Chapter 42 Ryder #2
But that didn’t matter, even if it was the truth.
Because we weren’t going to rush her, even if waiting was killing us.
The other guys were right. They were managing to be patient.
What the fuck was wrong with me? Jesus, I felt more at peace than I had in almost two years; yet having Tessa here and not claiming her completely was almost worse than spending eons pining for the woman I couldn’t find in Seattle.
I turned back around, feeling mostly back in control.
My dick throbbed, as if reminding me that I was kidding myself.
“Funny that you’re the one walking the cliff now,” Dixon almost smirked.
I didn’t like that he was turning the tables. “Shut up, Dickhead.”
He shrugged. “Just nice to be on the other side of things.”
“So, I know we decided to rank cat dads by size, but if we go with temper, is Ryder Cat Dad Number One now?”
“Cat Dad Piss,” Dixon chortled.
“I still claim Cat Dad Shit for short,” Tray did a ba-dum-tss drumroll on his knees, capping off the joking exchange.
I felt hot, face blazing. This was the first time me and my pack brothers had been at odds since that brutal battle when our Alphas had to make peace with sharing.
“Do any of you give a shit that Tessa will be fully exposed if she goes? Do you want her to be in the papers? Want gossip written about her?” I bit out the words, knowing I wasn’t being fair. They all cared about our Omega just as deeply.
“You aren’t being rational,” Mac’s voice cut through the noise in my head. “We all give the upmost shit about Tessa, and to imply otherwise is simply choosing to be hurtful.”
“Then why the fuck can’t you guys—”
“Stop fighting.” Tessa's sleepy voice cut through my words and the tension.
Her Omega scent suddenly clouded the air—rich with the normal notes of her chemistry, but also laden with chamomile, valerian, passionflower—it completely cooled my anger.
Alpha aromatherapy, there was no other way to describe it.
"Ryder,” I was close enough that she could reach out and tug on the hem of my shirt. "I said I'm going, and I am. End of discussion. Now be quiet so I can sleep.”
Her blue eyes were still dream-fogged, but her voice was determined. Even wrapped in that ridiculous blanket half-awake, she had a stubborn set to her jaw. That look of hers was becoming all too familiar. None of us could fight against it. We could only say ‘yes’ to her.
"Tessa, you're still in heat." I walked quickly to her and dropped to one knee beside the sofa. Gently, I pushed hair out of her face. Maybe if I reasoned with her directly, she’d realize I was right. "The Vault will be packed. Your identity will be exposed. Cat’s made sure your existence stayed under wraps so far, but we can’t keep that up if you go. It's just not safe."
She snorted, squirming inside the blanket to push herself into a sitting position. After rubbing her eyes for a second, she looked at me. I swear to God her eyes looked bluer than ever. They were the ocean in Greece during summer, impossibly vibrant.
"Ryder, I survived how long on the streets?
Alone? Sometimes in heat, with no one to help me.
I think I can handle a fancy concert with four big, bad, famous Alphas watching my back.
" She lifted her small hand and pushed fingers through my hair.
I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by her touch like I was starved for affection.
I kept myself from groaning with need. Tessa gripped my hair firmly, giving my head a little shake before dropping her hand away.
“Besides, I want to see you sing again, Ryder.” She looked past me, looking at the other guys.
“I want to see Dixon step under the spotlight, front and center, to give an epic guitar solo during ‘January Judas’. I want to see Mac, perfectly-in-control Mac, losing himself during ‘Requiem for Rage’. And I want nothing more than to see Tray slamming on the drums like his life depends on it.”
“Because it does,” Tray quipped, getting up and bouncing around the sectional again. He leaned over and wrapped his arms around Tessa. She wriggled happily and he hugged her tighter.
“So, I’m going.” She said yet again, wide awake and that stubborn set to her jaw back.
No one said anything for a while. I risked a glance at Cat, who was staring at Tessa with appreciation. I sighed. This was a battle I was bound to lose from the beginning.
I tenderly rubbed the back of my neck, like I’d sustained a bruise from the defeat. “Fine, you win. We'll all go to the show, but—” I pointed at Tessa, who was now wearing a victorious smile, “—you stay with one of us at all times. No wandering off alone.”
"Yes, Alpha,” she said with a mock salute, but her scent shifted to something warm and appreciative. She understood my concerns, even if she was fighting them.
“You’re incorrigible,” I frowned at her.
“I quite possibly am,” she teased back.
“Cat,” I stood up, facing our publicist, “beef up security at the venue.”
Catalina grinned. “Already done.”
“I’m in the mood for pizza,” Dixon suddenly announced, standing up and pulling his cell from his pocket. “Veggie for Tessa,” he made a ‘yuck’ face, “and kitchen sink for everyone else?”
“Sardines for Josie!” Tessa cried with glee. “And can you get that house ranch again?”
As if on cue, a meow announced Josie padding into the living room.
She took in her surroundings and beelined straight for Tray.
He released Tessa so he could bend down and scoop up the cat.
“That’s my girl,” he stroked her back lovingly.
“We’ll make sure big Cat Dad Number One buys every sardine Mama Lucinda’s has. ”
Josie let out the loudest, most excited meow we’d heard since her arrival. Tessa fought her way out of the blanket to turn and kneel against the cushions.
“That’s right, Josie. You can be as loud as you want to be now.
” She tickled between the cat’s ears. When she turned back around, her face was beaming.
“It was always a fight to keep her quiet, so we wouldn’t get caught at the shelter.
I had to sneak her into shower and get a meal during the soup kitchen.
I hated having to shush her all the time.
I don’t think,” Tessa swiped a tear from her eye, “she’s ever meowed so loud before. ”
At that news, our entire pack surrounded Tray and Josie. Even Catalina joined. Like the cat could understand our words, we all encouraged her to keep being loud.
Josie meowed again, seeming to bask in the attention, her tail flicking with satisfaction.
Dixon pushed his way towards Tessa, kissing her forehead before jogging away.
Tray rocked Josie back and forth. Tessa just couldn’t stop smiling.
I had to admit, it was heartwarming to see the cat so comfortable, so at home with us.
Damn, it just felt so right having both Tessa and Josie here.
Every day I found things that solidified the fact they were always meant to be part of our pack.
I leaned down, nuzzling Josie’s nose with my own.
When I pulled away, she shook, and a cloud of cat dander and hair puffed into the air.
Mac sniffed, stepping back from our gathering.
I watched his face screw up as he fought a sneeze, but ultimately, he lost. The sound rocketed through the living room.
Josie’s eyes went wide, and then she meowed at full volume, like she was determined to be the noisiest creature in the room.
“Sorry, Josie,” Mac reached forward and tousled her fur. “Forgot the good ole antihistamine today.” Mac had been talking about allergy shots to make things easier, but so far having the air purifiers, robot vacuums, and a daily med was making his life with a feline tolerable.
"Pizza's ordered," Dixon announced, returning to our group as he slid his phone back into his pocket. "Forty-five minutes."
“Or it’s free!” Tray triumphed. Mama Lucinda’s delivery guys were never late. It was a running joke, and we actually tipped them a dollar for every minute it took. They’d never taken the bait, pushing past forty-five. One guy had braved forty minutes for a big tip though.
“So,” Mac cleared his throat. “We should probably start seriously rehearsing. If we can lock in the new song, we can debut it at The Vault.”
“Post-pizza jam session downstairs?” Tray lifted Josie to his shoulder. She wrapped around like a mink stole.
“Oh, yes!” Tessa raised her hand, like she was waiting to be called on in class. “I vote yes!”
“Have you guys tried playing since Tessa arrived?” Catalina quirked an eyebrow, staring at us all.
“Sure, we definitely—” I started to lie.
“Haven’t,” Tray interrupted, a goofy grin making him look manic.
“Well, let’s hope to hell you sound better than the last time,” our beloved Beta cringed, “or I might change my mind about canceling the event.”
“Have we ever let you down, CeeCee?” Tray moved towards her, giving Cat wide, innocent eyes.
“Constantly. All the time.” She smirked.
“Well, definitely won’t this time.” He nudged her with his elbow.
“So, you say.” She narrowed her eyes, staring at him. “How are your classes going, by the way?”
“Oh, CeeCee.” Tray supported Josie with one hand and slapped his free hand over his heart. “Why you always got to hit me with the low blows?”
“Mm-hmm,” Cat shook her head, “Enjoy your pizza, everyone. I’ve got a date tonight.”
“A date?” Me, Tray, Mac, and Dixon shouted in unison.
“I can date. I’m not dead yet.” Before we could all hit her with a million questions, Cat waved goodbye and quickly disappeared into the garage.