39. Rickon
Chapter thirty-nine
Rickon
The heat of the day disappears as the giant blue nest’s sliding doors swallow me up, but sweat still runs down my spine as I approach the reception desk. I resettle my boring navy suit. No corsets for me on the day I apply to officially be a pack alpha. I did wear my lucky thong, though.
A woman in an Omega Center uniform smiles up at me, but her smile falters as she takes a second look. Probably realizing I’m not the omega she first thought, or maybe catching traces of bruising around my throat under my scarf.
“Hello, how can I help you today?” she asks.
I swipe my tongue through my dry mouth. “I’m Rickon Jones. I’m here for an appointment regarding my omega. Red Jones,” I add in a hurry, feeling a thrill to hear my name attached to hers. If she called herself that, I can too, right?
While the woman brings my appointment up in her system, I look around. The building feels a little too cool and oversized, so I cross my arms and rub my skin, wondering if this is why Red doesn’t like it here. Although now I know more than I should about her past, thanks to Callisto’s work on the cases, I can’t imagine she’d feel safe anywhere.
“Yes, I see you, Mr Jones. Please follow me.”
She leads me up a hallway and I take in each happy-family painting on the wall, the corporate carpet underfoot, and even the neutral scent of the place as I follow. I’m aching to see Red, and I want to be able to discuss everything with her. If that’s what she wants. But maybe she won’t want to talk.
The receptionist knocks on a door and then swings it open. “Mr Jones is here.”
Two women wait inside for me, both betas. I wipe my hands on my pants. Everything feels like a job interview, but with much higher stakes. “Hello,” I offer. “I’m Rickon Jones.” These women will decide if I’m officially fit to be Red’s alpha.
They introduce themselves as Samantha and Marilyn, the older woman giving off the distinguished air of an academic. I’m sure I heard Red swear about Samantha , so I sneak a few more glances. She’s a tall, slender woman with a high ponytail and bony cheeks. But she has a calm aura.
Marilyn invites me to sit down. “We’re glad you’re here, Rickon. We understand you spent some time with Red and we’d like to hear more about it.”
“I didn’t just spend time with her. I’m her alpha,” I correct quickly.
They exchange a glance I don’t like the look of. “Did Red tell you that?”
Shit, no wonder Red wanted out of here as fast as possible. I sit up straighter. “My soul told me that the moment I laid eyes on her. You can probably tell I don’t have a strong alpha presence, but I scented a lot and—” Oh, damn.
I clamp my mouth shut. Will Red get into trouble if they find out we had sex? It’s like walking through a minefield.
Samantha smiles. “It’s okay. We know Red stayed in your home and had consensual sexual relations. We’re not here to chastise you, Rickon. We’re just trying to get the full picture.”
I nod grimly. “I went into rut after meeting Red; my first-ever rut. If that doesn’t say how strongly her presence affected me, I don’t know what else I can tell you. I know I’m her alpha, and she also confirmed it.”
Marilyn nods and laces her fingers together. “We wanted to speak with you because Red is not like other omegas. From what we can gather, she was a captive at an illegal omega hub for ten years, and experienced multiple travesties.” She holds my gaze. “The human mind cannot sustain such abuse and remain intact.”
I press back into my chair, not liking her tone. “And yet she’s strong enough to pursue her dreams and not let that shit hold her back.”
They share another loaded glance before the woman continues. “Indeed, she is a strong woman. I should’ve introduced myself properly. I’m Dr Marilyn Woods, lead psychologist here at the Laversham Omega Center. Nothing I say is a criticism of Red, but only to let you know about the challenge ahead. While she’s strong and energetic, so far you’ve only seen the persona Red allows you to see.”
Dr Woods rests her hand on a folder on the desk. “She has a dissociative personality, Rickon, which can be triggered during moments of distress, and then she becomes another person altogether. At this point, it’s impossible to know who the real Red is.”
I dig my nails into the armrest as I tense. Red told me herself she’s crazy, but don’t we all have parts of ourselves we try to hide? We all create masks to hide behind sometimes. “I think you’re wrong,” I murmur, looking down at my curled hands. “Not about the diagnosis, of course, that’s your professional opinion, but I have seen it. She’s an actress. Possibly the best this country has ever seen. And if she’s had to bury the kind of trauma you’ve mentioned for as long as you say, I think I understand why.”
I look up, meeting the doctor’s eye. “But she did show me her other sides. I’m sure you read the police report, or Red’s statement. To my utter shame, we were attacked in my own home, and I saw the other side of her. She’s fierce, and while I’m . . .” I can’t even think of the words to describe the pain in my chest when I think of the abuse Red’s been through. I swallow hard and try again. “While I’m horrified at what she’s endured having her haze stolen and all that, even her wild side inspires me.”
Dr Woods lifts her brows. “I see. I’m glad you view it that way.” She swivels side to side in her chair for a moment. “It seems you know quite a bit about her background. Did she tell you herself?” She holds my gaze, peering into my soul like she already knows something. Like she knows Red wouldn’t have opened up about her trauma.
I squirm. “Not exactly. Her other alpha happens to be a lawyer working on the cases from the place where Red was a captive. The hub, I think you called it.”
The moment the words leave my lips, both women stiffen. “What other alpha?” the doctor asks.
Dread blooms in my belly. Red didn’t tell them about Callisto, and why would she, when he didn’t accept her? I swallow down a sigh. “Callisto Wren is her scent match. Red told me herself.”
They blanch. “Callisto Wren? Her lawyer?” Samantha confirms.
I nod. “He didn’t exactly accept their scent match, but he is representing her.”
Samantha gets a stricken look on her face, and strangely the sight eases the mass of worry curling in my belly. “An alpha rejected Red? Oh, no.” Light glimmers from her eyes as moisture gathers. She truly cares about Red’s well-being.
“Yeah, I know,” I murmur. “I’ve given him an earful about it. But I’m committed to Red two hundred percent. I’ll be everything she needs instead. As much as humanly possible.”
The beta nods, a small smile tilting her lips but still stunned by my announcement.
“Can I see her?” I ask, my voice soft with hope.
Dr Woods glances at the choked-up Samantha and nods. “Yes, but first I need to ask if Red has ever mentioned the voices she hears in her head?”
“No,” I answer truthfully. It’s not like we spent long enough together to learn each other’s deepest, darkest secrets. I haven’t told her mine either. But we will, in time.
Dr Woods watches me closely, as if she wants to read something from my micro-expressions. Whatever it is, she won’t get it. Nothing this doctor says could make me walk away from my omega. I already know my Red is crazy, and I love everything about her. The pretty and the ugly.
I smile at the doctor. “But we’ve only known each other for a few days. We have a lifetime to learn the rest.”
Her mouth moves like she’s chewing on my answer for a few moments. “Okay. You’re going to need to submit a formal application to become pack, which includes obtaining an OCB background clearance and meeting the financial requirements. If you don’t meet the conditions yourself, you can nominate a guarantor—usually family.” She slides a piece of paper with a QR code and some instructions across the desk. “The application can be done online.”
I jump to my feet and snatch up the piece of paper, my heart beating wildly. I’m homeless and as broke as an alpha can be right now, thanks to Lyla and Hudson, but I know the Wrens will help me out if I ask. I hesitate, remembering my quick trip to the hospital to see Aunt Lexi. Her anxiety has been flaring a lot this year, so I don’t want to stress her. She was disappointed to learn Red couldn’t come with me to visit her, but I promised I’d bring her around in the future when everything’s settled.
I’ll ask Callisto to back my application.
The doc holds her hands up. “Before we go, you need to know something. It’s about Red’s heats.”
I grind my teeth together and force myself back into the chair. I want to hold her in my arms again, but it seems we aren’t done with the legal hoops. “Okay, what about her heats?”
The two women glance at each other again and both fidget nervously. Damn. It seems I haven’t heard the worst of it yet.
I jiggle my legs restlessly as I wait in a wide armchair for Samantha to bring Red to me. My head swims with everything I learned, as well as a bunch of rules about what I can and can’t do when Red enters. All I want to do is wrap my arms around her and hold her against my chest, forever. Instead, I’m forced to sit here and act like a statue.
Let her come to me, like some kind of feral cat that needs taming? Pfft. As if.
The door creaks open and I flinch, swinging my head around to watch the most glorious woman on the planet saunter in. The smirk she wears across her dark lips sets my blood on fire. I worried that this place might change her, constrict her, but the Red I know is fully present. And gorgeous in a belted sundress.
“Red,” I murmur, trying to watch all of her at once as she glides over. Others come through the door behind her, but I don’t know who because she’s all I want to look at.
“Hello, babe,” she purrs, leaning over me and pressing her face to my cheek. Her soft inhale has all the nerves in my body unwinding, and without thinking, I pull her down into my lap. Red chuckles as she drops.
Rules be semi-damned. “I missed you so much, Biscuit,” I say, rubbing my scent on her cheek.
“Me too.” She drops a searingly sweet kiss on my lips that sends heat flooding through my body, straight to my cock.
I stifle a groan, knowing others are watching. Red leans back and tugs aside the scarf around my neck to run her finger across my yellowing bruises. “I was worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” I say, stretching my neck so she can see it’s nearly all healed up. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. Callisto was a tad overprotective; made me stay in hospital for four days.”
“Good.” Red grins. She’s so generous. Even though Callisto rejected her, she’s still happy to see him paying attention to me. My omega runs her fingers gently across my bare eyelids. “Where’s the color today?” Heat flushes up my neck as she catches my gaze. “I hope you aren’t hiding.”
I clear my throat, which still gets a bit scratchy at times. “Today’s not the day to be mistaken as an omega.”
Her thumb caresses my jawline. “Don’t hide who you are, alpha. Rainbows and all.”
I nuzzle into her hand, wondering if those precious words apply to her too. How often does Red have to hide who she is, afraid of rejection? I need to show her it’s safe, and me hiding isn’t going to pass the litmus test. “All right, Biscuit. Next time I’ll come in full color.”
Red grins, easily pleased. “I think it’s about time you tell me why you call me Biscuit.”
I freeze in place. “Um, it’s a little embarrassing to explain it out loud.”
She pops a finger under my chin to tilt my head up. “You’re cute when you’re shy.”
Shit, well, now I’m blushing for sure. Red leans in and kisses the red spots that must be blooming on my cheeks.
I clear my throat. “When I lost my parents, Mrs Wren took care of me, and some days when she saw I was struggling, she’d slide a cookie across the counter and say, ‘Have a biscuit, darling. Sugar makes the world sweeter.’ And somehow that made everything better.” I grin. “She’s from the UK, so she really meant cookie, but biscuit just kinda stuck with me.” Feeling braver, I reach up and stroke Red’s hair, tucking a long, straight lock behind her ear. “You’re my sweet biscuit who makes everything feel perfect.”
Red stares at me, the tiny muscles in her cheeks twitching.
I can’t tell what she’s thinking, and I tighten my grip on her shirt, afraid she’ll pull away. “Is it too sappy?”
She shakes her head, dislodging the hair I just tucked away. “No, it’s beautiful.”
Red cups my face and presses her lips to mine, and the entire Omega Center fades away ’til only she and I remain, our souls trying to touch each other via our mouths. I splay my hand across her back, pressing her closer and trying to reach as much of her as possible.
Red resettles her position across my thighs, and even that slight movement squeezes a hungry moan from me.
Her eyes light up as she pulls back enough to ask, “Is there something more you want from me, alpha?”
I squeeze her tight to my chest. “Everything.”
“Oh, really? As in, if we weren’t here in a public meeting room?”
Fuck, she’s teasing me, and it’s working so well. An ache settles in my balls and my dick strains against my underwear. “Hypothetically, you mean?” I ask huskily.
My little crimson minx rocks across my lap, teasing. “Exactly. Hypothetically. Theoretically. Supposedly.”
I run my hand down to rest on her ass. “Then theoretically, I’d massage my aching dick through your gorgeous pussy until it stopped throbbing and until you squirted all over my lap.”
She whimpers faintly, her eyelids sliding shut. Best of all, her honey and macadamia scent flares wildly. I want her so badly it hurts, and knowing she wants me is delicious agony. But we have rules to follow.
Red leans in and nibbles on my ear, her hot breath washing across my neck. “Lucky I’m hypothetically not wearing panties. Just in case.”
Fuck the rules.
I run my hand up her dress hem and my breath catches as my fingers brush against her pubic hair and then slide through warm wetness. My omega’s slicking for me like a fucking river.
“Biscuit,” I murmur as a heated spasm constricts my body. “I’m not supposed to lay hands on you.” I groan and pull her head to mine, nipping at her lower lip. “You’d have to do all the work.”
She dives for my zipper.
“Red—” Samantha warns.
“Fuck off,” my omega hisses without stopping.
I feel like laughing out loud, but I’m too busy panting. Red hurls a glare over her shoulder, then moves my hands one at a time to the armrests as she takes control. But I can’t stop my right hand from drifting back to her satiny red hair. She smiles sweetly like she understands the urge to touch, and then wrests my pants down over my hips.
My body comes alive as she plays the control game, touching where she wants, smirking every time I twitch and gasp. Her desire for control makes so much sense after knowing all she’s been through, and sadly, so does her strange request for me to never edge her with my knot.
I tug on her hair, pulling her down to me so I can reach her mouth. “I love your hypothetical situations.”
She chuckles, the happy vibrations tickling my lips. “Me too.” Red kneels up and reaches between us, giving my cock a few gentle strokes. I moan helplessly into her mouth, and she licks them up before lowering herself. Raging heat and delicious slick bathes my erection and I can’t help myself. I thrust my hips up, lodging myself right inside.
Red’s lashes flutter as she moans. The sound glides from my ears to my groin, oil to my burning tinder as she braces on my shoulders. I thrust again. Red is mine. These Omega Center bastards don’t believe Red that fact? Well, let me stamp my claim in front of them. Let them hear the noises she makes when her alpha satisfies her. Let her shatter on my cock.
I tug on her hair to tip her head back. “Do you want your alpha, Red?”
“Yes. Yes, I do!” she pants, voice cracking.
I slip my fingers into her belt loops so I can rock her body over mine. As her ravishing noises get louder, movement over her shoulder catches my attention. Samantha throws her hands in the air and tows the blushing beta guard out of the room.
I grin. “We’ve lost our audience, Red.”
Her nails dig into my shoulders. “I don’t care. Just don’t stop.” Her body quivers in a way that strokes my ego so well. Her slick pussy seems to suck on my cock, and I feel my sanity coming undone beneath her. I give up on any pretense of dignity and roll her skirt up to her hips so I can press my thumb into her clit.
She swears softly. “Oh, fuck, alpha! More.”
I’m drunk on the sound she makes and the thick honey scent sliding off her. The knot at the base of my cock thickens and pressure shoots through my balls. Growling, I dig my fingers into her hair. “You are mine.”
“All yours,” she murmurs, flushed with arousal. “All yours, Rickon.”
My name on her tongue is my undoing. I groan and thrust up into her, shuddering and pressing my face into her neck. My lips peel back, her soft scent filling my senses. I want to claim her, possess her, tell the world she’s mine.
“I want to knot you,” I whine. Lock us together for as long as she’ll have me.
Her hands close around the back of my neck, trapping my head against her bosom. “Do it, alpha.”
“I’m not supposed to—” We’re way past rules now, but we have to attend an interview after this meeting.
Red heaves against me. “And only have you for thirty minutes? No fucking way.”
I’m supposed to leave so soon? I reject the idea as strongly as Red does. Anchoring one arm around her hip, I thrust up and tug her down at the same time, wedging my knot through her swollen pussy.
Red mewls and grips my head tighter, smothering me in her dress. I don’t care because the suffocation comes with her scent laid thick down my throat. She shatters, whining and swearing as I lock into place and another orgasm hits her hard. Just as my lungs start burning, she releases me enough to gasp in a breath.
“You’re so damn good at that,” she pants out. A happy noise vibrates through my throat and she chuckles weakly as she sinks down to rest her head on my neck. “I love your purr.”
“I love you,” I murmur, squeezing her. All of her. No matter how many versions of Red exist, I want them all.
Once we’ve caught our breath, she sits up, and I tuck damp hair behind her ear, marveling that such a beautiful omega is mine. “I guess we’re doing this interview thing knotted together.”
She flashes me a sly smile. “Would you have it any other way?”
I chuckle. No. I really wouldn’t.