Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Neveah
I can tell immediately that the massive alpha is a gentle giant. His posture is confident in a casual way as he leans against the wall next to me. He doesn’t flex his dominance even once, unlike most alphas I know, and we fall into an easy camaraderie.
“I’m wearing scent blockers for her safety, that’s why you can’t scent me properly.”
He shoots me a glance, taking in my wary expression. There are too many red flags waving for what should be a joyful occasion, and I can’t shake the sense of foreboding. Whether it’s about the potential dynamic of the pack, or with Sage specifically, I’m not yet sure.
“So, Brooks. How do you want to do this?” I ask, unsure how to tactfully put into words that I sense something not quite right about his pretty little omega.
I’ve been watching them through the windows, and on top of my own alpha instincts screaming caution, it’s clear Brooks is treating her like glass.
His lips twist and he shakes his head.
“I only met her about a week ago,” he begins, not answering my question but raising more in its place.
I raise my eyebrows, surprised, and he continues.
“She’s living with her brother and another alpha.
They hired me to clean up their yard. Anyway, they…
” he trails off, and I look away from my flirting beta to see Brooks clenching his teeth, the muscles in his jaw ticking and his biceps straining the sleeves of his shirt.
I straighten with a frown, my alpha senses tingling with apprehension.
“They don’t treat her well. She hasn’t told me much, but from the little I’ve seen and what she’s said…” He turns to face me, eyes somber, voice quiet. “It’s not good, Vee. And I’m afraid I don’t even know half of it.”
Now my jaw is the one ticking. I want to snarl with rage, my instincts fighting to sweep her into my arms and never let her out of my sight. I force it down and pull out my phone instead, then hand it to him.
“Let’s exchange numbers. We’ll make a plan, figure it out together. If she’s not safe, even if she doesn’t choose me and Riley in the end, we can still help give her a better life.”
He types in his number and hands it back without demanding mine in return. I smile at his restraint, then call his number so he has mine too.
“You have a way of contacting her, I take it? Communicating or keeping an eye on her?”
He sighs and rubs one hand against the back of his neck.
“I do. I’m not sure how long we can keep it up, but we’ve worked out a system the last few days.
She’s allowed to take a walk alone each morning, and I gave her a burner phone that she keeps hidden.
I text her what streets I’ll be working on in her area, and she walks that way if she can.
It’s worked so far, but I wouldn’t say it’s reliable. ”
That’s certainly not ideal, but it’s something. My brain tries to get stuck on the words ‘she’s allowed’ but I push past it. I’ll deal with that later.
“That’s enough for now.” I nod. “We can make that work.”
Riley keeps glancing at me, his eyes darting between me and Brooks, and I can practically feel the excited curiosity radiating off of him. He’s doing a good job keeping…
“The omega. What’s her name?”
“Sage,” he says, a smile dancing across his face as he does.
“Sage,” I murmur. “Pretty, and if I’m not mistaken, I caught hints of lavender?”
“You did,” he says, this time with a rueful chuckle.
I return his wry grin. “How fitting.”
Sage is starting to droop. I’m desperate to meet her, but I can tell that she’s had more than enough for one day. Overwhelming her with my alpha pheromones might tip her over the edge, and from what Brooks has said, she may already be in a fragile state.
“I’ll let you two head out. She doesn’t need any more on her shoulders today, but I’d like to meet her soon, if possible. If she’s okay with it.”
“Of course. I’ll be in touch as soon as I get her home safe.”
Brooks dips his chin to me, then heads over to Sage. He’s careful not to grab her from behind, waiting until she sees him coming to reach out and touch her. A thrum of approval threads through me; he’s a good alpha, and will make a welcome addition to our pack.
“Did you see them?” Riley practically skips into my office as soon as Brooks’ truck disappears around the bend in the drive.
My full lips quirk a smile at him as I stand, crossing my arms, and leaning against my desk.
“I saw them.” My voice is calm. Nonchalant. The opposite of how I feel inside, and the opposite of how it looks like Riley feels.
They stare at me, their pulse thrumming wildly in the neck, but I don’t say anything else, curious what Riley will do.
“And?” The word bursts out of them, and they widen their eyes at me expectantly.
“What did you think of them?” I say, tilting my head as I straighten and step into his space. I reach out with one hand to grasp along Riley’s upper neck to fit my thumb under their chin, angling their face up toward me.
They gulp, throat pressing into my palm, and I tense, forcing myself to remain still. Poised.
Fully in control.
“I want them,” they say. “Both of them.”
I nod, slow and thoughtful. Riley arches his back so he can press his chest forward into mine. My grip spasms on his jaw. A quick clench and release.
“Tell me what else you want.”
“You, alpha,” they groan. “I want you.”
“What do you want me to do?” I ask, bending forward so my lips are inches from theirs. Taunting, daring.
“I want you to fuck me.”
Their hips punch forward and they grind their hard cock into my thigh.
I tsk, clicking my tongue against the roof of my mouth as I adjust my hold on their neck, then slam them back against the wall.
“So impatient, Sour Patch,” I murmur, ghosting my breath across their ear as I slot one leg between theirs.
They groan in frustration at the move keeping them pinned in place, and I smirk.
“I’ve been patient for hours,” they counter. “You think that whole time they were here, taunting and torturing me with those scents and how gorgeous they both are, that I wasn’t being patient? Fuck, Vee. I was so fucking patient.”
I pull back, thoughtful as I let my gaze trail over their face, then take in Riley’s tense shoulders and rigid, desperate posture.
“Hmm,” I say. They do have a point.
I loosen my hold on their neck, then brush my knuckles down their throat and over their exposed collarbone from where their shirt slipped lower on one side.
“You’re right,” I finally say, stepping back. “Go inside and get ready for me.”