Chapter 14
Lexi
Tonight was supposed to be my night off, but one of the servers called in sick and asked if I could fill in for her.
I know I should have said no and asked Briar, but I don’t think I can sit at home alone with my thoughts again.
Knowing that Emmett is on his way home has my stomach in knots. Not only do I have to tell him about the pregnancy, but I have to tell him about Aiden and Sloane, too.
I don’t trust them, but that's not saying much because I don’t trust anyone really.
When I got home earlier, I called Syrus and asked him to give me all the information he had on the Alphas. He told me he couldn’t tell me much—rude—but he did say they wouldn’t hurt me. Not sure how he can know that.
He also told me that he confirmed their job description.
It’s good to know that they’re not serial killers or here to snatch me up and drag me back to a place like Gideon’s mansion.
The point is, if Syrus allows them to stay in Widows Peak, they’re safe enough. I can at least give them a chance to earn my trust, right?
“How are you even entertaining these thoughts?” I scold myself as I drive to the club. “I’m blaming the hormones, or the scent bond. Normal, sane Lexi would never even think about giving those guys a chance.”
Guilt slams into me when I think of the two Alphas who barged into my life like a tornado just yesterday. Tears sting my eyes at the thought of Emmett finding out and feeling betrayed.
I’m not sure what's going to come of those two, but I know I need to let Emmett know that he and this baby will always be my number one. They are my everything, and I won’t let some scent bond that I have no control over change that.
When I get to the club, I park my car and cut off the engine, but I don’t get out.
I stare up at the big Club 21 sign, leaning my arms against the steering wheel and my head against my arms. So much has changed in the last two weeks.
A baby, Alphas. The two things I told myself I never wanted.
“This world is a cruel place,” I whisper, blinking away the tears. “But maybe, if I stay in Widows Peak, everything will be okay.”
I don’t want to turn my son or daughter into a paranoid person, to hold them back from experiencing the world, but the idea of them growing up and leaving, not having their father or me to protect them, terrifies me.
“One thing at a time, Lexi,” I sigh heavily.
Putting a hand on my stomach, I can’t help but smile. “One thing I know for sure, you’re going to be a spoiled little one with so much love.”
The club is pretty busy for a Wednesday night. It’s not all that strange if it’s someone’s birthday, or any other event to celebrate.
The music is playing, people are drinking, and the vibe is fun. Yet, I feel like my world is crashing down around me.
Over the next hour, I lose myself in the rhythm of my work.
“Hey.” Briar leans against the bar top next to me as I grab a table’s drinks. “How are you doing?”
“Hey.” I smile, raising my voice slightly to be heard over the music. “I’m... well. I’m surviving."
She gives me a sympathetic smile. “So, by any chance, your two Alphas...” She gives me a look. “Is one a tall, cocky blond and the other a broody, dark-haired man?”
My brows furrow. “Uh, I think so? Haven’t spent much time around them to know what they’re like.”
She smiles. “So you did meet with them?”
“They kind of ambushed me at the bakery,” I grumble, taking the drinks to the right table, then pulling Briar to the side. “I was planning on waiting to contact them until Emmett got home, but they were just there, waiting for me at the bakery.”
“How did it go?” she asks eagerly.
I chew on my lower lip, stomach fluttering as I think about them. I can’t lie, I am drawn to their scent. Aiden smells like apple cider, while Sloane smells like a burnt marshmallow. I know some might be put off by the smell, but I’ve always loved it. It’s also how I eat my marshmallows.
The two of them together made me feel all sorts of ways that, in turn, made me feel like a shitty person because I should only be feeling that way towards Emmett. I just can’t help it. I’m not in control of it.
“My head's a mess, and I’m trying not to think about it until I can talk to Emmett.” He texted me a few hours ago to say that he was on his way home. He should be back any moment. I let him know I was working tonight, so he might come by and wait for me until my shift is over.
I’m both excited and terrified because I can’t keep acting like there aren't major changes happening in my life right now.
“But the guys, are they nice? Assholes? Worth getting to know?”
I think about it for a moment. “Aiden came on strong the first time, but after seeing him again, he seems pretty level-headed.
Then there's Sloane.” I shake my head, my lips twitching with a smile.
“The man is a mess. But in a fun way? Like you never know what's going to come out of his mouth. The two of them are also together...”
“Ohhhh.” Briar grins. “That’s hot.”
“Stop it,” I laugh.
“Then we don’t hate them?”
“I’m not sure yet.” I shrug.
“Okay, then I should probably let you know the two of them have been here all night.”
“What?” My eyes nearly pop out of my head. “Where?” I look around, trying to spot them, but I can’t see them.
“I saw them step outside. I thought they were leaving, but I went to get some air and found them talking near a big black truck. One was smoking. So maybe they're just getting some air before coming back in. Either way, I thought you should know so you’re not taken by surprise again. Anyway, you should go take your break. Have you eaten anything today?”
My heart warms at how caring she is. “No. But, I’m sure once Emmett finds out, he’s gonna make me a big late-night meal.”
“As he should.” She winks. “I should get back. I’m up next.”
“Have fun.”
Briar leaves, and I’m left standing there in the middle of the club. Should I go to the break room and take my break there, or go outside to see the Alphas? Fuck. My heart is racing knowing they’re outside.
“Damn it.”
Emmett
My truck makes it to the top of the hill right before entering Widows Peak, and I feel a rush of relief.
Not long after I left to head back home, I got a call from my friend, Travis. He informed me that his girlfriend, Emma, who works at the bakery, saw Lexi with two male Alphas, and my heart dropped.
It wasn’t because she was talking to other guys, it was because I know how much Lexi fears Alphas. There are only a few in town she feels comfortable around, and that's it.
I knew there was a pack of Alphas in town, but I trusted Syrus to deal with them. And Lexi said she had no plans to go anywhere near them.
So, why was she with two of them?
I’m assuming they’re in town with the guys from the club. But based on the description Emma gave Travis, I don’t think they were there that night when the alphas were thrown out of the club.
I wanted to ask Lexi about it, but when I checked my phone and saw that she was filling in for one of the girls, I didn’t want to bug her or stress her out over it.
I’m sure there's an explanation, and if Lexi felt threatened by them, she would tell me. She’s not one to take her safety lightly.
As I drive down the hill toward town, I can’t get there fast enough.
I don’t bother going home, instead I head right for Club 21. When I get there, I find it’s packed, so I head around the back to the staff parking lot.
Lexi’s car is here, letting me know she’s inside. Not that I wouldn’t expect her to be. She told me as much.
Getting out of the truck, I groan when I find the back door shut, leaving me to have to walk around to the front.
“Let’s head back in there,” a gruff male voice says. It has the hairs on the back of my neck standing straight up.
“We wouldn’t have to leave if you didn’t need a smoke. A bad habit you’re going to have to quit if you’re going to be around Lexi.”
At the mention of my girl's name, my lip curls up into a sneer. Turning around the corner, I find two men leaning against a big, expensive truck. I don’t have to be close to them to know they’re Alphas. The ones that were probably seen with Lexi.
Anger bubbles up inside me, and I don’t stop to think rationally. I should go inside, find Lexi, and talk to her, but my protective instincts override any rational thoughts.
“Hey!” I shout, hands fisted at my side as I storm over to them. It’s dark, but the street light above them is enough for me to get a good look at them.
They both turn their heads toward me, and my heart stutters. What the fuck was that?
The blond one with the cigarette takes a drag before blowing out the smoke. “Can we help you?” He raises a brow.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I snarl, stopping a few feet away. I don’t trust Alphas any more than Lexi does. But I’ve been around them enough to be able to handle my own.
“I’m sorry, there must be a misunderstanding,” the dark-haired one replies. “We haven’t done anything.”
“Really?” I narrow my eyes. “I’ve been told otherwise. What do you want with my girlfriend? And be careful how you answer that question.”
“Your girlfriend?” The blond flicks his cigarette butt to the ground, blowing out another stream of smoke before stubbing it out with his foot. “If you’re talking about the redhead in there, she came on to me, buddy.” He holds up his hand. “I told her I was taken, not my fault.”
“Lexi.” I glare at him. “Who the hell are you? What the fuck are you doing in my town? And what the fuck do you want with Lexi?”
The blond guy's eyes light up. “Oh, ho, ho,” he chuckles. “It’s Emmett, the Omega boyfriend.” He nudges the dark-haired one on the arm, whose eyes widen in surprise.
“We’ve been wondering when we were going to meet you.
I gotta say, baby,” he says to his Alpha friend.
“He’s fucking hot. Say...” He cocks his head to the side, eyeing me up before licking his lips. “Do you like men?”
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I snarl, taking a step forward. What a fucking creep. “Just get in your fucking truck and leave.” I point towards the road. “Or I’ll call the sheriff and have him escort you out.”
“I’m gonna have to politely decline,” the blond one chuckles.
“Sloane.” The dark-haired one looks at him with a stern expression, but his friend ignores him.
“You see, that pretty little Omega is gonna be ours.” He grins. “Looks like you’re going to have to share.”
My nostrils flare as fury shoots through me. I reach for my gun and aim it right at him. “Stay the fuck away from Lexi,” I demand, my voice low and dangerous.
“Whoa,” the dark-haired one steps in front of Sloane. “Ignore him, he’s a fucking asshole. We are not here to steal Lexi. There’s a lot she has to talk to you about. How about we go inside and find her? We can talk this out.”
My hand is shaking, my head snapping side to side between the both of them. What does he mean Lexi has a lot to talk to me about?
What is going on? Does she know these men and it wasn’t just a conversation that happened today? Has she known them since they’ve gotten into town and not told me?
“Put the gun down,” Sloane says, putting his chin on the dark-haired Alpha’s shoulder, then wrapping his arms around his waist. “No one needs to get hurt.” He grins, kissing the other Alpha's neck. “Aiden, I want him,” he groans. “My cock is so hard right now.”
“Fuck off, Sloane,” Aiden growls. “Or I’ll let the poor guy shoot you. Do you not understand how confusing all of this is? Lexi is going to hate us,” he curses. “Please. Put the gun down.”
My head is spinning, my heart racing. I’m so fucking confused right now. What is going on?
“No.” I shake my head, getting closer. “Not until you tell me what you want with my girlfriend.”
I’m right in front of them now, they’re so close. And that's when it hits me. The cool autumn night air blows, sending two very intense smells my way.
Apple cider and burnt marshmallows.
The hand with the gun starts to shake, my lips parting in shock, eyes widening in horror. No.
My cock thickens beneath my jeans as slick gushes free.
Two feral growls ring loud in the quiet night.
“Tell me you’re smelling what I’m smelling?” Sloane’s voice rasps.
“He’s ours,” Aiden whispers, pupils blown wide.
“Both of them. Ours,” Sloane growls. “Things just got a whole lot better.”
“No,” I whimper, shaking my head. “No.”
“Emmett, put the gun down.” Aiden goes to take a step towards me.
“Stop!” my voice cracks. “Stop.”
“It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay. Let’s go get Lexi, yeah?”
“Stop!” I shout again, ringing in my ears, making me disoriented. It’s too much, their smells, the spinning world, trying to piece everything together.
My body sways, the gun dropping from my hand and clattering to the ground. My vision goes fuzzy, and I feel myself start to fall.
“Emmett!” Lexi's panicked voice screams from somewhere in the distance, but I’m too far gone to speak.
“I got you.” Aiden’s voice is close, in my ear as he catches me before I hit the ground. Then... everything goes black.