Chapter XI
There are two days before the three-three-four telescope model is being showcased at a huge charity conference.
Brock and I walk together into the lab. He’s been on edge with the whole thing, and I can’t blame him.
As far as the team is concerned, it’s still a major work in progress since it can’t focus as far as they’d like. Only I know that it can.
I was surprised when none of them bothered to get their hands on it themselves. They've been so focused on simply trying to figure out what needs to be tampered with. After all, one wrong move could damage the whole thing, rendering it useless.
Before I can step a few feet inside the lab, strong hands land on my shoulders, pinning me to the wall.
“What did you do to it?!” Mr. Minsley growls, bared teeth inches away from my face. “Tell me what you did!”
He snaps at me with bulging veins on his forehead and a snarl. I breathe rapidly with fear as his thumbs dig painfully into my shoulders where he holds me in place.
“You’re hurting me, Sir!”
“Minsley, put him down! What is this about?” Brock reaches for him, but he shoves him away, dropping me against the wall in the process. As I regain my balance, an accusing finger is thrust toward me.
“I checked the lab entrance history! He was the only one who was alone in the room other than me, which means he did something to the telescope!”
Brock looks between us, confused.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about,” I shake my head.
“Bullshit! This is what you wanted, huh, you little mongrel? To make me look like a fool in front of corporate?!” Minsley spits.
“Sir, what the hell is this about? Putting your hands on a cleaner like that is a serious offense, he could report us all if there’s a bruise.”
I wince at the fact that Brock is more concerned about how he would be affected if I got injured. He steps between me and Mr. Minsley, folding his arms across his chest while waiting for an explanation for the Alpha’s behavior.
“The head executive of our department decided to come down here yesterday to see the three-three-four. I told him it wasn’t ready yet, but he was quite persistent,” he explains through gritted teeth.
I had no idea anyone from corporate would ever venture down here. My heart sinks to my stomach at the mention. I’ve never met anyone higher up than Mr. Minsley and I’m content for it to stay that way. Those Alphas are probably twice as cut-throat.
“Shit,” Brock exclaims, taking in the severity of the predicament. “What did he say? Are we all fired or something?”
“That’s where this whole thing doesn’t make sense! He said it was a breakthrough discovery. He was amazed! I was shocked to say the least, but then I looked through the scope.”
“And?”
“See for yourself.”
The three of us shuffle toward the telescope. Squinting one eye, Brock peers through.
“Holy shit,” he whispers after a minute.
“See?! It’s unbelievable! And no one can tell me who did it! I had to make up some lie that one of the others made a recent adjustment I was unaware of, but none of them can confess as much.”
“So, you think the Omega did something to it? What would he know about telescopes?” Brock inquires.
With that, the two of them look at me. There’s got to be a way out of this. Drowning in the fear of repercussions, I hug myself with my arms, not giving anything away. I was stupid to think they would praise me for this.
“He must’ve!” Mr. Minsley sneers as he walks closer, sending a challenging look directly into my eyes. “And he’s going to tell me what he did, right now, or I’m reporting him to corporate myself!”
Fuck, is all I can think.
“Please, don’t do this!” I beg, as Mr. Minsley marches me through the halls and toward the elevators, his wrinkled hand twisted firmly around my shirt collar.
“You’ve left me no choice!”
People are staring, but no one comes to my rescue.
I should’ve known this would happen. Why did I ever think it would be easy breezy to work at the largest space program in the country as an Omega? Not even a few months in and I’m already fired. I suppose that no one is to blame other than myself.
I didn’t need to stick my nose where it didn’t belong. But if I hadn’t, all our careers would’ve been on the line. I can only hope corporate understands that my intentions were well. My odds aren’t looking good, though.
Maybe Mom was right. After I get fired today, I can trudge back home, tail between my legs. I’ll settle down with a nice local Alpha and let my dreams of Comet XI be memories as distant as the stars.
Mr. Minsley drags me roughly out of the elevator and into the executive hall.
We round the corner and his eyes land on three Alphas conversing outside of an office.
Damn, they’re even bigger than I thought.
The entire top floor reeks of Alpha pheromones that have my knees trembling and weak.
One scent in particular smells as good as the grass after it rains, making me light-headed. It grows stronger the closer we get.
The executives pause their conversation and divert their attention to us. What is Mr. Minsley thinking, interrupting upper management? They’re going to be pissed. We might both get fired after this.
Gripping my arm, he beelines toward them anyway. One of the three catches my eye. His dark hair, tan complexion, and hardened expression ring bells of familiarity in my head. We’re still too far down the hallway to see them clearly, but my mind begins racing to catch up to where I know him from.
“Mr. Beckett! Just the Alpha I wanted to see,” Mr. Minsley says.
Mr. Beckett. The name rings in my ear.
As in...?
It can’t be.
The other two Alphas nod farewell to the familiar face and disappear into a room. Before I know it, we’re standing in front of Mr. Smells-so-good. His concerned eyes are focused on Mr. Minsley. He hasn’t noticed me being dragged behind him yet.
“Mr. Minsley? You look troubled. What’s this about?”
Fuck. That low rumble has dropped several bass levels since I last heard it. Am I sweating? I feel sweaty. Gosh, I hope I don’t look sweaty.
“Unfortunately, I am troubled,” Mr. Minsley puts on his best show of being victimized.
“I’ve come to report a cleaner for a violation of conduct.
He’s tampered with our telescope, your telescope Mr. Beckett, and he won’t admit to it.
I’ve given him ample opportunity to confess what he’s done, but he’s being stubborn with me.
” He yanks me forward and my nose is hit with such a strong scent of home that it shakes me to my core.
Eyes land on mine, locking in place, and the world stops spinning.
Suddenly I’m lost in them. There’s a certain vastness within this set of eyes that shares the same unknown depth of outer space.
Full of energy and life beyond my limited comprehension.
Orbits of questions and emotions flicker through the waves of his irises.
No other part of his stern face gives away as much as his handsome, betraying eyes.
“Go ahead, Omega, tell him!”
Mr. Minsley’s excitement at seeing me about to get in trouble fades as he glances between our silence.
“Knox?”
His name is barely a whisper on my tongue as I stare with captivation.
Mr. Minsley’s mouth drops open.
“How dare you address Alpha Beckett by his first name! Are you out of your mind, Omega?!”
Both Knox and I barely register Mr. Minsley sputtering about. We only seem to have eyes for one another.
“Arius.”
Hearing him say my name gives me goosebumps everywhere. It’s been too long. I smile slowly as memories of simpler times come rushing back. Mr. Minsley doesn’t recognize this trance I’ve slipped into while he continues speaking frantically.
“This little shit has stepped out of line too many times to count, Mr. Beckett! I want him fired at once!”
Knox doesn’t even spare him a glance. His attention is only on me. Where it belongs.
“Come into my office,” he says, gesturing to a wooden door with his name on it. Impressed, I step inside but before Mr. Minsley can follow, Knox stops him. “You won’t be needed for this private discussion, Minsley.”
I stifle my laugh at the expression on his face. He won’t be getting his sick little thrill of watching me get fired after all.
“But, but I– “
“Please, see yourself out.”
With that, the door is shut and Knox faces me.
For a moment, the two of us take in the sight of one another.
Fuck, he got tall. I have to bend my neck back to see his face.
He’s wearing a fancy suit, littered with golden pins and badges.
His dark hair is a bit longer than it used to be and styled to perfection.
Exuding wealth and power, a sharp jawline replaces the pinchable cheeks he had before. But his scent is what changed the most.
Has he always smelled so damn good? Hickory and summer bonfires. Pecans and rich bourbon. I’d be able to tell this is his office based on that delicious smell alone. It’s so uniquely him. I can’t stop taking deep manual breaths of it that make me feel at ease.
He stuffs his hands in his pockets. I’m not sure what he sees when he assesses me, which makes me insecure. His poker face has only gotten stronger over time. He used to be so open but has since developed the sternness of a well-composed Alpha. It’s…quite attractive.
“What are you doing here?” He moves forward and leans casually against the edge of a white leather sofa. So deliberate and confident in his motions.
“I could ask you the same.” I smile and earn one back from him. Look at us. Clad in uniform at Comet XI. Exactly where we dreamed we’d be when we were younger. How full circle is that?
He looks at me as if he is seeing me for the first time. I shudder under his assessing gaze, hoping that I smell like a sweet, submissive Omega instead of a sweaty, anxiety-ridden delinquent.
“When did you get so grown up?” Knox crosses his strong arms. “You’re all…pretty now.”
I blush deeply. Same old candid Knox.
“I mean, you were pretty then, too!” he adds quickly. “But now you’re…wow.”
His penetrating stare is so strong I can’t help but tilt my head submissively, baring my neck and peering up at him beneath my lashes. Knox has never commented on my looks before.
“Thanks… I’m not the only one of us who’s done some growing up. I mean, look at you. Sophisticated top floor executive? You never fail to exceed expectations, Knox Beckett. I guess I should’ve known you were around here somewhere.”
He drops his head shyly at my praise, a spike in his scent filling the room.
“Please, any Alpha with an intimidating enough face can weasel their way into a corporate office.”
“Still downplaying your accomplishments, I see,” I shake my head at him with a sigh.
“Enough about me, looks like you made it, too. You’re on Minsley’s team?”
He nods to my lab coat and badge.
“Mr. Minsley’s cleaning team,” I emphasize. Reality sets in and my expression falls. “But not anymore I assume.”
He looks at me with a question in his gaze. I feel compelled to be closer to him, so I move forward and slump on the luxurious leather sofa.
“It’s true, what Mr. Minsley said. I tampered with the telescope, but they were struggling and I just wanted to help. I understand though if you still have to fire me.”
Knox reaches over and tilts my chin up to face him before responding.
“Wait…it was you who got it to work? But how?”
His brows furrow as he studies my face. Ugh, when did he become so handsome?
Staring up at his sharp features, I gulp, finally realizing why everyone always teased us for being just friends.
Alphas and Omegas don’t stay friends very long for a reason, and right now, I’m feeling very Omega and he’s looking very Alpha.