, and we’ll go over my requirements, Miss Grant.”
“Caspian will be joining me,” she says, all in one breath.
The jealousy I felt when I first learned she bonded with someone is nowhere to be found now. I rake my gaze over Madison, then Caspian. The hard bulge between his legs is impossible to miss in those slacks, which I’m sure is the same for me. I make a show of adjusting myself.
Later, I’ll berate myself for my behavior tonight.
But right now, I want my mate to see exactly what she does to me.
There’s no way she knows she’s my scent match since I’m still on blockers—I use them more often than not, even when I don’t have to—but she’ll know soon enough.
Once she’s done with her doctorate. Once we’re on even footing.
I’ll make damn sure she knows exactly what she is to me.
She’s mine.
And that means Caspian will be mine too.
I open the door to find Phoenix lounging against the wall opposite the bathroom. He perks up when he sees me, a wicked grin splitting his lips. Then his gaze travels behind me to Madison and Caspian. He throws them a flirty little wave.
“Unfortunately, you won’t be able to finish dinner with your parents,” Phoenix says. “They’ve been escorted from the restaurant and asked not to return.”
“How did you manage that?” I ask.
“Called Sebastian.” Phoenix shrugs.
“Right.” I don’t even want to ask him to explain. Nix has a way of making things happen and none of us need any more stress tonight. I turn away from my oldest friend, and dip my chin toward Madison. “I look forward to seeing you both on Monday.”