Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BECKETT
A s we reach the studio the paparazzi are even crazier than normal. “This is fucking insane,” Angel mutters, staring out the tinted window. Fans scream and cry for us, holding signs and swag.
Usually we would get out of the car, and stand at the rope while the guys would sign things and take photos, but no one is in the mood right now. “Do you want me to stop?” the driver asks, but I shake my head.
No, I don’t want to waste an hour of time, when we can get this bullshit stop over with, and then go get Belle. I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, and it will not leave. Karl parks as close to the side door as he can, and we climb out.
Tate is still grumpy, but I don’t have the mental capacity to calm him. My head is a mess. I am trying so hard not to break down, or have a panic attack right now. Angel opens the door, and we enter the studio, freezing as an annoying brunette stands and walks toward us.
“I thought you forgot about me,” she purrs, and I groan.
Kella Talline, the bane of our existence, and the president of The Knotty Trip’s fanclub. She has been running our social media accounts for the last year when the beta we hired left unexpectedly.
“We don’t have time for interviews today, Kella, we will need to reschedule. I’m sorry something has come up,” I say, politely, even though the sound of her voice makes me cringe.
I have never trusted her. She has shady eyes.
“Oh, well that’s too bad. If you want I can just come with you, and do the interview in the car?” she suggests, and I shake my head.
“Afraid that won’t be possible, but call me tomorrow, and I will let you know when we are free.”
Pouting, she looks at Angel, and he crosses his arms. “Ang, baby, do you really want me to go,” she coos, batting her eyelashes, and Tate steps forward.
“Leave now, Kella. We have shit to do, and you can’t come with us,” he growls, and her eyes widen. I can smell how turned on she is, and it’s nasty.
Grabbing her purse from the empty reception desk, she huffs and storms out the door. Once the door slams behind her, I turn toward Merry, our receptionist, and she walks up to Angel, giving him a hug.
“I’m sorry guys, she was just so damn persistent. I don’t even know how she knew you were coming in today. We didn’t expect your return for two more days,” she says and moves to give Tate a hug.
I’m not one for people touching me, so she just gives me a smile.
“It’s fine, but I think we need to revoke her privileges. She’s taking advances lately. And don’t think I didn’t notice she attacked that fan for being too close to Tate a few weeks ago,” I say, and she nods.
“I agree, honey. She seems to think that she owns you. Very possessive. I will take care of it, but you all look exhausted. Go home and get some rest. You have that interview with Good Morning LA in a few days. Tate, you will need to explain what happened, and why you reported Beckett and a mysterious omega kidnapped.”
Tate groans, and nods. “Yeah, I knew that was coming. I’ll handle it. Thanks Merry. Angel hurry up. We will wait in the car.”
He takes my hand and tries to turn us, but I freeze. “Merry, may I use your tablet?” I ask her and she walks to her desk before bringing it back to me. I take it greedily, then move to one of the chairs in the lobby.
Tate drags his feet, but follows. “Beck, baby, are you sure about this? We still don’t know if this was all a huge scheme. Belle might not have even been aware of it, but she was a part of it.”
“Tate, I say this with so much love, if you don’t shut the fuck up, I am going to knot punch your ass and toss you in the trunk,” I growl, giving him a glare, and he sits quietly next to me, groaning.
“Fuck, I am so turned on right now,” he mutters, and my nostrils flare as his scent hits me.
“Not the time or place, Tate,” I grumble, adjusting my cock, and focusing on the code in front of me.
“How did you even get a tracker on Belle? Do I even want to know?”
“Beckett,” Merry gasps, overhearing Tate. “Who did you track? That is beyond the realm of consent, son,” she scolds me, and I sigh.
“After she snuck out of the hotel, I stuck a tiny tracking device in her boot. Under the insole, hardly noticeable. I didn’t trust her not to sneak off again,” I mutter, and Merry shakes her head.
“And who did you do this to?”
“My mate, Belle, the omega who was kidnapped,” I whisper, my cheeks turning ten shades darker.
“Oh, you found your scent match? Beckett,” she squeals, and Tate shakes his head, causing her to frown.
“We don’t know who she truly is yet, Merry, so bring down the excitement,” he grumbles, and I’ve had it. I warned him.
Lifting my hand I slam it on his cock, and he groans, slipping off the chair and onto the floor.
I ignore him as he apologizes and grovels at my feet. Curled into the fetal position is where Angel finds him.
“Kept talking shit about Belle, didn’t you?” he asks, putting his taser and a few other things in a backpack.
Tate groans, and I sigh. “This isn’t working. Someone must have found the tracker, but that’s insane. Rich is the one who gave them to me. They are supposed to be untraceable,” I groan, gripping my hair and pulling tight.
“Fuck!” I roar, and Merry snatches her tablet before I can smash it. I have a tendency to throw electronics.
Dropping my head into my hands, I let myself break. “This was my last chance. What do we do now?” I cry, and Tate crawls up off the floor and wraps his arms around me.
I shift to face him. “I’m still mad at you,” I grumble, and he nods.
“I know, baby, but you need me right now, and if Angel tries to comfort you, I will knot punch him,” he mutters, and I crack a smile. Merry hands me some tissues, and she frowns.
“Do you know Belle’s name? Her full name? Her address? Who her father is?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“My father has security at her home, but we don’t know if she’s even there, and the undercover guards can’t get into the gate. Her house is locked up tighter than an impenetrable prison,” Tate says, rubbing my back and purring.
I’m starting to calm down, but I still ache for her. My Belle. My omega.
“Fuck, no wonder Belle hated being there so much,” Angel mutters, and I nod, sighing.
“So what do we do next?” I ask, and Tate’s phone rings. He lets me go and digs into his pocket, answering just in time.
He talks to his dad for a few minutes, and I watch as his face becomes pale.
“Yes, I’ll be there,” he mumbles, then hangs up and turns to me.
“I guess we have to hope my father came through, and Belle is the one I’m supposed to marry… tomorrow.”
BELLE
Paul comes back to get me this time with Kella in tow. “Ah, hi, Sis,” she coos, then smirks when she sees how much of a mess I am. “Aww did you get your wittle omega heart broken,” she baby talks to me, and I want to punch her in her fake nose, but that will just make things worse.
“I don’t feel very good, Kella. Please leave,” I whisper, and she scoffs, moving closer to me. Grabbing me by the hair, she pulls me from my window seat and over to the door.
“Kella, stop, fuck, ow,” I scream, but she continues to drag me over the carpet as it burns my naked thighs, and down the hall.
“Please. I’ll walk. Please stop,” I cry, and she huffs.
“Such a fucking weakling. Mother should have aborted you. Omega trash,” she sneers, and my eyes burn for another reason now.
I should be used to this treatment. I have dealt with it ever since I turned sixteen, and woke up in a bed of slick. My maid gave me eyes of pity and ran to tell my mother. She was all too pleased, talking about the payout she would get for my worthless cunt.
“Kella! What is all this racket?” my mother shouts, coming around the corner. She has a martini in her hand and her hazel eyes are already glassy. “Oh honey, don’t waste your time on her. Come, dinner is ready.”
She holds her hand out for Kella and my sister, the peach that she is, gives me a kick in the ribs for good measure, before dropping low to whisper in my ear.
“Buckle up, Sis, father is angry and can’t wait to put you in your place. You should have stayed in Connecticut.”
After she leaves, Paul offers me a hand and has the decency to avoid my eyes as I stand, clutching my side.
“Has it always been this bad?” he asks, and I lift my eyes to his.
“Would it matter? I thought you were different, but my father bought your loyalty too. He always wins, so why bother fighting?”
I try to walk away with my head held high, but my stomach cramps, and I curl into myself. Shit. I should have a few more days!
“Bella, what’s wrong?” I glare at him, and he takes a step away from me.
Taking a deep breath, I stand again and slowly limp to the kitchen. The moment I walk into the room, I know that I’m not going to walk out of here on my own.
“Well look, the prodigal whore has returned,” my father growls, and my stomach flips. I feel dizzy, and my stomach hurts. Sweat beads on my temples and hairline, and I know that my heat is coming sooner than it should.
“You wanted to see me, father,” I say, trying to hide my pain, but he’s always been observant.
He looks at Kella and gives her a wink as she preens, then faces me again. His expression changed to a sneer.
“Sit, we have some things to discuss before tomorrow’s events.” I use the counter for support, choosing to sit on the bench away from the table. My father huffs, but allows it.
I need to clench my fists together to hide my whimpers. “Are you listening to me,” my father roars, and I jump, wincing.
“Sorry, my stomach and ribs hurt. But you have my full attention now, father.”
His nostrils flare, and he stomps over toward me, gripping my throat and pulling me to my feet. I whimper, and he gives me his signature evil grin.
“I love seeing you in pain, daughter. I can’t wait to destroy you. To watch them break you, again and again. How dare you try to defy me. Whoring around with those alphas. Waving your cunt in their faces like the omega slut you are. I bet you slicked for them real nice, didn’t you, Belle,” he groans, and my stomach flips again.
“Please stop,” I whisper and he sighs, letting me go. Turning, I take a breath, thankful this is over, but I wished too soon. Spinning around he backhands me across the face hard. I see stars and my cheek burns.
My lip stings, and I know he just cut me with his ring that he never takes off. I once had it imprinted in my spine as he punched me repeatedly in the back, threatening to paralyze me. All for asking for a new coat.
“Killen, remember we need her in one piece for tomorrow,” my mother warns, and my father grunts, backing away from me as I clutch my cheek with my hand. Tears run down my cheeks, the salty liquid stinging my lip more.
“Anka,” my father shouts to my maid.
“Yes, Sir,” she answers submissively, and I close my eyes so they won’t see me roll them. Anka is an omega and has been my dad’s plaything for years. My mother pretends not to care as she has a harem of alphas at her disposal: my father's trusted guards. Paid in blood money, and my mother’s pussy.
“Get this filth out of my sight. Make sure her face is perfect for the ceremony.”
“Yes, Alpha,” she purrs, and I internally gag. I don’t want to be hit again.
I need to get out of here. I need to run away. Escape somehow. Because the fact of the matter is I’m about to be sold, and I’m in the early stages of my heat.
I thought the alpha’s betraying me was the most terrible thing to happen this month. I should have known things can always get worse.
TATE
After going home and getting some much needed rest in our own beds, I woke up alone. Beck is gone, and I can’t blame him. We don’t know how today is going to go, and the fact that he can’t come with me… it doesn’t sit right.
Beck is my mate. My best friend and the love of my life. He should be by my side as I meet my potential bride. She will be our omega. The one to bear our children. I don’t have to love her, but I will treat her with kindness and respect.
She is as much a victim as I am. Maybe Angel will fall in love with her and make her happy. Leaving my room, I fix my tie and walk down the hall. We bought this place a few years after Knotty Trip hit it big.
It’s a seven bedroom estate with high ceilings and a double staircase. We have a music room and enough space to host a ball if we wanted to. The kitchen is my favorite part, and maybe the backyard.
I enjoy the outdoor kitchen and pool when we get a break. But the main reason we bought this place was for the privacy and space for kids. We want a bunch, but I thought we would start in a few more years.
Sighing, I enter the living room expecting Angel to be there, but he isn’t. Grabbing my phone, I call him, but he doesn’t pick up. Instead he texts me.
Angel: I am out shopping with Beck. We will need to make a nest for Belle.
Ugh. I groan and rub my eyes. I don’t know if Belle is our omega. I don’t even know if she’s my scent match like Beck. What if this new omega is mine, and we end up with two omegas in the future.
Fuck, that would be a huge mess. Though Belle does seem the type to accept another omega as a friend. She doesn’t seem malicious or cruel in the least. I know I judged her harshly, but I have to be the voice of reason at times and protect my pack.
I am the pack leader. I have to be the mean one at times, but if it keeps Beck and Angel safe I will be as cruel as possible. I will be the asshole. The bad guy. Every. Single. Fucking. Time.
Walking out to my car, I take a few deep breaths. Ken is there waiting, but I’m not ready.
My heart’s racing, my hands are sweating and I don’t want to go.
But I will for them. I will marry a stranger. For them.
Fuck, here we go.