11. Babysitter
Babysitter
Cassius
This isn’t working. I know she is out there.
Watching. Her gaze is on me, and it hasn’t left.
Why won’t she come to me? I thought the prospect of me on a second date would send her into my arms. I never actually intended to make it to the restaurant, but here I am, with the scent of another Omega wrapped around me.
I know she saw the sticky note. She crossed it out, and the corner was crinkled from where she grasped it tightly.
She’s mine and I’m hers. She’s claimed me, my apartment, and my dog. I have to be missing something.
I know I’m pushing her, and I know I’m using this Omega to do it.
Honestly, I don’t give a fuck.
It’s not like she likes me either. Now and then I catch her moving out of my scent and breathing deep like she needs to clear her throat of my smoke.
I know it can be overwhelming, all consuming, but I like to think it gives an insight into who I am as a person, as an Alpha.
I don’t hide behind false words or promises.
I am obsessive, possessive, and controlling. It’s not for everyone.
Gradually throughout the night, we have been moving closer to each other. I think she’s trying to flirt with me, but I am not giving her an ounce of attention. My mind is solely on my mate.
“I saw you on the cover of ‘Alpha Insight’ last week.”
She tries to cover up her cough with a small laugh.
I don’t keep up with every news outlet that sticks my face on their cover to generate gossip.
The only hope I have is that my face stalked my mate, that no matter where she goes I will always be watching her.
I stare, keeping my head tilted just enough that I can see the rooftop where my Omega is watching from the corner of my eye.
She bites her lip, and a minty, nervous scent surrounds us. Her eyes widen, and she tries to project a sweet, excited energy into the air, but it’s weak. The two scents combine into a confusing amalgamation of anxiety. Accurate.
“I meant that you are in the public eye. H—how do you deal with that?”
I throw her a bone. No need to make this worse than it already is.
“I don’t read gossip about myself. It’s easier to forget about it if I pretend it doesn’t exist.”
“Would you expect your Omega to be in the public eye?”
It’s a good question. I haven’t given much thought to how I will run my businesses after I mate. Will I really want to leave my Omega alone when I am collecting intel and staking out a potential feral Alpha? Would I want to keep her out of that world, lying to her about half of who I am?
“I would do whatever my Omega would require of me. If they wanted to be on my arm for every event, then I would make sure every news outlet treats them with the respect they deserve. If they wanted me to sell my business and retreat into the woods never to be seen again, then I’m buying an axe and learning how to chop wood. ” I growl.
A blush rises on her cheeks, and I have to bite back a scowl.
The torturous date continues with no signs that my mate will make a move, and I have no desire to drag it out longer than needed.
The restaurant was picked for the purpose of visibility.
I wanted my mate to see me, and I wanted to watch her too.
But now, with the sun setting and the soft lighting, it feels all too romantic, and I am not here for that.
We pile into the car, and I spend the entire drive pushing my scent into the space. By the time we arrive back, she practically jumps out, all too happy to escape. We briefly exchange words confirming that we would not be moving forward with courting. Still, there is no sign of my mate.
If she’s not shown herself now, she won’t.
On to the next plan.
And for that, I need my lovely sister-in-law.
* * *
“You’re the best.”
“I am.”
Omega Anna flips her locs over her shoulder, her pleased smile turning into a confused frown.
“Wait. Why am I the best?”
I place my hands on her shoulders and push her out of the front door.
“You’ll ruin the surprise.”
Her face lights up as she skips towards her waiting mates. They watch her lovingly, admiration and utter devotion clear in the way their eyes track her movements. I want that.
“I love surprises! Can I have a clue? Just a small—”
She gets cut off, pushed into the back of the car by Reuben, and I wave as they drive off.
I would love nothing more than to tell Omega Anna what is going on. To get her advice, and maybe Omega Daisy’s. That is if she and Alpha Malachi can bear to be parted for that long. I know they would be able to help. But they would also, without a doubt, tell their mates.
Then this would quickly devolve into a group project.
No, it’s better I do this on my own. Ask forgiveness, not permission, and what not. I’m sure the Omegas would have a lot to say about my courting tactics. Omega Daisy might think it’s romantic, but Omega Anna would slap me round the head. And I know my brothers are waiting to meddle.
I can’t imagine how obnoxious Dain is going to be. I’ve already had enough of Dain’s support (judgement).
I shake my head, ridding myself of the thoughts. I can’t afford to be distracted.
Lucky for me, the pack Nobel compound is as secure as my home, only infinitely more isolated.
The perfect place to capture my mate. This time, I would love to see her try to run from me.
I was worried she wouldn’t have the means to follow me, but my mate is ever so resourceful, and I clocked the same taxi multiple times on my drive here.
I know she will be watching me.
All I need to do is make her curious enough to get closer. For that, I need two adorable babies. Well, one sweet, perfect child and one evil hatred incarnated. But they come as a pair, so I’ll have to make do. If anything, maybe I can get King to like me more. I’ll settle for tolerating.
Jes coos, staring lovingly up at me while his brother waddles over, a frown already on his face.
“No.”
King’s favourite word.
Who knew a one-year-old could be so vicious?
I get on my knees and make a point to smile as I hold out the toy he was playing with. Instead, he scowls at it like my mere touch has contaminated it forever. Jes happily takes it from my hands and immediately sticks the rubber end into his mouth, gnawing on it.
King snatches it, throwing it further across the room than I thought he was capable.
“No,” though this time directed at his brother.
Jes’s bottom lip starts to tremble, and I prepare for my heart to break at the sight of his tears, but he sucks in a deep breath and narrows his eyes. The faint scent of freshly cut grass sweeps past me.
I can’t believe he can project.
He beams at me while King does his bidding, waddling over to the discarded toy and fetching it back.
I’m not sure if I’m impressed or terrified. This kid is already manipulating Alphas to get his own way. King reluctantly hands the toy over and plops himself on the ground next to me. He looks up at me with a stare that I can only interpret as, ‘Will it always be this way’.
“It will only get worse, kid.”
One day you will bend yourself backwards to make them smile, and you won’t be manipulated into doing it. You might even find yourself wishing for them to manipulate you with their scent, because at least they are thinking about you. At least you get to smell their scent.
My mother always wanted an Omega child, but she got stuck with three Alphas.
Not that she doesn’t love us, she does. But we must have broken every single fragile item in that house before the age of ten.
She’s taken to being a grandma with everything she has, doting and spoiling them every chance she gets.
She’s all but stolen Omega Anna and claimed her as her own daughter.
I can only hope she will be just as welcoming to my mate.