3. Drax
THREE
Drax
Anger pulsates so strongly through my limbs that my entire body feels like it’s thrumming with power.
The beautiful beach houses almost seem to taunt me as I storm past, blood thundering through my ears.
All of them are full of perfect packs—alphas and their omegas living their best lives, happily in love.
Only the omega I’m head over heels in love with just wants to be friends. Fucking friends!
I stop walking, gripping the back of my neck as I kick a tree.
A stupid choice because of the sharp pain, but it does help quell my frustration, if only for a few seconds.
These explosive episodes have been getting worse lately.
The smallest thing can set me off. Yesterday, I let rip at a bunch of betas for loitering for too long outside Club Knotty, and this morning, I yelled at a goose that wouldn’t budge out of the way of my golf cart.
In the end, the goose won by simply staying put in silent protest until I gave up and decided to walk the rest of the way.
The little fucker even had the gall to honk at me as I passed.
Not working hasn’t helped either. Orin, my boss, thought it was best that I take a break after my recent episode.
Said episode entailed me punching an alpha for getting too handsy with an omega on Main Street after a night out.
The only reason I wasn’t fired on the spot was because the omega made a statement saying that I acted in self-defense, and the alpha swung first. While true, I still should have known better.
I’ve trained hard and shouldn’t have lost my cool like that.
So Orin’s put me on a temporary leave, which may be for the best if my recent mood swings persist.
I still haven’t told my dad about what happened.
I can just imagine his disappointment—the way his bushy mustache will turn down as he shakes his head.
Dad’s the main reason why I chose to study criminal justice in the first place.
He’s Saltwave Bay’s sheriff, and it’s always been my dream to take over from him one day.
He brought me up to respect the law, honor what’s right, and never meet anger with anger.
And look at me now… kicking the fuck out of an innocent tree.
Picturing Sabs’s face, I let out a frustrated roar, taking a brief pause to draw in a deep breath, my chest heaving.
Despite Sabs trying to hide her feelings, I know her.
Since we were kids, I’ve been able to read her.
She was the wild child who would run rings around her brothers and never back down from a fight.
She’s loud, bubbly, unapologetically herself, and competitive as hell, but she has a softer side that most don’t get to see.
I saw that tonight when she tried to hide behind her smile while speaking about being lonely and how her face fell when I told her we couldn’t be friends anymore.
Pain was clear in her eyes, even while she pretended not to care. Pain I only deepened by walking away.
“Fuck.” I drag a hand down my face, fighting the urge not to strike the tree again.
I know what Sabs does when she’s hurting.
She distracts herself, throwing herself into a fun activity.
The time she was upset because her brothers broke her volleyball trophy?
She painted her initials on their favorite surfboards.
The time she was told she couldn’t go to see a band play?
She snuck out of the window and hitchhiked to the concert.
I have no doubt that she’s tearing up the sandy dance floor right now.
“Fuck!” I pull out my wallet to grab my strip of pills. I pop one into my mouth then dry-swallow, the grainy cylinder scratching my throat as it goes down.
I read that they should help temper some of my rage and help me get “control of my natural urges,” whatever that means. They better work soon before I tear this tree straight out of the ground.
“Drax?” I turn toward the familiar voice coming from behind me, groaning when I see Laz Maverick and his mop of auburn hair bounding toward me.
Sabs’s older brother is the last person I want to see right now.
“Are you good, man? You look a little…” His eyebrows knit together, creasing his freckled skin. “Stressed.”
I straighten up, taking a few deep breaths, just like those relaxing meditation tapes I’ve been listening to say to do.
Although I don’t think they’ve helped much, they’ve given me something else to focus on.
I haven’t told anyone else about my condition yet, and I don’t plan on it. Not until I know what it means for me.
I avert my gaze to the ground. “I’m fine.”
“Are you working?” He tucks his hands in his pockets. “I don’t usually see you around here.”
“I went to a party,” I reply flatly.
“Not a good one, I take it?” He laughs easily. “I’m about to head home for a barbecue. Damon powered up the grill, if you want to join us. His burgers are unreal.”
Being welcoming is in the Maverick family’s blood, something I learned after spending a lot of time with them growing up.
Our parents are close, and our houses are only a few blocks apart.
When Sabs and I fooled around as teenagers—unbeknownst to the rest of her family—I’d have these moments where I’d imagine what our future would be like.
I could visualize the holidays so clearly—sitting around the table on Thanksgiving with Sabs’s brothers, her curling up on my lap at Christmas in front of the fire, her mom’s sticky gingerbread cake baking in the oven…
“I can’t.” I quickly banish any thoughts of being one of the Maverick family from my mind. I’ll never be one of them, especially not after tonight. “I gotta go.”
“Maybe that’s for the best. You don’t look so good.” Laz frowns. “Let’s get together soon, though, okay? It’s been too long.”
I grunt in reply before heading off. The pill is starting to take effect, a wave of relative calm sweeping through me and my heartbeat slowing.
My limbs aren’t vibrating with rage anymore, and I can see through the angry fog that was clouding my brain.
Now all I feel is the heavy weight of rejection.
I shouldn’t have lashed out at Sabs like that.
Granted, everything I said was based in truth, but I had no right to expect anything more from her.
She’s never been my girlfriend and has always been really clear about having no-strings-attached fun.
I knew what I was getting into, and I agreed to it.
Obviously, I’ve always had feelings for her.
Hell, I fell in love with her the first time I saw her zipping down a massive hill on a bicycle at five years old, wind whipping her pigtails, because she was so damn fearless.
I was cautious, even then, but she inspired me to step out of my comfort zone.
Around her, I always feel like anything is possible.
Still, despite having plenty of opportunities—and there have been many times I’ve wanted to—I’ve never truly voiced my feelings to her.
I’ve always suspected that she wants a pack, so what would have been the point?
I guess I’ve just been grateful that she was in my life in some capacity rather than not at all.
Friends was better than nothing, but now I’ve blown all that up because being close to her ignited my new instincts.
I’ve never walked away from her before. Ever.
Not even when she’s really pissed me off.
I even missed my dad’s birthday party once because I was too busy comforting her after a date blew her off, only for her to later learn it had been a big misunderstanding and jump back into his arms. For over a decade, I’ve been there to help her pick up the pieces.
Yet now, I may have lost one of the most important people in my life.
I should go back and apologize. Perhaps I should tell her the truth about what’s going on with me? If she knew, it may… change things. The only reason I haven’t told her yet is because I wanted to be certain that it’s permanent.
“Find her, Drax,” I murmur to myself, my mind made up.
With each step, I grow surer of my decision, heading back to the party, hoping that she hasn’t already left. I’m going to tell her. I have to. She has to know all the facts.
The sand physically slows me, but I plow through anyway, a renewed purpose propelling me forward. I’m getting closer, the music growing louder.
Please still be here, Sabs.
As I near, I notice a cheering crowd gathered around the volleyball net. My heart sinks to my stomach when I see who is at the center of the fuss.
Sabs’s cheeks are flushed, the exact same rosy shade as when I made her come all over my hands on New Year’s Eve. I watch as she slams the ball down then curls her finger to beckon her opponent closer.
When the guy moves to speak to her over the net, I recognize him immediately, my back teeth grinding together.
Adler Ace. Captain of the SVU Foxes. I can’t stand the way he struts around campus like he owns the place.
Assholes like him are half the reason behind the calls I get during my security shifts.
Assholes who think rules don’t apply to them.
I fist my hair when I clock the cocky grin on Adler’s face as he approaches Sabs, his gaze homed in on her. And there’s no way to miss the hungry look in his eyes. The look an alpha gets when they see an omega they like.
“Who does she think she is?” I overhear an obviously annoyed girl bitching to her friends. “She’s been all over him tonight, practically offering herself up on a plate. Unbelievable!”
I bite my tongue to stop myself from retorting that they have no right to talk about her like that, even though hearing about Sabs flirting with Adler in my short absence makes me feel like I’ve taken a blow to the chest.
“You know Ace. She’s just another omega to add to his list,” her friend replies scathingly. “He always comes back to you, Cindy.”
Oblivious to how she’s become the source of the party’s gossip, Sabs twirls a strand of hair around her finger as Adler leans in to talk to her. Irritation makes my skin prickle when she throws back her head and laughs. What could possibly be that funny?
While I’ve been stewing in anger and guilt, Sabs has been living it up, finding an alpha to have fun with. And the cherry on top of the cake? He’s a womanizer who could never fully appreciate her. Though from the way she’s looking at him, she doesn’t seem to care.
It kills me to admit that they look good together.
They’d make the perfect couple. He’s attractive, if you’re into arrogant athletes with a tan, floppy blond hair, and baby blue eyes.
A groan rumbles through me when I look around, noticing numerous girls ogling his body.
Is being shirtless really necessary? He’s an alpha who has it all: a budding sporting career, omegas falling at his feet, and now he has Sabs’s attention too.
Fury makes my shoulders shake, my jaw now aching from grinding my teeth.
From the looks of it, Sabs has already made up her mind on how she’s going to spend the rest of her evening.
An evening that doesn’t involve me. My stomach rolls at the thought of that, worsened by the smell of fire, cheap beer, sweat, and synthetic fragrance intermingling in the air.
While the two of them fawn over each other, I muster every ounce of my self-control to stop myself from launching myself at Adler and rearranging his face. I’ve got to get out of here before I fuck up again, so I slip away, taking my secret with me.