Chapter 8
Reid
I’m nodding my head along, giving the occasional sound that I’m invested in whatever this lady is talking about.
Unfortunately, I’m not. I’m trying to be, I really am. It’s the respectful thing to do, but Carson and I have been here for an hour now, and I think we’ve listened to one too many stories that have nothing to do with this charity, hockey, or sports in general.
Marilyn said to make a good impression for our team, and I think we have so far.
We’ve let anyone who stopped us talk about whatever their heart desires.
But how am I supposed to chat up our team and let them know how much we support this cause if the charity director only wants to talk about her summer trip to the Bahamas?
I look around the room for Carson and find him standing with a group of guys. As if he can feel my eyes on him, he turns his head toward me. Eyes locked on me, he mouths, ‘Help me’.
I try not to laugh. Poor guy has had just about enough. He’s been on his best behavior, I’ll give him that.
There’s a break in our conversation, and I take the chance to excuse myself.
“It was wonderful talking to you, but my friend needs me.” I smile politely at the woman. She pays no mind and starts talking away to the man next to her about her dogs.
Is this what these events are really like? A chance for sad and lonely rich people to meet up and talk about themselves? If it is, I don’t intend on coming to many of these events in the future.
“Hey, gentleman. You don’t mind if I steal my friend here for a moment?” I place my hand on Carson’s shoulder.
“They don’t mind at all, do you guys?” Carson laughs.
“Talk to you later.” He turns around and starts toward the exit as fast as he can.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” he rushes out once we’ve stepped into the back garden.
“I swear I’m trying, man. I’m trying to be the best boy ever, but I was seconds from taking the champagne flute, breaking it, and using it to stab that fucker in the neck.
He wouldn’t stop talking about the number of women he had at his vacation home over the summer.
Listen, I like a pretty lady just as much as the next guy, but I don’t see them as toys or something to be used. He does, and I hate guys like him.”
“What an asshole,” I growl. “Guess the old lady I was talking to wasn’t so bad.”
“Can we go back to the hotel now? Pleaseee?” He pleads.
“I’ve tried to talk up our team, I really have.
I managed conversations with a few important investors, but I think that's the best we’re going to get.
These Hollywood fuckers only care about themselves.
If I ever become a pompous rich man, kick me in the balls. ”
“I think I can do that.” I chuckle. “Same goes for me.”
“Gladly.” He grins.
“Alright, yeah, we can go back to the hotel. I think nearly two hours here is good enough.”
“Thank fuck.”
“Leaving so soon?” Carson lifts his lip in a sneer, eyes locked on someone behind me. “Can’t even make it through a charity event? And you call yourselves professionals.” The voice behind me snorts.
“Go away, Demon,” Carson growls. “We’ve been avoiding you all night. Let’s keep it that way.”
“I’m just out here to get fresh air.” Damien Clark, the goalie for the Royal Alphas, raises his hands. “It’s a free country.”
Every team in the KP is our rival. But this guy? We fucking despise him. He always manages to rub it in any time their team wins. When our guys are just trying to have a drink after a game against his team, he’s there with some of his guys being a cocky asshole.
Even on the ice, with every block he makes, he’s taunting our team.
We’re not that special, he does it with every team. It’s why we call him Damien the Demon.
“Well, go breathe somewhere else. We were here first,” Carson huffs.
Damien’s lip twitches. “What are you, five?”
“What do you want?” I ask him, narrowing my eyes.
“From you? Nothing.” He grins, leaning against the brick wall. “Well, at least not now. In a few weeks, I want your loss.” He chuckles.
“Not fucking happening,” I growl. “Scented Scorpions are going to kick the Royal Alphas asses.”
“Oh yeah?” He chuckles. “Didn’t you say that last time? And the time before that? Oh, and the time before that.”
Carson growls, taking a step forward. My arm snaps out, holding him back by the chest.
“It’s not worth it, Car. It’s what he wants. There are reporters in there. If we get into a fight, it’s going to be all over the news.”
“Shame.” Damien sighs, pushing off the wall. “I love a good fight. Don’t get to do that on the ice.” He winks and turns around. “Later, boys,” he calls out. “Next time you see me, I’ll be blocking all your shots.”
“Fucking asshole,” Carson growls. “God, I hate that guy.”
“Yeah, so do I.” I sigh.
“Ready to go?” Carson asks.
“Yeah, let’s go before we bump into anyone else we don’t like.”
“Addison!” Someone shouts. “Where are you?”
My brows pull inward, eyes searching the darkness of the backyard. The light from the building illuminates enough to be able to get around in the dark well, but it’s still hard to make things out.
A look of amusement takes over my face when I see a flash of pink. Over by the gazebo is a woman. At the sound of her name, she spins around and curses. “Fuck.” Darting off the steps, she rushes into a nearby bush.
“Did you see what I just saw?” Carson whispers, humor in his voice.
I nod, looking around for the man who called her name.
“I thought I saw her go over here,” Another voice sounds.
Three men stand a few feet away from us, coming out of one of the main doors leading back here. They squint and look around.
“I swear to god,” another growls. “That woman is more work than she’s worth.”
“We should just leave her. Teach her a lesson,” the first one huffs. “How dare she disrespect us. Her mother will be hearing from me. For someone who seems so desperate to pawn her daughter off on us, the brat is one disrespectful Omega.”
A gasp comes from the bush, followed by a sling of curses. My eyes find Carson’s, his sparkling with delight.
“I’m not wasting any more time on her. Leave her. I’d rather talk to that busty redhead anyway. She seemed interested.”
The others agree, and the men head back into the building.
I can’t help it, curiosity gets the better of me.
Lifting my finger to my lips, I signal Carson to stay quiet. He grins, nodding his head in agreement.
Trying my best to be stealthy, I creep over to the bush where the girl is hiding in.
“Stupid fucking Alphas. Stupid mother. I hate all of them. Pigs! All of them. Acting like they're doing me a favor. I’m doing them a favor!” Her voice is growing louder now.
“They would be lucky to have an Omega like me. Who names their kids Clifford, Benedict, and Elton anyway? Are they trying to sound like wannabe prudy, rich fuckers? Because that’s the vibe it’s giving. ”
My hand covers my mouth, smoothing the snort of laughter trying to bubble up. Whoever this girl is, I like her. She’s got fire.
Crouching down, I lean in. “Who are we hiding from?”
She whips her head around, eyes flying wide as she lets out a squeal of fright, falling backwards into the bush. “Oh my god!” She screams. “You scared the shit out of me. What is wrong with you?”
“Sorry.” I chuckle, rising to my feet. I hold my hand out for her. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Are you sure about that?” The murderous look in her eyes makes my cock twitch. She stares at my hand like it’s going to bite her, and huffs, choosing to get to her feet without help.
She struggles for a moment before making it upright. She grins in triumph, dusting herself off.
The smug look on her face drops as her eyes widen in shock when she steps back, trips over her dress, and falls right back into the bush. This time, I’m not able to keep my laughter at bay, chest shaking with mirth.
“Oh, fuck off,” she growls. “Stop laughing at me and help a lady out.”
Grinning, I shake my head and extend my hand again. This time, she takes it.
Her smaller, softer hand lands in mine, and the moment we make contact, I swear a spark flickers inside me, the jolt hitting me all the way down to my toes.
I pull her to her feet. She comes easily, stumbling into me. I catch her, wrapping my arm around to steady her.
That's when I smell it, the strong wave of cupcakes slams into me. My stomach cramps, my heart starts to race, and my cock thickens in my dress pants.
A low rumbling growl vibrates in my chest, and my arm tightens around her waist. Her lips part, clearly in shock, as a small whimper slips free from her pink, pouty lips.
She can smell me, too. I watch as her pupils dilate, understanding dawning on her delicate face.
She’s so fucking gorgeous. Bright blue eyes that shine in the moonlight, pale pink hair that makes her look even more feminine.
She’s perfect. Beyond perfect.
What did that Alpha say her name was? Addison?
Yeah, that's it. Addison.
“Mine.” The word comes out as a low, guttural possessive sound.
Her chest heaves, breaths coming in heavy pants. She looks like a frightened animal.
She tries to step back, but I don’t let her.
I see Carson step up behind her, boxing her between the two of us. I don’t have to look at his face to tell he’s feeling exactly what I am.
But I do, eyes darting up quickly to find his dark and wanting, locked on the little Omega in my arms.
Addison lets out another small whimper, tilting her head back to look up at Carson. “Oh shit,” she whispers as his scent hits her and she realizes she’s just met not one, but two of her scent matches.
If I were in my right mind, I’d be freaking out right now. The last thing we expected was to find our scent match. Not when we were so close to letting PastelPrincess know our feelings for her.
Right now, at this moment, she doesn’t matter. Only Addison does.